Mmm, the closest I have to a symptom of a mental illness would be my continuing to post on these forums.
Mental Health
- Thread starter Mr Silver
- Start date
Yup diagnosed with dysthymia, a low-level depression that never goes away. Some social anxiety too,but how much of that is really my depression is hard to tell. I've been depressed since I was about 14 and I am 41 now. Take meds for it that only do so much. Lot of psychotherapy that has only been of moderate help. In a therapy now that is designed to directly treat it, and it is helpful, but it is a slow process and there are other factors working against it. Still here though.
I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder when I was 18, though I began exhibit symptoms around age 11. I went on meds, only to have them backfire quite dramatically in my early 20's, and as a result was diagnosed with a type of Biopolar disorder that masquerades as depression until you hit it with SSRIs and MAOIs.
3 years and nearly every damned antidepressant, sleeping pill and mood stabilizer in the book later, I said 'fuck it, this is ruining my life' and I cold turkeyed. I immediately became the most functional I had been since before my initial depression diagnosis. The depression and anxiety took time to fade to an occasional occurrence, but the other problems that appeared only once I began medication - hallucinations, acute panic attacks, psychotic breaks, insomnia, hoarding behavior, suicidal thoughts and vomit fests after every meal - stopped cold as soon as I stopped the meds.
I'll never argue that I don't have a severe and lifelong depression and anxiety problem, but I'm not convinced I was bipolar III or whatever it was my psychiatrist believed I was. The treatment was worse than the disease. Even with mental health care being largely a crapshoot, I don't think a treatment that exacerbates the disorder you're trying to treat and piles on a bunch of new disorders you didn't have before is how it's supposed to work.
Anyway, with diligence and hard work, I've stayed off the meds from age 24 till now, but my moods and functionality have been deteriorating since I survived an assault in early '09, and I'm back in a hole I cannot pull myself out with just willpower, lifestyle changes and talk therapy.
So, at a loss toward what else to do, I'm going back to a psychiatrist and crossing my fingers that between my previous history and a hopefully competent doctor, things will be better this time around. My first appointment is this Friday. I'm terrified of repeating my late teens/early twenties over again and not convinced in the least that this is a good idea, but I'm out of ideas.
3 years and nearly every damned antidepressant, sleeping pill and mood stabilizer in the book later, I said 'fuck it, this is ruining my life' and I cold turkeyed. I immediately became the most functional I had been since before my initial depression diagnosis. The depression and anxiety took time to fade to an occasional occurrence, but the other problems that appeared only once I began medication - hallucinations, acute panic attacks, psychotic breaks, insomnia, hoarding behavior, suicidal thoughts and vomit fests after every meal - stopped cold as soon as I stopped the meds.
I'll never argue that I don't have a severe and lifelong depression and anxiety problem, but I'm not convinced I was bipolar III or whatever it was my psychiatrist believed I was. The treatment was worse than the disease. Even with mental health care being largely a crapshoot, I don't think a treatment that exacerbates the disorder you're trying to treat and piles on a bunch of new disorders you didn't have before is how it's supposed to work.
Anyway, with diligence and hard work, I've stayed off the meds from age 24 till now, but my moods and functionality have been deteriorating since I survived an assault in early '09, and I'm back in a hole I cannot pull myself out with just willpower, lifestyle changes and talk therapy.
So, at a loss toward what else to do, I'm going back to a psychiatrist and crossing my fingers that between my previous history and a hopefully competent doctor, things will be better this time around. My first appointment is this Friday. I'm terrified of repeating my late teens/early twenties over again and not convinced in the least that this is a good idea, but I'm out of ideas.
I have adult ADD, but I don't take anything for it. I do my jobs well and can stay focused for extended periods of time-- but I don't always hear when people are talking to me directly if I am engaged in thought or in the middle of something (very annoying for current and past girlfriends ). Also got me into trouble during a few staff meetings and made me a miserable high school student, despite testing well.
). Also got me into trouble during a few staff meetings and made me a miserable high school student, despite testing well.
Mental health issues? I'm a writer. 'nuff said. 
You have been through a lot, it's totally understandable that you might need some help to get it under control. I'm all for people going to therapy if they feel they need it. I hope it works out for you!
Using medication to treat mental illness does seem like a rocky road: tweaking a dosage here and there can have some dramatic effects so potentially getting on that train again could be scary/wearying. Hopefully you have friends/family who can provide support?
I suffer from Depression and Bipolar II disorder without manic episodes (which means that I feel predominately negative emotions rather than the good emotions). I take meds to keep it under control, but even so I still have episodes.
I have cerebral palsy which I got at birth due to a small section of my brain being slightly crushed in my mom's ribs. I was completely turned around inside her. Aside from needing a wheelchair part time because I tire easily, I also suffer from migraines (chronic, inherited from my mom and her dad), and my memory gets worse with each passing year. Ironically, in spite of this, I'm the smartest person I know.
Does this count?
Does this count?
I've never had any mental health issues as far as I know. I'm just generally sort of offbeat.
I've always been rather anti-social, but I don't think that counts. It seems like more of a quirk than anything else. Also, while I often feel unhappy, I don't think I've ever experienced a case of full-blown depression.
I recall my parents wanting me to see a psychiatric professional in my early teen years, but I somehow managed to talk them out of it. In retrospect, I wonder if I should've actually agreed to it -- perhaps I wouldn't still be the social misfit I am today.
I've always been rather anti-social, but I don't think that counts. It seems like more of a quirk than anything else. Also, while I often feel unhappy, I don't think I've ever experienced a case of full-blown depression.
I recall my parents wanting me to see a psychiatric professional in my early teen years, but I somehow managed to talk them out of it. In retrospect, I wonder if I should've actually agreed to it -- perhaps I wouldn't still be the social misfit I am today.
I have never been diagnosed with any mental health issues. The closest that I have come to evaluating my mental state was with a therapist who wanted to have me take the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory based on a comment I made about living with my heart issues. The test indicated that I was handling everything extremely well. He said I was an unusal case since most would not be doing as well as I was showing. He and my one doctor both indicated that I probably do have a mild case of PTSD due to my cringing at the smell of rubbing alcohol, and every time my heart has an odd beat.
I was diagnosed with Depression and Asperger's many years ago, on medication for depression (working well, as long as I remember to take it!) and have come very far (I think) with understanding objectics/social cues.
I am also working on eye-contact and things like that, trying to understand other people's feelings (They are just so damn illogical!) and memorizing metaphors/common sayings and what they actually mean.
The biggest problems I have now are sensory, but it has been quite a while since I have shut down/freaked out in a public place :3
I am also working on eye-contact and things like that, trying to understand other people's feelings (They are just so damn illogical!) and memorizing metaphors/common sayings and what they actually mean.
The biggest problems I have now are sensory, but it has been quite a while since I have shut down/freaked out in a public place :3
No. Not diagnosed with anything and I also would not self-diagnose myself. Well am scared of cars and a few other things, but still would say I am mentally quite healthy and strong at this time in life.
And in general am very misstrusting of medication. For some people surly neccessary and a help, but sometimes it seems to me people get medicated to fast.
Wish all the people here who have to fight the one ore other issue good success and luck with it.
TerokNor
And in general am very misstrusting of medication. For some people surly neccessary and a help, but sometimes it seems to me people get medicated to fast.
Wish all the people here who have to fight the one ore other issue good success and luck with it.
TerokNor
For the last two years now I have been receiving medication for, in the process of long term diagnosis or treatment for unipolar melancholic depression, moderate obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, seasonal affect disorder, and counselling/general coping help for self harming. The conditions themselves I've suffered from ranging from the age of 5 to 16 onwards.
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