Anyone Here Mentally Ill?

Beastmilk

I'm not mentally ill, but I've had many bouts of depression and severe anxiety throughout my life. It's helpful, first of all, not to call yourself mentally ill - that gives your problems more power. Though it's really hard to eat right and exercise when you feel so mentally f**cked in the head, think of exercising and eating right as therapy - you're treating yourself right because you deserve it. What has helped me most and gotten me on the right track is getting up every morning, doing 20 minutes of easy yoga and meditating for a little bit. If you start your day off in a calm and centered place it sets the tone for the rest of the day. Believe me, I never thought I'd be that person doing yoga and meditating but it's changed my life and I no longer need any medication.

Good luck on your journey. You'll be surprised how much changing your body can change your mind.

noexcuses1218

Bipolar. After a Really Bad Time in '08, the details of which I'll spare you unless you really want to hear them, I tried therapy for several months then my counselor saw me in a borderline hypomanic/manic state and pegged the diagnosis, finally. went to a fantastic psychiatrist and we worked for something like five years to get the medication cocktail right. Some meds will, indeed, cause lethargy and weight gain. Some won't. The only way to figure it out is to try it, under a doctor's care, so if you freak out, you'll have a safety net.

I totally understand your decision to manage without meds. I used to feel that I could manage it with exercise, a daily routine, fixing the environmental factors, etc., but when I tried that for months and realized that I was still experiencing a lot of mixed states and rapid cycling, I thought it would be best to try the meds, for my own safety. I have a kid. I wasn't going to risk her being left without a mom at two years old.

So yeah, short answer is, a lot of us here are dealing with some form of mental illness to greater and lesser degrees. You are *definitely* not alone, girl. Welcome to the madhouse! Sometimes they give us smoothies...

ipsamet

I'm surprised to see so many members with bipolar! My doctors just figured out that the depression I've been treated for the last 10 years was misdiagnosed, and I actually have bipolar II. Now that I am on the right meds, it has made a HUGE difference and was one of the things that pushed me on the road to my physical health. Nice to see that I'm not alone on here!

themommie

my 15 yr old son has bipolar, he is on lithium. it makes life both interesting and stressful at times

MaraDiaz

Nope. Perfectly sane, nothing wrong with me at all. Just ask the local disability office.

*shrug* Never mind that I'd rather shoot myself in the head than be forced to socialize every day. I suppose they're hoping that turning me down means I will finally go shoot myself in the head. One less non-productive little worker to worry about.

They can't help it, though, they're just little ants on the hill, too.

Axels91

I can't bear the medical names - in the end looks like we are a ****load of stuff but *normal*
A friend call such "being disbalanced" I think he's right, it's just a mental impairment. I refused to be on medications - sometimes even worse imho. But eh, i won the race as a spermatozoid, so I just..take it for granted

if you don't believe in labels, why do you believe that you have bipolar?

JennieAL

Yes! a broken robot since I'm born ahah
Bipolar (never been diagnosed such but I've all the symptoms unfortunately)

i'd wait for a formal diagnosis before telling anyone that. just to be on the safe side.

Diagnoses mean very little sometimes... functionality is what's at stake. Labels are essentially nothing.

i agree, but you need to know what you are treating. bipolar disorder is just a description of a group of symptoms. which is why so many people with organic causes (thyroid conditions) get misdiagnosed with it. if you give someone with a thyroid condition mood stabilizers, it could be detrimental.

You can't always know what you're treating. It would be nice. And when you bring drugs into play, crazy things can happen. But if you focus on functionality and tiptoe through the minefield of diagnostic labels... it's best, in my experience.

Jadbaa

I have Depression. After I had my son 12 years ago I had Post Partum Depression. I didn't know what was wrong with me at the time since nobody told me about it. I suffered through it for 6 months before I got on medication. I have had depression since then. Right now I'm not on medication so I have been feeling pretty bad. Exercise does help some but I don't feel "normal" I don't think I will ever feel "normal". My husband doesn't even try to understand what I'm going through or what I'm feeling. He just tells me it's all in my head. I was talking to a friend the other day about it and was thinking that I don't ever remember being really happy I've had happy moments but never happy. It's hard so it's nice to be around people that understand.

JennieAL

I can't bear the medical names - in the end looks like we are a ****load of stuff but *normal*
A friend call such "being disbalanced" I think he's right, it's just a mental impairment. I refused to be on medications - sometimes even worse imho. But eh, i won the race as a spermatozoid, so I just..take it for granted

if you don't believe in labels, why do you believe that you have bipolar?

I think if you kept your thread open for people to share their experience... though it may not mesh with your own, in particular... it would be more beneficial for all.

Axels91

Yes! a broken robot since I'm born ahah
Bipolar (never been diagnosed such but I've all the symptoms unfortunately)

i'd wait for a formal diagnosis before telling anyone that. just to be on the safe side.

Diagnoses mean very little sometimes... functionality is what's at stake. Labels are essentially nothing.

i agree, but you need to know what you are treating. bipolar disorder is just a description of a group of symptoms. which is why so many people with organic causes (thyroid conditions) get misdiagnosed with it. if you give someone with a thyroid condition mood stabilizers, it could be detrimental.

You can't always know what you're treating. It would be nice. And when you bring drugs into play, crazy things can happen. But if you focus on functionality and tiptoe through the minefield of diagnostic labels... it's best, in my experience.

yes, drugs are very hit and miss. i guess i see what you are saying. however, i don't understand why people are so afraid of labels. we label symptoms, don't we? its the difference between needing antidepressants or lithium.

if you pump a person with manic depression full of paxil you are not going to get the same effects as you would from giving someone with major depression paxil. individuals respond differenlty to medication, but the individual differences in those with the same disorder are overshadowed by the differences between a group of bipolar people and a group of depressed people.

and guess what? both clinical depression and manic depression have low functionality during a depresed episode. but we cannot treat them with the same medicine.

PercivalHackworth

Well seems that the label I most fit it. I just fit less in maniac, depressed, anxious, etc...
Not to mention old anorexia, current OCD, orthorexia, call it what you want; The more time I try to put a word on *it* (so medical word tries) the more time you lose focusing on what matters : be yourself and accept the fact there are things that would never change.

Axels91

I can't bear the medical names - in the end looks like we are a ****load of stuff but *normal*
A friend call such "being disbalanced" I think he's right, it's just a mental impairment. I refused to be on medications - sometimes even worse imho. But eh, i won the race as a spermatozoid, so I just..take it for granted

if you don't believe in labels, why do you believe that you have bipolar?

I think if you kept your thread open for people to share their experience... though it may not mesh with your own, in particular... it would be more beneficial for all.

that was an actual question, not intended to combat what he was saying. i would like to hear his thoughts on it. thats all.

alabughosh

Well seems that the label I most fit it. I just fit less in maniac, depressed, anxious, etc...
Not to mention old anorexia, current OCD, orthorexia, call it what you want; The more time I try to put a word on *it* (so medical word tries) the more time you lose focusing on what matters : be yourself and accept the fact there are things that would never change.

YES! Thank you. You hit the nail on the head.

PercivalHackworth

I think medics are nothing but a crutch

lkblazek

Depression ... Using 300 mg Wellbutrin and 20mg Celexa. Recently tried to go off the Wellbutrin and it wreaked havoc with my eating and sleeping.

andreanicole686

Generalized anxiety disorder, it eats my life, woooo

Me too. My anxiety is often all-consuming. People tend to think I'm 'just a worrier' or tell me to 'think positive!'. I wish it was that simple and easy.

Me three. But exercising has helped greatly. That is a bit different though than other disorders. It goes through phases. Right now I'm doing pretty well. Lexapro does wonders too. lol

Axels91

accepting that you have an illness does not mean that you do not have an identity.

NeedANewFocus

bump...very interested to read more.

i battle depression. hospitalized twice in 2007 (one suicide attempt).

i welcome open conversation from anyone who needs to talk. private message me if you wish.

MrsB123111

Depression ... Using 300 mg Wellbutrin and 20mg Celexa. Recently tried to go off the Wellbutrin and it wreaked havoc with my eating and sleeping.

Wellbutrin did the same to me! I didn't want to eat ever and couldn't sleep. I fainted at work one day and promptly called my doctor to switch meds! It did help me quit smoking though...

Axels91

Well seems that the label I most fit it. I just fit less in maniac, depressed, anxious, etc...
Not to mention old anorexia, current OCD, orthorexia, call it what you want; The more time I try to put a word on *it* (so medical word tries) the more time you lose focusing on what matters : be yourself and accept the fact there are things that would never change.

i understand what you mean. you are saying that we shouldn't trouble ourselves over our diseases, and just live our lives.

thats not so easy when you are seeing demons and cockroaches all over your walls and hearing radios in your head while you are trying to sleep.

having a mental illness means that you are ill. it IS a big deal, it DOES matter whether or not you are diagnosed correctly, especially since untreated bipolar disordered people have a 20% suicide rate. higher than that of clinical depression.

im sorry im just a little miffed about people saying, you are who you are, dont worry about labels. the label isnt whats screwing my life up. the illness is.

Yahalla

What is "normal" anyway? In polling many of my close friends, most suffer from one form of mental illness or another. Some are dx with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, some with Bi-Polar Disorder, some with Depression, some with Anxiety. It was the exception, rather than the rule that a person I spoke with about this topic was unmedicated, undiagnosed and had never suffered from any "mental" issues. So...what is NORMAL? It seems that the majority are "abnormal" so those who are normal are actually the minority...so perhaps being abnormal is actually normal, and those other people are the ones with the problem.

I empathize with those of you suffering. I will think about you and hope that you can find your peace. It is an individual road with individual obstacles. I hope you can find the key to your personal happiness. Good luck on your journey to find health and happiness. HUGS!!

lyssamichelle

Bipolar, Anxiety, ADHD, I kind of forgot what I was typing not gonna lie.
There's a pretty long list though. No medication.
It kept me from staying in school & I can't get a job because of it.
The medications I was on in the past always make things worse.
I have noticed when not drinking soda & eating junk food I focus a little & I'm not as anxious. So maybe, just maybe.. when I get my meals total healthy I'll be fine. Ha. I have a small problem of eating when I get to "down" & then eating when I want to make myself feel like ****.. My therapist never really seemed to acknowledge that though.

chelseelovesyou

I have cyclothymia and an anxiety disorder. It got better when I started exercising and eating right ... I am still on medication, but I am doing much better.

jsapninz

I have bouts with depression... very minor compared to what I've seen in some people. I try to go to the gym every morning... the daily exercise seems to help. The other thing I do is I love to go hiking. Even if it's just a walk in the woods, it really seems to get me out of myself for a little while. And the fresh air doesn't hurt.

I think it's really great that you brought this up too. I think if people talked about it more, there would be less of a stigma associated with it. And getting something out in the open is probably the first step in making it better.

^This

Went through a very dark time in my life with depression...moving to a warmer climate where I can get outside and get sunlight helped alot, although I did go through therapy & meds too. My dad has always had issues with depression and he recently got a SAD lamp and that helps. Being aware of it and learning my triggers helps ALOT. And also keeping in mind that "everybody has issues," depression is one of mine, it is manageable, and I shouldn't dwell on feeling sorry for myself and live in fear of it.

I feel for you. :flowerforyou:

PercivalHackworth

accepting that you have an illness does not mean that you do not have an identity.

Looking for labels and adapted medications doesn't mean the mighty answer reside underneath neither :drinker:

Italian_Buju

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And BTW, I hate Monk.
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I LOVE Monk......I have seen every single episode.....just sayin.....

Tubby2Toned

I dated a girl with Disassociate Identity. It took about 2 months for me to figure out what was going on.
Once it was out in the open, it was slightly easier to deal with, for both of us.

I get waves of anxiety. Like 2 or 3 times a year for a couple weeks at a time. Overwhelming and crippling. As quickly as it comes on, it goes away. I know I'm lucky compared to chronic anxiety sufferers.

LilRedPitViper

I think medics are nothing but a crutch

Yes, medication is a crutch - one that has kept some of us alive. Without that crutch I likely would have turned my brain matter into a giant red Rorschach test on the wall behind me.

ashielovesdashie88

GAD, Depression, Bulimia (formerly for 11 years, i stopped then gained about 70lbs due to meds and obviously not throwing up everything i eat) Socialized Anxiety Disorder and EXTREME paranoia. When i walk in a room i feel like everyone is looking and judging and talking about me.i can't even breathe without the fear of being ridiculed.

Was on meds and i attribute a lot of my weight gain to that and my inability to stop eating everything in my freaking fridge/lack of self control. No longer taking anything. Just adjusted to a low carb lifestyle and exercise instead of eating everything in sight.

AnthroRebel

I have lived with clinical depression, GAD, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, complicated by ADD since teen years. On medication for 20 years. Years of cognitive behavioral therapy paid off. In 2009, my therapist told me I was ready to stop therapy. Wasn't "cured" but had the mechanisms and tools to deal with life. About a year and a half ago, I had to stop taking meds because of no insurance. Actually I found that I was okay without them now.

And despite being unemployed and dealing with my weight, I am still pretty ok. The biggest problems I have with my mental health and my weight is the OCD and ADD. I am not at the OCD levels of "Monk" but it does manifest itself. Still haven't developed the mental tool to control the obsessive/compulsive drives about food yet.