Anyone Here Mentally Ill?

Ugh, I know this all too well. I used to think that people who claimed to have problems with anxiety and depression were just over-exaggerators. That was before it hit me like a ton of bricks a few years ago. In the matter of a day, my life changed. I went from nothing bothering me, to complete depression and anxiety issues. I couldn't eat, didn't sleep for nearly a week, didn't want to leave bed, and just generally refused to do anything that involved moving. I ended up losing about 45 lbs in the matter of a few weeks. The first medication that the doctor put me on had serious problems. I was having vivid dreams of killing myself and found myself constantly thinking about how I would kill myself if I wanted to. I even was looking through the kitchen for the best knife! Finally, the doctor figured out the correct concoction of medication and I've been doing well for over a couple years now!

Bottom line, anxiety, depression, or any mental condition is no joke. Those who try to be funny by posting comments poking fun at those who suffer from such disorders have no idea what it's like to deal with these issues. They think that they're being funny and guys especially think they're "being tough". Trust me, if the day comes when you have the deal with one of these disorders, you'll stop joking around immediately. I know I did!

I used to suffer from moderate depression. I took Celexa and Wellbutrin but after reading Dr. Irving Kirsch's book (The Emperor's New Drugs) I was determined to get off all the anti-depression drugs. With a combination of diet, exercise and daily zazen I am now off the meds and symptom free.

Borderline Personality Disorder coupled with Rapid Cycling Bipolar II. It's a real f***ing picnic to be in my head.

Ugh, I know this all too well. I used to think that people who claimed to have problems with anxiety and depression were just over-exaggerators. That was before it hit me like a ton of bricks a few years ago. In the matter of a day, my life changed. I went from nothing bothering me, to complete depression and anxiety issues. I couldn't eat, didn't sleep for nearly a week, didn't want to leave bed, and just generally refused to do anything that involved moving. I ended up losing about 45 lbs in the matter of a few weeks. The first medication that the doctor put me on had serious problems. I was having vivid dreams of killing myself and found myself constantly thinking about how I would kill myself if I wanted to. I even was looking through the kitchen for the best knife! Finally, the doctor figured out the correct concoction of medication and I've been doing well for over a couple years now!

Bottom line, anxiety, depression, or any mental condition is no joke. Those who try to be funny by posting comments poking fun at those who suffer from such disorders have no idea what it's like to deal with these issues. They think that they're being funny and guys especially think they're "being tough". Trust me, if the day comes when you have the deal with one of these disorders, you'll stop joking around immediately. I know I did!

AMEN!

I have depression related to my current thyroid condition. I'm also the parent of a child that has ADHD and is bi-polar.

Friend me if you'd like!

It's a real f***ing picnic to be in my head.

This made me literally laugh out loud because I JUST said this to my bf the other day when he was saying "I wish I could understand what's going on in your head so that I can help you".

I suffer from depression and some social anxiety. I've been medicated since 2009 and I'm a better person for it!!

On a side note, I have a brother with Bi-Polar disorder. Every Spring becomes very manic (so he's going through it now). He's 23, lives with my grandmother, doesn't work, smokes pot all day, and refuses to seek help or medicate himself. I worry about his well being... Any of you out there with Bi-Polar that DO NOT take medication? How do you get through the work day? Do you medicate with non prescription remedies? Any suggestions???

I work daily with all sorts of mental illness and I have one too. I'm really glad for this thread.
I think I classify as dysthymic disorder...which is a mild, long lasting low mood. I never fit the bill for full on depression. But after years of never feeling right and several months of crying every morning for no good reason I got help. I tried therapy first, but I cried at every session and I'm sure my therapist was convinced I was more ill than I was. Heck she convinced me I was sooo sick I think that she wanted me admitted. I wasn't that sick I just couldn't stop crying at everything! Started on Celexa a year and a half ago and it was like the light came back on inside of me. The difference was night and day. I felt like me. The crying normalized (I still cry...but omg nothing like I used to). Now I am trying to stop my medication due to side effects. My doctor is on board with this. I'm scared of going back to the way I was. I'm hoping exercise will help and developing proper coping strategies. Today is day 2 of no meds.

I have pretty severe Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

And I don't mean the type were people say "OMG< I am SO OCD about that!" (this gets on my nerves a bit at times, bc if most people knew how difficult it can be to live with OCD, they would not use that term.

I mean actually clinical OCD.....

It started as a teenager, and I managed myself fine, until about 2005 when I had a complete nervous breakdown and had to be hospitalized. At that point, the DR tried a couple of different medications, each of them made it worse and one actually made me delusional. I now, because of this, choose not to medicate with pills.

One of the things that bothers me most about OCD is that when I am not being confronted by a phobia (people with OCD have TONS of phobias in general), I understand and recognize my obsessions and compulsions are irrational, but when confronted with them, I seem to have no choice but to follow along.

At this time, I am coping alright, I see my DR every two weeks or so, and keep on top of everything I need to. The OCD is always there, but like most sufferers, I am good at hiding it when I need to, and just do what I need to to get through the day.....

Oh! Another thing: Severe chemical imbalances need to be medicated. >.< Try arguing that with someone who doesn't believe mental illness exists.

Depression which started as post-partum depression in 1993. I don't take medication because when I did, I got told to "take your pills" any time I wasn't a good little robot. I went to 2 different therapists and each said, "So, what do you want me to do?" after a couple of sessions. >.<

I'm just coming out of a 2 week slump which is just a build-up a little things I have been doing "wrong" about my eating habits and exercising. I found out last night my husband wants me to try taking B12 and vitamin D pills because that's helped an internet friend. It really hurts to learn people you thought cared about you just want you doped up and quiet. I try to do my crying jags when I'm alone in the house.

It's a real f***ing picnic to be in my head.

This made me literally laugh out loud because I JUST said this to my bf the other day when he was saying "I wish I could understand what's going on in your head so that I can help you".

I'm glad you have someone sticking with you through it. My partner and I have been together for almost 11 years and he's seen the top, the bottom and the breakdown of the rollercoaster.

Part of me wishes my fiance knew me when I was really suffering 3 years ago. Its hard for him to understand me most of the time - with PTSD I have flashbacks, get scared for no reason, or freak out. Every year around my trauma I call out of work and stay in bed and can't face the world. He doesn't understand how one day I can go out and another day I can't do anything but sleep.

I told him this year "It doesn't make sense. Today, it doesn't have to make sense. It never makes any sense and it probably never will again."

There is just something that clicks in my head that makes me feel like theres a weight in my chest and my skin is on fire. I'm happy he tries but he's always trying to "fix it". I don't need him to fix it, I just need him to be quiet and try to understand it.

It really hurts to learn people you thought cared about you just want you doped up and quiet. I try to do my crying jags when I'm alone in the house.

I'm sorry you feel that way. Maybe though he was trying to be helpful. It's hard seeing the situation from the outside and sometimes it's easier to grasp as a chemical problem, therefore it's easiest to suggest trying some vitamins or a medication. I get what you said before though that it made you feel robotic. Some of them can do that.

Part of me wishes my fiance knew me when I was really suffering 3 years ago. Its hard for him to understand me most of the time - with PTSD I have flashbacks, get scared for no reason, or freak out. Every year around my trauma I call out of work and stay in bed and can't face the world. He doesn't understand how one day I can go out and another day I can't do anything but sleep.

I told him this year "It doesn't make sense. Today, it doesn't have to make sense. It never makes any sense and it probably never will again."

There is just something that clicks in my head that makes me feel like theres a weight in my chest and my skin is on fire. I'm happy he tries but he's always trying to "fix it". I don't need him to fix it, I just need him to be quiet and try to understand it.

That is so hard. Watching someone hurt so badly and not knowing how to help or what to do- or not being able to be content with "just wait" is pure torture. I hope he finds a way to understand.