Mental Health Support Thread

[brainy]

Hey all--

As you can tell from those words beneath Gir over there <--- I'm in the mental health field. Unsurprisingly I also deal with my own mental health issues, specifically extreme anxiety for which I don't take medication.

I thought it might be a good idea to have a place where people can talk about what has been going on with them, to get support for problems, to ask questions and to start a dialogue about mental health issues and the stigma that surrounds it. We may have someone with no other means to address their problems. Wouldn't it be awesome to finally provide them with a place to talk about these kinds of things?!

I know that we have a great community here full of accepting and understanding people. If there is no interest Distind can just delete the thread but I thought it was worth a shot. I will gladly detail my own struggle with mental health and join in the conversation when I have time this afternoon.

What do you all think? Oh, and feel free to move this if it is more appropriate elsewhere.

[VirtualStranger]

This thread should be sticky'd somewhere for convenience.

As for me, nothing to report, other than Asperger's and strong social introversion. I don't think that's really considered a "mental illness," is it?

[katsuro]

Does having some of the symptoms of clinical depression which come and go count? Or is that just being a lil' bitch/pussy?

[Aqualung]

I've been battling depression, for many reasons. Been on an antidepressant since last November. Despite living with my mom and being unemployed currently, I'm actually feeling better. Being alone made me go crazy, and being around people always saying I'm not good at stuff; I finally realized I had to just get away from all of that. I lost sight of who I am for a while there; I'm still not really sure why, but I know what I need to do now. I'm ready for my own adventure.
I'm supposed to have an appointment with a councilor on June 8, but I don't think I want to go anymore.

[John E]

Standard issue, garden variety depression over here.

[Napoleon the Clown]

Bipolar as fuck. The title I've given myself isn't completely in joking. I've experienced psychotic episodes while medicated. I also have... issues with crowds. Yay?

[Shane for Wax]

Clinical depression, ADHD, and generally incapable of properly looking someone in the eye and has trouble even TALKING to cashiers in the real world.

[Thejebusfire]

I have a cousin that suffers from some pretty severe mental illness. I can't remember what all she's suffering from, I think it's schitzophrenia (sp?), but she lives in another state and it's been a while since we last saw each other. Last time I saw her was at this family picnic and at random times her eyes would roll into the back of head. It was really creepy.

I've been fighting depression off and on since high school, I stopped talking to my mom about it a long time ago, because all she would do was bring me to church and have everyone pray over me.

[ironbite]

I see dead people.

[Old Viking]

Give to Mental Health or I'll kill you.

[ironbite]

See? That's one of the dead people I see!

Ironbite-can anyone else see that Old Viking is a ghost?

[DeadpanDoubter]

I have major depressive disorder, one form or other of really mild anxiety disorder, and a really fucked up relationship with my family (whenever I think I've adjusted to how they'll react to something, they give me the totally opposite reaction). I have memory problems that seem to be related to the depression, possibly as a coping mechanism, which have led to some seriously shitty results (at least one hearing aid is fucked, I missed filing to get money for the summer, etc.)

I think I might also have some social growth stunting, but it might just be because everyone else is an idiot.

Also, Ironbite...Old Viking hasn't posted in this thread, you just double-posted. Are you feeling okay?

[ironbite]

OH GOD!

[canadian mojo]

May 22, 2011 18:04:40 GMT -5 ironbite said:

OH GOD!

Yes my Raptor, what can I do for you?

[brainy]

I have dealt with anxiety and depression since high school. I went through one major depressive episode from about age 15-16 and when it eased up the anxiety kicked in and I've been fighting it ever since. I have a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Somatization Disorder. Basically my anxiety gets so high at times that I experience physical pain. This usually occurs for me in my legs, neck/shoulders and mouth but has occurred in a myriad of different places over the years.

I choose not to take medication though I could be on an antidepressant full time and anxiety meds as needed. Its a personal choice and I respect anyone's choice to take medication if they think it is the right thing for them. I just have very negative reactions to psychiatric medication. Anxiety meds turn me into a zombie. The antidepressants aren't as bad but my sex drive decreases to absolutely nonexistent.

I'm of the opinion that I can manage it all with therapy, behavioral changes, exercise and social support. I definitely have good days and bad days though. Things might be more consistent with medication.

May 22, 2011 12:26:40 GMT -5 Aqualung said:

I'm supposed to have an appointment with a councilor on June 8, but I don't think I want to go anymore.

Therapy has saved my life before. Its the reason I became a psychologist. Not saying that your life needs saving, but if it were possible I'd choose to be in therapy for the rest of my life in some form or another.