Mental disorders

[TriPac Dude]

I know this might be a somewhat embarrassing and private subject for some of you, but I thought I might bring it up. What mental disorders have you been diagnosed with, what medicines if any do you take, how do you deal with it day to day? As for me, I'll tell my story too. I have panic disorder, extreme depression (I have almost committed suicide on a number of occasions), ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder, Asperger's syndrome, and some psychotic tendencies. In fact, about four years ago, I was diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic due to hearing voices, seeing things, paranoia and delusions. Most of that has thankfully disappeared recently, and I don't even take any antipsychotic medication anymore. I have also been known to be a cutter, and have some some what noticeable scars on my arms. I've also been in psych wards for all this five times in the last four years. Anyone else care to share their stories?

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

Bipolar disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, and gender dysphoria.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

bipolar disorder. still in discussion with the shrink regarding medication but i'm resisting lithium and the synthetic mood stabilizers which are prescribed as an alternative. the side effects look hideous - i don't want to lose my hair.

also an alcoholic although i haven't been drinking too much lately.

[Quail]

I've had treatment for anxiety and ocd, bulimia/anorexia and trauma issues which I don't think were given a diagnosis. They're all quite inter-related, really, but it can be difficult to get treatment that deals with all of the issues. I gave up on eating disorder focussed treatment because they expected me to eat and stick to a meal plan without dealing with the underlying problems, and saw a therapist who was more geared to the trauma side of things, which I think helped more and I would consider myself recovered now from the eating stuff. I still struggle with the anxiety stuff and occasionally things trigger flashbacks and other unpleasant stuff. I think I also have substance abuse on my medical record and I do drink more than I should especially when I am finding things hard.

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

bipolar disorder. still in discussion with the shrink regarding medication but i'm resisting lithium and the synthetic mood stabilizers which are prescribed
I've experienced negative side effects on two different bipolar meds, so at the moment, I'm not on any despite having persistent manic episodes.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

I've experienced negative side effects on two different bipolar meds, so at the moment, I'm not on any despite having persistent manic episodes.
What side-effects did you experience? Did you find that the medication actually did stabilize your mood despite the side-effects? If you don't mind me asking of course

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

What side-effects did you experience? Did you find that the medication actually did stabilize your mood despite the side-effects? If you don't mind me asking of course
I tried Risperidone, and then Aripiprazole. Both caused my blood pressure to spike to dangerous levels. The former did stabilize my mood, though.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

i already have dangerously high blood pressure for my age so that's a no. i was offered lithium and some synthetic drug which can cause hair-loss.

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

i already have dangerously high blood pressure for my age so that's a no.
Yeah, mood swings beat having a stroke or something.

[Comrade Jacob]

I would normally keep this private but I do suffer from audio and visual hallucinations & paranoia to the point of almost hurting loved ones. I'm currently having weekly meetings with my psychiatrist but it's 'early days' and I'm a minor so he is hesitant to give a diagnosis but he said 'it may be paranoid-schizophrenia but we don't want to say yet'.
I really hope it isn't. I'd have to start taking more goddamn pills, it makes me feel so un-controlling of my own life.

I don't feel comfortable going into anymore detail.

[Sinister Intents]

I suffer from what is known as Asperger's and its affected me my whole life and I've went through abuse for it being noticeable enough. I have what is know as frontal lobe syndrome from a car accident when I was 18 months old. My father also has FLS from this accident and both of my parents are disabled because of this car accident. I've been diagnosed with ADD and ADHD, and they tried diagnosing me with schizophrenia, but they didn't because my mother explained that I believe in the supernatural and paranormal. I do think I see and hear 'spirits' once in a while and I believe in an after life. Currently my mental health is really fucked up because I'm suffering from the anxiety and depression from an abusive relationship.

[TheSocialistMetalhead]

I don't mean to be disrespectful but do any of you ever think that psychiatrists want to see things that aren't really there or just diagnose you with things that could also be ascribed to your other 'disorders'?

[Ele'ill]

I don't mean to be disrespectful but do any of you ever think that psychiatrists want to see things that aren't really there or just diagnose you with things that could also be ascribed to your other 'disorders'?

yes, not just the psychiatrists doing the diagnosing but the folks creating the criteria for diagnosis

[Sinister Intents]

I don't mean to be disrespectful but do any of you ever think that psychiatrists want to see things that aren't really there or just diagnose you with things that could also be ascribed to your other 'disorders'?

They tried wrongfully diagnosing me a schizophrenic and medicating me for it, thankfully my mom destroyed that, I used to be medicated for Asperger's, ADD, ADHD with Sertraline (zoloft), Ritalin, Adderal, Dextroamphetamine salts, and another pill that gave took away all of my energy and made me drastically lose weight, I don't remember what it was called, but they took me off of it immediately.

[Sperm-Doll Setsuna]

yes, not just the psychiatrists doing the diagnosing but the folks creating the criteria for diagnosis

Indeed. Let us all remember this one (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppositional_defiant_disorder)... Nothing like pathologising entire swaths of behaviours deemed undesirable.

[Brandon's Impotent Rage]

Clinical depression, and anxiety disorder.

[TriPac Dude]

Well this has turned out to be an enlightening discussion so far. They put me on lithium for several years, for what reason I don't know, but it never caused any side effects. I was also on Abilify, then Invega, then Geodon, then that awful Risperdal. Every one of these medicines except Geodon caused me to go from around 125 pounds to about 180. I have lost a lot of that weight now. Then the stupid psychiatrist put me on one of the highest doses possible of the older antipsychotics Haldol and Navane. Eventually I started shaking uncontrollably, and couldn't even sleep at night because of it. I spent some twenty two hours in bed a day sleeping because I was so drugged out I hardly knew what planet I was on. Also had a very bad experience with the antidepressant Wellbutrin. I was thankfully in the psych ward when it happened, but that crap shot my blood pressure up from about 110/70 to around 180 over something. I'm lucky I didn't have a stroke or something. I quit that garbage right away.

[IBleedRed]

I think depression is something that I suffer with, but I've never seen a doctor about it.

I am very skeptical about diagnoses of ADD/ADHD, no offense to anyone

[IWantToLearn]

I suffer of OCD and i think that maybe of depression too.

[TriPac Dude]

I do know that ADHD is often over diagnosed it seems, but I can say that I've got it, because in college, the classes were 50 minutes long usually, and I was squirming in my seat about 20 minutes in, unless it was something I really liked. And classes any longer than that, whether I thought they were interesting or not, were simply intolerable.

[Sinister Intents]

I do know that ADHD is often over diagnosed it seems, but I can say that I've got it, because in college, the classes were 50 minutes long usually, and I was squirming in my seat about 20 minutes in, unless it was something I really liked. And classes any longer than that, whether I thought they were interesting or not, were simply intolerable.

Oooh damn, haha for me with my four hour long college night classes I can't sit still haha and it sucks, I gotta move around and I try to pace and I get told to sit down

[Marshal of the People]

Okay I have been diagnosed with; Aspergers Syndrome (now just autism), ADHD-PI (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder primarily inattentive), OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), narcissism. I probably also suffer from psychopathy, my psychiatrist thinks I probably do.

[Sinister Intents]

^^^ I think I could have psycopathic tendencies :)

[Goblin]

Okay I have been diagnosed with; Aspergers Syndrome (now just autism), ADHD-PI (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder primarily inattentive), OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), narcissism. I probably also suffer from psychopathy, my psychiatrist thinks I probably do.

This explains a lot.

[Marshal of the People]

This explains a lot.

Well, aren't you polite.

I think I found your wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goblin

A goblin is a legendary evil or mischievous creature; a grotesquely evil or evil-like phantom.
In some cases, goblins have been classified as constantly annoying little creatures...Sounds about right to me.

[Brandon's Impotent Rage]

I think it should be emphasized:
Having a mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. It isn't your fault that you have such a condition. It doesn't define who you are, or what you may believe.

[Marshal of the People]

I think it should be emphasized:
Having a mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. It isn't your fault that you have such a condition. It doesn't define who you are, or what you may believe.

I agree comrade Brandon, Vanguard of the Southern Workers. Mental illnesses can make a person a lot better than ordinary people, just look at me for example. There is nothing wrong with having a mental illness it just means you're a little more different than usual and there is nothing wrong being different. People with mental illnesses have different things they are good at and different things they are bad at compared to neurotypicals, we should learn to place priority on our strengths and work on our weaknesses.

[Sperm-Doll Setsuna]

Mental illnesses can make a person a lot better than ordinary people, just look at me for example..

This is when I know you're trolling, Marshal.

[Marshal of the People]

This is when I know you're trolling, Marshal.

It was a joke geez! (it is partially true though)

I sometimes feel as though my humour is wasted on a lot of members here.

[Comrade #138672]

This is when I know you're trolling, Marshal.I think he means that he is better at some things than neutotypical people because of his condition(s), while being worse at other things.

Goblin's ableism is inexcusable.

[Marshal of the People]

I think he means that he is better at some things than neutotypical people because of his condition(s), while being worse at other things.

Finally someone who got it, thanks.

[adipocere]

I suggest Anatomy of an Epidemic (http://robertwhitaker.org/robertwhitaker.org/Anatomy%20of%20an%20Epidemic.html)

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

I don't mean to be disrespectful but do any of you ever think that psychiatrists want to see things that aren't really there or just diagnose you with things that could also be ascribed to your other 'disorders'?
absolutely.

they're trigger-happy with diagnostics and the resultant medication - its usually quite arbitrary and i think its because there's a $billion pharmaceutical industry which is constantly pushing pills, despite the fact that many of them are completely unknown in terms of long-term effects etc.

foucault et al were right in the anti-psychiatry movement. it is a dangerous world that can potentially do more harm than good and, with each new edition of the dsm criteria, more and more elements are classed as disorders and as such, more and more diagnoses are made and more pills are pushed

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

It was a joke geez! (it is partially true though)

I sometimes feel as though my humour is wasted on a lot of members here.
its more like you wish you were a narcissist. its not as fun as it sounds

[Greek Warrior]

Seems that most revolutionary people suffer from mental disorders. So do I.
Rule Number One:
Totally avoid people that treat you bad and make you feel bad and show no consideration and understanding towards you. If you cannot avoid those people, train yourself to completely ignore them when they are around you. Trying to convince them that they are wrong, is just a waste of time. Better to be alone than around stupid and selfish people, no matter who they are.
Stay as close as you can, to people that really love you, care about you, respect and understand you.
Rule Number Two:
You are the master of your own life, so you must do whatever you want and never apologize for doing something that makes you feel happy, as long as you do not harm or disturb anybody else. To err is human, and we always learn from our mistakes.
Remember we only live once.
Rule Number Three:
Always follow rules #1 and #2.
:)

[Comrade #138672]

Seems that most revolutionary people suffer from mental disorders.Or does capitalism suffer from revolution(aries)?

[Os Cangaceiros]

with each new edition of the dsm criteria, more and more elements are classed as disorders and as such, more and more diagnoses are made and more pills are pushed

Some stuff doesn't make the cut, though. Like "sex addiction", which was removed as a disorder in the last one.

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

I've self-diagnosed Narcisstic Personality Disorder (if the checklists are to be believed). Not sure what to do about it, if anything.

[juljd]

I suffered from panic disorder and depression for a while. Now I'm diagnosed with OCD (combined with hypochondria) which I am under treatment for. I have some depressive tendencies now too, barely enough to diagnose for depression anymore though.

[Kazu]

I have post-traumatic stress disorder, diagnosed in 2007. I thought only soldiers got it until I was diagnosed.

I get treated in a downright hostile manner by the health care system here, so I rarely go to the doctor anymore.

[Comrade Jacob]

^^^ I think I could have psycopathic tendencies :)

Smiles!...
Honestly, wtf wit dat smilie?

[Sinister Intents]

Smiles!...
Honestly, wtf wit dat smilie?

What's your concern?

[Sperm-Doll Setsuna]

What's your concern?

I assume that you seemed to be happy about your potential psychopathic tendencies?

[Marshal of the People]

its more like you wish you were a narcissist. its not as fun as it sounds
Since when are you more qualified to diagnose someone than a psychiatrist?

[Marshal of the People]

There is nothing to be ashamed of it you have a mental disorder. Everyone is different.

[Marshal of the People]

What's your concern?
There is nothing wrong with it comrade don't worry.

Most psychopaths don't kill anyone! Most serial killers aren't psychopaths or don't just suffer from psychopathy alone!

[Quail]

Having dark thoughts and stuff doesn't necessarily make you a psychopath. They can be part of an anxiety disorder or depression. I get horrible, violent intrusive thoughts and for ages I just thought I was a terrible person, but violent obsessional thoughts are quite common in people with OCD. It's just that nobody ever talks about them. For some reason the focus is always on the compulsive behaviours whenever OCD is in the media, rather than the thoughts behind them. I guess it makes better TV or something.

[Marshal of the People]

Having dark thoughts and stuff doesn't necessarily make you a psychopath. They can be part of an anxiety disorder or depression. I get horrible, violent intrusive thoughts and for ages I just thought I was a terrible person, but violent obsessional thoughts are quite common in people with OCD. It's just that nobody ever talks about them. For some reason the focus is always on the compulsive behaviours whenever OCD is in the media, rather than the thoughts behind them. I guess it makes better TV or something.
I know. I probably shouldn't talk about my psychopathy because you would probably think I am an evil stalinoid.

[TriPac Dude]

I personally think most psychiatrists and psychologists are full of pure bull shit myself. That stupid psychiatrist in St Louis ( who was supposedly one of the best) kept poking pills down my throat in the maximum allowable doses, sometimes even exceeding the maximum. I was a complete zombie, and she just kept giving me more medicine. Then, my dad got fed up and told me to quit taking all that antipsychotic crap. I immediately was alert and alive. No paranoia, hallucinations, nothing. When she saw the change, she said "well maybe we misdiagnosed you". What a complete idiot. Also, she had me on THREE antipsychotic drugs at once, which I've read you're never supposed to do. How competent is this doctor? I think that most doctors just want their stupid money and really don't give a crap about their patients.

[Marshal of the People]

I personally think most psychiatrists and psychologists are full of pure bull shit myself. That stupid psychiatrist in St Louis ( who was supposedly one of the best) kept poking pills down my throat in the maximum allowable doses, sometimes even exceeding the maximum. I was a complete zombie, and she just kept giving me more medicine. Then, my dad got fed up and told me to quit taking all that antipsychotic crap. I immediately was alert and alive. No paranoia, hallucinations, nothing. When she saw the change, she said "well maybe we misdiagnosed you". What a complete idiot. Also, she had me on THREE antipsychotic drugs at once, which I've read you're never supposed to do. How competent is this doctor? I think that most doctors just want their stupid money and really don't give a crap about their patients.
In Australia if a doctor did that they would be fired immediately. I guess you live in America?

[TriPac Dude]

Unfortunately, I live right now in the corrupt dictatorship of America. So, in Australia, do you have some kind of socialized medicine? How does your medical system work? Ukraine, my home country, has some kind of socialized medicine, but health care is very inadequate and substandard. America's medical system sucks. When I was in the psych wards, the total bill was over 20,000 dollars. Insurance paid for most of it, but we still had to pay the simply outrageous deductible of 2000 dollars. When we couldn't pay, we were constantly harrassed by the hospitals and collection agencies with nasty phone calls and letters. Thankfully, they haven't bothered us in a long time. What a totally screwed up system these Americans have.

[Marshal of the People]

Unfortunately, I live right now in the corrupt dictatorship of America. So, in Australia, do you have some kind of socialized medicine? How does your medical system work? Ukraine, my home country, has some kind of socialized medicine, but health care is very inadequate and substandard. America's medical system sucks. When I was in the psych wards, the total bill was over 20,000 dollars. Insurance paid for most of it, but we still had to pay the simply outrageous deductible of 2000 dollars. When we couldn't pay, we were constantly harrassed by the hospitals and collection agencies with nasty phone calls and letters. Thankfully, they haven't bothered us in a long time. What a totally screwed up system these Americans have.
Australia's system is good currently but Tony Abbott is probably going to ruin it.

[Diirez]

I'm so glad this post is here. I want to be a psychiatrist myself. Schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder are the two that I am really interested in.

Anyways, I think we should be clear here that there, with all types of doctors, bad doctors who just want money and good doctors, who care about diagnosing and rehabilitating. Where you run into trouble is when you diagnose all psychiatrists as people who just care about getting money based on a few doctors. Granted, there is a lot of bad psychiatrists, but there's also a lot of good psychiatrists.

[TriPac Dude]

Sorry if I insulted you in any way about psychiatrists. But I have had bad experiences with several doctors who seemed not to care about me or how I was feeling. I am now inherently distrustful of psych people.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

Since when are you more qualified to diagnose someone than a psychiatrist?
i have narcissistic and sociopathic tendencies and the tendency to brag about it isn't there, as with narcissism is the "other" side which destroys yourself and your relationships, leads u to use people, hurt people and ultimately hurt urself.

it isn't simply being arrogant and thinking ur the best, it is a dangerous personality disorder which causes what i can only call hell on earth. i hate it and the sad truth of narcissists is that underneath the glib charm, they strongly dislike themselves

[Criminalize Heterosexuality]

I'm so glad this post is here. I want to be a psychiatrist myself. Schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder are the two that I am really interested in.

Anyways, I think we should be clear here that there, with all types of doctors, bad doctors who just want money and good doctors, who care about diagnosing and rehabilitating. Where you run into trouble is when you diagnose all psychiatrists as people who just care about getting money based on a few doctors. Granted, there is a lot of bad psychiatrists, but there's also a lot of good psychiatrists.

Unfortunately, psychiatry has a particularly nasty history of being used for political purposes (well, more so than other professions - everything is political to an extent, of course), from the notion that homosexuality is an illness and "sluggishly progressing schizophrenia" to the modern pathologization of transsexuality and variant gender expression.

[Sinister Intents]

I assume that you seemed to be happy about your potential psychopathic tendencies?


I see, not particularly if I was diagnosed with that, but I do get violent and disturbing thoughts that I've almost acted upon, but as Quail said. I could go see a doctor or something and get checked out mentally to get a better diagnosis of the problems I may have

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

I see, not particularly if I was diagnosed with that, but I do get violent and disturbing thoughts that I've almost acted upon. I could go see a doctor or something and get checked out mentally to get a better diagnosis of the problems I may have
as quail said, having violent and disturbing thoughts aren't necessarily an indication of psychopathy.

its more to do with controlling people, using them, manipulating them and abusing them for some kind of gain. physical violence isn't always involved

[Sinister Intents]

as quail said, having violent and disturbing thoughts aren't necessarily an indication of psychopathy.

its more to do with controlling people, using them, manipulating them and abusing them for some kind of gain. physical violence isn't always involved

I made an edit because I forgot to include that, and I forgot to mark the edit :) I did read what she said, just forgot to mention it.

[Revenant]

I don't trust anything psychologists or analysts tell me about my mind, I think that was recently made a disorder :rolleyes:

[Rugged Collectivist]

Indeed. Let us all remember this one (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppositional_defiant_disorder)... Nothing like pathologising entire swaths of behaviours deemed undesirable.

I'm just gonna leave this here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drapetomania).

[Fakeblock]

I'm just gonna leave this here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drapetomania).

And this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_dysphoria)

[Marshal of the People]

i have narcissistic and sociopathic tendencies and the tendency to brag about it isn't there, as with narcissism is the "other" side which destroys yourself and your relationships, leads u to use people, hurt people and ultimately hurt urself.

it isn't simply being arrogant and thinking ur the best, it is a dangerous personality disorder which causes what i can only call hell on earth. i hate it and the sad truth of narcissists is that underneath the glib charm, they strongly dislike themselves

I am sorry you feel inferior but that's okay everyone is different. Oh and you aren't a psychiatrist so you really can't diagnose other people.

[Marshal of the People]

as quail said, having violent and disturbing thoughts aren't necessarily an indication of psychopathy.

its more to do with controlling people, using them, manipulating them and abusing them for some kind of gain. physical violence isn't always involved

That is actually correct.

It is characterised by a lack of empathy, remorse and guilt and a lack of love (that last one for me anyway). For example I don't hurt people physically but I have been know to do it emotionally on purpose just for fun sometimes and I don't feel bad about it. It isn't really normal since I don't love my parents at all and that isn't normal I don't think, I also think that is incredibly bad:confused:. Oh and I also enjoy manipulating people (only for fun and it hasn't hurt anybody, I just get them to like me a lot.)

Most "psychopaths" on television and movies are actually sadists I think.

@Sinister Intents you probably aren't one if you just suffer from violent thoughts. The reason I asked my psychiatrist about it was because I was called one heaps of times and I couldn't understand why, at first I though it was someone who was extremely violence but it isn't actually.

[Marshal of the People]

Most people don't have a clue about mental illnesses and think it is some "bad" thing and that is sad. We should all attempt to educate people who asks what's "wrong" with us next time someone says it.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

I am sorry you feel inferior but that's okay everyone is different. Oh and you aren't a psychiatrist so you really can't diagnose other people.
i don't and that's the problem with narcissists and is the main force behind our narcissistic rage which can flare up when our sense of entitlement isn't met

[Comrade #138672]

This sense of entitlement is interesting. Sometimes it seems that narcissism and psychopathy are primarily bourgeois traits.

[Marshal of the People]

This sense of entitlement is interesting. Sometimes it seems that narcissism and psychopathy are primarily bourgeois traits.Lets just go around calling mental disorders bourgeois, it is very scientific and medically correct. (<-SARCASM)

[Comrade #138672]

Lets just go around calling mental disorders bourgeois, it is very scientific and medically correct. (<-SARCASM) I am certainly not saying that.

[Comrade #138672]

I am sorry if I offended you with that post.

[Marshal of the People]

I am sorry if I offended you with that post.Don't worry you are forgiven. I may have overacted.

[Creative Destruction]

I have clinical depression and anxiety disorder. My depression is in "remission", I guess. I stopped drinking alcohol, and that helped a lot. I haven't had an episode in about six months, which makes me feel good. But I still suffer from the anxiety. I don't like going into big crowds partly because of it (but also partly because I just generally don't like being around many people to begin with, especially people I don't know.) I also have a breathing tic that becomes inflamed when I become really anxious, like I can't ever catch a full breath but that could be my asthma becoming aggravated, too.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

This sense of entitlement is interesting. Sometimes it seems that narcissism and psychopathy are primarily bourgeois traits.
they're definitely traits which allow the bourgeois the flourish and i'd even argue that they are socially/culturally informed to a broad extent too.

narcissism is far more prevalent in modern western society than it was historically. its interesting to study the trajectory of advertising and consumerism and correlate it with rising narcissism.

[Os Cangaceiros]

People just use that shit to cover up how empty their lives are. Poor people use the means available to them to cover that shit up, and rich people use their money to cover it up.

I was reminded of this when watching some interview with the guy who was the inspiration for "The Wolf of Wall Street", in which he talked about how he was throwing baskets of hundred dollar bills on top of drug orgies in his huge mansion to cover up his depression and massive self-loathing. A lot of the superficial opulence and narcissism is just people trying hard to deceive themselves and others, IMO

[Tenka]

I have never been to a psych and thus never been diagnosed with any mental disorder, though I've always had social anxiety and a crappy attention span and sense of direction; also hyperactivity and mood swings; and since I was 14, I've had occasional existential panic attacks. I am extremely paranoid about people, too, but I don't know if that means anything. Again, I have no diagnoses for anything except Multiple Sclerosis (which can't really be treated as it is; I'm just trying to keep moving and maintain my vitamin D levels through this rubbish known as Winter), but I'd probably snatch some real good diagnoses if I went to a psych.

[Domela Nieuwenhuis]

Finally gonna get a proper diagnosis (most probably ADD).


There are multiple threads about this:
http://www.revleft.com/vb/mental-health-thread-t185309/index.html?t=185309&highlight=mental

http://www.revleft.com/vb/do-you-have-t167547/index.html?t=167547&highlight=mental

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

Finally gonna get a proper diagnosis (most probably ADD).


There are multiple threads about this:
http://www.revleft.com/vb/mental-health-thread-t185309/index.html?t=185309&highlight=mental

http://www.revleft.com/vb/do-you-have-t167547/index.html?t=167547&highlight=mental
can a mod merge the threads and sticky them?

[Marshal of the People]

People just use that shit to cover up how empty their lives are. Poor people use the means available to them to cover that shit up, and rich people use their money to cover it up.

I was reminded of this when watching some interview with the guy who was the inspiration for "The Wolf of Wall Street", in which he talked about how he was throwing baskets of hundred dollar bills on top of drug orgies in his huge mansion to cover up his depression and massive self-loathing. A lot of the superficial opulence and narcissism is just people trying hard to deceive themselves and others, IMONo offence but I don't think people use mental illnesses to cover up their problems. For example someone with OCD can't really help having it and neither can someone who has BPD, etc.

[Sinister Intents]

No offence but I don't think people use mental illnesses to cover up their problems. For example someone with OCD can't really help having it and neither can someone who has BPD, etc.

People in the past have accused me of hiding behind disorders and problems. Especially this one guy I used to be friends with and he was a complete asshole to people who said that they had said problem. He even would go so far as to say that it's there choice to be bipolar so they can be 'b***hy' for no reason, and call their mood swings fake. He would deny my autism and still call me 'retard' or other ableist language, even homophobic and sexist slurs he would call me.

[Marshal of the People]

People in the past have accused me of hiding behind disorders and problems. Especially this one guy I used to be friends with and he was a complete asshole to people who said that they had said problem. He even would go so far as to say that it's there choice to be bipolar so they can be 'b***hy' for no reason, and call their mood swings fake. He would deny my autism and still call me 'retard' or other ableist language, even homophobic and sexist slurs he would call me.Yes comrade, people like that are not nice people plus they seem to be highly uneducated or just stupid (probably both). I am sorry that happened to you.

[Sinister Intents]

Yes comrade, people like that are not nice people plus they seem to be highly uneducated or just stupid (probably both). I am sorry that happened to you.

Indeed, it's not necessarily lack of education, its the overall extreme narcissism of people in my area. People in Chaut. County seem to have this same kind of attitude and way to go about things. They're all rather ignorant, sexist, and backwards. I've had to deal with them for over half of my life and it sucks that I still get to deal with these people who act this way. It's alright, I don't plan on staying in the area for very long.

[Marshal of the People]

Indeed, it's not necessarily lack of education, its the overall extreme narcissism of people in my area. People in Chaut. County seem to have this same kind of attitude and way to go about things. They're all rather ignorant, sexist, and backwards. I've had to deal with them for over half of my life and it sucks that I still get to deal with these people who act this way. It's alright, I don't plan on staying in the area for very long.I am not ignorant, sexist or backwards and yet I am a narcissist.

The reason I am a narccisist is because I was praised and adored my whole life by my parents and most people I met, for example my parents still call me a genius at least once a day and they used to call me perfect all the time tough my psychiatrist is etting them to stop because it is not healthy for me apparently. The teachers at school also love me a lot.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

I am not ignorant, sexist or backwards and yet I am a narcissist.

The reason I am a narccisist is because I was praised and adored my whole life by my parents and most people I met, for example my parents still call me a genius at least once a day and they used to call me perfect all the time tough my psychiatrist is etting them to stop because it is not healthy for me apparently. The teachers at school also love me a lot.
ur not a narcissist lol.

[Marshal of the People]

ur not a narcissist lol.I have been diagnosed so...

[Sinister Intents]

I have been diagnosed so...

IRL people question whether I'm actually what I've been diagnosed when I tell them. I've been growing out of what's affecting, well not so much growing out of, but getting better at coping with and how to function socially.

[Marshal of the People]

IRL people question whether I'm actually what I've been diagnosed when I tell them. I've been growing out of what's affecting, well not so much growing out of, but getting better at coping with and how to function socially.Goodbye Sinister Intents.

[Sinister Intents]

Goodbye Sinister Intents.

Okay? Goodbye.

[Domela Nieuwenhuis]

The reason I am a narccisist is because I was praised and adored my whole life by my parents and most people I met, for example my parents still call me a genius at least once a day and they used to call me perfect all the time tough my psychiatrist is etting them to stop because it is not healthy for me apparently. The teachers at school also love me a lot.

Lemme guess...only child?

[Marshal of the People]

Lemme guess...only child?No, I have a younger sister.

[Domela Nieuwenhuis]

No, I have a younger sister.

Wrong guess...

[Marshal of the People]

Wrong guess...Oh no, I am 100% positive I have a sister. Unless she is an alien which has brainwashed me and my parents into thinking she is part of the family.

[Domela Nieuwenhuis]

Oh no, I am 100% positive I have a sister. Unless she is an alien which has brainwashed me and my parents into thinking she is part of the family.

No, silly, i guessed wrong.

Most Narcicists are an only child. Hence my guess. (which was wrong)

[TriPac Dude]

Well I know I've not been on here in a little while, but I've had some bad crap happen... I really do have paranoid schizophrenia, because the voices, shadow people, paranoia, all that's coming back. It was nice not to have to take antipsychotics for awhile, but I'm going to have to start again.

[NoXiOuScRaSh]

I have a general anxietydisorder and Toxic Anger my Panic attacks are usually the result of overwhelming anger to the point where I go into massive fits of uncontrollable rage yelling, screaming ,destroying things and then then anger gets so strong it paralyze me and all I can do is fall into whatever spot I find and cry myself into an unconcious state.

I was given a lot of therapy and I went to a lot of groups but I got worse and worse until I ended up in a halfway house for mental health(its like being institutionalized except with less restrictions more of a place for you to go so you don't hurt anyone) . After I finished there I started therapy again and I am finally at a point now where my anxiety only causes minimal amount of symptoms and my anger well at least it doesn't cause me physical pain anymore. but I am without most medications although I still have to take a mild sedative to get to sleep every once in awhile.

[#FF0000]

Well I know I've not been on here in a little while, but I've had some bad crap happen... I really do have paranoid schizophrenia, because the voices, shadow people, paranoia, all that's coming back. It was nice not to have to take antipsychotics for awhile, but I'm going to have to start again.


Anti psychotics are seriously rough. Good luck with that, dude.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

anyone on here with bipolar go experience with meds? i've been through another episode and they reckon i have to go on them to stabilize my mood and gave me a huge warning about staying off them. really don't want to but one is obv lithium (i'm weary because its a salt and my family has a history of high blood pressure) and the other one is called depakote (Divalproex) but the side effects look frightful. any insight would be greatly appreciated

[exeexe]

I just drop this if you are interested in psychic problems, but Charlie Sheen is just cool about it. But for now i just leave this awesome mix of the interview rofl
J0NIMTPYYcU

I was close to have Post Traumatic Stress Dissorder myself ..

[Buzzard]

Gender dysphoria, I cut for a few years, and had a brief coke addiction :unsure:

[MarcusJuniusBrutus]

without getting into specifics, I have an overly literal perspective and often miss implied means or may say something not really suitable for the conversation. I also had to memorize other social cues without understanding them instinctively. I cannot turn off the thoughts in my head when trying to sleep. I'm bad at math despite being analytical, logical, and above average in language. I understand this all is either caused by anxiety or else is the cause of anxiety. Finally, I have a traumatic psychological injury from childhood. All these things are managed with appropriate medication and by avoiding those associated with the psych trauma.

[consuming negativity]

anyone on here with bipolar go experience with meds? i've been through another episode and they reckon i have to go on them to stabilize my mood and gave me a huge warning about staying off them. really don't want to but one is obv lithium (i'm weary because its a salt and my family has a history of high blood pressure) and the other one is called depakote (Divalproex) but the side effects look frightful. any insight would be greatly appreciated

I've been on depakote. Didn't take it long enough to have to deal with any of the horrible-sounding side effects, as I stopped taking it quickly because it destroyed my ability to feel or give a shit about anything. Which sounds great sometimes, I know, but was not at all a euphoric experience. I ended up putting my life in jeopardy multiple times because that little nagging voice that tells you "hey, you're prolly gonna fucking die what are you doing oh my god" loses all of its persuasion power and goes away with a quick "oh well, doesn't matter" to leave you to whatever you were going to do. It's pretty fucking scary in retrospect, but that's just my personal experience. I'd just advise you to start them on a Saturday or something where you can just spend the day becoming acquainted with how your brain is working while medicated. Everybody takes things differently.. you may prefer one, or the other, or perhaps being on both will help balance each other out or something. I was never on lithium so I can't say for sure, but it's used in children so I can't imagine the side effects being too severe.

[Os Cangaceiros]

Personally I think that the drugs you take that make you "feel nothing" are way more addictive than the ones that make you feel euphoric, for me anyway. I'm always anxious about various things, some rational and some not, and benzodiazepines were like a revelation for me when they were first prescribed. There is no free lunch with psychoactive drugs, though, and you've got to learn to live without them or else risk diminishing returns and eventually addiction/dependence. I can get benefits out of those drugs at even very low doses, though, while other people I know think that they're lame drugs because they don't "get you high". Personally I love the feeling of walking down the street and thinking wow, that house across the street could literally explode in a giant hellish fireball right now and my heart rate probably wouldn't even increase a single beat.

Doctors do sometimes prescribe some pretty potent drugs to children, though, like d-amphetamine.

[Sewer Socialist]

When I came home yesterday feeling wound up and worried about nothing in particular (and made some weird posts here), I think I probably have anxiety issues. And possibly clinical depression.

I need to look into therapy, but I find it terrifying. It seems very likely that my poor mental state is a result of living in an alienating capitalist world, and I hate to think that I'm the one who has to adjust. I think these are the expected responses to living in such an unhealthy world. I really can not go on like this, and it seems like my options are to move to another part of the world (which is both exciting and terrifying to think about), or get therapy. Being on drugs constantly is scary, and seems like it should be a last resort. Can I try to find some sort of leftist psychologist who can start with the belief that the capitalist world is the cause of many mental problems?

I found something called "dialectical behavior therapy," but I'm not really sure of what it is. I wrote a much longer post about how I'm feeling right now, but I think it's not really pertinent to what I'm asking.

[Ethics Gradient, Traitor For All Ages]

Even if you did find a left leaning psychologist, what would they be able to give you to reverse the influence of living in a capitalist world? Ultimately you'll have to find a way to cope, or overthrow capitalism I suppose. I've seen two clinical social workers in the past and I'm seeing a psychoanalyst currently, all of them put a lot of effort into appearing apolitical, it might be pretty hard to track down an explicitly leftist psychologist.

[Lily Briscoe]

I found something called "dialectical behavior therapy," but I'm not really sure of what it is. I wrote a much longer post about how I'm feeling right now, but I think it's not really pertinent to what I'm asking.

I went to a therapist who did this at one point, very very briefly. IIRC, it is like some synthesis between cognitive behavioral therapy and fucking Buddhism, developed by some doctor who was borderline lol. A lot of breathing exercises and 'mindfulness' stuff ('learning to integrate EMOTION MIND and RATIONAL MIND into a healthy whole: WISE MIND'). If you're open to that sort of thing, maybe it can work, but I'm not and just sat there the whole time thinking "are you fucking kidding me"

[slum]

I need to look into therapy, but I find it terrifying. It seems very likely that my poor mental state is a result of living in an alienating capitalist world, and I hate to think that I'm the one who has to adjust.

this is possible. it's also possible that you have an underlying condition or chemical imbalance that is exacerbated by living in the alienated capitalist conditions we're all subject to. it's also possible that any problems you do have, if they are primarily developmental in nature, have been shaped by the negative conditions capital can produce (haha) for us- food and housing insecurity, untreated mental and physical illnessess in caretakers, familial violence, etc. there's a practically limitless number of factors that can go into having a "poor mental state", however you want to define that. the thing is, tho, that even if your current issues are wholly a result of living under a capitalist mode of production, you're still the only person looking out for you, and you deserve to get whatever care is helpful for you. so yeah it's not fair that we're the ones who have to adjust to shitty, depressing work conditions, state violence, poverty, asshole cops, all the BS that goes into making our mental health suck, but if treatment can help us feel better (and not just be "more productive members of society"), then go for it, i figure. psychiatry as a practice is FAR from perfect, but frankly i'd be dead by now if it wasn't for mental health care, and if you're dead you're not a whole lot of help in making the world less shitty. idk if that applies to you or not, but w/e


I found something called "dialectical behavior therapy," but I'm not really sure of what it is. I wrote a much longer post about how I'm feeling right now, but I think it's not really pertinent to what I'm asking.the 'dialectical' bit isn't coming from marxism, unfortunately, but i'm willing to bet that a therapist who tends towards DBT rather than CBT is going to be more on the 'materialist' side of things in the sense that DBT practitioners tend to realize that our surroundings (physical, social, structural) have a big effect on our emotions and behavior. unlike CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) it doesn't rely on the assumption that you can "trick" yourself into feeling a certain way by thinking about your situation rationally. so from that perspective it's more holistic and recognizes that our emotional lives are real and present.

so DBT is a therapy, often prescribed to people with trauma-based disorders and so-called "borderline personality disorder" (an argument for another time) that focuses on building "skills" in four areas: 1. mindfulness (being in the moment) 2. distress tolerance (grounding exercises, for example) 3. emotion regulation (really it's more being aware of your emotions and being able to identify them) and 4. interpersonal effectiveness. self-care is also a big part of most DBT programs.

i mean philosophically there's a lot wrong with it- if our circumstances are shitty, if we're exploited and oppressed, then why should we have to ACCEPT that "pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional" (a common DBT truism)? why should we have to "regulate" our emotional response to a hostile world? but practically, it can be helpful for getting through your individual struggles. a good DBT therapist isn't going to tell you to stop being angry, or even to not act on your anger- rather, they'll ask you to examine what anger is, why we experience it, and to validate our experience of it.

i dont really know how to explain this without sounding like a fluffy self-help book? but as far as modern interpersonal and group therapies go, it's pretty down to earth. pretty much any DBT program is going to start out with patients making a crisis plan to deal with shit like abusive home situations, homelessness, physical illness, etc. i mean there's a recognition that people have real shit going on, or at least there has been at the places i got treatment with this technique

ETA: strix is correct that there's definitely a weird pseudo-Buddhist thing going on, which def. makes the whole thing seem really fad-like

[Sewer Socialist]

Hm, suppressing my emotions and weird mystical orientalism sounds like the last thing I want.

I guess I don't really care if they're "leftist" so much as "materialist", and I don't care about "being a more productive member of society," as slum has written, so much as I want to feel better and live a fulfilling life.

What sort of mental health care has worked for you, slum?

In the past, I have felt sort of down, especially in high school, when I felt really out of place, got into some fights, etc. After graduating, I lived in a punk house with roommates I got along with, I went to punk rock shows often, worked at a punk rock record store, and had lots of friends. I felt like I belonged to a community and felt good about my life.

It seems it is when I am lacking friends and community that I feel down. I guess I'm trying to work on that right now, but it just seems harder these days.

[consuming negativity]

You didn't ask me, but I'm in one of those moods where I just want to talk about a bunch of shit, so here's my two cents. You want to live a fulfilling life? You think that will make you happy? My advice is to make it happen. So much of mental illness isn't at all in your head - it's in your environment. Being stressed out, being surrounded by bad people who fuck you over and treat you like shit, not having good friends and a relationship with someone you care about, not having a job and/or having financial difficulties... all of these things can send you on a turn or make one you're already on WAY worse.

And you can't medicate away your feelings forever and still lead a fulfilling life. I tried to for about five years, and at least in my case, it just didn't work. The way I cope with lots of stress is to either try to redirect my emotions into something positive, or to just straight up drown the fuckers in alcohol or whatever other drug is around for a couple weeks until I can snap back out of it and get back to living my life.

It's okay to need a crutch when you break your leg, and it really is okay to go on a bender or to let yourself be a little bit crazy when you're just overwhelmed and desperate. The best thing to do is to try not to beat yourself up about it and to keep your wits about you so that you don't do something you'll regret later. This is easiest done when surrounded by good, caring people, who can help to keep you on the wagon and will pick you back up when you fall out. No, that doesn't mean to just dump your emotions into your friends and drive them away, but it does mean that good friends will be willing to absorb an emotional conversation or two so that you can sit back upright and keep moving forward.

Do a little bit of everything... have a few drinks one night, talk to someone the next night, and on the third night, play some video games or go on a drive or something. Variety is the spice of life and depression is bland: if you avoid over-taxing any one of your coping mechanisms, you'll find that they will all hold you up a lot better. And, well, if you ever need someone to absorb a bit of the darkness for you, check the signature. :)

[ℂᵒиѕẗяᵤкт]

You didn't ask me, but I'm in one of those moods where I just want to talk about a bunch of shit, so here's my two cents.

I'm pretty sure this is the mantra of every single user here, including myself.

[The Intransigent Faction]

I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and OCD as a kid.

I was cycled through a couple of different medications because it was insisted on or something, but after a few years of it not doing a fucking thing for me except giving me headaches and dizziness, I pushed hard and got myself off of them, then did therapy for a short time where I learned some "techniques" to handle exposure to anxiety triggers.

Long story short because I seem to post here late at night these days:

I am very, very lucky to have a small group of very supportive and understanding friends whom I also support as much as I can. Still, I find myself getting into the habit of pushing people away once in a while just because I don't want to overwhelm anyone with negativity.

I try to bike or whatever else I can do to exercise often enough. Drugs and alcohol just don't appeal to me as outlets (I drink once in a while), but I would never have gotten this far in life without music. It's just an amazing outlet and source of relief.
Reading can be therapeutic unless and until an OCD trigger makes that difficult.

I've been struggling a fair bit for the past 1 1/2 years with my mental health given some grief and existential despair for reasons I won't go into here, but I'm coping.

As for my feelings about psychology, that's for another time or another thread I suppose, when I'm more focused. Suffice it to say I think neurodiversity is important for the left, but I wouldn't expect or consider it likely to find a psychologist today who would fully understand or be able to do anything about the psychological pressure on communists dealing with mental illness in a capitalist society.

EDIT: Also, I tried to thank the OP but couldn't, so, uh, thanks OP.

[Prometeo liberado]

bipolar disorder. still in discussion with the shrink regarding medication but i'm resisting lithium and the synthetic mood stabilizers which are prescribed as an alternative. the side effects look hideous - i don't want to lose my hair.

also an alcoholic although i haven't been drinking too much lately.

Dual diagnosis, unfortunately somewhat common. Lithium isn't as bad as some would make it out to be.

[Prometeo liberado]

the 'dialectical' bit isn't coming from marxism, unfortunately, but i'm willing to bet that a therapist who tends towards DBT rather than CBT is going to be more on the "'materialist' side of things in the sense that DBT practitioners tend to realize that our surroundings (physical, social, structural) have a big effect on our emotions and behavior. unlike CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) it doesn't rely on the assumption that you can "trick" yourself into feeling a certain way by thinking about your situation rationally. so from that perspective it's more holistic and recognizes that our emotional lives are real and present."

German DR.'s are doing incredible research into this. When I find the article I will post it here. I'm glad you posted this as it seems to be bringing positive results.

[Sewer Socialist]

did therapy for a short time where I learned some "techniques" to handle exposure to anxiety triggers.

What sort of therapy? This sounds useful. All of this is alien to me and I don't know what to look for or where to start. I am also wondering what group therapy is like, if anyone can explain.

Also, is it possible to find help without going to a doctor? I have the basic welfare insurance that covers some therapy, but it sounds like it's hard to get started; I am not opposed to some sort of meeting group if that can be effective.

[Quail]

It's not group therapy, but have you thought about finding and attending a support group? I went to a support group for eating disorders and it was nice just to connect with people who have similar problems and talk to them without feeling judged or weird.

For anxiety it might help to practice breathing techniques and/or grounding techniques. I personally find that when I'm anxious I start to get anxious about the physical symptoms of anxiety (hard to swallow/breathe, numbness in my hands/face, tightness of the chest, etc) and it builds into a loop, but if I can just breathe and relax (easier said than done), the symptoms go away and I can manage to calm down. You should be able to find some self-help resources on the internet, although it might be good to see a professional, just so you can talk to someone if nothing else.

[Cosmonaut]

ADD, and I diagnosed myself with paranoia for hearing voices and seeing people or things when nobodies around...I haven't told anyone this. I also think I may be slightly insane because of my dreams (well, nightmares).

[Slavic]

ADD, and I diagnosed myself with paranoia for hearing voices and seeing people or things when nobodies around...I haven't told anyone this. I also think I may be slightly insane because of my dreams (well, nightmares).

You should see a doctor with regards to your "paranoia" since it actually sounds like schizophrenia which is something you should just "diagnose yourself" and move one.

Schizophrenia can develop and if left untreated, utterly ruin aspects of your life.

[Sewer Socialist]

It's not group therapy, but have you thought about finding and attending a support group? I went to a support group for eating disorders and it was nice just to connect with people who have similar problems and talk to them without feeling judged or weird.


I've decided to look into cognitive behavior therapy for both anxiety and depression.

I'm also interested in group therapy, but it looks like that's is a different thing from CBT. Do you have any advice on what to look for? I've found a couple free groups, and would really like to not pay anything, so I can also start going to a martial arts gym, which I feel would probably also help.

A high amount of the groups I've seen are gender-based, which I'm really not interested in.:unsure:

[Cosmonaut]

You should see a doctor with regards to your "paranoia" since it actually sounds like schizophrenia which is something you should just "diagnose yourself" and move one.

Schizophrenia can develop and if left untreated, utterly ruin aspects of your life.
while alot of that fits what happens with me, im sure i dont have it. i think most of it is confusion from after i wake up (as said, i have nightmares, horrifying ones). After that i cant really tell the difference between real or dream for a bit, even when i know better.


Although i think i am not explaining enough. I have nightmare, but not as much as you think if assuming. I have a nightmare once or twice a week, and they scar me for the rest of the day. The worse part is that they continue from the last dream. Horrible things.

[Slavic]

while alot of that fits what happens with me, im sure i dont have it. i think most of it is confusion from after i wake up (as said, i have nightmares, horrifying ones). After that i cant really tell the difference between real or dream for a bit, even when i know better.


Although i think i am not explaining enough. I have nightmare, but not as much as you think if assuming. I have a nightmare once or twice a week, and they scar me for the rest of the day. The worse part is that they continue from the last dream. Horrible things.

An overactive imagination?

Like when little kids see monsters from their dreams?

[Ceallach_the_Witch]

Diagnosed with severe depression some time in May (i got railroaded straight into counseling within a week which apparently is really unusual in the NHS, also got some useless antidepressants.) which frankly i've dealt with appallingly (I went off the antidepressants and just stopped going to counseling sessions or seeing my GP abruptly.) After that I did go in again to my GP and said what happened and it also turns out i'm a classic case of Avoidant Personality Disorder. None of this i couldn't really have guessed myself especially given that i stopped going to get antidepressants because i was literally afraid of going in and asking for the things i was prescribed for free and being judged somehow (i dont rationally know how but that's what i thought) by the people whose job it was to give me these things. And then when the antidepressants didn't really work out i didnt ask for different/stronger ones for similar reasons.

[Cosmonaut]

Diagnosed with severe depression some time in May (i got railroaded straight into counseling within a week which apparently is really unusual in the NHS, also got some useless antidepressants.) which frankly i've dealt with appallingly (I went off the antidepressants and just stopped going to counseling sessions or seeing my GP abruptly.) After that I did go in again to my GP and said what happened and it also turns out i'm a classic case of Avoidant Personality Disorder.

APD? Ive never heard of that.
Sounds fake.

[Ceallach_the_Witch]

APD? Ive never heard of that.
Sounds fake.

there's some controversy over whether it should simply be grouped in with generalised social phobias as a severe manifestation of said phobias/symptoms but i assure you what i feel is very real to me. Whilst it can be argued that a number of syndromes are just the pathologising of certain behaviors the level of social inhibition i exhibit and the way i actively seek to avoid social contact in a lot of circumstances is definitely really abnormal behavior. It's documented well enough as a disorder so I think you might find that Google is your friend.

[Tim Cornelis]

I suspect I have intermittent explosive disorder. I had this explosive outburst like a three months ago on a train over some festive people leaving their feet on the seats while other people non-verbally showed they wanted to sit there. Just instant rage. I felt like really fucking stupid afterwards with this pseudo-psychotic disproportionate rage. It felt so impulsive and so alien, I was like where the fuck did that come from, so I starting googling and found intermittent explosive disorder. I started remembering instances of other excessive outbursts, but which at the time I felt were more appropriate. But maybe in hindsight I was trigged by something 'legit' but still it was an outburst of the kind of intermittent explosive disorder.... Maybe. I will probably schedule to see some psych worker after my exams next week.

[StromboliFucker666]

Major depression, OCD, and very bad social anxiety. Most people can't tell. I do a pretty good job at hiding it most of the time. I am currently on Prozac but it is not really working very well. I take Valium for my anxiety and it helps some. I still get extremely depressed, but it's a calm depression when I'm on it. I stopped seeing a therapist for my problems last year because I just couldn't afford it. The therapy I was going through helped a lot. I hate to admit this but getting high as fuck helps a lot. Drinking helps in a "feel nothing" sort of way.

[Counterculturalist]

I was diagnosed with depression almost 20 years ago and saw a counsellor for awhile. Don't really think it helped much. I should have dealt with what I think is the root cause of the depression, which is severe social anxiety.

For many years I thought I had it beat, but I was more or less wasted all the time. When I went to university I also sobered up, and the social anxiety reappeared with a vengeance.

I'm fine with people I already know well. I can also hit it off with certain people who are naturally outgoing (usually but not always women, for whatever reason). But having to approach people, initiate conversation, or introduce myself to people is fucking terrifying, as is talking about myself. I can also hold my own in pretty much any social situation when drunk and/or high on blow, but obviously one can't live that way all the time.