Psychiatry and Me: A forum for those serious about these disorders

casualmarlin9 said:Ever heard that song?

Time is on my side! YES it is! Timeeee is on my side Yes it is! 😁


Don't bother arguing with fools. They just drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!

I couldn't agree more.

🙂 😉 😎

bipolar2000 said:It's a great idea, but we just can't seem to get it off the ground.
I've had quite a bit of experience myself, so I'm happy to chat with anyone who needs to talk.
We'll figure out a way to get people engaged.
The subject matter is complex, and there's
so much we could cover...
If we could set up a sub-forum to address different issues, like
how to spot the signs, who to reach out to,
how to cope, how to talk to those around us,
how to live with a specific diagnosis,
how to accept that you're actually doing okay,
once the illness has become part of your identity...
what even counts as being sick versus being healthy,
and what does "normal" even mean in the first place?
Or maybe nobody here deals with these things, so we don't really need this?
Hmm...

I was reminded of this topic today when someone commented that I basically
just write posts and answer myself!

Actually, it's interesting because so many people have asked me about things this thread covers.

I also think we should have dedicated threads covering certain conditions with better indexing... maybe even a table of contents,
like in a book, for the sub-forums.

🙂 😉 😎

I suggest we just make a single copy-paste thread; let the main index serve as the hub.
And all these threads that are nothing but mindless copy-pasting should be gathered in one spot to act as a literature archive. Honestly, as far as I'm concerned, copying entire webpages is total nonsense when you can just drop a link.

melloworca6 said:I suggest we make a copy-paste thread and put it in the main index.
All these threads that are just copy-pasted should be kept in one spot to serve as a literature resource. Personally, though, I think copying entire website contents is a bit silly when you can just drop a link.

Are you feeling alright?

🙂 😉 😎

Oh, great, now you're doing it too. Instead of just copy-pasting the whole thing, why don't you just drop a link?

I see everyone is debating all the different conditions covered in
this thread, so I figured I’d weigh in—maybe some of this will be helpful to someone.

My wife and I have our follow-up appointments with our psychiatrist every six weeks, starting May 18th, 2005.

As I mentioned before, I've been dealing with chronic depression, anxiety, panic attacks, stress, and certain personality traits for about 13 years now.

The truth is, my condition isn't likely to fully resolve because there are several other underlying issues feeding into it.

For instance, I've been managing chronic pain for 34 years, along with Asbestosis, Arachnoiditis, and Apnea.

That said, I am staying on top of things with medication, which allows me to maintain a relatively normal life (as much as one can).

It's not perfect, but it's better than the alternative; if I hadn't kept things under control, I would have faced much worse consequences long ago.

👋 👋

🙂 😉 😎

Depression is just another byproduct of stress. When you’re dealing with prolonged stress, you tend to cycle through several stages: first comes the agitation, then resistance, followed by exhaustion, and eventually, depression sets in.
Once someone hits the absolute limit of their capacity, depressive symptoms start to surface.
The realization that you simply can't manage the pressure anymore is often what pushes a person straight into a depressive state.


Here is an extensive link covering everything regarding American Stress, fatigue, and how it leads to depression.

ALL ABOUT STRESS /in English

👋 👋

🙂 😉 😎

It’s actually refreshing to see that there aren't actually that many people struggling with psychiatric illnesses; instead, it's mostly just folks preparing to see a doctor or looking for treatment—especially those who ask for advice and then immediately follow it up with nonsense!

Your number one psychiatric patient!

Best to everyone

👋

🙂 😉 😎

Starting a new thread here... since so many people ask, and most of the answers can be found right here!

Personally, I’m still seeing my psychiatrist every six weeks... my conditions are chronic.

I received a Major Depressive Disorder diagnosis back in 1990/91... along with stress, anxiety, panic attacks, and certain personality traits.

Because of these issues, I had to transition to disability retirement in 1992.
Things haven't improved significantly, though I am capable of taking care of myself.
Unfortunately, I'm dealing with even more medical issues now, so it feels like I'm just going in circles.

I hope you all find what you're looking for in this thread.

🙂 😉 😎

Jamie Clark74, I’m tipping my hat to you!
I rarely take off my hat for anyone—seriously, it almost never happens—but what you’ve done here in this thread? It deserves nothing but pure respect!

Great topic and some really interesting reads here. I think digging up hard data on the stuff that’s messing with us is solid, but honestly, swapping real-life stories with people going through the exact same hell is even better. Check out my thread on Anxiety and Panic.

Reading through all these diagnoses—basically the explanations for different psychological conditions—I have to be honest: I’m feeling a bit shaken because I recognize myself in several of them.
How is it even possible, or is it even possible, to ever be truly free from the disorders someone is struggling with? Personally, I know I need help, but I just can't bring myself to commit to seeing a psychiatrist. I have these prejudices and a fear that I won't be understood properly. Can a person actually prepare themselves to see a psychiatrist? And how does one finally decide when and how they truly need that kind of professional support?

Jamie Clark74, I hope you won't take this the wrong way, but based on your posts over on Health, I’ve gotten the impression that you somehow "embrace" all your various ailments, dwelling on them endlessly and making them your entire focus.

I know nobody actually wants to be sick—at least not consciously—but I honestly feel that constantly ruminating on these conditions isn't exactly the best strategy for recovery. Sometimes, it almost feels like you're wearing those diagnoses like badges of honor.

That’s just my take on it.
Anyway, moving on to other things...

Timothy Ruiz5 said:Reading through all these diagnoses—basically the explanations for different psychological conditions—I have to be honest: I’m feeling a bit shaken because I recognize myself in several of them.
How is it even possible, or is it even possible, to ever be truly free from the disorders someone is struggling with? Personally, I know I need help, but I just can't bring myself to commit to seeing a psychiatrist. I have these prejudices and a fear that I won't be understood properly. Can a person actually prepare themselves to see a psychiatrist? And how does one finally decide when and how they truly need that kind of professional support?

Medical students go through this exact same thing all the time; I've heard it more than once. While studying for exams, they start recognizing every single disease in themselves.
That's why I personally feel it isn't always the best idea to quote extensively from medical encyclopedias and things like that, because it just makes people panic.

Regarding seeing a psychiatrist, there really is no reason to hold onto those prejudices. For them, it's just their job, and you should put your own health first. There isn't any special preparation required—just go to your primary care physician and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist. Under a referral diagnosis, they can list something like neurosis. I'm not sure where you're located, but in a major city like Chicago, there are great options like a Psychological medicine clinic where you can receive psychotherapy and, if necessary, medication. They aren't "classic" psychiatry, if that makes sense—meaning you don't necessarily find people suffering from severe mental illnesses like psychosis there; instead, most people go there for milder, neurotic issues.
I actually go there for psychotherapy myself; I started because of stress that was negatively impacting my physical health.

You need help if you've been feeling bad for a long time, or if you simply feel like you need it—if that's the case, then you need it.
If you have any questions at all, fire away. My inbox is open too.
For the most part, I'm very happy with my choice.

Fem, thanks for the reply. I think you're right; digging too deep into mental illnesses isn't good because reading about all this stuff can honestly trigger a panic attack. I think Jamie Clark74 meant well when he wrote that, but I caught myself starting to panic just reading through it all.
Fem, tell me a bit more—how did you first get started with it, and is it actually helping you?

Jamie Clark74, did you ever actually get over all that, and how?

Things have spiraled completely out of control...

Some friends just lowered a person—who is dealing with bipolar disorder, PTSD, and alcoholism—off the roof of a house. The homeowner called the police, but instead of helping, the cops basically interrogated her, asking why she wasn't keeping him under control or why she hadn't sent him back for treatment (he actually just got discharged from treatment 14 days ago). The officer wouldn't even let her get a word in edgewise; they told her if she couldn't handle it, she should call an ambulance, but they refused to come out and perform a welfare check. Then she calls emergency services, and they just start berating her, acting like it's somehow her fault for involving the police in the first place...

In the past, whenever there was a crisis, we’d try to get someone to intervene—either the police or paramedics—but everyone just turns a deaf ear now.

What I want to know is: is it legally possible to have someone declared incompetent? How can I help both him and myself? The biggest issue is that he keeps getting into trouble constantly, and this year alone, his legal fines and costs have exceeded $10,000!

Anonymous said:Things have spiraled completely out of control...

Some friends just lowered a person—who is dealing with bipolar disorder, PTSD, and alcoholism—off the roof of a house. The homeowner called the police, but instead of helping, the cops basically interrogated her, asking why she wasn't keeping him under control or why she hadn't sent him back for treatment (he actually just got discharged from treatment 14 days ago). The officer wouldn't even let her get a word in edgewise; they told her if she couldn't handle it, she should call an ambulance, but they refused to come out and perform a welfare check. Then she calls emergency services, and they just start berating her, acting like it's somehow her fault for involving the police in the first place...

In the past, whenever there was a crisis, we’d try to get someone to intervene—either the police or paramedics—but everyone just turns a deaf ear now.

What I want to know is: is it legally possible to have someone declared incompetent? How can I help both him and myself? The biggest issue is that he keeps getting into trouble constantly, and this year alone, his legal fines and costs have exceeded $10,000!

This is absolutely terrifying! I mean, who else is supposed to step in if not the paramedics? The police are really only there to physically restrain him, and that's it. A doctor is the only one who can actually help by administering a sedative. If the cops get involved, they might just agitate him even more and—God forbid—actually hurt him while trying to tackle him. It's insane! Paramedics -> straight to the hospital! Fingers crossed.

It’s too late. Sadly, how many more days will we have to spend celebrating his second birthday without him?

Jamie Clark74 said:
LET'S START WITH "PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESSES"

I know we can all find much better information online in just about any language, but I've noticed some people just don't like digging through the web. So, I’m sharing what I think is most useful.


:The data provided on these pages cannot, and is not intended to, serve as a substitute for a medical examination. Intermed is not and cannot be held responsible for any provisional diagnoses or treatments based on the information available here. Always entrust your healthcare to your personal physician.

Anxiety

Definition
A state characterized by feelings of tension, dread, fear—extending all the way to panic—accompanied by psychomotor tension, internal restlessness, and a sensation as if one might "explode." Anxiety is most often unmotivated and isn't tied to a specific object or person.

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. In fact, being unable to feel anxiety at all could actually be a sign of a serious issue. We live in a world full of risks, and anxiety is just one way our body helps the mind recognize danger.
As with most mental health conditions, the mere appearance of a symptom or psychological state isn't the problem; the problem lies in its intensity—specifically, how much it interferes with your normal life.

What are the symptoms?
Psychiatrists generally categorize anxiety into three main types: generalized anxiety, phobias, and Panic Disorder. If there is an especially difficult or problematic situation at work or home, the stress resulting from that situation can spill over into other parts of life, thereby creating anxiety.
Similarly, someone who has gone through a very terrifying experience might carry that fear into their daily life. This is known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While it's little comfort for what the person is going through, it at least allows them to identify the cause of those unpleasant emotions.

It seems that emotional struggles rooted in anxiety tend to follow their own logic. Some psychiatrists refer to this as "free-floating anxiety."

Unlike phobias or panic, with generalized anxiety, the person doesn't always have a clear reason for why they feel anxious—they simply feel it all the time. When there is no identifiable cause, people often become anxious simply because they are *always* anxious! That’s how anxiety begins to feed itself, creating a vicious cycle.

People suffering from anxiety may frequently experience the following symptoms:
-low patience levels
-difficulty concentrating
-expecting the worst possible outcome in any situation
-constantly ruminating on the worst-case scenario
-trouble sleeping
-becoming depressed
-becoming preoccupied or obsessive about certain things

These psychological symptoms can lead to, or be accompanied by, physical symptoms:
-increased thirst
-nervous stomach
-flatulence
-frequent urination
-inability to respond to sexual stimulation
-chest tightness
-periods of heart palpitations
-muscle aches
-headaches
-confusion
-tremors
-missed or extremely painful periods in women

The link between physical and psychological symptoms can create a feedback loop where any one symptom can trigger another.

In a panic attack, anxiety progresses rapidly into a crisis. With generalized anxiety, patients often manage to keep things under control, even as the cycle continues. The effort required to maintain that control is incredibly stressful in itself—which essentially adds fuel to the fire. This is one way people start feeling anxious about being anxious, further intensifying the problem.

How likely am I to have this disorder?
Nearly 100% of people experience anxiety at some point. Over the course of a year, about 5% will deal with generalized anxiety severe enough to disrupt their daily lives. Most of those individuals won't even reach out for professional help.

What can I do to help myself?
The first step is trying to understand how anxiety actually works. It’s essentially a mix of physical and psychological symptoms—part of a biological response psychologists call "fight or flight." When the body senses a threat, it instinctively prepares to either fight back, defend itself, or simply run from the danger.

Relaxation
To tackle anxiety, you first have to break the cycle. One way to do this is by dampening those physical sensations through various relaxation techniques. Just a heads-up: relaxation isn't an instant fix. It's a skill you have to learn, and like any other skill, it only improves with steady, persistent practice.

Physical Exercise
Another strategy to ease the physical symptoms within that cycle is "aerobic" exercise. I'm talking about walking, running, or basically any activity that gets your heart rate up just a little bit.
Strengthening your heart muscle can make it more resilient, which may help reduce those sudden, uncomfortable bouts of palpitations. Exercise also helps release built-up tension in the body, which can otherwise fuel your anxiety.

Diet
Caffeine shows up in many refreshing drinks, not just coffee and tea. It’s a good idea to avoid caffeinated beverages as much as possible, as they can easily trigger that anxiety cycle. Caffeine affects the heart, speeds it up, and acts as a diuretic—both of which mimic the signs of generalized anxiety. It can also mess with your sleep, which is another anxiety trigger.
If you're exhausted, your emotions become harder to manage, making you more susceptible to anxiety. Trying to fix fatigue with caffeine usually just makes things worse.

Learn to say "no"!
This might actually be the best therapy there is. We often take on too many responsibilities without considering how difficult they'll be to handle. You might find yourself realizing you've overcommitted. Usually, it's not just one single thing causing the anxiety. But as we pile obligations onto our lives, we get more and more anxious with every new task.
Anxiety can build up until you feel like you're hitting a breaking point. It's just as draining to feel a little anxious about everything as it is to feel intense anxiety over one specific thing.

Monitor your thoughts and feelings
Sometimes it helps to think about anxiety the same way someone with asthma thinks about their breathing. Everyone breathes, just as everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their lives. Just as an asthmatic monitors their lung function, it’s useful to check in on your anxiety levels regularly. You can use specific techniques to spot problems before they escalate into something unmanageable.

Professional Help
For some, developing the tools to face and solve these issues is only possible with professional guidance. Your first point of contact should be your primary care physician or family doctor.
Many people find they can manage this disorder quite well if they utilize medication early on. A common group used is benzodiazepines; they are very effective, but they carry a risk of dependency. They shouldn't be taken for more than a month. The window of relief they provide is often enough to help a person stabilize and start tackling the underlying issue.

If the problem persists, you might need to see a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. At that stage, antidepressant treatment might be necessary, along with looking at the bigger picture of the person's life—things like friendships, romantic relationships, family dynamics, self-esteem, and overall life expectations.

🙂😉 :cool

Man, I dealt with anxiety for about a year or two, and let me tell you, it is a nasty, ugly feeling to deal with.
I was deployed in the war and saw some heavy stuff, and honestly, I drank a hell of a lot during that time. I mean, you know how it is when you're stuck in a trench, just waiting for a bomb to drop on your head at any second? Or when you find yourself in those split-second situations where it's either you or them, and someone’s gotta die? That is anything but easy. And let's be real, staying sober in those moments is incredibly tough, but that was just my daily reality....
After I got back from the war, I felt that same crushing anxiety—that restlessness, that constant sense of dread....
The symptoms I went through were:
Feeling super restless in big crowds (especially in the middle of the city or in busy cafes)
That tight, squeezing feeling in my chest
Feeling like I couldn't catch my breath
The terrifying fear that I was actually losing my mind
The fear that I was going to collapse right there
The fear that I was having a heart attack
Losing all my self-confidence
My mood just tanking
Weird, intrusive thoughts
And a few other little things.... But trust me on this: the best way to tackle this kind of stuff is to stay busy, especially with physical work, hitting the gym, or some kind of sport.
When you're actually engaged in something, you don't have the headspace to dwell on all that nonsense. Most of the time, you only start spiraling because you're bored and your mind starts wandering toward those stupid thoughts...
I did take some pills here and there, like Xanax, and Helax if I really needed it....
All in all, I can tell you, this anxiety stuff is one crazy ride...