Pyschiatric/Mental Disorders and Phobias

[OceanMyst]

Does anyone have any pyshiatric disorders or strong phobias? This type of thing intrests me for some reason. I for one, have a huge fear of the world ending that was so intense when I was younger that I would not even dream of speaking about in in some strange fear that it would jinx it. But I've found that talking about it helps take energy away from it. I have a bit of a mild case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder which has gotten a lot better over the years. Every now and then I have strong urges and impulses do do strange things a certain way and if I don't I'll keep thinking about it and it will drive me crazy. I also have to clean my ears out just about everyday or I will keep thinking about it all day. I guess I'm pretty normal in this aspect of life. Would anyone else like to share any problems you have?

[Boogins]

I'm an acute ultradian manic-depressive, but I don't consider it a disorder--just fun!

[Aine of the Fae]

When I was in high school my step-mother took me to a psychiatrist and I was diagnosed as:

psychotic
sociopathic
manic-depressive
attention deficit disorder
anxiety disorder

but other than that I think I'm pretty normal :D

Actually the psychiatrist was sleeping with my step-mother and did what she wanted. She didn't like me and wanted an excuse to make me leave. *shrugs* Since then I've been to a psychiatrist who said I'm the most twisted person he'd ever met, however there really wasn't any psychiatric disorder to diagnose me with. All in all, I'm pretty ok.

[mara]

when I was a teenager in the 70's, I used to have that same fear..I went to a Fundamentalist Christian church and they talked about the world ending constantly- it was also a scary time because of the threat of nuclear war- they tied the current world events with armaggeddon and I was scared to death. when I got married I wouldn't allow a tv in our house because I didn't want to hear about what was happening in the news- I got over that fear by facing it and learning that throughout history all sorts of events and happenings were thought to mark the end times..so, I guess it comes down to reasoning it out. I do have an anxiety disorder called agoraphobia..I have panic attacks when I leave home without my husband, and I don't drive because it scares me. I am working on these things and I am getting better, but progress has been slow for me. I hope that you get over your fear, I know how terrible it feels to be afraid all the time.

[RainCeleste]

I went to catholic school for 9 years. By the time I got to 7th grade, I had an extreme fear of the devil. In mass and in classes, the priests and teachers would talk of how if we sinned that we'd go to hell and the devil is always there to tempt you etc. Anyway so I believed that the devil was out to get me. It got so bad that I stopped sleeping in my room cuz I was afraid of the dark and "evil" and moved out on my couch, (I was also trying to get away from sister who I had to share a room with) and I started up an angel figurine collection hoping that they'd in someway protect me from ever seeing the devil. Anyway I went to a public high school and stopped going to church and my fear went away. Now that I'm a pagan, my fear is totally gone. I also have a social anxiety disorder (extreme shyness) but I'm slowly getting over that. My job helps me in that way. :)

[Xander67]

I'm an acute ultradian manic-depressive, but I don't consider it a disorder--just fun!

So that's what it is ..... :rotfl:

[Xander67]

ok, I had to have an official Psych Eval last year to determine my eligibility to recieve the grant for school.......

The Dr said I have a Social Anxiety Disorder,
so I take Celexa and I have Kolonopin for the stress attacks.

[Boogins]

So that's what it is ..... :rotfl:
That's me! :D

[Xander67]

I knew Id get you back...... you got me earlier :nyah: lol

[aftershocked]

Oh, the list:
Social Anxiety
Sociophobia
Manic depression
possible bipolar disorder
and mild, mild Obsessive Compulsive disorder

But, like Boog said, it's just *so* much fun :hehehe:

[Tsuchimaru]

I think I have depression.....or something of that sort. Whatever it is, it's self-diagnosed, so I can't be sure....

Fears? Umm.....being crippled. Not so much a fear now, because I can just kill myself if it actually happens. I'm afraid of heights.....and falling down. Also water. I've had bad experiences with water. I can't stand it.....

[Fairywolf]

I am normal. Nothing wrong with me.......yet!

[FroggieThePunk]

I have a mild case of OCD, but it mostly keeps itself to the bathroom. If I go in there and touch anything, I have to wash my hands until I feel they are clean. I won't leave the bathroom if my hands still feel wet, some times even if they feel moist. I also freak out if someone touches me after they were in the bathroom if their hands are even mildly moist. I am clinically depressed most of the time, but I have found ways to deal with it so I don't have to be medicated. Usually I am just depressed enough to feel slightly hopeless and very pessimistic, but not to the point where I cannot do anything. Weekends are the worst though. I have to be doing something or I will get really really depressed until I don't want to get out of bed to do anything at all. I won't eat, take a shower or even go outside to smoke (and I smoke around a pack a day, so imagine what that means when I won't get outa bed to have a cig...). And I have a huge phobia of being alone for the rest of my life. I've feared that since I was 13, and I am 19 now, almost 20.

So yeah, that is my fun stuff that I deal with every day.

[Philbo]

I used to have a severe fear of heights, which I've been conquering over the years. Then there's the whole ADHD mess. I don't know if paganism is a social disorder, but it sometimes serves to separate me from my neighbors.

I also fear fear itself, but don't tell anyone, okay?

[WynterWynd]

Never been 'technically' diagnosed with anything, but I have a really intense hatered of large groups, like in malls or grocery stores:twitch:

[Asthmorte]

ok....me...

schitzophrenia
manic depression
sociophobia
social anxiety disorder
afraid of being forgotten
rage
nerve sensory sysfunction
anorexia
self-mutilator
extreme paranoia


I think thats it....

[alesay]

I had the fear of the world ending too. But like what has already been said, i was shown a "left behind" movie at a sunday evening class at the Baptist church i went to as a kid. I was sooooo afraid i'd ask god to forgive me and promise to take me with him when the end of the world came. Lucky me, all i remember was a little girl was "left behind" and um... yeah... horrified me... But as far as "Disorders" or what not... I'm self diagnosed with anxiety.... really bad... So i'm going to the dr. this week... really don't wanna be medicated

[Morr]

Eating Disorder (Bulimia)
Self Injury
Depression

I also have a horrible fear of flying... I only go on a plane unless its absolutely mandetory and theres no other way to get to my destination.. And even then, I have to take some pills to calm me down and help me sleep so that i can relax. I also have a fear of heights, but its not as bad as the fear of flying. I have issues with fire & being burned as well...

[FaerieGothMommy]

ok, I had to have an official Psych Eval last year to determine my eligibility to recieve the grant for school.......

The Dr said I have a Social Anxiety Disorder,
so I take Celexa and I have Kolonopin for the stress attacks.

I have Social Anxiety Disorder too, but when i went to my doctor to ask if there is anything i can take to help me cope with it and help me cope with the stress attacks, he laughed at me! Can you imagine how that made me feel? I felt stupid and silly and humiliated. I haven't dared go back to the doctors, so i take nothing for it, and baisically stay indoors a lot of the time.

[OriginalWacky]

Oh heck, why not...

Diagnosed by only one clinician (not the same one):
Disassociative Identity Disorder
Homocidal
Nymphomania
Paranoia
Schizoid Personality Disorder

I tend to think that these are probably not true, since out of all the folks I've seen, only one ever thought it applied.

Diagnosed by two clinicians:
Bipolar Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Clinical Depression
Dyslexia (mild)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder

These I might be able to believe, as more than one person 'saw' it.

Diganosed by 3 or more clinicians:
Acute Stress Disorder
Anorexia
Disassociative Amnesia
Manic Depression
Panic Disorder
Self Injury (not a disorder really)
Social Anxiety Disorder
Suicidal

Now these are probably accurate, at least to a certain extent. I'm pretty much not in the throes of any of these right now, and I am complately unmedicated right now. Panic and Manic Depression are the only two that really affect me right now, and with the support of The Mate, I've come to terms with a lot.

[OceanMyst]

when I was a teenager in the 70's, I used to have that same fear..I went to a Fundamentalist Christian church and they talked about the world ending constantly- it was also a scary time because of the threat of nuclear war- they tied the current world events with armaggeddon and I was scared to death. when I got married I wouldn't allow a tv in our house because I didn't want to hear about what was happening in the news- I got over that fear by facing it and learning that throughout history all sorts of events and happenings were thought to mark the end times..so, I guess it comes down to reasoning it out. I do have an anxiety disorder called agoraphobia..I have panic attacks when I leave home without my husband, and I don't drive because it scares me. I am working on these things and I am getting better, but progress has been slow for me. I hope that you get over your fear, I know how terrible it feels to be afraid all the time.

Wow! That sounds like just what I used to have. Especially during the new millenium I would never want to watch the news or anything because I was so afraid. Things have gotten better since then but every now and then something triggers my old fear and I feel so deppressed for hours on end.

[Xander67]

I have Social Anxiety Disorder too, but when i went to my doctor to ask if there is anything i can take to help me cope with it and help me cope with the stress attacks, he laughed at me! Can you imagine how that made me feel? I felt stupid and silly and humiliated. I haven't dared go back to the doctors, so i take nothing for it, and baisically stay indoors a lot of the time.

When it comes to Mental Health, a Psychiatrist would be the person to see if you feel that Medication would help you.

they are more specially trained and educated in the field of Psychiatry. They are able to assess your symptoms and work with you to find the right medication for you.

[Avalon]

:wave: Another one with Panic Disorder / Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

There is a great program that I'm on (and is working wonders) called "Attacking Anxiety". It's what amounts to at-home therapy...you can go to http://www.stresscenter.com for more info.
:hugz:

[savannahrose44]

No diagnosed mental illnesses, but I have self-diagnosed seasonal depression. Other than that and an intense fear of spiders....I'm good. :D

[Terestai]

I've got a nasty case of seasonal depression, which comes with a healthy dose of bipolar (been diagnosed twice). I'm slightly bipolar in the Summer, but only when bad things happen, like losing my job. :scream: Used to be on meds, but kicked them five years ago after ten years of suicide attempts (I honestly think the meds screwed me up more). Now, I look for natural remedies for my bipolar issues, and contemplating moving from Denver to escape the Winter - among other reasons to move from Denver.

Phobias? Only a fear of heights. Got over spiders by touching them. :D

[savannahrose44]

Phobias? Only a fear of heights. Got over spiders by touching them. :D

No way in all the hells would I ever touch one! I am deathly allergic to them!

[Tsuchimaru]

No way in all the hells would I ever touch one! I am deathly allergic to them!

Seriously? I love spiders.....I don't see how people can fear them. That's just me though.... :cool:

[Agayvli Wahya]

Only thing that comes to mind at the moment is an intense fear of spiders, that's getting worse as time goes on. I'm talking pee your pants shriek like a girl pass out kind of fear.

[thok_ragnarok]

we all have some mental issues...the issue is whether you deal with it or use it as a crutch. I have been diagnosed with depression, schitzophrenia, paranoia, ocd, suicidal thoughts, and homicidal thoughts. For a long time I went through and thought life was unfair and the world hated me and I must kill others before killing myself. I was heavily medicated and in constant counciling. After I grew up a bit and realized life ISNT fair and the world doesn't hate me, its just empathetic, I realized that I needed to take control of my life and stop blaming others for my problems. I no longer am medicated or see a psychologist...I only notice the side effects of my disorders and am all in all much happier. When I go through depression I sleep for 12-14 hours at a time. When I am paranoid I realize I can't prevent people from holding me down or trying to kill me, instead I can only control how I will fight it. When I want to kill someone I ignore them and kill them in my mind. Everyone has issues, the question should be can you deal with them

[Velvet]

I'm terrified of cockroaches and spiders!! I'm a stand-on-the-chair and scream kinda gal when it comes to them. Ewww! It's nasty just thinking about them.

[Boogins]

I have the spider problem too, but I'm not as bad as I used to be; I think one day I realized that in full manic mode I can move a whole lot faster than they do anyway. :D

[FaerieGothMommy]

:wave: Another one with Panic Disorder / Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

There is a great program that I'm on (and is working wonders) called "Attacking Anxiety". It's what amounts to at-home therapy...you can go to http://www.stresscenter.com for more info.
:hugz:

Thanks for that :)

[Avalon]

Thanks for that :)
:hugz: You're welcome. Let me know if you contact them.

[Maurigan]

Theres nothing wrong with me, it's the rest of the world that's crazy, and as long as I keep taking my medication I can go on believing that! :bouncysmi

[Faeawyn]

Man...you people are NUTZ!!! :rotfl:
I've been diagnosed with depression for years. I take 2 medication for it and am the happiest little depressed person you ever saw :)
I have a PSYCHOTIC fear of spiders. I'll crash my car into a brick wall to get away from one if its in the car with me. I have a strange phobia about dark water too...I feel like it's pulling me in. Same with heights...as long as there's a barrier between me and falling, I'm ok...if not...I feel like I'm being pulled forward...I get dizzy, and feel like I'm falling.....Other than that, I'm perfect :clapping: :lol:
I didn't have a fear of the world ending...UNTIL NOW!!!

[MaryE]

I was diagnosed with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), mild bipolar, mood disorder and bouts of anxity attacks. Although I know I've had OCD since I can remember - even as a small child, I just never knew there was a name for it and simply kept my thoughts, fears, obsessions and compulsions a secret.

Almost 5 years ago after I had my daughter I fell into a pretty depressive slump. My husband talked to my OBGYN about it and she recommended I see a counselor for what she assumed was post-partum depression... After seeing the counselor for a couple of months she believed that my post-partum stemmed from something deeper - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - and recommended a wonderful Psychatrist. That's when I first learned what OCD was and was soooo relieved to find out I WASN'T insane! That there was a name for the "different" thoughts I had and for all the "strange" things I did that I knew just weren't normal and kept hidden for years from family and friends. (ie: I have several different ones, but my main compulsion is counting. I count everything I do. From every step I take to how many times I rinse the shampoo out of my hair.)

I've been going through medicinal therapy and have been on about 10 different drugs for the OCD in the past 4 1/2 years (ugh! :goodgrief ). At the moment my psychatrist has me off of anything for the OCD (too many side effects) and has me on a mood stabilizer, Lamictal, to help with the ups and downs (mood swings). And we started psycho-therapy to help me learn to deal with and control my OCD. It's helped some, but personally, I think what's helped me the most is being able to talk openly about my OCD and NOT fear being thought of as insane. I like to say I have a "Physical disorder that just so happens effect the brain" (seritonin chemical imbalance) ... Sounds so much nicer than "Mental disorder"... lol

[mara]

I have a PSYCHOTIC fear of spiders. I'll crash my car into a brick wall to get away from one if its in the car with me. That reminds me of my sister, but with her it's bees. she once jumped out of a car she was driving, and left me sitting in the passenger seat.

[~Broken Lily~]

I have:
Borderline Personality Disorder
Clinical Depression
Social Anxiaty Disorder
Self Harmer
Mild Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

I'm on tones of medication, which make me really tired all the time. All the meds I take just make life alittle more livable. I'm in art therapy at the mo, which seems to be helping.

My lasted fad is turning off the cooker. I have to spend at least 10 minutes making sure it's all off. I'm afraid theres gonna be a fire and my cats will die.

[alesay]

Oh my!! that's scary!! No jumping from moving vehicles!!

Yes thanks avalon for the link!! I felt my breath shorten just taking the quiz... *sigh* breathing normal is good.... :)

[Kadynas]

I've never been diagnosed with anything, but to classify myself I would say I've got some form of Social Anxiety disorder, and I definitely suffer panic attacks every now and then.

It kinda makes you wonder... are these kinds of things becoming an epidemic worldwide? It certainly seems to be quite common in the Pagan community in general. Bear with me if I'm not making much sense, but maybe some of us with these kinds of problems were kinda "drawn" to Paganism because it could help us; ie: working with energy, magic, affirmations, meditations.... I mean does anyone else just have that wonderful sense of "normal" or "peace" after a good meditation session or ritual? :D

Seriously though I think it's the culture in which we live in these days... we're all living our lives on fast forward and we're suffering for it. I just saw a commercial for a drug to "treat" fatigue syndrome. So in other words, now we're telling people "You're burned out? Working yourself too hard? Doing too many things at once? Well just pop a pill!!" How about take a vacation and get some REST? It's freakin' scary! :hairraise

[Imbrium]

I guess I'm not alone in my deathly fear of roaches. I discovered the awful truth when a large sewer roach fell off of the shower head and got stuck in my hair. *ran around screaming...................................AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!*

Other than that, I'm too laid back to have depression, or any other mental disorders that I know of. My hubby isn't so lucky, though. He's schizoaffective/schizophrenic. Heavy on the visual and audible hallucinations......Fortunately he's extrememly logical and is able to distance himself enough to recognise them most of the time, but he says it's really annoying when the radio begins talking to him, and he has to shut it off...

[WynterWynd]

http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Eeeeeek.gif Why did you have to bring up bugs.....I forgot all about my thing with spiders:shaker:

[the_red_dragon]

I have never been to a shrink so I dont know if I have any fobias but I do know this one true fact I am basically only affraid of two things snakes and being paralized. either parapeligic or quadrapaligic, it dont matter. the second I cannot move freely in this world, I will no longer be a part of it! I am not suicidal in any way but in this case yes.

[morrigen]

Clinical depression (had meds, quit them. Did cognitive therapy, didn't work)

Panic disorder(was taking valium, not any more)

Intense medical phobia. (been through 2 lots of therapy for this one...still scared)

Eating disorder (anorexia, but it's under control)

Completely neurotic in so many ways...

[Faery-Wings]

I just love these threads! Makes me feel so normal!

I have OCD, Anxiety Disorder and Depression. I also have a history of Eating disorders and Postpartum depression. And ... I have self diagnosed Body Dismorphic Disorder. I can show you *rolls* of fat no one else can seem to see. :p

[Xander67]

I just love these threads! Makes me feel so normal!




I like them because they remind me that I am not alone.

I have tried different Meds, and most recently was taking zoloft, then paxil, and now I am back to taking the Celexa...

No sides with the celexa, and it is like not taking anything at all.. most of the time

[RubyRose]

Um, I'd have to say heights, if I get up high in difficult places, its virtually impossible for me to get down again.

[Shanti]

Um, I'd have to say heights, if I get up high in difficult places, its virtually impossible for me to get down again.
Heights!!! I forgot about that, since I avoid them like the plaque.

Its not a fear of death that scares the bezeebers out of my and makes it almost impossible to get down,

Its the realization that gravity is a b&tch and I could fall and ouch!!!!!! Splat just doesnt sound like it would feel to good.

One time I went with my son and my ex climbing on rabbit rock. It was a big rock that had trees growing all over it. It didnt look that high and was wide at the top so I braved it and followed them up the side. We got almost to the top when I looked down over the edge!! EEEK! I turned and grabbed a tree and hung on for life. Suddenly I felt very high up and was frozen and glued with my arms around that tree. My ex had to pry me off and pratically drag me down the rock. Never again!!!!!

Splat=Ouch!!!

[MaryE]

I have a mild case of OCD, but it mostly keeps itself to the bathroom. If I go in there and touch anything, I have to wash my hands until I feel they are clean. I won't leave the bathroom if my hands still feel wet, some times even if they feel moist. I also freak out if someone touches me after they were in the bathroom if their hands are even mildly moist. I am clinically depressed most of the time, but I have found ways to deal with it so I don't have to be medicated. Usually I am just depressed enough to feel slightly hopeless and very pessimistic, but not to the point where I cannot do anything. Weekends are the worst though. I have to be doing something or I will get really really depressed until I don't want to get out of bed to do anything at all. I won't eat, take a shower or even go outside to smoke (and I smoke around a pack a day, so imagine what that means when I won't get outa bed to have a cig...). And I have a huge phobia of being alone for the rest of my life. I've feared that since I was 13, and I am 19 now, almost 20.

So yeah, that is my fun stuff that I deal with every day.

I have the "bathroom" obsession too. But only in public restrooms (or in peoples homes that I'm not real familar with.) I only go when it's absolutely a MUST, and I scrub my hands until red. When I leave the restroom I refuse to touch the door knob with my bare hands, so I always grab a extra paper towel to open the door on my way out. I carry a few paper towlels folded in my purse anywhere I go, just incase the public restroom only has one of them air hand dryers.

[Brynn]

social anxiety disorder
manic-depression
self injury
schizophrenia
I'm also passive aggressive

[MaryE]

I have Social Anxiety Disorder too, but when i went to my doctor to ask if there is anything i can take to help me cope with it and help me cope with the stress attacks, he laughed at me! Can you imagine how that made me feel? I felt stupid and silly and humiliated. I haven't dared go back to the doctors, so i take nothing for it, and baisically stay indoors a lot of the time.

Your Dr. sounds like a jerk. If it were me? I'd be finding me a new one! You should never ever feel stupid or humiliated because you have a "mental" disorder. Would someone laugh at you for having something like Diabetes? Nope, I seriously doubt it! Most mental disorders are chemical imbalances in the brain, which makes it a PHYSICAL disorder! That Dr. had NO RIGHT to laugh at you for asking him for his "professional" help! Because he was a General practitioner and not a Psychatrist really should have had no bearing on his reaction. If he knows nothing about psychiatric medicine, then he should have reffered you to someone who DID.

If I were you, I would see another Dr. There are wonderful meds out there for Social anxiety (ie: Paxil) that may help you. My General practitioner is wonderful, and with her letters of refferal my insurance covers my Psyciatric care 100%. Perhaps you can talk to another Dr. who would be more willing to help you in finding a decent Psychiatric Dr.

Sorry if this sounded a bit like a rant. Just hearing that the Dr. actually "laughed" kinda irritated me. lol.

Positive energies and thoughts sent your way. I hope you can get the help you need.

[Vanessa TPD]

And I have a huge phobia of being alone for the rest of my life. I've feared that since I was 13, and I am 19 now, almost 20.

Me, too. I've had people I've been very attached to, and I'm not exactly a complete loner, but I've never had a good, stable best-friendship or significant-other-ship before, and I'm starting to think I never will. The thought that scares me more than anything is that I'm not worthy of it. That I'm not worthy of the people I want and love, and basically that I'm not worthy to live.

[Mysticism Deity]

I have boarder-line personality disorder as well as anxiety. I am a huge hypochondriac (which really bothers me)

My biggest fears: death and something happening to my twin boys and husband.

[Gor]

Whatever happened to people just being a little 'eccentric' ????

Why does society have to put a label on every little quirk of humanity????

Don't label yourselves with this or that "disorder" !

Just be 'eccentric', like me!

[WickedBttrfly]

I had night terrors when I was a kid (NOT to be confused with nightmares) and I think I'm still kinda afraid of the dark because of it ... oh and i'm really afraid of deep dark water. I really hate the idea of a tidal wave. Oh and I'm terrified of contagious diseases. I have never been comfortable drinkin or eating after anybody. I just wont do it. I wouldn't even do it when I was little. I'm so freakin weird... lol.

I don't know if everyone knows what night terrors are so just ask me and I'll explain.

[Iris]

I have arachnaphobia...that's pretty mundane and boring though, isn't it? Coming into close proximity with a spider has been know to make me A) cry B) scream C) have breathing difficulties D) shake uncontrollably...

I know, I know... "they're more scared of you than you are of them". In this case though, I doubt it!

I have something akin to claustrophobia...it's more like a fear of being locked in. I can handle being in a really tiny room, but not a really tiny LOCKED room. There's a word for it, but I can't remember what it is right now. This includes using elevators. I know they're not 'locked', per say, but what if the doors didn't open...and you got stuck in the lift...and then the machinery failed...eek! eek! :yikes: :wah2:

Also have a fear of injections and surgery. Not sure if it's bad enough to be called a phobia. But put it this way...the last time I got blood taken I cried and tried to bargain with the doctor ("If you don't stick that big, nasty needle in my arm I;ll never be sick again, promise...")

[jinx1_2]

I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, as well as Chronic Depression, but I think I have that well in hand. Also the other day I took an online test that said that I was schizophrenic, but I'm not sure if I believe it or not.
My main fears are sharks (my family and I lived in California when I was a kid and a surfer died of a shark attack at one of the beaches that we always went to), lightening, and looking into mirrors in the dark (due to that lovely little childhood game of Bloody Mary).

[Kalika]

Phobias... hmm...

Well, spiders totally and completely freak me out beyond all logical reason... soooo... I guess that would be considered a phobia.

[Karma Chameleon]

I suspect I may have a borderline personality disorder, however I've never been to a psychiatrist or anything so I really don't know for sure.

[WingedTigerChild]

Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Atypical Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Agoraphobia, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Dependent Personality Disorder. Mental illness runs in my family. :wth:

Edit to add: I forgot Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. lol

[Raven Reed]

Bi-Polar disorder, ADD, panic attacks, generalized anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive tendecies.

[AutumnWitchie]

Bi-polar disorder/manic depression....not taking anything for it. I look at it as the price I pay for the wellspring of creativity I have(cake decorator). I suffer panic attacks occassionaly, usually due to weather(severe weather) or scaring myself with the "what ifs" about finances. I think thats what happens when you hit rock bottem really hard. I have OCD that manifests with double, triple, quadruaple checking locks and fire hazards. Not sure if thats true OCD or paranoia from my dad's obsession with privacy. OCD also manifests with the germ phobia. I will not drink after anyone else except my hubby. I hate getting drooled on, or dealing with puke(and I was going to be a nurse). It takes alot of will power when my son gets sick and when he'd spit up on me when he was a baby. My big phobias are a fear of falling(brought on by a tornado when I was a kid) and snakes. I will go out of my way to run over the snake slithering across the road. And to think my dad catches live rattlesnakes and so did my grandfather. Those are my "eccentricities". I'm pretty normal.

[Greybird]

I have Asperger's Syndrome, which is essentially a very mild form of autism (people with autism were historically called insane; people with Asperger's were called eccentric). As a direct result of the Asperger's (IE - the way I was treated growing up, bullying, neglect, situationally forced solitude, social shunning, and so on), I developed agoraphobia, social phobia, and a bit of a panic disorder. The agoraphobia essentially means that I experience a certain level of fear any time I'm not in a 'comfortable place' (essentially, home). The only time I'm not a bit on edge is when I'm at home. The social phobia means that I am uncomfortable around people. It is really an extension of the Asperger's - one of the common symptoms of Asperger's is difficulty in communicating and socializing. The two go together well - if I stay at home, I can avoid both of my phobias at once. The panic disorder is basically the result I get if I ignore the two phobias - if I'm in certain social situations, my conscious shuts down and the fight-or-flight instinct takes over.

At home, though, I'm a comfortable, happy, well balanced person, married ten years, and succesfully raising two kids. I lead a perfectly normal life, with the exception that I'm very limited on what I can do outside of the home. It isn't such a bad set of circumstances, simply requiring that I adjust my life around a few limitations.

[SphinYote]

I have very mild sensory distortions--with the exception of sight, most of the time.

Also tend to obsess over one subject in great detail, if it gets brought up in conversation. I'm getting better at NOT doing this in general conversation, though. Just say a couple of things and if people ask for more info fine, otherwise let the conversation go where it will...

I hate making eye contact with people and tend not to be able to read facial expressions very well (probably b/c I tend to avoid looking at people's faces in my eye contact avoidance).

I have seen certain parellels with Asperger's Syndrome, but I don't think my own experiences are...intense enough to warrant that particular diagnosis, and there are certain contradictions: I can usually figure out people's emotional states very well IF I'm paying attention--although often I'm off in my own little world and miss major cues. Usually, thoguh, when I do observe the fact that someone is hurt about something or sad, I tend to obsess about it in my own mind until I can figure out what is upsetting that person--I usually don't say anthing because 99% of the time its not my business, and even if it is, I have a superb talent for saying exactly the WRONG thing and making the situation worse.

The problem is, in spite of a relatively high degree of empathy, I have no clue how to respond, and my tone of voice is wierd, anyway--people think I sound angry or upset about something when the opposite is true, and when I try modifying my tone of voice, it only makes it worse. So I usually stick with my monotone voice, as it seems to cause the least offense--a few wierd looks, but mostly people ignore it, at least in my presence....

Also have a certain amount of anxiety and bad PMS sometimes. Milk makes my moodswings worse, usually avoid it (except in my coffee lattes, which I think I've become addicted to....).

Never been to a psychiatrist, though.

[ravenmyst]

I have been diagnosed with all sorts of things, just labels really, yeah I tend toward ADHD, mildly bipolar(arent all women to some extent?) dont really think I have schyzophrenia(sp) Think that was my former drug problem, have social issues, I am functional, and basically happy with myself, what ever label they want to use.

[Silver_FireStar]

I have arachnaphobia. VERY STRONG arachnaphobia. Mild claustraphobia.
One of my frieds said I could have ADHD, but I don't know what it is and I'm not about to go to a doctor or whatever to test their theories.

[RowanMegaera]

Schizoaffective bipolar depression here with a hefty dose of ADD (no H, just ADD), currently I am on a break from my medications because I was gaining way too much weight and my hair was falling out. I was on lithium, depakote, abilify, ambien, concerta and occasional xanax. I'm doing pretty well, but I can tell a definite increase in my symptoms since I stopped taking the medication.

[ravenmyst]

thats alot of drugs! is it not possible to only take a few so as to get the benifit, without such drastic side effects? Some seem like they are duplicates

[merlo]

Manic Depression -keeps me on my toes, and the people around me unfortunately
S.A.D.-I intensely dislike winter, moved to Cali this year to avoid it
Used to have phobia of spiders, I still won't touch one, but I like to watch them now. Good thing, theres tons of em around me now.
I tried taking meds for the M/D, hated the sides. Long as I eat regular and get enough sleep, it doesn't get too bad. I sometimes have to jumpstart myself out of Depression, and that can suck.