Do You Have a Mental Disorder and How Much Does it Affect You?

[Elvis Starburst]

CHOO CHOO! All aboard the Asperger's train! (Actual diagnosis) It did affect me a lot back in the day. I had no temper control, I was pretty poor socially with pretty much anyone outside of my childhood friend, and my ability to work at school and under pressure was destroying me. I then went to a school that was made for people with disabilities. Gave me a chance to learn things at an easier pace, work in an environment I could be comfortable in, and I eventually started to fit in.

By grade 10, it really didn't have much of a hold on me anymore. I was able to mature and handle social situations with familiar people and build on the skills I needed to be a bit more on the normal side. Come grade 12 to the present, it's as if I never had the disorder to begin with. People can't even tell anymore. Sure, I may be a tiny bit weird, but a lot of people (Like my new co-workers) all say they would never guess I had anything. I'm still not very good with school work, but, I never really was. So, it's interesting. It's a very minor case these days (Thank god for that) and it feels good. The benefits of Asperger's are pretty much an addition to me and my mind now, not my only saving grace.

 

[Elvis Starburst]

Aspergers (official diagnosis by a licensed doctor, I'm not really part of the "self-diagnosis" crowd

Now, it hit me -hard- when I was younger. I did some stupid things, said some completely idiotic stuff as well... now though? It's freaking great! Thanks to the hyper-focusing and "obsession" traits, I rarely have to study (learn all I need in class and remember it) and I get all my work done on time. Plus I've focused enough on some of the negative traits (lack of social empathy, shyness) that they're virtually non-existent. I can look people in the eyes now, socialize, and overall I've pretty much "Cured" myself of the more negative traits.

I guess it'd fall under the "Cursed With Awesome" trope XD

Haha, awww yeah! On the same boat here! *High fives* (Though, I still study like ass XD School is still not my strong point)

 

[Loonyyy]

Depression with suicidal tendencies.

It affected me pretty badly last year. Eventually I went on medication, but the side effects were extremely severe, and I ended up taking a medical withdrawal from that semester of university.

I'm seeing a hell of a lot of rather odd comments about medication here though. Yes, medication might not work for you. Yes, the side effects may be severe (Some of my classmates thought I had developed a severe substance abuse problem because I couldn't stop shaking or twitching for 6 weeks or so). But the out of hand dismissal they get is unwarranted. You have to know the effects, and you have to be confident in your care provider, but they can really help, particularly in cases where people have unpredictable behavior. Don't listen to the My Chemical Romance shit, the drugs often work. I'm actually kind of glad to see a positive reaction to pharmaceutical intervention in the OP, because the out-of-hand dismissals are everywhere in pop culture in particular, and it's not a harmless notion.

 

[Aetera]

I have type II bipolar disorder and dysthymia. Because of it I've failed out of college and been placed on medical leave five times. I've also been in the outpatient, partial hospitalization program at the psych ward. I'm on a good combo of meds right now, though(abilify and lamictal) and I've gone several years now without a major episode. I've worked my ass off for my recovery, but yeah, it's affected my life quite a bit.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

I have social anxiety disorder. Usually it's not too much of a problem, I am fairly comfortable around people I've gotten to know, but it can be awful. When I went to university or started a new job (at the time I went to university it wasn't diagnosed) I occasionally ended up having to leave the room to hyperventilate or weep because I found it so stressful.

I tend to assume people think of me as weird or pathetic, even if they've never met me before. I still have sneaking suspicions that my friends think the same and can get very paranoid about people talking about me when I'm not around. When I was at university, whenever I heard my flatmates talking in the next room I started panicking and thinking they were talking about me. I'm a little ashamed to admit that I tried to eavesdrop on them a few times because of it. On the other hand, I've become quite open with the fact that I have self harmed quite heavily in the past because I'm in the process of getting a full sleeve tattoo and hiding my arms would be stupid. There were times where I hadn't gone outside to go to the shops or something because I was worried about people looking at me and judging me, although I my confidence is higher now and I tend not to have so big issues with it.

I wouldn't say I've overcome it- I still have all the same thoughts and worries, but I can find it easier to calm myself now. It still holds me back a lot from making new friends and doing all the things I'd want to do, but it's more manageable. From what I've read, my symptoms actually seem much more like avoidant personalty disorder, but it all seems useless trying to sort out. For instance, I've never felt particularly intimate with anyone, even partners or family, and I think of myself as very lonely even though I have many friends and an active social life.

 

[Beffudled Sheep_v1legacy]

And this is totally coming from me and not a professional but I think I have some sort of social anxiety disorder. whenever I'm around people or in social situations I feel panicky. Kind of like a cornered rat. I have trouble focusing on anything that isn't the people around me and every damn muscle in my body seems to get really tense.
I actually dropped out of college because I couldn't handle being in classrooms or on a crowded campus anymore. I wasn't able to focus in my crowded classes at all and I greeted every morning of classes with dread. And now the only time I feel comfortable leaving my own house is in the dead of night when most people are home.
I'm also just generally uncomfortable in large open spaces but thats probably something else.

To be fair, I'm not an expert in any sort of psychological field and I don't mean to speak in any manner that suggests any sort of knowledge outside of my own experiences, but I think that could be part of your bi-polar disorder. I haven't been to college in two months, bar evening visits to collect books from the library, and I haven't been out in public during the day in at least 5 weeks. I have been going through these phases over monthly cycles for years (times when I've not wanted to leave my house I mean), but seeing as this has been the worst episode of my own experience with bi-polar disorder and it seems similar to what you have described, I think it could be a symptom of it.

**once again, I don't have any knowledge of psychiatry or psychology, and I have no knowledge of your specific circumstances and don't want to appear presumptuous , I'm just noting a similarity between our situations based on what you've typed. Y'know, solidarity and all that.

Hm, interesting, thanks for the insight. Once I manage to get myself some insurance and can see a professional again I'll definitely ask them about that.

 

[AWAR]

I have been battling some issues on my own for the past one and a half year. I'm not too comofortable sharing it in public. It's not that serious but it affected my social life in a pretty catastrophic way, and it affects me everyday.
Medication and sheer willpower got me to a more comfortable point, but I'm still not 100% ok. Looking back I'm just amazed at how well I coped considering the condition I found myself in. There were times when 24/7 would be a complete and unbearable hell but just as I said my willpower kept me going.

If anyone is battling with mental issues, don't hesitate to ask for help. My fucked up sense of pride only detered my recovery. There is no shame in admiting you need help. I now regret not asking for help sooner.

 

[Lynx]

Depression (with anxiety as an additional effect) is the "only" thing I've suffered from. I never had it so bad that I considered suicide, though. But it was still unbearable for a time, for both me and my loved ones.

However...

I've become increasingly stable ever since I took up dancing. It's become my number one passion in life and I dare say that it "fixed" a great deal of the brokenness I've felt since I was a kid, in a way that no amount of meds or loving companions ever could have. I've been training vigorously since 2012 and right now I'm training to eventually enter the big championships. I don't feel needy or neurotic or socially incompetent anymore. Turns out that was an illusion, a lie I was told by idiots and believed for so long that it became true. Thanks to dancing I've come to realize that I'm actually quite good at socializing, that what strangers think about you is irrelevant, and I don't really need a romantic relationship to feel complete anymore.

So here's hoping I can keep this up for a few more years.

 

[Norithics]

I suffer from depression, paranoid schizophrenia and an anxiety disorder.

Another paranoid schizophrenic! I'd say it's good to see one, but that whole "incurable mental miasma" thing tends to make it not as much.

I'm probably a bit better off than you in function, but boy does that constant "not really trusting anybody" thing get old.

 

[Someone Depressing]

I'm somewhere on the autistic spectrum - I don't know where exactly, and it's not something I really care to put a name too, so I just go by "autistic" - and let me tell you, it takes a lot of courage building and prep talk to order from the pizza place with the scary delivery guy with tattoos and facial piercings.

I've had confidence problems my whole life, but it's only now that they've been this bad. I think I'm having an early-life crisis already.

 

[Fdzzaigl]

I've been in a serious depression before. Generally I often have big mood swings and such, as bipolar disorder runs in the family I might have a (very light) form of it, but I'm not sure. I've visited a therapist before (for different reasons though) but wasn't diagnosed with anything other than being depressed.

I've also never taken true antidepressants. Though I have taken sleep medication on several occasions, some of which are known to have antidepressive effects.

 

[TravelerSF]

I've had OCD for about three years now. I went to a psychiatrist for a while, but found it a complete waste of time. I'm fully aware of what the roots of this illness are, but have no desire to open that can of worms at this point of my life.

It does affect me in my daily life, but not as much as one might think. To put things shortly, my OCD is very much a way for me to be able to function in day to day life. There are certain objects in the house I can't touch. If I do, I have to wash my hands. These objects can be "cleaned" with water, wet cloth or other traditional ways. My parents mostly think that I've already "got better", though they have their doubts from time to time. I let them think that. They're more willing to try to force this kind of behavior out of me, without understanding that it is the only thing that allows me to live my daily life.

I'll be moving on my own next fall and expect things to improve majorly after that. Being able to control my own environment is very important to me and I can only do that partly right now. I've made some improvements with my mindset, but those take time and I'll have to be able to do them in my own pace.

 

[Michael Tabbut]

Depression and really bad anxiety. However I don't usually take medication anymore because all they do anymore is give me the munchies.

 

[the_duke_CC]

I suffer from depression, paranoid schizophrenia and an anxiety disorder.

Another paranoid schizophrenic! I'd say it's good to see one, but that whole "incurable mental miasma" thing tends to make it not as much.

I'm probably a bit better off than you in function, but boy does that constant "not really trusting anybody" thing get old.

Yay, I'm not alone (well perhaps yay is a bit much), I know what you mean the whole "what bad thing is this person going to do to me?" does definitely get old.

 

[ninjaRiv]

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder IN THE HOUSE. It fucks with me pretty often, actually. Some days I can barely function. Heck, it's the reason some of my posts are as stupid as they are in some cases. But yeah, it gets pretty fucking bad at times.

But with OCD, I also get depression and anxiety. They kind of go hand in hand.

 

[Random Argument Man]

I'm in the depression and anxiety clan. I had a few episodes of panic attacks here and there in my life, but I never realized that I had a disorder until my internship. Things went to bad to "I never want to live the physical symptoms again" (Or horrendous).

I got better, but I still have the occasional sleep medication to get me through some nights. I do exercises and eat well. I surrounded myself with friends and family. I can't take caffeine though. It brings back all the symptoms with a fury.

 

[theboombody]

I probably do, but I'll be darned if I'm going to attempt to get it diagnosed or take pills for it. Unless I have hallucinations or something. Everyone has a mental disorder of some kind in my opinion. It's a condition of mortality.

 

[soren7550]

According to the hospital release papers, I have Asperger's Syndrome (that was apparently diagnosed at least a year before my stay in the hospital, but was never told about nor given treatment for), and based on my understanding of it, that's true. I have a very hard time talking and looking at most people (I usually just grunt at people and look at the floor), and I have a few things/subjects that I just get a bit nuts about. And often enough, I automatically hate people and never differ in that opinion, but I'm not sure if that's apart of it or not.

And not diagnosed, but it's very likely I suffer from depression. Every once and again a day comes by when I utterly despise myself and wish to die, and my stupid brain won't allow me to do anything except be in a curled up ball in bed.

And thanks to that stay in the hospital (or more accurately, my mother), I'm probably labeled as some sort of sociopath since my mother told the police and the hospital that I had been chasing after someone(s) (her story kept changing, so I have no idea who) with a butcher knife completely unprovoked. It never happened (I'm not that dumb or nuts), but that hasn't stopped it/her from ruining my life (really hard to get a job when you have 'put in a crazy hospital due to trying to kill people with butcher knife' likely show up in a background check).

Not on any medication or seeing a therapist (thanks insurance company insisting I don't exist!), but I got my boyfriend who helps make me happy. When he's not driving me nuts by leaving his dirty socks on the floor, farting, and/or being a general Bidoof anyway.

 

[Something Amyss]

I've been diagnosed as dyslexic, ADHD, Obsessive-Compulsive, and bipolar. My primary physician also refers to my anxiety issues as PTSD, which may or may not be the official diagnosis, but it goes on the forms. I suspect (as did a couple of teachers) that dysgraphia also comes into play. I spend a lot of time compensating for my language disorders, for the record. I haven't held a normal job since I was 21, and it's probably a good thing that I'm good at improvisation (though, because life's a *****, it causes me huge amounts of anxiety). I had acceptance into multiple universities I would have killed to go to, and I couldn't. I also have to turn off a good chunk of my brain just to make it through the day because it's pretty much the only way I can function.

I wasn't going to quote anyone, but on my way down the page I saw this, and....

(again I apologise if I seem ignorant)

Not "seem." "Are." And sorry if that offends, but depression and anxiety have little to do with one's circumstances or environment. You are literally talking about the subject from a position of ignorance. Literally.

An equivalent would be saying "You have depression? But you're so tall."