NWR: Anyone familar with Mental illnesses? (I'm anonymous right now but am a frequent poster)

Anonymous Poster Posted: Jun 24, 2008 10:37 AM

NWR: Anyone familar with Mental illnesses? (I'm anonymous right now but am a frequent poster)

I'm a very frequent poster on this website but in this case I'd like to remain anonymous.

I've always noticed that I had mood swings and just thought that they were menstrual. But today I ran across a few websites on mental illnesses. There was a huge article and information on bi polar disorder which described me 100% to the 'T'. I'm very upset right now thinking that I may be bi polar, particularly because it sounds like I should be committed to an insane asylum. If people find out I think that they'll just think I'm crazy. Does anyone have any information on bi polar disorder or familiar with it? Who would I go to to see if I do have this mental illness?

Any help that anyone could give me I would really appreciate. Via this post or FM. Thank you

MikeandJess Posted: Jun 24, 2008 10:40 AM

Re: NWR: Anyone familar with Mental illnesses? (I'm anonymous right now but am a frequent poster)

you can talk to any psychologist or psychiatrist. I recommend a psychiatrist because they can prescribe you medication. You are not crazy! Some people have imbalances that they need medication to correct, their bodies can't do it on their own. This is correctable and you are not crazy. Lots of people deal with bipolar disorder. Good luck

RisiLeigh Posted: Jun 24, 2008 10:42 AM

Re: NWR: Anyone familar with Mental illnesses? (I'm anonymous right now but am a frequent poster)

My best friend is a social worker and currently works at a mental clinic here on LI. She knows a LOT about bi-polar disorder. If you'd like, I can have her FM you from my name later tonight?

I truly wouldn't worry until you maybe see a doctor, even your primary care physician. I also have mood swings and I do see a therapist once a month. I am on 1 medication and it has helped me SO much!!! I am like a different person than I used to be! Don't worry, hun!

Soon2BMrsD Posted: Jun 24, 2008 10:43 AM

Re: NWR: Anyone familar with Mental illnesses? (I'm anonymous right now but am a frequent poster)

Posted by MikeandJess

you can talk to any psychologist or psychiatrist. I recommend a psychiatrist because they can prescribe you medication. You are not crazy! Some people have imbalances that they need medication to correct, their bodies can't do it on their own. This is correctable and you are not crazy. Lots of people deal with bipolar disorder. Good luck

i could not have said that better myself...

bi polar is so common and it is very easily treated... no psych wards for you... the only people who are committed are those who cannnot regulate their medications themselves. ( i did a 2 week psych rotation for nursing)

i dont know much about the disorder but i highly recommend you NOT READING ABOUT IT ONLINE!!!! go see a doctor. you can start with your primary care dr. and then he will refer you to a specialist.

Good luck!

snwb08 Posted: Jun 24, 2008 10:45 AM

Re: NWR: Anyone familar with Mental illnesses? (I'm anonymous right now but am a frequent poster)

my mom is manic depressive. growing up was crazy because they didn't know what it was exactly and they even gave her electric shock treatments . We are so lucky now that this kind of thing is easily regulated - she's been fine for years because she takes medication everyday.

don't diagnose yourself, and don't be sad about it. you'd be surprised how many people are bi-polar and can live totally normal lives. In my mom's case, she was so lucky that she had my dad who stood by her even when he had no idea why she was having such crazy episodes. Go to a psychiatrist - someone you trust. I would recommend hers but he retired and now she just gets her medication from her regular doctor.

good luck. FM if you need more info.

Espo22 Posted: Jun 24, 2008 10:45 AM

Re: NWR: Anyone familar with Mental illnesses? (I'm anonymous right now but am a frequent poster)

first off, it wouldnt mean you are crazy and bi polar people do not get locked up in an insane asylum. Its a chemical imbalance which drastically changes your mood from very hyper, excited, feeling great and on top of the world and then to depressed, feeling horrible about yourself. The problem is getting that in between feeling, not where its just very high or very low and the way to do this is with medication.

I have alot of info on this if you want, so you can fm me if you are interested.

mtegay Posted: Jun 24, 2008 10:46 AM

Re: NWR: Anyone familar with Mental illnesses? (I'm anonymous right now but am a frequent poster)

Similarly I would caution against website description of ilnnesses because you can find that you match almost any disease and it becomes even more frightening the more you look. I many cases symptoms are very general and several people who are not truely ill will feel they fit the description. Searching online I would find that I am clinically depressed, have anxiety disorder, and have borderline OCD when in fact I am pretty much just a normal human with all that goes along with being hormonal, a woman, and living in a highly stressed environment :) I would say if you are concerned that you aren't functioning as you would like just talk to a medical professional first and try to find other potentially non prescriptional solutions to help you with some of your issues. Good luck and hang in there!

flairforfashion Posted: Jun 24, 2008 10:47 AM

Re: NWR: Anyone familar with Mental illnesses? (I'm anonymous right now but am a frequent poster)

You are not alone. I know many people that are bi-polar and it does not mean that they are crazy!!!!! A good friend of mine just started taking meds and she is a much better person now. Honestly, think about it? Who is normal???? There is no such thing. We all have situations and things that we deal with and it doesn't mean that we are crazy. I am sure you will be fine. Speak to a Psychiatrist and go from there. Good luck! I am sure you will be ok!

Espo22 Posted: Jun 24, 2008 10:48 AM

Re: NWR: Anyone familar with Mental illnesses? (I'm anonymous right now but am a frequent poster)

Posted by mtegay

Similarly I would caution against website description of ilnnesses because you can find that you match almost any disease and it becomes even more frightening the more you look. I many cases symptoms are very general and several people who are not truely ill will feel they fit the description. Searching online I would find that I am clinically depressed, have anxiety disorder, and have borderline OCD when in fact I am pretty much just a normal human with all that goes along with being hormonal, a woman, and living in a highly stressed environment :) I would say if you are concerned that you aren't functioning as you would like just talk to a medical professional first and try to find other potentially non prescriptional solutions to help you with some of your issues. Good luck and hang in there!

i agree, talk to a professional if you really want to find out. Reading the description that one day you feel great and the next you feel depressed can apply to just about anybody, theres alot more to it. Mood swings doesnt make you manic depressive, if that was the case then we'd all be. There are some sites that do go into alot of detail about this and not just a short definition of what it means.

Danielle623 Posted: Jun 24, 2008 10:52 AM

Re: NWR: Anyone familar with Mental illnesses? (I'm anonymous right now but am a frequent poster)

I'm familiar with it. Someone very close to me was just diagnosed with it. It takes a while for the meds to work and in her case, it hasn't yet. Her diagnosis only became a diagnosis about a month ago though she has shown signs for a long time. From what I saw, her symptoms included anger, impatientce, frustration, no regard for anyone other than herself, violence, extreme mood swings......'high high's and low lows'
She seemed to control them around certain people but I would hear horror stories about her behavior when people were not around.
She is very young (under 18) and just hasn't found the right combination of meds yet. But then again, like I said, they dont work right away. I know, having studied in college, you really need 2 diagnoses to validate you are bi polar. This person only went for one evaluation. And boom......she is on meds. Dr's are so eager to start prescribing you with meds to take care of certain things but in her case, it was more than just mood swings. She became very violent. That is what prompted the evaluation.
We all deal with being moody. You can go on any website and if you think you have something, you can identify with any of the symptoms. If you really really feel like you may be suffering from something like bi polar, get a few opinions. Hope this helped a little to ease your curiosity.