[threadbear]

All who need words of wisdom, encouragement and who are currently mentally and or emotionally ill, or know someone who is, please log on here. I'll out myself first. I come from a family that is on the schizophrenia spectrum. Though never psychotic, I was beset with severe anxiety, depression until my mid twenties and still have a daily struggle with being just plain weird.

Let's spread some hope and discuss govt sanctioned dope, on this thread...shall we?

So a big HI and how are you.... to all of you, who are currently horribly anxious, depressed, or actively hallucinating. Please join in. No problem too intractable, no situation too silly, no solution overlooked. This is pep talk central!

[Ludi]

Hi. I have manic depression (bipolar) but mostly depression, currently depressed because I'm trying to do without medication (yeah, not too smart, I know). I have had serious paranoia and psychosis, but have managed to avoid being hospitalized. My sister is also bipolar and has been hospitalized many times. My husband's mom was schizophrenic but so far none of her kids have shown obvious symptoms.

*waves to the other loons*

[threadbear]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', 'H')i. I have manic depression (bipolar) but mostly depression, currently depressed because I'm trying to do without medication (yeah, not too smart, I know). I have had serious paranoia and psychosis, but have managed to avoid being hospitalized. My sister is also bipolar and has been hospitalized many times. My husband's mom was schizophrenic but so far none of her kids have shown obvious symptoms.

*waves to the other loons*

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('threadbear', '
')Ludi, On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your feelings of depression?

[threadbear]

Well, if they're not supportive do you have enough energy to type "f*** off'?
I'm really sorry to hear this, Ludi. It must be very very hard. We've talked a bit about spiritual belief systems in the past on other threads. Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs that can lend substance and meaning to your suffering?

[Sixstrings]

EDIT: Post self-deleted, I was off topic.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('threadbear', ' ')Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs that can lend substance and meaning to your suffering?

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sixstrings', ' ')We all have this existential hole we're always trying to fill

[Sixstrings]

EDIT: Post self-deleted, I was off topic.

[deMolay]

Quote Ludi: $this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'N')o, we don't. Please speak for your own self. You might have a hole, that does not mean "we all" have one, ok?

[Sixstrings]

EDIT: Post self-deleted, I was off topic.

[dinopello]

I think everyone is emotionally and mentally unusual in some way or another. And, I think we shouldn't take this reality all too seriously.

[mos6507]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sixstrings', ' ')We all have this existential hole we're always trying to fill

[Narz]

I don't think I'm really nuts but life has made me nuts.

I have all sorts of fun diagnoses but I feel I could overcome most of my issues under the right circumstances (though they'd always be there in the back of my mind, tugging at me).

My girlfriend is most overtly nuts than me, well, that is she's worse @ repressing it (which I find kind of repulsive since I value stoicism). Sometimes I get depressed thinking we'll inevitably break up & what that will do to our daughter.

My main goal in life right now is to keep my daughter from being as fucked up as me (or her mom).

[Narz]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mos6507', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sixstrings', ' ')We all have this existential hole we're always trying to fill

[efarmer]

Priceless Mos.

Sometimes being a little crazy is a shield from stupidity.

[Narz]

The best shield from stupidity is being stupid. (Un)fortunately I'm not able to be it enough.

[threadbear]

Narz, I think acknowledging your problems and wanting to help your daughter avoid similar ones is so commendable. So many fathers think of themselves first, their wives girlfriends and children come in a poor second, third or somewhere down the bottom of the list of priorities. In spite of all you have been through, and are presently going through, you have obviously retained a sterling character. As long as you don't identify with your problems, can stand back, see your essential sanity, as you have done, and pat yourself on the back for what you have accomplished in spite of the problems you have been saddled with, you are way ahead of the game. And a cruel, arbitrary game it can be!

Six strings--I wasn't able to read what you wrote, as you deleted it, but I do get the gist from the boxed quotes. You've tried to be helpful, most likely, but are just a bit off the mark when it comes to trying to help with actual mental illnesses, that have a strong bio-chemical-neurological origin. I think what you have been describing is good old fashioned existential angst--that hole we are all trying to fill. I am going to start a separate thread for that particular problem and associated difficulties. You probably have a lot of advice, experience to offer, so hope to see you there!

Ludi,

It is annoying when a neurological problem is approached like a garden variety neurosis, or a character defect, both of which are more amenable to change, quicker fixes. If I were you I would feel as if someone with a skin rash, was giving me pointers to deal with with a metastasizing skin cancer. There are huge quantitative AND qualitative differences.

Existential angst may aggravate some mental illnesses, but it is far from being the cause and it can be terribly unfair to saddle someone with advice that is not really pertinent to them! I don't know how many times well meaning people have told me that my schizophrenic sister could be "loved" back into reality and happiness. One would never suggest to someone that loving someone with epilepsy would eliminate their seizures.

People often mean well, but operate from a position of ignorance, or project too much from their own personal experience.

I think the fact that you are so ill yourself, but still have your own sister uppermost in your mind speaks volumes for your character! I will say a prayer for your return to peace and contentment, if you don't mind.

[IslandCrow]

I am living and caring for someone with a neuro-degenerative disease. No known medication available...eventual death, but path to that point totally unsure.

As this goes on I find myself more dominated by the condition, and less able to focus on other things like planning for PO. There is so much about the course of the next few years that I do not know so it is hard to plan. I have no idea how long the person will be around (a long time at present rate of degeneration), so do I plan for two or for being on my own?

I have found a good site with others in my own situation where I can get a lot of internet support.

[timmac]

Well at least we have a better understanding of some posters here, I consider myself sort of normal except I can't stand being around people much, I guess thats my only real problem.