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For those suffering from mental illness: (Long Post)

Posted on 7/24/18 at 11:57 pm
Posted by Soup Sammich
Member since Aug 2015
3301 posts
Posted on 7/24/18 at 11:57 pm
This is a long post and I understand if it's too long to read. I apologize but a thread today hit me hard on this subject. So many people suffer from mental illness and don't know that there are ways to treat it and beat it somewhere. I haven't found a cure or plan that works for me yet so maybe one person here can help us all.

What were you or still suffering from? If you got better, what helped you? For those that are suffering currently, what are are you suffering from and what is keeping you from pursuing help?

Based on a few threads the last few months, the celebrity suicides in the news and my own experiences, it seems like this is a huge problem everywhere.

Being able to post anonymously on here could help many people talk about their problems and actually get good advice even though it's the OT. Its a very good chance that someone on this site is contemplating suicide or see no hope in their current situation.

This topic is neglected by most in all walks of life. It's seen as taboo from most families and friends. It's not a priority by our political leaders and that needs to change. Some of us just need someone to talk to or get pointed in the right direction for help. I suffer from severe social anxiety which in turn caused substance abuse. It's hard for me to be open to anyone, including doctors or shrinks. The doctors I went to all had me trying different meds until I find the best for me. One of the meds made me much worse than I ever was and I almost ended my life because of it. I am doing good at the moment without medication but the depression, hopelessness and anxiety are gonna be back soon and that scares me. My social anxiety is too severe to force myself to see a shrink. I'm looking for advice if anybody has good advice from experience. Also I would like for others suffering to speak up here and keep fighting the good fight. Hopefully you guys on thus site can help just one person. That would make this thread worth it.

TL;DR- don't give up on life just yet. The mental healthcare is not ideal here but that doesn't mean you won't ever get better because you will. We just need to find our cure.
This post was edited on 7/24/18 at 11:59 pm
Posted by Havoc
Member since Nov 2015
28361 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 12:06 am to
A lot of people don’t want to hear “that Jesus shite” because they don’t even begin to understand what it is. They think God is some broken ATM machine that just isn’t giving them the free money or favor they’re asking for.

Peace. Acceptance. Strength. Just trust and pray your path. I’ve seen one’s faith in God survive the most trying test.
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
98188 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 12:20 am to
I had someone tell me today that if she owned a gun she would have to give it away because it would be dangerous for her to have it in the house. She's been depressed as long as I have known her, about 9 years. Some times more than others, but always depressed, with frequent suicidal ideations. Fortunately she has pledged not to act on them.

She wants to get better and sees a therapist weekly, but every medication she has tried either does not work or has intolerable side effects. She keeps fighting, but she is weary.

The dirty little secret nobody talks about is that not everyone gets better. For some people it's a daily struggle. Imagine your worst, bleakest day, then imagine waking up like that every morning for years on end, and nothing you try helps. That's what it's like for some people.
Posted by gingerkittie
Member since Aug 2013
2675 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 12:23 am to
A close family member attempted to check out months ago. She survived and got help, coping skills and meds.

Meds did not help but the other things did also. We made changes in our lives to rewrite her dreams of where she was thought that she was going to retire. Those dreams died when her husband did.

We also are working with the ' geographic cure' on her. That means just leaving where she lives and start again, someplace new with whole new dreams and new possibilities.
Posted by cwil177
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2011
28431 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 12:37 am to
I had a friend with crippling anxiety kill himself last year. I still feel pretty low when I think about him. I tried to help him while we were in the same city but I moved away for work. Then found out from a mutual friend what had happened. He lost his long fight with mental illness. I hope he’s at peace now. It’s the only solace I can take from the situation because he was a great guy.

Ask for help when you need it. Lean on family and friends. We were never supposed to be so isolated but in the digital age it seems we have become more separated from the real social networks that kept us sane.

For your issue I would suggest CBT but that requires seeing a therapist. Meds can help too but the side effects can be difficult. Each med is different though and it may take a few tries to get it right.
Posted by slackster
Houston
Member since Mar 2009
84883 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 12:39 am to
quote:

She's been depressed as long as I have known her, about 9 years


Coincidence?
Posted by wfallstiger
Wichita Falls, Texas
Member since Jun 2006
11432 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 12:41 am to
Most will assert the use of medication in conjunction with talking therapy to be the most success rate route, and I agree. So many factors contribute to wellness, such as one's support system - lifestyle - vocation - culture, and the likes. We must remember that one's mental illness did not develop overnight nor will it go away overnight. Odds are it will prove to be a daily challenge and with the good comes some less than desirable, such as meditation side effects. Some disorders are more amenable to treatment than others and realistic treatment outcomes are to be emphasized, as most things in life ought to be....there is no sin in being average.
Posted by Num1TigerSpam
Member since Mar 2018
245 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 4:00 am to
Excercise, staying busy, self care, acceptance, quality over quantity relationships
Posted by Beessnax
Member since Nov 2015
9147 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 5:22 am to
quote:

suffer from severe social anxiety which in turn caused substance abuse


This is very frequently seen. The substances alleviate the anxiety but cause their own unique problems. Someone experiencing suicidal ideations doesn't need to be disinhibited because they could actually go through with it while intoxicated.

quote:

My social anxiety is too severe to force myself to see a shrink.


The symptoms you describe are very common, as noted. They are also readily treated by some very safe medications. The problem is that you have to have the right one. A psychiatrist has alot of insight as far as what would be a good starting point for you. It may take some time, some people require a change or two, but once you have the right medication you should feel remarkably better. You just have to do your part as far as showing up to the appointments and being honest. Many people make the mistake of taking a med for a week and giving up on it if it doesn't immediately work. Don't do this.

As far as the entire spectrum of mental illness goes what you are describing is not that hard to treat and actually has a very good prognosis. You just have to be willing to make that initial contact.
Posted by Junky
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2005
8375 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 5:38 am to
My symptoms were very mild compared to what other went through and I found being on pill (SSRI) to be unnatural. My medicine was finding out the connection btw mental illness and diet. What you eat absolutely has an effect on how you feel. I wont promote this diet or another, head to the health board for that, but removing the junk food from your diet and cook/eat real food is best.

Another poster mentioned exercise - I seconded.
Posted by Rouge
Floston Paradise
Member since Oct 2004
136811 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 5:43 am to
I recommend an extended trip to a third world country.

I know that it sounds harsh, but a bit of immersive therapy into some perspective could be helpful to some. Help people realize, in a very "in your face" way, that our lives are soooo much better than what many others deal with on a daily basis.
This post was edited on 7/25/18 at 5:44 am
Posted by liz18lsu
Naples, FL
Member since Feb 2009
17302 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 5:50 am to
As gingerkittie said, a "geographical cure". People say you can't run away from your problems. Depends on the problems. Running away always worked for me. I took a semester off in college to escape during a serious bout of depression. It worked. I moved to FL to escape a violent and toxic relationship, at a time when I was suicidal. Here I am, no depression.

Caveat - I get situationally depressed, which is why running away works. For those, like my father, who just seem to hate their lives, no matter what, I don't have an answer. His motto is "Life sucks, then you die." I tell him it doesn't have to suck and he says "But it does."
Posted by Pectus
Internet
Member since Apr 2010
67302 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 6:15 am to
And if you don't have a support group, build one. Like start talking to old friends again, use counselors, use your parents.
Posted by soccerfüt
Location: A Series of Tubes
Member since May 2013
65688 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 6:19 am to
Here’s a sad CDC chart, it’s from 2015-


Posted by celltech1981
Member since Jul 2014
8139 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 6:25 am to
it really is a fight to stay alive. you see a lot of folks call somebody who loses that fight a coward. they have no idea what that person was going through in their head. dealing with it on a daily basis wears you out. it's exhausting putting on a good face and being around people. there are plenty of subtle signs you can look for in friends dealing with it. if they stop attending as many social events and come up with excuses to stay home could be a sign. in a lot of cases simply letting them know you are there for them could be a big help. the reason so many people keep it to themselves is because they don't want to be a burden to those around them.

Posted by Snipe
Member since Nov 2015
10921 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 6:46 am to
quote:

Fortunately she has pledged not to act on them.


Be careful.

That's usually an empty promise, as through no fault of their own they really have no control of that. You can not trust someone with mental illness to think logically through their episodes unfortunately.

And if she is on medications it is actually a higher chance she will act on those suicidal thoughts even though those thought may be much less frequent than if she were not on meds.

Take every mention of them hurting themselves as serious as if they had a gun in their hand at that moment and understand that they will tell you and make you believe that everything is going to be ok if not already ok. They are burdens to themselves, the last thing they want is to think of themselves as burdens to their friends and loved ones.

I know this not from books and lectures but from living with and losing someone to mental illness. Never let your guard down and think they wont hurt themselves.
Posted by Yesca11
Minneapolis
Member since Aug 2008
1822 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 6:54 am to
My ex girlfriend had a severe mental breakdown and went through some really tough, suicidal times. The last couple years she had gotten significantly better by taking less medication and focusing her attention on things that make her happy. I’ve been really impressed by how far she’s come. I know this is a lot easier said than done, but it can work. You just have to find what works for you. It will take time.
Posted by CorkSoaker
Member since Oct 2008
9784 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 7:00 am to
I think therapy should be viewed differently. Too many people are embarrassed or ashamed to get the professional help they need. If you are suffering from a mental illness, get help. If that therapist isn’t working, try a different one until you find one that does.
Posted by reverendotis
the jawbone of an arse
Member since Nov 2007
4867 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 7:02 am to
Not from personal experience in the first person but I speak with the authority of a person that has been hand in hand with another down many a dead end road.

Some observations..

For every one decent psych, there are three that are nothing more than pill peddlers and follow up appointment schedulers.

Insist on getting bloodwork at some point including a FULL thyroid panel and hormones. Depression that doesn't respond to usual clinical/medical treatment may be caused by something treatable. Pouring SSRIs down your throat may pointless.

If your bloodwork comes back with a thyroid abnormality, ask for a genetic test - MTHFR & COMT genes specifically. Google search these and see if they overlap your symptoms.

It isn't a panacea but this route is the key for some people whose depression and anxiety have proven to be drug resistant. It is also a route that a psych probably wouldn't go down unless you insist on it.
Posted by lsunurse
Member since Dec 2005
129003 posts
Posted on 7/25/18 at 7:20 am to
I’ve posted on here about my Dad’s mental issues and recent suicide attempt/gesture (whatever they want to call it). He’s on different meds and seeing a therapist twice a month. He’s not having panic attacks like he used to...so that’s good.

The bad. He still won’t make simple changes he needs to. I had my whole family sign up at a senior/adult center by their house. Figured it would be a way to get him out the house. There is a fitness center there as well. Figured perfect opportunity for my dad to exercise a little. Cause of his age/health/disability he can’t do much. But figured he could at least get on an exercise bike while watching tv.

They have gone there only twice that I know of...to play bingo there. My dad still won’t go exercise. There is always an excuse why he couldn’t go.

I’ve got my own life to lead and my own host of problems to deal with. I’ve spent the last several months bending over backwards doing all I can to help him out. Yet he can’t even try to peddle on a fricking bike for a few minutes. And still complains over and over how he isn’t feeling better. Well no shite...you won’t do the most simple things to help yourself.


Anyways rant over. Having a parent with a mental illness sucks.
This post was edited on 7/25/18 at 7:25 am
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