Do you have a mental illness?

[Chadwiick]

• Have you had a mental illness?
• Yes, Depression.
  
• Have you faced any discrimination for being mentally ill?
• Yes, it's why I don't like to admit I have depression.
  
• Are there any positive things you have learned from having a mental illness?
• Oh, God yes. I don't want to enlarge this post by twice the size, so my answer is yes, It is my gift and my curse.
  

[Lune]

Though I never show signs of it when people who might try something are around, I have noticed I suffer from extensive paranoia. that and some people believe i have a form of OCD. I doubt the OCD because I just organize my stuff and make sure it is perfectly organized because that feels right to me. The paranoia isn't too terrible, i mainly just jump or flinch if a person walks up to me to quickly, or if someone moves close to me randomly.

[Darkeinu ♥]

Have you had a mental illness?
Yes, I still have.
Have you faced any discrimination for being mentally ill?
Yes.
Are there any positive things you have learned from having a mental illness?
Yup, many things, I wouldn't be who I am today without the many different mental illnesses that I have

[Unfortunate]

Yes i do.
I have depression, and anxiety.
yes, i have.
I have learned some.

[Gemma.]

I presume i have been diagnosed on the basis that i am on anti-depressants and have had/ having a lot of counselling etc. for it.

[Peppermint Tea.♥]

My mother thinks I'm depressed and OCD, I think I have an eating disorder. I mean, it's pretty easy to tell if you have disordered eating once you've got over the delusions (although I still go through that on a daily basis, thinking there's nothing wrong, then realising of course there is). I don't think I'm OCD, I think she's making that up. I think I'd know if I was. I just have pretty high anxiety levels. But no diagnosis, I got referred for counseling but haven't been assessed or told anything. I don't want a diagnosis. I don't want medication (although my mum keeps suggesting it). I just know something's up.

[Sarah7]

Yes. I have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (or OCD for short), and I went through a period of depression. I voted yes.

[ForgetMeNot9]

Yes. I have been diagnosed with Depression and Severe Anxiety. I think I might have OCD as well, but have never consulted a professional lol.

[DAY]

Yeh, I was just diagnosed with OCD.

[lauri]

Maria I have mood disorer unspecific too. dont know many with it.

I have borderline, depression, mood disorder unspecific, mild ptsd, panic attacks, and ocd intrusive thoughts.

[Carpe Diem]

Not any that I know of..

[lauri]

luckyyyyyy

[cupcake110]

mee too i voted yes i have

[BulletHoles]

I have never been diagnosed but I am pretty sure i am being affected by a few.

[Silently_Screaming]

I think I might be Bipolar or however you spell it
I believe I am over aggressive and some day I think I might accidentally kill someone.

[RedRoseAngel]

Have you had a mental illness?
Not been diagnosed with one
Have you faced any discrimination for being mentally ill?
No
Are there any positive things you have learned from having a mental illness?
My mental state allows me to do things others cannot.

[Nora]

No, I have not been diagnosed with a mental illness

[BruceLeeDemarcus]

Kind of. My doctors think I may have depression. My therapist said I did, but not really to me.

[Unbreakable♥]

I believe I have a couple things going on, but I am currently in the process of seeing a doctor for them.

[Ella.x]

• Have you had a mental illness?

Yes, I have a current diagnosis of depression and borderline personality disorder. I have been on antidepressants for nearly 3 years until recently when I decided that I don't want them anymore. I'm doing a lot worse, but at least I know that what I'm feeling is real.
I did have a misdiagnosis of cyclothymia, based on the mood swings that I get, but those are now explained by my current diagnosis of BPD

• Have you faced any discrimination for being mentally ill?

Yes, in work and in social situations, especially at school. Nobody at school knew for certain that I was mentally ill (not even myself), but I got a lot of crap for being "emo" because of my depression and self harm.

• Are there any positive things you have learned from having a mental illness?

I suppose my perspective on life has changed - I don't strive for wealth or beauty, I just want happiness. I also don't care so much about the normal stuff that people my age do (who's screwing who, going clubbing, being sociable and what's the latest fashion), I just try and grab whatever happiness I can.

[pinktoast]

Yah! OCD and generalized anxiety. Meds help a lot. My serontonin is out of whack and I just look at it like any other physical problem that needs medication to make it better.

[xGothicXvampireXeternityx]

I have depression , last year ( when it was at its worst stage ) i was constantly bullied and teased . I was called an Emo , an attention seeker , a cutter , a freak , selfish & self absorbed , suicidal and a goth . What i learned was that people can be really judgemental and until you put yourself into someone else's boots you cant really judge what your perspective is of their life , we should learn more about something before we start becoming critical because after all it doesn't make us cool to label the people who are suffering , it just shows the world how cruel life can be .

[i_like_black]

Just thought I'd update - part of my diagnosis has changed.

It's no longer A.D.H.D., it's now Executive Functioning Difficulties.
The other diagnoses still stand, as the S.S.R.I. they put me on took me on a great ride ;D

[ilyasviel]

Have you had a mental illness?

diagnosed with OCD, SAD, GAD, bipolar


Have you faced any discrimination for being mentally ill?

yes, people turn away when they find out I am under psychiatric treatment.
I almost lost my friend due to their parents finding out I am under treatment
thinking I might harm their family.


Are there any positive things you have learned from having a mental illness?

Nothing, I have achieved nothing and gained nothing though it has significantly helped reduce my anxiety disorder the toll my body took was quite equal. I have hazy memory, always confused, always tired, I am really having a hard time recalling memories. Though I am taking my meds as prescribed till now, It doesn't really help much. I can't function well.

I am discontinuing my meds without my doctors consent, I wan't to get my mind back straight. This condition is a curse I have never done anything bad,
I don't deserver to be like this

[brookesbeenbroken]

I have not been told by a doctor I have these this is just based off of my friends that have it and my general knowledge. I know I have a minor form of ocd. I have dysthymia and suffer with on and off bulimia. No one except my best friend knows so I am not made fun of or called names. I have learned through these that not everything is how it seems and that dealing with these takes time and patience.

[watykins]

I have been diagnosed with manic depression and was on anti-depressants, but stopped taking them. My depression had become worse and i'm tossing up whether to go to my doctor about it and the recent suicidal tendencies....

[BECCALICIOUS!]

Some form of Depression (I forgot specifically what it was on the DSM), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia.

[Despair]

I voted I think I might have a mental illness.

[Dez]

I voted that I think I may have a mental illness, but I haven't been diagnosed yet. My parents don't think anything is wrong with me but I'm seeing a therapist. I probably won't try to find a diagnosis or anything until I'm a legal adult though since my parents hinder that.

[Total Light Storm]

I put I think I may have a mental illness.
I've never been diagnosed but I've been told by a counselor that I could have PTSD and I think I have depression.

[Thirteen]

Well, I did post before here, and before that, said this: "So, I'm not changing my answer on the poll since I'm still in the diagnostic process, but I've officially been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.

I'm still sure I have Bipolar Disorder as well, since I've had Manic episodes, but the psychiatrist I'm seeing isn't taking the Mania seriously, so I'm going to get a 2nd opinion, I hope. Especially since I've had symptoms exclusive to Bipolar Disorder, symptoms exclusive to Borderline Personality Disorder, AND the crossover symptoms too."

Since then, I've [pretty much, unofficially?] been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder as well. How did I get this conclusion? Not only did the psychiatric nurse I saw at the Mood Disorder Clinic [while reading off the psychiatrist's files] mentioned Hypomanic episodes (Mania has never been confirmed, but it needs to be evaluated by a psych while in progress apparently), and the medications they want to try with me are meant for treating Bipolar Disorder. I'd say it's fairly explanatory, considering that, along with the past symptoms I've had.

So, basically, to summarize, I have Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder.

[Michy_Blackrose]

Yes, diagnosed. I'm a Borderline Depressive (BPD and Depression comorbid), I definitely have OCD traits/tendencies but not enough for OCD diagnosis and also experience hypomanic type episodes, but they're too sporadic and not long-lasting enough to be categorised as Bipolar.

[Unbreakable♥]

My therapist says I most likely have General Anxiety Disorder.

[josbo45]

Yes I do I've got aspbergeuse

[endoftherainbow]

Because I love you guys so much I hunted my referral letter out, just so I could answer this

Anorexia Nervosa (Although they hated to give me a label to my face, long story), Body Dysmorphia, "Low mood", and something about OCD. Although the latter has gotten a lot worse recently. Also, my anxiety levels are through the roof right now

Have I experienced discrimination? Well, I get a few weird glances when I start eating crisps without my hands I have my own little method for not touching my food, & I often get asked about it and why I do it. As for the eating disorder, apart from a few exasperated people telling me to "Just eat" and "get over myself" not really

Positives? Small things don't bother me anymore. Things that would have made me sob a few years ago bounce off my back now. & I'm just starting to learn to dance in the rain

The most important thing- I'm happy. & That's amazing

Keep smiling guys!

~Laura

[Cutie7519]

Yes, I have been diagnosed...

I have ADHD, but the last two times I went to see my neurologist I see him circle down ADD now, as I look at the paper that shows all type of disorders and other stuff and under ADHD is ADD. So I'm guessing I have ADD now.

[banging-for-rainbows]

Schizo, well controlled.
Diagnosed at 8 years old.

[SarahNZ]

Originally Posted by endoftherainbow

Because I love you guys so much I hunted my referral letter out, just so I could answer this

Positives? Small things don't bother me anymore. Things that would have made me sob a few years ago bounce off my back now. & I'm just starting to learn to dance in the rain

The most important thing- I'm happy. & That's amazing

Keep smiling guys!

~Laura

I so agree with this (= It makes us stronger people, hey?

I have OCD diagnosed but I’m getting better at dealing with it (and not being so afraid of it) and an eating disorder.

Although I’m pretty sure there’s no point worrying about my eating - that’s silly!

[Kate*]

Originally Posted by Kate*

I've never been tested, but I've dealt with depression and suicidal thoughts so if I were to get tested and it came up negative for depression I would be very surprised.

I just realized I never updated this. As of October 2011 I have depression, if you can call my GP agreeing with how I told her I felt and trying to throw meds at me a diagnosis. I would love to get an "official" screening, but it's not possible at this time.

Descrimination: Nobody knows so I have been placed in situations that made me uncomfortable because people were talking about "mentally ill" or "suicidal" individuals in a less than positive way and they didn't realize they were talking about me and/or my family members!

Positive things: I think I have a realization of what's really important and what really matters in life which I wouldn't have otherwise because I'd be wrapped up in small picture type things. I don't really worry about small stuff anymore because once you've been to mental hell and back, little things SO don't bother you anymore.

[trinityoflove]

Yep. I was diagnosed with severe depression, borderline personality disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.
I haven't really been discriminated against because of it. Most people don't know though and the ones that do are quite understanding.
As far as positive things that have come out of it, I cant say that there are many as I still struggle daily. However, I do think that it has allowed me to relate to others that are struggling with the same things and offer help because I understand what they are going through.