Aspergers Syndrome              Reply to this Comment

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I have been trying to find help for this condition. My son is 26. This is a difficult situation for him to be in. I know there is a name for it. People go on talking about it forever in books. Is there any help for it. Please try to answer this queston.

cutting              Reply to this Comment

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Im an adult and ive gotten into the habit of cutting myself. Everytime i feel hurt...i rush to get a blade and start slicing my chest and arms. Im embarrassed because i thought only children did this. Im in my 30's and i have 4 kids of my own. i feel foolish. But i know that im in trouble. I cut all the time now. I feel like it helps me but then the next day i look at my chest and i see how stupid i must look if i were to go to see someone about this.please help me i dont know what to do

Cutting              Reply to this Comment

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I have a problem with cutting. Im fourteen and in ninth grade I ve been cutting since seventh grade and have over 247 cuts and still going. People keep confronting me about it but I can't stop. I stoped seeing my therapist because it didnt seem she was helping, and what i WANT is help. Im lost!

This might help.              Reply to this Comment

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There is help for it. If you read books on it many people "cut" or as they would call it self-injury or self-mutilation is a coping mechniasm. Many people who do this have lost the ways that they use to cope, or have never learned the right ways to deal with things. The best thing for someone who does it would be to go talk to a therapist, or doctor that deals with it. Sometimes all someone needs is someone to listen to them. There's sites on the web that you can go to that will list hundreds of things to try to do instead of cutting.

Cutting              Reply to this Comment

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I really don't know what to do. I've been ADDICTED to cutting for over a year now and it's not going away... I've tried many methods and when i don't, it's almost as though my arm ITCHES to be cut in some way. I wonder if maybe I should be in a institution like Havenwyck... I wonder if I'm crazy.

Cutting              Reply to this Comment

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im only 14, an ever since my family started ignoring me and fighting non-stop i started cutting. I have cut for 5 months now. i started off only because theres so much trouble at home but then i would be down one day and just do it. it became addicting. some people are like its so easy to stop but its not and i cant talk to my parents about it because everything i say goes in one ear and out the other. The never listen to me, like recently i have had an eating problem- i only eat like a small meal every 2 days and my parents havent even noticed i lost 10 pound im down to 110. im confused and i have noone but my friends to turn to.

lost and lonley              Reply to this Comment

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I am a 14 year old girl who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder earlier last year. At first we tried 2 or 3 medicines that messed me up real bad and now I am on lithium, 600 mg a day. They keep upping the dosage and it slows me down more and more every time. I ha ve been addicted to prescription drugs and on pot in recent years and I am starting again. My temper is raging and I hate everything in this world most of the time. I can't explain all of my feelings. but I have asked my mom to get me some better help and if it takes putting me in a hospital, whatever. But she hasn't even called anywhere. I feel like running away. Does anyone else know how I feel?

Rivers              Reply to this Comment

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My daughter has bi-polar and sometimes she feels the same way. The medication does slow her down and she doesn't like that because most people don't want to be slowed down. I can't blame her. However, you probably know that not taking the medicine can be worst. The help she is getting is terrible and I have tried everything I can (including putting her in the hospital) but because she doesn't have insurance there isn't much anyone seems to be able to do. I don't know your situation but your mom might feel the same way I do (helpless). If your in RI maybe you can call RI Hospital. 444-3937 It maybe better if you ask for help yourself. Good luck!

Yvonne              Reply to this Comment

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Its comforting to know I'm not alone. I am in OH and I am doing research about centers and hospitals I may be able to go to. I really, really, really want to get better and I am at my wits end. I just don't want anyone to think I'm crazy for wanting to find help within a hospital or something, because TRUST ME, I don't want to, but I'm scared so what else do I do? Thank you for your support.

Yvonne              Reply to this Comment

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Its comforting to know I'm not alone. I am in OH and I am doing research about centers and hospitals I may be able to go to. I really, really, really want to get better and I am at my wits end. I just don't want anyone to think I'm crazy for wanting to find help within a hospital or something, because TRUST ME, I don't want to, but I'm scared so what else do I do? Thank you for your support.

Misdiagnosis              Reply to this Comment

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Keep in mind that most mental illnesses have the same set of symptoms; yes, some have unique symptoms and you may not display all recognized symptoms of your diagnosed illenss. My wife lost the last five years of her life to PTSD. She was first diagnosed with Schizophrenia by the Guidance Center. This is (kind of) understandable due to the 'common' symptom of insomnia. By the time she was put in front of a psychiatrist her thoughts, due to a lack of sleep, were very scattered. This, along with the PTSD symptoms, is commonly misdiagnosed as Schizophrenia (I believe it is around 90%). When in a locked facility my wife's symptoms disappear (of course, there is no reason to feel unwarranted and exaggerated emotions of fear, anxiety, etc.), leading doctors to believe that the meds are working. Upon release, if she takes her antipsychotic meds and she remembers her trauma, it will will most likely lead to violent behavior. If she is NOT on these meds, and remembers her traumatic event then she only displays symptoms of a moderate to severe depression. I'm not trying to discourage you, but, if the indicated treatment for your condition is not working, then you (or a trusted family member)may need to consider finding a health care professional willing to consider all possibilities. Anyone who wishes may contact me at nivekodonnell@yahoo.com.

hard times              Reply to this Comment

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i never knew what was going on inside of my head until i was diagnosed with ptst. that was years ago and i still feal so distant. nothing seems to help. now i just dont know what to do or who to turn to.

Rivers              Reply to this Comment

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Hi Rivers, Not real sure that you will get this but I wanted to let you know I know how you feel and there is hope. I am 42 now and was dx'd as BP about 4 years ago. I was in a very bad place. I had been an addict of all kinds of drugs for most of my life. I sought help because I thought they were causing my problems primarily. I found that I was self medicating to try and mask my illness which is common. I have gotten the help I sought and am taking meds for my BP and no longer feel the need to use drugs. I hope that you see there is people that will help and that you can live without illegal drugs to control these symptoms. things will get better. they might have to adjust your meds or even change them but believe me it is worth the time to ask or tell the docs about your feelings and what any of the meds are doing to you or how YOU think that they may or not be helping. they will find the right mix. Good luck to you.

Bipolar Disorder              Reply to this Comment

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Sometimes I think this disorder is driving me to the edge. My emotions..moods..feelings..everything is so out of wack...I'm even on meds for this and I can't even remember to take my meds...life has to get better...right?

rhonda              Reply to this Comment

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i know how u feel about not remembering the meds. i do it alot. i had this for yrs. but was diagnosed in 95. the hospital i finally got help at was john hopkins in balti.md. i owe my life to them, along with my family. if u have to write notes to remind yourself, do that it sure helped me. good luck

do i have manic depression?              Reply to this Comment

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here's the thing. when i'm happy i'm happy when i'm pissed i explode i say mean hateful things and want to lash out and just do everything destructive to whoever it is that i'm mad at.... i want help. its wrecking my relationship i need this to stop someone please help me... if you want to email me its wolfluver868@yahoo.com

bipolar disorder              Reply to this Comment

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i was the victim of childhood abuse..very severe, parents never got me help for anything so shortly after my first daughter was born at 17 i found help on my own..took 4 years until i was diagnosed..took many many different meds over the years..im 27 now and stopped my meds about 3 months ago, i couldnt' take the side effects anymore and every day is a battle, one minute i want to die the next im on top of the world, its taken its toll on me and my children. i will call my dr tomorrow to get an appointment to try the meds again, i love my children but keep thinking they will be much happier without me yelling one minute and hugging them the next its so confusing for them..they are 6 and 9..my 9 year old has also been diagnosed and is taking risperdal. times are tough, just gotta keep hanging in there lol maybe this wasnt' the place to post this and if it wasn't i apologize, just needed to talk about it, i have no one here

bipolar disorder              Reply to this Comment

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i was the victim of childhood abuse..very severe, parents never got me help for anything so shortly after my first daughter was born at 17 i found help on my own..took 4 years until i was diagnosed..took many many different meds over the years..im 27 now and stopped my meds about 3 months ago, i couldnt' take the side effects anymore and every day is a battle, one minute i want to die the next im on top of the world, its taken its toll on me and my children. i will call my dr tomorrow to get an appointment to try the meds again, i love my children but keep thinking they will be much happier without me yelling one minute and hugging them the next its so confusing for them..they are 6 and 9..my 9 year old has also been diagnosed and is taking risperdal. times are tough, just gotta keep hanging in there lol maybe this wasnt' the place to post this and if it wasn't i apologize, just needed to talk about it, i have no one here

cutting              Reply to this Comment

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cutting it is an addiction. shame is the central emotional aspect of addiction, which is one of the reasons it can be so hard to get help. I have worked with folks who have a cutting addiction including adults. so, ot the mom, you are not alone. I suggest you seek experiential therapies when looking for help. experiential therapies are things like art therapy, equine-assisted therapy,drama therapy, music therapy, dance therapy, wilderness therapy. talking is probably not enough, especially if you are a teen. It is easier for younger folks to learn new coping skills through feeling, doing, experiencing the outcomes. However, this is also true for adults. Changing is a process, with stages.Understanding where you are in the change process, can help you know what to do next to help yourself. Look for a book called CHANGING FOR GOOD by Jim Prochaska. for the younger folks who are struggling with cutting and other family problems, please find an adult you feel you can trust and let them know what is going on. If there is a counselor at school - they can help.

cutting              Reply to this Comment

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cutting it is an addiction. shame is the central emotional aspect of addiction, which is one of the reasons it can be so hard to get help. I have worked with folks who have a cutting addiction including adults. so, ot the mom, you are not alone. I suggest you seek experiential therapies when looking for help. experiential therapies are things like art therapy, equine-assisted therapy,drama therapy, music therapy, dance therapy, wilderness therapy. talking is probably not enough, especially if you are a teen. It is easier for younger folks to learn new coping skills through feeling, doing, experiencing the outcomes. However, this is also true for adults. Changing is a process, with stages.Understanding where you are in the change process, can help you know what to do next to help yourself. Look for a book called CHANGING FOR GOOD by Jim Prochaska. for the younger folks who are struggling with cutting and other family problems, please find an adult you feel you can trust and let them know what is going on. If there is a counselor at school - they can help.