Mental Disorders!

[Guest echtrae]

I have been told upon many occasions that my thought processes are definitely different from most people. I frequently recognize patterns that most people don't see and find the simplest solution to most any given problem.

I've also been told that I tend to be aggressive and have a tendency to intimidate people. Overall though, I just try to be me.

[StoryJunkie]

Yeah, well how many of you are really possessed?

[polywolly]

I have been told upon many occasions that my thought processes are definitely different from most people. I frequently recognize patterns that most people don't see and find the simplest solution to most any given problem.

I've also been told that I tend to be aggressive and have a tendency to intimidate people. Overall though, I just try to be me.

Thank you for the "MacGyver" Trae mental image.

"What . . . your car won't start? In that case, I'll need a pencil eraser, three rubber bands, half a Dixie cup, and a cheeseburger."

As far as my own mental health goes, I think I'm pretty normal in that I have fears and moments of depression, and feelings of inadequacy from time to time, and I wash my hands a bit more often than most, but then I used to work in a restaurant and I picked up the habit of washing more often than just after using the toilet, and I've heard the occasional voice, but I don't see anything wrong with the voice in my head speaking in a voice different from my own, I mean, for several months my thoughts had a Scottish accent, and I haven't seen a name given to that particular disorder just yet, so yeah, I have rather normal abnormalities.

Wait, I think I have Run-On Rambling Sentence Syndrome.

I also think someone should develop Synonym Syndrome, more commonly known as Alternative Word Disorder.

More seriously, depression runs in my family (stark-naked most of the time) so I’m very aware of my emotions. I’m guilty of the occasional “I better not go to work or I’ll get myself fired” sick day. When you wake up, look at the alarm clock, and say, “Fuck you and your little 9 volt battery,” you know, perhaps, it’s better not to inflict yourself upon the world at large.

[Guest Big Samurai]

Unless one counts two years of group therapy with campus psychologists for a very specific period of high stress (immediately after 9 / 11, as unfortunate coincidence had it), I have never been to a psychiatrist. However, I do know -- through extensive self-diagnosis and research; have to make sure, after all -- that I am more or less off my rocker, but I have had sufficient support from family and friends over the years to lead a life that is more or less normal.

I am OCD, mildly paranoid, schizotypal, and prone to sporadic depression. I also have Asperger's. I like to think the combination makes me more eccentric than crazy.

[Nanaea]

I thought the difference between eccentric and crazy was how much money you had?

[ladydeathfaerie]

I am OCD, mildly paranoid, schizotypal, and prone to sporadic depression. I also have Asperger's. I like to think the combination makes me more eccentric than crazy.

you know, Sam. i think OCD might accompany Asperger's, given some of the symptoms.

i can see it in my son and he has Asperger's. just a little bit. things like he always puts food in his mouth on the same side and chews there. always. just little things.

[WotanAnubis]

I've been diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder on... lemme think... three seperate occasions. Fortunately, only one of those psychiatrists wanted to stuff me full of pills because he was convinced I'd be schizophrenic in a matter of years.

I refused.

I'm still not schizophrenic, so I think it worked out.

I also have a bunch of irrational fears that are powerful enough to hamper me in everyday life, but I'm not really sure if that counts.

[FairlightMuse]

Well, I have never been to a psychologist/therapist/etc. so I guess no news is good news. I don't believe I have a disorder either. ( which is a sure sign of craziness. I mean, did Caligula believe he was crazy? Noooooo...).

[Guest Big Samurai]

you know, Sam. i think OCD might accompany Asperger's, given some of the symptoms.

i can see it in my son and he has Asperger's. just a little bit. things like he always puts food in his mouth on the same side and chews there. always. just little things.

It does, but there's frequently overlap in several different mental disorders. I consider the OCD separately because it's more internal than social.

The Asperger's runs in my family, and I'm somewhat proud of it. It gives a generational link, of sorts, and my nephew's having about the same experience with it growing up that I did, so I can be there to help him out a little bit when he gets older.

[ladydeathfaerie]

It does, but there's frequently overlap in several different mental disorders. I consider the OCD separately because it's more internal than social.

The Asperger's runs in my family, and I'm somewhat proud of it. It gives a generational link, of sorts, and my nephew's having about the same experience with it growing up that I did, so I can be there to help him out a little bit when he gets older.

your nephew's lucky to have you.

sadly, when i was growing up (read: young), kids who were considerd autistic were the ones who didn't want to be touched and would scream and beat their head into the wall if allowed. there wasn't this huge umbrella of different types of autisms.

when the school diagnosed my son with Asperger's, i was in tears. of course, i was still a single mom and fairly young. i was in my mid 20's at the time. and it was hard to deal with and even harder to accept because, somewhere along the lines, either myself or the sperm donor passed it down to him. dunno who for sure because.... well, 'sperm donor' should say alot. and the whole autism=silent and prone to self-abuse when i was a child.

its really only been in the past couple of years that i've finally started to understand what it is that's different about my son. i mean.... i really had no clue and what i got for an explanation from the school was.... its going to affect his mental growth more than anything else. i had nothing to tell me how it would present itself and its only been through trial and error that i've found some of these things out. fortunately, i found a woman who's son has Asperger's and it was because of her that i now KNOW what it is that goes on with my son.

when he was diagnosed, they called it Pervasive Developmental Disorder. no one said that it was also called Asperger's.

so..... its still a trial to see what comes and what doesn't. and its frustrating for me because he's so smart and he's pretty talented and there are little blockers in his brain that make it hard for some people to see that he's all these things.

until they get to know him. he's a whiz in math and now science.

what about you, Sam? did you have that one area where you just stood out?

[Guest Big Samurai]

(They diagnosed it as PDD, of all things? That's in a totally different tree of disorders.)

My nephew can hear a song once and sing the whole thing immediately from memory. My gift, if one wants to call it that, is a little less distinguished: I am very good at remembering useless information. I can regurgitate all kinds of things about history, anime / manga, comic books, cult movies, TV shows, video games, and the like. (This is one reason why I am in charge of the video game forum, you see.) If you need to know canon for a 'fic, I'm usually not a bad person to ask.

[ArkaineX55]

I have had a history of depression

A little paranoid schizophrenia (but not enough for Me to ever seek treatment)

A little Obsessive Compulsive

I also seem to have unusual thought patterns when socializing. I don't know if there's a specific disorder involved but I have difficulty speaking to people face to face and I can be a little "too polite" apparently.

At my younger years I was labeled 'somewhat Autistic', I had Asperger's for awhile. However, It seems that I got over that syndrome 2 years ago (is it even possible?)

I have similar problems to Agaib though; History of depression, paranoia, OC, etc.

I'm not depressed anymore nor am I paranoid. I am slightly Obsessive Compulsive.

I think socializing in real life can help a bit as long as you're not too analyctical (sp?) I became less polite over the years though, so I have a bit of fear that I may offend someone without knowing any better.

[ladydeathfaerie]

(They diagnosed it as PDD, of all things? That's in a totally different tree of disorders.)

My nephew can hear a song once and sing the whole thing immediately from memory. My gift, if one wants to call it that, is a little less distinguished: I am very good at remembering useless information. I can regurgitate all kinds of things about history, anime / manga, comic books, cult movies, TV shows, video games, and the like. (This is one reason why I am in charge of the video game forum, you see.) If you need to know canon for a 'fic, I'm usually not a bad person to ask.

oh yes. they called it PDD at first. and now.... even the behavioral specialist at his previous school called it Aspergers. she even purchased a work book for him to use so he could understand what was different about him.

his junior high was filled with amazing staff members who damn near bent over backwards for him. i'm going to miss them. but i think he'll be doing good in the high school he's moving on to now.

frankly, diagnosing kids with autism seems to have replaced diagnosing them with ADD or ADHD.

why can't they just be kids?

[ArkaineX55]

why can't they just be kids?

Reading that line alone makes me remember an article on Men's Health. I don't remember the title, but it did revolve around kids (mostly boys) being diagnosed because of 'excessive maleness.'

Though I know it can happen to girls*, but it seems that ADHD is more likely in boys though...

*My cousin is diagnosed with it, so I know it can happen.

[ladydeathfaerie]

oh, i know that things like ADD and ADHD run in both sexes.

all i meant by my question was why do they have to be anything but kids. now, its like some right of parental passage when you can walk into a room of your friends or peers and rattle off the list of meds your child takes, what's wrong with him or her and why its slowly driving you mad.

what i want to know is why do kids have to be this or that or the other? why can't they just be kids?

it used to be moms and dads got together and tried to outdo each other with statements like 'Little Tommy ran the 400 in just under a minute' or 'Suzy is the best in her dance class'

now you hear things like... 'I can't give Prozac to John because it makes him see things and he went psychotic on us the last time. Now we have to give him this instead.' or 'Tina can't stand her psychologist, so we're in the market for a new one.'

its just sad.

[ArkaineX55]

Oh I didn't mean you didn't knew that, I was just talking about the article. I apologize for any misunderstanding.

I do remember the bragging though, and I admit that alot of parents were happy about it (friendly competition I guess.)

I only saw a few cases of what you described, my uncle/aunt, and a couple of store incidents.

now you hear things like... 'I can't give Prozac to John because it makes him see things and he went psychotic on us the last time. Now we have to give him this instead.' or 'Tina can't stand her psychologist, so we're in the market for a new one.'

Kids need attention (they can't help it), and I bet a few days in the park may calm them down.

I guess that parents don't have much time for their children now...

(I could go into this horrid rant about parents, pharmacy companies, doctors, etc. but that would turn this thread into hell on earth.)

[StoryJunkie]

(I could go into this horrid rant about parents, pharmacy companies, doctors, etc. but that would turn this thread into hell on earth.)

I'm sorry, but that just won't happen when I'm around.

A short smart paddle to the ass will stop that.

I don't think I've ever threatened you with a spank, have I?

And if you don't mind that sort of treatment, I will introduce you to my pitbull, Pixagi. Have you met her yet?

[ArkaineX55]

Hey, I'm not worried about any spankings now.

but I said that other line just to say that I'm NOT going into that rant. There are other places for that, and I like my forums stable.

I'll leave this message as thus.

[Nanaea]

I'm sorry, but that just won't happen when I'm around.

A short smart paddle to the ass will stop that.

I don't think I've ever threatened you with a spank, have I?

And if you don't mind that sort of treatment, I will introduce you to my pitbull, Pixagi. Have you met her yet?

You guys make my job here so easy!

[StoryJunkie]

I think she took me seriously.....O_o

well, Orochimaru does look intimidating

[Guest DarkAvenger]

Speaking as someone who could possibly be thrown into early menopause in the near future - I'm not looking forward to it. On top of everything else - having to deal with hot flashes and mental urges... no thanks. My mother hasn't been right since she went through an abrupt change (hysterectomy) so I can just imagine what I'll be like. Only I'll actually take the hormones I'm supposed to take. As far as drugs go... at the moment the only thing I take is aspirin. I won't take anything else unless I absolutely have too - which is why I walk around in pain half of the time. Do you think that could be a mental disorder?

Do yourself a favor and go off them when you should too... my mother hasn't. She drives me crazy... she's like a whole other person from who she used to be: depressed, suicidal, random crazy yelling spats, repeats herself like woah... you know, all that good shit.

[Guest DarkAvenger]

Okay, let's see how well I can do on this.

Haven't been diagnosed or anything, but I'm smart enough to know how to read and how to not "over react" oh who and what I am... so here goes.

I have OCD... why the hell else do you think I'd spend hours digging around in the archives here for errors? Why else would I line all my pencils up by order or grade of lead and get horribly pisses should someone touch them or worse, move them around? Why else would I sort M&Ms by color and amount and put two of the same color in my mouth, one on each side and then chew? (And refuse to eat the ones that have no mate.) I could keep going, but I'd bore you all into oblivion.

I am approximately 80% germaphobe. I freak out about things I don't know have been washed or how well they have been. Grimy bathrooms scare me and I'd rather hold it than use them. A spot on a fork is the end of the world (hence why I use disposable utensils and plates). I refuse to hold handrails in public places and I open doors with my foot if at all possible. I actually have panic attacks inside of doctors offices from all the sick people, the desks, the door, the seats, the floor, the AIR... oh god. *shudders* Just thinking about it is working me up to damn near needing an anti-anxiety pill...

I feel things that happen to my best friend... literally. She lives in Canada. I live in the US. I felt it when she was raped. I felt it when she was beaten. I felt it all... and I literally mean I could FEEL her being raped, the guys cock inside of her, all of it. I felt it when she was hit by a train... I screamed like I was dying and then blacked out. I came to with my (then fiance) worriedly hovering over me calling 911... I think this should qualify as a disorder of some kind... or at least the doctors think it qualifies anyway.

I go between being okay and being depressed at the drop of a hat. One second, I'm all good, the next, the entire world hates me. The test at the doctors office said was "normally depressed" which apparently qualifies for no meds or help.

I like methodical, repetitive tasks... to the point I'll do them for hours on end and ignore everything else, including eating, sleeping, etc. I'm not sure that's any different than OCD, but well... there it is.

Last week, after being up over 72 hours, I kept hearing my cell phone ring tone. I turned the phone off, took out the battery, put it in another room, even left it at home... and yet I could still hear it, like it was following me. I actually started thinking someone had recorded it in the apartments near me and was following me around replaying it over and over JUST to drive me nuts... hummm... that qualifies as paranoia, doesn't it?

Come to think of it, I'm always paranoid. I fear going outside on so many levels, though I do it all the time. I carry my keys so I can stab someone in the eyeball with them should they sneak up on me. I'm always afraid of people, even when none are around... in fact, that always makes it worse. Darkness makes it worse. I fear people are making fun of me behind my back; if they're talking, it must be about me and must be bad.

I jump the gun on almost everything, making it all my fault no matter what people say. This is why I take offense to things that are said. The one thing to set me off no matter what is to call me lazy. If you stay away from that word, you won't have me down your throat in half a millisecond. Don't call me a child either... that just takes a little longer to set me off. So um... is short temper a problem? lol I'm trying to work on it, I really am... just certain things... you know?

I'll do destructive things knowing that it will hurt me even more. My health + food = okay for two weeks, then not. My arm + computer = carpal tunnel, but do I look like I'm resting? I think not... *sigh* In fact, I took on more to make it worse instead! What is wrong with me? ... ... ... Oh wait, I just diagnosed that. HAHAHA *cough*

I'm sure that's not all, but it's all I have the strength to put down for now.... oh, and I see ghosts. Really... I do. I'm not joking. We have a coffee liking one here in our apartment. He's nice though...

EDIT: and no, before you ask, I do NOT cut. Kyo does on stage *points at pic in signature* That's Kyo... forgive him for his stage displays 'cause we love him.

[madlodger]

DarkAvenger - Pretty interesting post. I am not going to quote since it's pretty big, but it made me think. Some things occured to me while reading it: about half of the things listed are actually the ones which are required for a Programmer or anyone dealing with computers.

The person who feels better not going outside

Who likes methodical, repetitive tasks

who is obsessive about having things done correctly

who is staying on a task till completion

Those qualities make High Achievers successful. It looks to me that you are utilizing your potential and getting things done.

The other things mentioned can be filed as Self-Preservation, which is a natural thing for living beings. (like hating germs or people sneaking up on you)

As for being a germaphobic, well, I can relate to not touching public toilet sits and handles and dislike being close to sick people in the waiting room. Don't have a phobia, though, if I drop a Snickers bar I'd just pick it up and eat it (exept if it was dropped in the public restroom, hehe). Grossed you out, didn't I? I mentioned in Agaib's poll that I am too arrogant to have OCD, which is true. I just don't care about things enough to obsess over them. Germs are food, I eat them

Can't relate to being an empath or seeing gosts, but will take your word for it. Seeing a ghost would be cool, actually.

So far my impressions of you are:

1) DA is getting things done

2) DA has steep deadlines.

Both things are good, really. The only way to piss me off would be deleting my account or majorly tampering with it and so far I don't see it hapenning.

[StoryJunkie]

wow, DA. I think I'm even more in love with you.

that thing about the phone...I've heard that before from people who have been sleep deprived. It's like your brain short-circuits and goes into a repetative loop.

The rest, I'm just in awe.

Oh, and about your mom. My secretary takes Primrose oil for what ails her. That's supposed to help (its an anti-inflammatory) I haven't tried it myself, but I hear it has very good effects on other things as well. (like minor injuries involving pulled muscles.)

[Leonhart29]

I now feel like I'm at home and with family (all be it a twisted family that smiles all the time). DA - Honey you're the best. Don't ever change - we love you just the way you are - eccentricities and all.