![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by spriggy on October 24, 2005, at 15:57:11
I know none of you can't actually "diagnose" me, don't worry. But you are all very intelligent and no quite a bit about psychiatric disorders so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get some opinions on what I *sound* like.
Here are my symptoms:
I will list them ranging from severity to less severe:
* Anxiety- I know this could mean ANYTHING but my anxiety tends to make me feel very uncomfortable.
I don't want to sit still or have time to be quiet. I try to stay super busy so that I can avoid thinking too long and then getting obsessed over this feeling. If I sit and think about it, I feel as if I could go crazy. It's hard to describe. Bare with me.* racing thoughts- my thoughts feel mumbbled together- once again, hard to describe. It's almost as if my brain/thoughts were a ferris wheel and instead of spinning nice and slow, it goes faster and faster and faster and faster.
I find myself telling myself " slllooooow down your thoughts."
* Derealization: This is occasional but when it comes, it is most severe. I feel as if I'm not really "here" or like this is all a dream. It's as if I am disappearing and even things around look different. I can only describe this as what I imagine an acid trip to feel like.
*Shame/guilt- this hits me like a ton of bricks. I find myself feeling SO unworthy of everything. I feel like I'm a failure, especially as a mother. I think of all the things I should do/be and find myself crying out of despair.
* Constant thoughts of death; not really "suicide" but death in general. When I'm in this state, I become nearly obsessed with dying/death, etc.. I sometimes pray for it; long for it, etc.. but do not consider actually doing it myself. I've only been suicidal when on SSRI's.
* Depression possibly? I don't know if this is depression or not- I had such a severe, crippling depression that maybe because I'm comparing it to THAT, I don't realize that's what THIS is.
I find myself looking forward to sleep. I stay just as busy (but only to preoccupy my mind) but on the inside, I'd rather just sleep all the time. Sometimes, I find that I take a cap full of Nyquil just to "escape" and sleep. (at bedtime). I have a fear of laying there, in the dark, wide awake with just my thoughts racing so I'd rather knock myself on Nyquil.
My family history is a father with bipolar (and his mother was also bp). My mother has GAD and is neurotic (is that a mental condition?ROFL).I've had panic attacks sporadically, general anxiety for nearly a year, off and on mild depression (but I honestly think my depression is coming from the constant anxiety).
I had a regular gp who thought I was possibly bipolar becuase of my reaction to Lexapro but when I was seen by a psychiatrist, the psych said it was merely akathasia and said, " You have no mental condition."
I honestly feel like I'm not normal. I can't imagine that "normal" people struggle CONSTANTLY with their thoughts and trying to feel/be normal like this.
But I hesitate to think I'm bipolar because I see no similarities between me and my dad/grandmother. I don't have high high's and low low's. Mine is pretty consistent. Occasionally, I feel "normal" but for the most part, this has been my general state for almost a year.
I won't bring up my health conditions because that complicates things but I wanted to share my mental state and see if anyone has a clue what this is.
Posted by rainbowbrite on October 24, 2005, at 16:06:40
In reply to just for the record... what would my diagnosis be?, posted by spriggy on October 24, 2005, at 15:57:11
sounds like generalized anxiety with depresion or some form of anxiety with some derpession. im quite sure that anxiety can induce repetitive/intrusive thoughts.
Posted by Maynerd on October 24, 2005, at 17:57:57
In reply to just for the record... what would my diagnosis be?, posted by spriggy on October 24, 2005, at 15:57:11
Pretty hard to really decide from the information you give, but it sounds like it could be anything ranging from above normal anxiety to perhaps GAD or even BP. How intense are the feelings, duration, and are they all at the same time or are they separate but in close proximity timewise? Can you trace back to the initiating cause of the anxiety/stress/depression? How is the clarity of thoughts during these episodes, and does this change? The ferris wheel has a manic sounding component, but could be a product of the anxiety rather than being a manic episode. Is this happening at the same time with the depressed symtoms? Many of the other symptoms sound like depression, just don't know what type without more info. Overall, it sounds like no matter what your diagnosis is at this moment, you may very well be on the treadmill towards major depression and/or BPD in the future. Don't know if this helps, hope so.
Posted by SLS on October 24, 2005, at 18:24:18
In reply to just for the record... what would my diagnosis be?, posted by spriggy on October 24, 2005, at 15:57:11
Hi Spriggy.
How old were you when you first became ill?
My first impression is that you have major depressive disorder (MDD) with racing and crowded thoughts. This is considered by some researchers as being a bipolar-spectrum illness. That you have a family history of bipolar disorder would certainly argue in favor of this categorization. If this is true, then I think it makes sense to add some focus on mood stabilizers and atypical neuroleptic antipsychotics in addition to an antidepressant like Wellbutrin or Remeron. There are alternatives among these, but I think you need to take things one step at a time. Perhaps taking Klonopin in the meantime might help with the anxiety until the MDD is adequately treated. It would also help prevent panic attacks and perhaps act as a minor mood-stabilizer.
"MDD with racing/crowded thoughts, versus MDD without racing/crowded thoughts, had significantly lower age at onset, more [major depressive episode] MDE severity, more psychotic, melancholic, atypical, and mixed depressions, and more bipolar family history. Of the intra-MDE hypomanic symptoms, irritability, psychomotor agitation and distractibility were significantly more common in MDD with racing/crowded thoughts." - Unipolar depression with racing thoughts: A bipolar spectrum disorder? FRANCO BENAZZI, md, phd - Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences Volume 59 Issue 5 Page 570 - October 2005
Your anxiety and agitated MDD with racing thoughts might lie along a continuum of transition between MDD and mixed-state bipolar II disorder. I would treat it that way.
- Scott
---------------------------------------------------------------------
> I know none of you can't actually "diagnose" me, don't worry. But you are all very intelligent and no quite a bit about psychiatric disorders so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get some opinions on what I *sound* like.
>
> Here are my symptoms:
>
> I will list them ranging from severity to less severe:
>
> * Anxiety- I know this could mean ANYTHING but my anxiety tends to make me feel very uncomfortable.
> I don't want to sit still or have time to be quiet. I try to stay super busy so that I can avoid thinking too long and then getting obsessed over this feeling. If I sit and think about it, I feel as if I could go crazy. It's hard to describe. Bare with me.
>
> * racing thoughts- my thoughts feel mumbbled together- once again, hard to describe. It's almost as if my brain/thoughts were a ferris wheel and instead of spinning nice and slow, it goes faster and faster and faster and faster.
>
> I find myself telling myself " slllooooow down your thoughts."
>
> * Derealization: This is occasional but when it comes, it is most severe. I feel as if I'm not really "here" or like this is all a dream. It's as if I am disappearing and even things around look different. I can only describe this as what I imagine an acid trip to feel like.
>
> *Shame/guilt- this hits me like a ton of bricks. I find myself feeling SO unworthy of everything. I feel like I'm a failure, especially as a mother. I think of all the things I should do/be and find myself crying out of despair.
>
> * Constant thoughts of death; not really "suicide" but death in general. When I'm in this state, I become nearly obsessed with dying/death, etc.. I sometimes pray for it; long for it, etc.. but do not consider actually doing it myself. I've only been suicidal when on SSRI's.
>
> * Depression possibly? I don't know if this is depression or not- I had such a severe, crippling depression that maybe because I'm comparing it to THAT, I don't realize that's what THIS is.
>
> I find myself looking forward to sleep. I stay just as busy (but only to preoccupy my mind) but on the inside, I'd rather just sleep all the time. Sometimes, I find that I take a cap full of Nyquil just to "escape" and sleep. (at bedtime). I have a fear of laying there, in the dark, wide awake with just my thoughts racing so I'd rather knock myself on Nyquil.
>
>
> My family history is a father with bipolar (and his mother was also bp). My mother has GAD and is neurotic (is that a mental condition?ROFL).
>
> I've had panic attacks sporadically, general anxiety for nearly a year, off and on mild depression (but I honestly think my depression is coming from the constant anxiety).
>
> I had a regular gp who thought I was possibly bipolar becuase of my reaction to Lexapro but when I was seen by a psychiatrist, the psych said it was merely akathasia and said, " You have no mental condition."
>
> I honestly feel like I'm not normal. I can't imagine that "normal" people struggle CONSTANTLY with their thoughts and trying to feel/be normal like this.
>
> But I hesitate to think I'm bipolar because I see no similarities between me and my dad/grandmother. I don't have high high's and low low's. Mine is pretty consistent. Occasionally, I feel "normal" but for the most part, this has been my general state for almost a year.
>
> I won't bring up my health conditions because that complicates things but I wanted to share my mental state and see if anyone has a clue what this is.
>
>
Posted by blueberry on October 24, 2005, at 19:24:11
In reply to just for the record... what would my diagnosis be?, posted by spriggy on October 24, 2005, at 15:57:11
If you presented this description of your symptoms to 5 different doctors, it wouldn't be unusual to get 5 different opinions. The problem with psychiatric conditions is that there is so much overlap between them and so much subjectivity in observing them.
That being said, it sounds like mania to me. The very uncomfortable anxiety kind, mixed with depression at the same time. Had I not had the exact same symptoms you described, I probably would have said you have anxiety and depression. All except for some minor leftover depression to treat, the mood stabilizer depakote extended release ended all the symptoms you described beginning the first day.
Not sure if you're bipolar? Try depakote for one week. Try zyprexa for a week. Try a benzo like klonopin or xanax for a week. You'll learn a lot about your own diagnosis from those tests in just 3 weeks, and likely be pleasantly surprised by one of them.
As my doc told me, mania and depression can occur at the same time, often being misdiagnosed as anxiety and depression, and can last a long time without apparent waves.
Posted by Phillipa on October 24, 2005, at 21:09:11
In reply to Re: just for the record... what would my diagnosis be? » spriggy, posted by SLS on October 24, 2005, at 18:24:18
Spriggy wasn't about a year ago these same things happened. Do you think there is a sensonal affective disorder involved? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by sleepygirl on October 24, 2005, at 22:20:25
In reply to just for the record... what would my diagnosis be?, posted by spriggy on October 24, 2005, at 15:57:11
bipolar II??
Posted by Sarah T. on October 24, 2005, at 23:25:39
In reply to just for the record... what would my diagnosis be?, posted by spriggy on October 24, 2005, at 15:57:11
Hi Spriggy,
In the last paragraph of your post, you say that you won't bring up your medical conditions because that would complicate things, but your medical conditions are the most important aspect! In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if many of your psychiatric symptoms are directly related to your medical conditions and/or the treatments for your medical conditions. There is absolutely no way you can separate the two.
A friend of mine has lupus and probably had lupus for years before she was diagnosed. Much of her behavior was and is caused by her disease. She is on Prednisone and several other drugs to treat the lupus. Prednisone has profound effects on both the body and mind.
I don't think you should be so concerned about your psychiatric diagnosis. I think you should be concerned with taking really good care of yourself, getting as much rest as possible and minimizing the stress in your life. Eat as healthfully as you can. Exercise in moderation, but not to the point of stress. Nurture yourself and your loved ones.
Be aware of what you're really feeling and express those feelings. That is infinitely more important than any diagnostic label.
Posted by needesp on October 26, 2005, at 8:55:59
In reply to just for the record... what would my diagnosis be?, posted by spriggy on October 24, 2005, at 15:57:11
> I know none of you can't actually "diagnose" me, don't worry. But you are all very intelligent and no quite a bit about psychiatric disorders so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get some opinions on what I *sound* like.
>
> Here are my symptoms:
>
> I will list them ranging from severity to less severe:
>
> * Anxiety- I know this could mean ANYTHING but my anxiety tends to make me feel very uncomfortable.
> I don't want to sit still or have time to be quiet. I try to stay super busy so that I can avoid thinking too long and then getting obsessed over this feeling. If I sit and think about it, I feel as if I could go crazy. It's hard to describe. Bare with me.
>
> * racing thoughts- my thoughts feel mumbbled together- once again, hard to describe. It's almost as if my brain/thoughts were a ferris wheel and instead of spinning nice and slow, it goes faster and faster and faster and faster.
>
> I find myself telling myself " slllooooow down your thoughts."
>
> * Derealization: This is occasional but when it comes, it is most severe. I feel as if I'm not really "here" or like this is all a dream. It's as if I am disappearing and even things around look different. I can only describe this as what I imagine an acid trip to feel like.
>
> *Shame/guilt- this hits me like a ton of bricks. I find myself feeling SO unworthy of everything. I feel like I'm a failure, especially as a mother. I think of all the things I should do/be and find myself crying out of despair.
>
> * Constant thoughts of death; not really "suicide" but death in general. When I'm in this state, I become nearly obsessed with dying/death, etc.. I sometimes pray for it; long for it, etc.. but do not consider actually doing it myself. I've only been suicidal when on SSRI's.
>
> * Depression possibly? I don't know if this is depression or not- I had such a severe, crippling depression that maybe because I'm comparing it to THAT, I don't realize that's what THIS is.
>
> I find myself looking forward to sleep. I stay just as busy (but only to preoccupy my mind) but on the inside, I'd rather just sleep all the time. Sometimes, I find that I take a cap full of Nyquil just to "escape" and sleep. (at bedtime). I have a fear of laying there, in the dark, wide awake with just my thoughts racing so I'd rather knock myself on Nyquil.
>
>
> My family history is a father with bipolar (and his mother was also bp). My mother has GAD and is neurotic (is that a mental condition?ROFL).
>
> I've had panic attacks sporadically, general anxiety for nearly a year, off and on mild depression (but I honestly think my depression is coming from the constant anxiety).
>
> I had a regular gp who thought I was possibly bipolar becuase of my reaction to Lexapro but when I was seen by a psychiatrist, the psych said it was merely akathasia and said, " You have no mental condition."
>
> I honestly feel like I'm not normal. I can't imagine that "normal" people struggle CONSTANTLY with their thoughts and trying to feel/be normal like this.
>
> But I hesitate to think I'm bipolar because I see no similarities between me and my dad/grandmother. I don't have high high's and low low's. Mine is pretty consistent. Occasionally, I feel "normal" but for the most part, this has been my general state for almost a year.
>
> I won't bring up my health conditions because that complicates things but I wanted to share my mental state and see if anyone has a clue what this is.
>
>Possibly OCD as the primary diagnosis and anxiety and depression are associated or secondary to the OCD.
1. the anxiety you speak of is associated with the OCD symptoms of 'inability to sit still' and the 'fear of intrusive thoughts'
2. racing thoughts "ferris wheel" is possibly the typical loop of intrusive thoughts common in the Obsessive part of OCD also
3. Derealisation (?depersonalisation is very common when OCD is severe)
4. Shame and guilt (wayyyyy typical of OCD - but also of MDD)
5. The thoughts of death are also very often associated with the obsessive side of OCD i.e. violent intrusive thoughts that are not the real you.
6. you know what real depression is and therefore what you are feeling is more a symptom of enduring the other symptoms and the desire to sleep and escape your thoughts is again typical of OCD.BUT generally with OCD there will be some attempts made to alleviate the feelings/thoughts with compulsions or rtuals of behaviour (however not always!)
I'm biased to OCD as I have watched my son endure severe OCD and he has described all your symptoms but he also had (depending on the obsession) rituals of exhausting behaviour that he would go through to alleviate the obsessive thoughts scenarios.
Posted by spriggy on October 26, 2005, at 20:14:14
In reply to Re: just for the record... what would my diagnosis be?, posted by needesp on October 26, 2005, at 8:55:59
What do you mean by rituals to exhaust the obsessive thoughts?
I think possibly I do have that..
Another thing I do that I think is "abnormal" is I "rock" back and forth. When I feel super anxious (and uncomfortable) I will lay down on my side and rock back and forth.
I have done this since I was a kid to put myself to sleep at night-- I still do this.
Another thing I think is probably strange is feeling the uncontrollabe urge to count the lightposts that I pass while driving. I feel like I *HAVE* to count them and I don't, I get upset with myself.
Why would I give a flyin' flip how many lightposts are between my house and McDonald's?
I asked my husband some hard questions about me.. "What do you see in me that is not normal?" He hesitated to answer but he said that my need to wash my hands (and our chidlren's hands) constantly seems a bit "much."
He also noted how I obsessively clean the house/especially the kitchen sink/table. He said, " You wash the same spot for like 10 minutes!"
I have never put any of this "together" until lately when I think I am realizing there is really something wrong in my brain.
I definitely have serious "fear" problems too; horrific fear of being raped/murdered. When my husband is away for a conference overnight, I will stay awake all night because I am waiting on someone to come in my house attack me.
I didn't sleep in my bed by myself until I was 9 years old- and even after that point, would often crawl into my sister's bed in the night out of horrendous fear ( I would shake!).
I am the same way about airplanes.
I think this is hard for me to grasp- I have wanted to pretend that I am okay and that this is nothing but I am beginning to realize I can't pretend anymore.I am really grappling with all this because of my faith as a Christian. If I had enough faith in God, couldn't I overcome this??
I am struggling with this right now but I think I will go see a psychiatrist once our insurance kicks up again.
My dad is being committed into an institution right now so I think the realization of his severe mental illness is making me consider my own.
*sigh*
Posted by Phillipa on October 26, 2005, at 20:53:18
In reply to Re: just for the record... what would my diagnosis be? » needesp, posted by spriggy on October 26, 2005, at 20:14:14
Oh Spriggy, It does sound like OCD. I myself have found myself adding license plate numbers and assigning a-z to give them different numbers to add like a is l and b is 2. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by med_empowered on October 27, 2005, at 15:07:52
In reply to Re: just for the record... what would my diagnosis be?, posted by Phillipa on October 24, 2005, at 21:09:11
I've had my share of diagnoses, and we share a lot of problems. Bipolar II, Bipolar NOS, Schizophrenia (that was bad shrink, lol), "agitated" depression, etc. etc. I think the best one I ever got was "mood disorder NOS (not otherwise specificied)"--in other words, something's wrong, but there isn't yet a term for it. My guess would be you should probably avoid or minimize antidepressants, and focus in on the racing thoughts and anxiety...sounds kind of hypomanic, mixed-episode-ish to me, but at a sub-clinical level. You might benefit from LOW level mood-stabilizer medication (I'd go for trileptal, keppra, lamictal--avoid the hardcore stuff that requires blood work). A benzo would probably be a GOOD idea, at least on an as-needed basis; sleep medication (again, as-needed) would probably also be a good idea. Since you dont do crazy stuff--like get married or have sex with strangers--because of your problems, its not really necessary to do any hardcore medicating..the important thing would probably be to just help you calm down racing thoughts and anxiety a bit, so you can work through them (ideally, the medication would be minimal, but you could do a lot of talk therapy or something like that). We have kind of similar symptoms (except my depressoin and mixed episodes are more severe; I've had some psychosis with those), so here's my advide: keep your meds at a minimum, and be picky about what you take. So..with mood-stabilizers, try to avoid stuff that needs blood work (these are also the meds that tend to cause weight gain, hair loss, etc). Try to avoid antipsychotics. If you opt for a benzo, try to take it as-needed, rather than on a continual basis; withdrawal is a pain. Avoid antidepressants. Avoid hardcore stimulants. Try to make sure your sleep schedule is good, and look into meditation and similar stuff. Good luck!
Posted by needesp on October 28, 2005, at 6:53:59
In reply to Re: just for the record... what would my diagnosis be? » needesp, posted by spriggy on October 26, 2005, at 20:14:14
> What do you mean by rituals to exhaust the obsessive thoughts?
>
> I think possibly I do have that..
>
> Another thing I do that I think is "abnormal" is I "rock" back and forth. When I feel super anxious (and uncomfortable) I will lay down on my side and rock back and forth.
>
> I have done this since I was a kid to put myself to sleep at night-- I still do this.
>
> Another thing I think is probably strange is feeling the uncontrollabe urge to count the lightposts that I pass while driving. I feel like I *HAVE* to count them and I don't, I get upset with myself.
>
> Why would I give a flyin' flip how many lightposts are between my house and McDonald's?
>
> I asked my husband some hard questions about me.. "What do you see in me that is not normal?" He hesitated to answer but he said that my need to wash my hands (and our chidlren's hands) constantly seems a bit "much."
>
> He also noted how I obsessively clean the house/especially the kitchen sink/table. He said, " You wash the same spot for like 10 minutes!"
>
> I have never put any of this "together" until lately when I think I am realizing there is really something wrong in my brain.
>
> I definitely have serious "fear" problems too; horrific fear of being raped/murdered. When my husband is away for a conference overnight, I will stay awake all night because I am waiting on someone to come in my house attack me.
>
> I didn't sleep in my bed by myself until I was 9 years old- and even after that point, would often crawl into my sister's bed in the night out of horrendous fear ( I would shake!).
>
> I am the same way about airplanes.
>
>
> I think this is hard for me to grasp- I have wanted to pretend that I am okay and that this is nothing but I am beginning to realize I can't pretend anymore.
>
> I am really grappling with all this because of my faith as a Christian. If I had enough faith in God, couldn't I overcome this??
>
> I am struggling with this right now but I think I will go see a psychiatrist once our insurance kicks up again.
>
> My dad is being committed into an institution right now so I think the realization of his severe mental illness is making me consider my own.
>
> *sigh*Firstly I am not a qualified psychiatrist....but the rituals (compulsive behaviours) are an instictive drive to relieve the anxiety caused by intrusive thoughts (obsessions).
Obsessive compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder however it can be treated.
All the things you have shared on this forum, share with a psychiatrist. Don't fret....take action.
As far as being a Christian....well..remember the great apostle Paul was given "a thorn in his flesh', thought to be a problem with his eyes i think but whatever our thorn is...don't fret....if you need medication/therapy...then do it...learn/believe/keep hope alive...and when your strong...use that strength and understanding to help others....mental health sufferers and their families are some of the most sensitive and beautiful people in the world because of their suffering and endurance!!!
Posted by mama141 on October 30, 2005, at 13:55:03
In reply to just for the record... what would my diagnosis be?, posted by spriggy on October 24, 2005, at 15:57:11
> I know none of you can't actually "diagnose" me, don't worry. But you are all very intelligent and no quite a bit about psychiatric disorders so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get some opinions on what I *sound* like.
>
> Here are my symptoms:
>
> I will list them ranging from severity to less severe:
>
> * Anxiety- I know this could mean ANYTHING but my anxiety tends to make me feel very uncomfortable.
> I don't want to sit still or have time to be quiet. I try to stay super busy so that I can avoid thinking too long and then getting obsessed over this feeling. If I sit and think about it, I feel as if I could go crazy. It's hard to describe. Bare with me.
> > * racing thoughts- my thoughts feel mumbbled together- once again, hard to describe. It's almost as if my brain/thoughts were a ferris wheel and instead of spinning nice and slow, it goes faster and faster and faster and faster.
>
> I find myself telling myself " slllooooow down your thoughts."
> > * Derealization: This is occasional but when it comes, it is most severe. I feel as if I'm not really "here" or like this is all a dream. It's as if I am disappearing and even things around look different. I can only describe this as what I imagine an acid trip to feel like.
>
> *Shame/guilt- this hits me like a ton of bricks. I find myself feeling SO unworthy of everything. I feel like I'm a failure, especially as a mother. I think of all the things I should do/be and find myself crying out of despair.
>
> * Constant thoughts of death; not really "suicide" but death in general. When I'm in this state, I become nearly obsessed with dying/death, etc.. I sometimes pray for it; long for it, etc.. but do not consider actually doing it myself. I've only been suicidal when on SSRI's.
>
> * Depression possibly? I don't know if this is depression or not- I had such a severe, crippling depression that maybe because I'm comparing it to THAT, I don't realize that's what THIS is.
>
> I find myself looking forward to sleep. I stay just as busy (but only to preoccupy my mind) but on the inside, I'd rather just sleep all the time. Sometimes, I find that I take a cap full of Nyquil just to "escape" and sleep. (at bedtime). I have a fear of laying there, in the dark, wide awake with just my thoughts racing so I'd rather knock myself on Nyquil.
>
>
> My family history is a father with bipolar (and his mother was also bp). My mother has GAD and is neurotic (is that a mental condition?ROFL).
>
> I've had panic attacks sporadically, general anxiety for nearly a year, off and on mild depression (but I honestly think my depression is coming from the constant anxiety).
>
> I had a regular gp who thought I was possibly bipolar becuase of my reaction to Lexapro but when I was seen by a psychiatrist, the psych said it was merely akathasia and said, " You have no mental condition."
>
> I honestly feel like I'm not normal. I can't imagine that "normal" people struggle CONSTANTLY with their thoughts and trying to feel/be normal like this.
>
> But I hesitate to think I'm bipolar because I see no similarities between me and my dad/grandmother. I don't have high high's and low low's. Mine is pretty consistent. Occasionally, I feel "normal" but for the most part, this has been my general state for almost a year.
>
> I won't bring up my health conditions because that complicates things but I wanted to share my mental state and see if anyone has a clue what this is.
>
> Spriggy :
"Derealization,"
"panic attacks sporadically,"
"general anxiety for nearly a year, off and on mild depression,"
"thoughts of death; not really "suicide" but death in general"
*"Shame/guilt- this hits me like a ton of bricks. I find myself feeling SO unworthy of everything."
This all sounds like Post traumatic stress disorder to me -- almost classic.
Do you see a regular therapist??
If you dont it might be a good idea,
Preferably a PHd or PsyD Psychologist with
experience in PTSD.I know we are not to diagnose, but my dear, you are singing my song!
MAMA
This is the end of the thread.
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