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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by inmostleaf on October 12, 2008, at 18:13:30
Hello,
I am new here, this is my first post. I have been reading what I can for a long time now, and to be honest sometimes I'm not sure if what I'm reading is what I'm merely looking for.
So that's why I have come to writing this. To get a collective of objective opinions, insights, and even if anyone has something personally related that can add to this discussion.
My primary inquiry/question is the interest in how trauma and chronic stress in late childhood/ early adolescent can directly/indirectly affect development as an adult (I am 26 now)?
I ask because when I was 10 I lost a grandfather, at age 11 two cousins, at age 12 my mother, aunt (her sister), another cousin, and within a year after my father remarried to woman with 3 kids to add to myself and my two sisters. That situation in itself didn't help matters as my father wasn't around to help me and my sisters, and the fact my step-mom at the time was very old-school. She was very brash, authoritative, and just plain cold-hearted. To a point, she was mentally abusive towards me and my sisters.
And so, within 2-3 years after all that happen, in immediate succession went a few other family members on my mother's side. My mother's side had a total of 10 children all from the same mother and father, and today there are only 2 left. All the rest have died from some form of cancer.
Over the course of ages 13 to 26 I've saw a host of professionals that have diagnosed me with Major Depression/Clinical, Generalized & Social Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, Bipolar I & II, Dysthymia/Atypical, Mixed-State Anxiety-Depression, and ADD-I. The most frequent diagnosis has been Dysthymia + ADD-I + symptoms of PTSD.
Throughout these diagnosis I've had no other choice but to dig deeper into them. It is not that I disagree with the doctors of the DD,ADD-I,PTSD, it's rather I'm looking to find the why's and how's. So hopefully I've given enough info to get some insight.
One of the why's and how's I'm wondering about is how the HPA-Axis can be effected due to the chronic stress/trauma, and if that can result in permanent damage to the brain. Ultimately leading to physiological problems and behavioral/mental problems.
Another is... from what I understand there can be the permanent alteration of catecholamines ; specifically the mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathway, and also other various neurotransmitters and hormonal pathways.
Lastly, if it matters at all the other reason I'm writing this is to gain a better understanding not only for myself, but also for when I graduate and become a Social Worker. I have always thought that the whole point is if you deal with trials & tribulations yourself there are always people, especially the youth you can exert influences upon then maybe you can put these people in a mentality that will be beneficial to them later on. And that is the only hope I can possibly have.
So, if you made it this far I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Thanks.
Take a break, have a Jazz.
Posted by Phillipa on October 12, 2008, at 19:46:34
In reply to Origin of Physical + Mental Illness, posted by inmostleaf on October 12, 2008, at 18:13:30
Interesting question as serious losses in childhood. And if you walk in your clients shoes you will definitely relate. And welcome to babble lots of knowledgeable people here. Good luck with your search for an answer. Phillipa
Posted by HyperFocus on October 13, 2008, at 2:10:45
In reply to Origin of Physical + Mental Illness, posted by inmostleaf on October 12, 2008, at 18:13:30
Cam W, a longtime babbler, wrote a long technical post about the HPA axis-: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000420/msgs/31619.html
Searching PB for HPA axis will probably yield more info.From a non-technical point of view any major trauma to a person's body can cause damage that requires special intervention to treat, and the exact same reasoning applies to the mind. If you suffer a fracture due to an acute force applied to your bone then the bone may not be able to heal itself. Same deal with your emotional centres. Repeated emotional stress can cause damage of the biological structures responsible for emotions. However this damage can be reversed with drugs and also cognitive and behavioural therapy (CBT)
Like you my family was in turmoil at the start of adolescence, and I also suffered acute emotional abuse from bullying for a long time. Combine that with genetic predisposition to mental illness and I wound up with a dysregulated and dysfunctional emotional core.
The most significant treatment difference between physical and mental illness is that a doctor can x-ray your arm and set it or do surgery to make the bone heal normaly so you regain full use of your arm. But a psychiatric doctor cannot open up your mind and see what's going on and we don't have any mental x-rays that can peer into a person's mind and see what's happening. This is what makes mental illness so difficult to treat. Like in your case different doctors can make different diagnoses and use different treatments because, ultimately, a lot of psychiatric diagnosing comes down to guesswork.
Anyway welcome to PB and I hope you find treatment that works.
Posted by sunnydays on October 13, 2008, at 9:16:54
In reply to Origin of Physical + Mental Illness, posted by inmostleaf on October 12, 2008, at 18:13:30
Well, yes, those are biological whys. However, I would encourage you, ESPECIALLY if you are going into the mental health field, to begin therapy and delve deeper psychologically into these issues. I see a social worker currently and it really helps that he has had his own therapy and understands what it is like to be a client. PTSD is a painful diagnosis and it is hard to look at these issues sometimes, but therapy has helped me immensely in improving my symptoms and ability to cope. I used to look for the 'whys' a lot before I started therapy, but now I realize that knowing why won't help me with what I experience. I have to accept that what I experience is what I experience and then figure out ways to improve what I experience or cope with it.
sunnydays
Posted by Ant-Rock on October 13, 2008, at 19:48:50
In reply to Origin of Physical + Mental Illness, posted by inmostleaf on October 12, 2008, at 18:13:30
> Hello,
>
> I am new here, this is my first post. I have been reading what I can for a long time now, and to be honest sometimes I'm not sure if what I'm reading is what I'm merely looking for.
>
> So that's why I have come to writing this. To get a collective of objective opinions, insights, and even if anyone has something personally related that can add to this discussion.
>
> My primary inquiry/question is the interest in how trauma and chronic stress in late childhood/ early adolescent can directly/indirectly affect development as an adult (I am 26 now)?
>
> I ask because when I was 10 I lost a grandfather, at age 11 two cousins, at age 12 my mother, aunt (her sister), another cousin, and within a year after my father remarried to woman with 3 kids to add to myself and my two sisters. That situation in itself didn't help matters as my father wasn't around to help me and my sisters, and the fact my step-mom at the time was very old-school. She was very brash, authoritative, and just plain cold-hearted. To a point, she was mentally abusive towards me and my sisters.
>
> And so, within 2-3 years after all that happen, in immediate succession went a few other family members on my mother's side. My mother's side had a total of 10 children all from the same mother and father, and today there are only 2 left. All the rest have died from some form of cancer.
>
> Over the course of ages 13 to 26 I've saw a host of professionals that have diagnosed me with Major Depression/Clinical, Generalized & Social Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, Bipolar I & II, Dysthymia/Atypical, Mixed-State Anxiety-Depression, and ADD-I. The most frequent diagnosis has been Dysthymia + ADD-I + symptoms of PTSD.
>
> Throughout these diagnosis I've had no other choice but to dig deeper into them. It is not that I disagree with the doctors of the DD,ADD-I,PTSD, it's rather I'm looking to find the why's and how's. So hopefully I've given enough info to get some insight.
>
> One of the why's and how's I'm wondering about is how the HPA-Axis can be effected due to the chronic stress/trauma, and if that can result in permanent damage to the brain. Ultimately leading to physiological problems and behavioral/mental problems.
>
> Another is... from what I understand there can be the permanent alteration of catecholamines ; specifically the mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathway, and also other various neurotransmitters and hormonal pathways.
>
> Lastly, if it matters at all the other reason I'm writing this is to gain a better understanding not only for myself, but also for when I graduate and become a Social Worker. I have always thought that the whole point is if you deal with trials & tribulations yourself there are always people, especially the youth you can exert influences upon then maybe you can put these people in a mentality that will be beneficial to them later on. And that is the only hope I can possibly have.
>
> So, if you made it this far I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Thanks.
>
> Take a break, have a Jazz.
This is the problem...
You were diagnosed with at least TEN different illnesses.How the hell is anybody supposed to get better when the doctors don't have a clue?
Other than being a weatherman, only a psychiatrist can build a successful career by way of guessing.
Anthony
Posted by lucie lu on October 16, 2008, at 23:14:44
In reply to Origin of Physical + Mental Illness, posted by inmostleaf on October 12, 2008, at 18:13:30
Welcome to babble, Inmostleaf. I hope you get some support here. Your losses are considerable. It is not surprising that they should be affecting you as an adult. My heart goes out to you.One suggestion - why don't you post on the Psychology board? It might be very useful for you, since I think there are others there who have experiences like yours. It is a good board, lots of really knowlegeable and caring people.
Best of luck,
Lucie Lu
Posted by Dr. Who on October 19, 2008, at 9:12:10
In reply to Origin of Physical + Mental Illness, posted by inmostleaf on October 12, 2008, at 18:13:30
Your problem can be corrected by Scientology, but then they at times want too much money. Another method is Transcendental Meditation (TM), or Kriya Yoga, but that might involve more money than some might want to spend, but usually it is cheaper. Of course there is the Freudian, and other related "talking about it therapies" where some one more intelligent than the patient, hopefully considerably more, applies a more intelligent solution, where the patient would do what a near genius would do. (But then that is the most expensive of all) Lets face it, most of humanity is stupid, and therein lies the manifold problems found in the world. Here is a link that goes to how to learn on your own, a free TM: http://home.earthlink.net/~donutnous/id77.html
Posted by Deputy 10derHeart on October 20, 2008, at 4:21:05
In reply to Re: Origin of Physical + Mental Illness, posted by Dr. Who on October 19, 2008, at 9:12:10
>Lets face it, most of humanity is stupid,
Please don't post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They should of course themselves be civil.
Dr. Bob is always free to override deputy decisions. His email is on the bottom of each page. Please feel free to email him if you believe this decision was made in error.
-- 10derHeart, acting as deputy to Dr. Bob
Posted by Dr. Who on October 20, 2008, at 8:52:50
In reply to Please be civil » Dr. Who, posted by Deputy 10derHeart on October 20, 2008, at 4:21:05
I am being very civil to each person's highest good.
It is by vanity that most of humanity does not question their cause, and effect relationships, which due to stupidity often leads to poor consequences. If humanity could gracefully accept that most of them all are a bit on the stupid side, then they might better question what they do, and if they error they might not so unquestionably defend a stupid action. I could say easily that your post is a bit stupid, and so if it is? Why be so vain as to defend it? Again, if all of humanity could see that most all of them are a bit stupid, then maybe we might make the next step and take advise from those who are smart. Drugs only mask the problem of either being ignorant, or of being stupid.
The real problem is right now vanity, because most people even if a bit stupid have enough sense to be taught not to be offended if some one says they are stupid. Today being a bit stupid is like saying one has two arms, or two legs, so why be offended? The problem then is that no professional has ever tried to address that problem of educating humanity not to be offended at reality.
Posted by Deputy 10derHeart on October 20, 2008, at 16:47:55
In reply to Re: Please be civil, posted by Dr. Who on October 20, 2008, at 8:52:50
> I am being very civil to each person's highest good.
You are certainly entitled to that opinion, but....> I could say easily that your post is a bit stupid
> most of them all are a bit on the stupid side
> Drugs only mask the problem of either being ignorant, or of being stupid.
....statements such as these are not allowed under the civility rules Dr. Bob asks us to follow at this site, i.e., not posting things that could lead others to feel accused or put down. I can understand there may be places and times for 'tough love' in life, but Psycho-Babble isn't the appropriate place. Unfortunately, since you have again violated the site guidelines in this post, I am going to block you from posting for one week.If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They should of course themselves be civil.
Dr. Bob is always free to override deputy decisions. His email is on the bottom of each page. Please feel free to email him if you believe this decision was made in error.
-- 10derHeart, acting as deputy to Dr. Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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