I have a mental illness ,what are the profiles of you all as far as social life like ?

Question

I' am just trying to see how others like me are dealing with life.

Answer 1

I have dealt with severe depression and battled self-injury since my early teens. This probably isnt the best way to cope, but as soon as I start to get close to a person I clue them into my problems and give them the choice of loving me with my issues or getting out of my life. I figure it saves me the hurt later of growing close to a person and then having them turn their back on me. As I said, probably not the best way, but those who do stand by me have seen me through the darkest of times.

Answer 2

Your question is an important one.

You find out who your true friends are, when you develop a mental illness. For me, there is only one person I still hang out with who was my friend before I got sick. As for the others, some just moved on, some were offended by my actions during the time I was sick, and some just dropped me because of the stigma.

My official diagnosis is schizoaffective disorder depressive type, and as part of that disorder, I had debilitating paranoia, where I thought people in public were making fun of me.

After a psychotic break, I landed in jail and isolated for about two years, after I was released. For me, I think it was really a self-stigma issue. My mom kept after me to go to support groups, and I wasn't ready to admit I was one of "them." I was also a little scared of what I might find.

When I was ready, I managed to find a mh consumer group that I could volunteer for, and I started doing a lot of work for them and slowly rebuilding my social support network. I found the mental health community to be one of the most caring, accepting, and genuine groups I'd ever belonged to. I found that I could function quite well among others who I shared a common history with, but I still had trouble outside this group, because I still felt like people in the general public were judging me.

Now, I've been going to school for the past six months to become a Pharmacy Technician. I take the certification exam in just under 3 months, at which point I'll get a part-time job. I couldn't care less if the person sitting across from me has a mental health diagnosis or not.

Still, most of my current friends are people I met through the mental health community, but that fear of being judged or made fun of by those in the general public doesn't exist anymore. I wouldn't have reached that point so soon, if ever, if consumer groups didn't exist. I needed that stepping stone.

I can only speak from my own experience with mental illness, and that's from the perspective of having a schizophrenia-related disorder. But, after getting stablized on meds, the most important element of recovery is building that social support network. If you don't know where to start, I'd recommend looking for support groups/activities in the mental health community.

Some good national organizations, which may have local affiliates in your area are the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the National Mental Health Association (NMHA). The internet is a good place to start your search for local groups, too.

Best of luck too you!

Answer 3

Dear Socionut,

Just wanted to congratulate you on how well you are doing. As you have probably figured out from your dealings with others who have simmilar problems.....those with mental health problems are often about the most "real" people you will ever meet.

So as far as them being just like other people......it's almost like they are MORE real than normal people. Simply because they have had to deal with many more human issues than other folks ususally have had to deal with.

In a sense.....you have truely paid your dues, when it comes to having the right to be judged as equal to others.

And it seems like you can trust in the truth of that too.

Thumbs up, my friend !!

Bob J.

Answer 4

am 23 soon (next Thursday) i'll be 24 never have been into a club only got 1 good friend, my 5 and 3 yearolds got more of a social life than i do!
the fact that you got anything..no arms 7 fingers, no leg...whatever it might be does not necessarily mean NO social life. it's in YOU.

Answer 5

Fish have nutrients which lower the effects of bipolarism.

Also, staying away from processed foods and going with natural stuff is better.

Your medication if you take it is synthetic and breeds yeast in your system which will make you feel bad in other areas, unless you balance it with yogurt, cream cheese and etc., which have friendly bacteria which combat the yeast levels and balance things.

Answer 6

I have anxiety! well i usto have it until i got on lexapro!before i got the meds i usto trip out like i would sweat and i felt i couldnt breath i would get scared to ga anywhere because i was afraid i would have an attack but soon as 2 weeks of taking my meds i have calmed down and i also met a wonderful man who helps me thru my anxiety!you should take your meds if you have them they really do help!

Answer 7

Take your Meds, Act like everything is just fine

Answer 8

im a sico hahaahahhahhahahahaha hahahahahah hahahahahah ahahah im sorry i just had an atack

Answer 9

i have depression, but with meds i'm very active with friends and with my artwork.