Is this normal?

Question

ok so this might be kinda weird to some people but its like this. Im 23 years old at age 17 i got really depressed and stopped going out. I just got worse and worse till i cried everyday basically and wanted to die. My mother wanted to get me help but i begged her not to make me go out and she was was hurting so bad and didnt want to force me and make me uncomfortable. Well flash forward 6 years and im still in the house! yup i havnt left the house for 6 years except to go to the doctors. i am planning to force myself out this year. But anyways my question is if someone goes through this much stress for this long is it normal for your body to do weird things? like things they didnt do when you were happy? like hair loss or acne or see things that arent there? everyone tells me im really pretty and they dont understand it at all but i dont see it and i even think im seeing things that really are not there? is it possible? please be kind.

Answer 1

That's tough stuff, a difficult situation. Most likely your physical symptoms are due to lack of stimulation, socialization, exercise, and maybe lack of healthy food depending on what you are eating. It depends on what you are 'seeing' as to the cause of that. I know it's difficult, but you need to see a psychiatrist about it. You probably also need medication, at least for a while. It will help you feel better. More importantly, you need a professional counselor to help you understand what's happening and how to move beyond it. Seriously. I'd guess that you have depression and anxiety, but no one on the Internet can say for sure. See a doctor. Really, no one has to feel like you are feeling. It's the illness, not you.

Answer 2

You should try and open up your mind to the possibilities that you are missing out on. It makes me sad to think that you have been living alone in your house for six years of your life when you could have been out exploring the world and enriching what you know about it. Some of the other problems you mention might be signs of an underlying mental problem, you should definitely speak to a professional, especially if you see things that are not there. Stress can cause a lot of adverse effects on the body, so hopefully its just that but you should be careful in your case seeing as you already have a history of mental problems.

It sounds like you suffer from depression as well as a form of obsessive compulsive disorder. Hopefully you can find the help you need, and can begin to live your life to its fullest potential.

Answer 3

It's not weird at all. It's called mental illness. I can't give you a diagnosis due to I'm not a doctor. U do need to be evaluated by a psy. doctor. Don't be uncomfortable, doctors deal with this issue daily. They have meds. and therapy to treat the issues you have that is going on with you. Stress, and mental issues can do many physical things to the body, such as hair loss, and seeing things. This is a very serious issue so dont take it lightly. U must get some help for his, you will feel better.
Good luck
Alabama

Answer 4

Oh, sweetheart. First of all, good luck in everything you do in life.

For your question, of course stress (which is what you've been going through all these years) can take a toll on the body! If you want to know specifics, you could take to your doctor? :) I don't have any sort of medical lisence of information, so perhaps someone else can offer you real, medical advice. But no one can deny that what you've done through can do crazy things.

As for going outside...I really, really think that you should do it. The world is a beautiful place when you look in the right spots. :) And, remember...it's what -you- think about yourself that matters...not what others say about you.

Answer 5

I get caught up in coding sometimes and won't leave my apartment for up to two weeks sometimes, but 5+ years...wow, I'd get bored!

I'd not bother with normal / not normal; these metrics and comparisons are useless in determining who we really are.

Our bodies do strange things under stress. "Things" include vomiting, superhuman strength, acne, brain chemistry state changes, adrenal over-amping, hair loss, histimic reactions, aberrent thoughts, mind racing, rashes, and probably things not even documented yet.

In particular, "seeing things that aren't there" is not that rare. These visuals can also be somatically induced - of the body state, not the mind. Variations of this state include deja vu, deja jamais, a sense of unreality, or other "out of body" feelings. I sometimes feel these things in conjunction with my messed up chemical levels, and basically have learned to just shrug them off. These things can be present, even daily, and yet people can retain a full grip on reality.

I wish you success on your Coming Out Day, so to speak!

Answer 6

Depression affects the entire body because it's a physical illness, too. It happens when neurotransmitters in the brain are goofed up.
You have such a severe case you really should be hospitalized. Ask your mom to find a psychiatrist who is willing to make a house call-- you don't have to suffer like this.

Answer 7

I would definatly seek counseling and something called cognative behavior therapy. Cognative behavior therapy can help you learn new ways of coping with stress in the world around you. They can teach you new poostive thinking stratigies that help you face the world with a more positive attitude.

Answer 8

Go out and face the world with a smile , dont be upset with anything and talk to your family and friends to help you along the way .

Answer 9

its possible for stress to affect your body, BIG TIME, but i think you should jus thave fun in life and not care what other people think. sounds difficult to people who dont do those things but once you do it once. it becomes easy, like second nature to just not care how people view you