General Does Any Other Supporter Struggle With Mental Illness As Well?

[Lilmssunshine]

I got diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I hit rock bottom from drugs. I've met many people in recovery who have been missed diagnosed with bipolar within the first year of recovery as well. So I'd like a second opinion. Just in case I Have a mental illness I take meds and take good care of my mental health. I think this makes my PTSD sufferer feel he has someone he can relate to.

We both have reacted and forgiven. Both of us have isolated and come back. And yet we're still holding on. That's true love in my opinion. When you can forgive, accept and preservere. What we have is unconditional. Though we don't have a label. We both feel and silently know these things about our love.

Am I the only one here who is a supporter and a struggler?

 

[Eleanor]

Not by a long short. I have ADD, and am as structurally dissociated as my H - although neither of us have been officially diagnosed with SD. I think it is pretty common...

 

[Grant b]

I suffer from depression and anxiety

 

[Ocean5]

been missed diagnosed with bipolar

I think my diagnoses were correct with trauma related mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety disorder, dissociation, panic attacks, etc. From my research it seems many people are "misdiagnosed for years" - trying to label them as bi-polar and such. Some spends years before getting an accurate diagnoses.

Can you get a second opinion? A psychiatrist who will spend the time to really try to understand you. You may need to go to a private psychiatrist who will spend the time trying to understand you..instead of making a quick decision.

Major mental illness run one side of family. I was worried. So before a meeting I'd write out, and print notes, to exactly what I was feeling. After lots of questions...told it's all trauma related, and ptsd.

Am I the only one here who is a supporter and a struggler?

Did that with my mom... made my PTSD much worse....But she was my mom, and needed someone to be there for her....

I wish you the best - stay strong.

 

[WhisperingUnicorn]

We both have reacted and forgiven. Both of us have isolated and come back. And yet we're still holding on. That's true love in my opinion. When you can forgive, accept and preservere. What we have is unconditional. Though we don't have a label. We both feel and silently know these things about our love.

Well put :inlove: and we have "unconditional love" in our relationship, too. We won't "quit" each other. Ever.

I have not been "diagnosed" (except years ago with a season of severe depression), but I "know" there is something at least seasonally "ill at ease" with me, mentally :)

Soooo, so far I am SELF-diagnosed ADHD and dealing with fallout from some version of Ambivalent/Anxious Attachment issues.

I have a serious (and what feels like uncontrollable) "rage" streak and experience emotional extremes and certain OCD type tendencies, very akin to some PTSD and bipolar symptoms. I do not want (don't think I need) to seek diagnosis, but I MUST be VERY diligent about self-counseling exercises to experience a "normal" (optimally healthy) mental life.

I have a theory that ALL people likely experience some kind of "mental illness" at least for SOME season of their life - much like ALL people can experience some kind of "physical illness" .. For a time during the life of a virus, for example, or chronically such as with some of the more adverse "dis - ease" out there. We ALL experience a measure of "dis - ease" at times.....

And I agree with the OP in that MY "mental dis - ease" - for all the complications it ushers into my relationship with my man - ALSO brings with it an intimacy of really understanding one another's struggles, and having greater patience at very critical times....

~S2B

 

[Truthful_Whispers]

In my opinion, and also from personal experience, I believe that two people who suffer from MI's will have a much better understanding of the other. Have to be careful, though, because if one person is triggered, it can trigger the other also. Very open and honest communication between the two is key to making the relationship--be it friend or companion--work.

 

[Wastinglight]

Am I the only one here who is a supporter and a struggler?

Nope. I've had Generalised Anxiety Disorder since I was a kid. You'd think I would have learned to manage it a bit better by now! Sometimes having to deal with my own condition AND my man's at the time time makes life a lot more difficult. I'm not sure if us both having a mental illness actually helps us out much. Especially because his behaviour when he's anxious is the opposite of how I act with I'm anxious. I always want to be close to him and be reassured when I'm anxious, and he always wants to be alone when his anxiety goes up.

 

[vivaladawn]

You're not alone. After being with my vet for about 2 years now I have been diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety. I'm now on anti-depressants. It is crazy what we will do for love huh? It is all worth it though when we are with them.

 

[RecedingMoonlight]

Not alone here; my sufferer has PTSD, social anxiety and depression, meanwhile I have ADHD Inattentive type (which means I feel frequently lethargic and anything requiring vigilant concentration is especially difficult) and I'm on the Autism spectrum (Asperger's disorder). Her frequent changes in emotion really don't help, but she's my best friend and I love her so so much. I do everything I can :)

 

[medley29]

You're not alone. I have an anxiety disorder, so when my sufferer retreats, that triggers my anxiety attacks. When my anxiety is triggered, I want to be close to him or spend time with him. I don't expect him to fix things or make me happy, but even spending time with him watching a movie calms me. Since his PTSD doesn't always make that possible, I am finding myself struggling with my anxiety a lot, since I do feel isolated and alone.