For me, sometimes I need to eat as well, but I've been tested and they can never find anything off with my blood sugar at all. It all seems to be adrenaline and cortisol.I've never heard of 'adrenal fatigue' before but, always thought getting the shakes or having a bad headaches means low blood sugar & a need to eat. I also have thyriod problems. Thanks for clueing me in on the 'adrenal fatigue' & thanks for sharing your story with us.
Mental health
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FYI, the blood tests for some of this stuff are problematic, in that the "normal range" level of specific hormones can apparently be so wide that people don't register as "low" until they are in very, very bad shape.
I'm sure I didn't convey this very well, but hopefully it is understandable enough for you to research the subject on the net and learn more.
Hi, First off, I really am proud of Kate for telling us about her mental illness. Kate, that was a real big thing you did. Especially with the stigma attached to it.
Mental illness is difficult. People can't see it like a broken leg, therefore alot of them think you're making it up, or tell you to snap out of it , or you're making a big deal out of nothing and it's no big deal.
There's a difference between chronic and acute mental illness. Acute meaning it eventually clears up, and mostly there's an identifying cause, like a death in the family, losing your job, etc
Then there's chronic. No real identifying cause, probably not ever going to end. Chemicals in your brain not functioning like they should. Only under control with medication.
Over the years you have always hid it, and becomes part of your personality. In my case with chronic depression OCD, and anxiety, I'm sure at work people may think I am lazyat times, non participating, aloof, and not real social because at times it gives me an overwhelmed sinking feeling . There have been times where it's been too overwhelming to answer the phone, get off the couch, get started with something like cleaning.
I really miss the days years ago when I was not overwhelmed by anything at all. Now I feel severely handicapped by this mental illness and what I can get myself to accomplish in one day. It makes me feel like a failure. I have to remind myself all the time that I am handicapped with this illness, and it's nothing I have control over. The meds work in that my depression is under control, but there are some things that meds do not cover, like lack of motivation .
I could go on for another few pages, but I'll stop here. But I'm really proud of all of you for sharing your illness. And especially to Kate, because I feel like schizophrenia is a really hard thing to share with others. It must have been hell to come to terms with it and share the fact that she has this disability.
Mental illness is difficult. People can't see it like a broken leg, therefore alot of them think you're making it up, or tell you to snap out of it , or you're making a big deal out of nothing and it's no big deal.
There's a difference between chronic and acute mental illness. Acute meaning it eventually clears up, and mostly there's an identifying cause, like a death in the family, losing your job, etc
Then there's chronic. No real identifying cause, probably not ever going to end. Chemicals in your brain not functioning like they should. Only under control with medication.
Over the years you have always hid it, and becomes part of your personality. In my case with chronic depression OCD, and anxiety, I'm sure at work people may think I am lazyat times, non participating, aloof, and not real social because at times it gives me an overwhelmed sinking feeling . There have been times where it's been too overwhelming to answer the phone, get off the couch, get started with something like cleaning.
I really miss the days years ago when I was not overwhelmed by anything at all. Now I feel severely handicapped by this mental illness and what I can get myself to accomplish in one day. It makes me feel like a failure. I have to remind myself all the time that I am handicapped with this illness, and it's nothing I have control over. The meds work in that my depression is under control, but there are some things that meds do not cover, like lack of motivation .
I could go on for another few pages, but I'll stop here. But I'm really proud of all of you for sharing your illness. And especially to Kate, because I feel like schizophrenia is a really hard thing to share with others. It must have been hell to come to terms with it and share the fact that she has this disability.
Actually, that's very true. I know with thyroid, 'normal' often means a person is still sick. Is that true for diabetes or hypoglycemia?
My husband is diabetic, and once when I was shaky he tested me and said my sugar levels were in a good range. The doctors had always tested me first thing in the morning or after drinking that awful sweet stuff, so I wanted to see how it looked when I was feeling shaky, and it seems for me it's more of an adrenaline rush than an insulin thing.
What's irritating to me is, endocrinologists are supposed to be experts, and for the most part they don't appear to be good at treating anything other than diabetes. Nearly every thyroid patient I know has been unhappy with their treatment or still feels sick. Many went years without being properly diagnosed. I can't tell you how many of us had endos tell us we were mentally ill or faking when in fact we were physically ill and desperately in need of treatment. Many thyroid patients are mistakenly diagnosed as bipolar before being properly diagnosed with thyroid problems. Often a psychiatrist is the one to figure out the true diagnosis.
I think that's incredibly screwed up, that a doctor from a totally different specialty has to do their cleanup work, and desperate patients are having to resort to the internet and online health groups to find out what's wrong with them. /soapbox
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I second your comment about Kate.
Isn't she the one that set up the Wrecked & Bonkers group?
Rexa can speak to this: it isn't just mental illness that is so problematic because people can't see it. The same issue applies to neurological issues, as well as some other physiological conditions. Perhaps people rely a little too much on their eyes when making judgments about other people (oops, I just hit on a much bigger issue
). Personally, I find it quite irritating that people assume that -- if they can't see it -- then it must be mental illness (and that you should be able to "snap out of it"). Heck, even some general practice doctors seem to assume that if their most basic tests don't immediately identify the physiological basis for something, then it must be psychological...until they finally do the appropriate tests and realize -- hey, what do you know! -- you have a serious physiological illness.Also, apparently, many people here have used cigarettes (giving them the nicotine and harmine) to effectively self-medicate for a variety of conditions (let's face it: tobacco ultimately kills you, but it is a wonder drug in the meantime), despite the social abuse heaped on smokers. Thank goodness for e-cigarettes (and here's hoping that a special line of e-juice is released in the future with harmine in it).
Bottom line: Ignorance and biases about conditions we can't see can inflict a lot of damage on people around us, and it is simply heartbreaking to observe. I have the utmost respect for people like you, Kate and Rexa that have the courage to risk others' judgment by openly sharing your specific challenges.
P.S. I must confess that I don't yet have the courage to go into detail about my personal challenges, but I'm sure you have figured out that I have a serious physiological illness.
Every pharmaceutical drug has side effects. I take drugs for migraines that could be harming my liver and shortening my life. If I didn't take them, I would have no life at all.
I consider the effects of tobacco or e-cigs to be like any other side effect. It's a quality of life issue. What makes my life tolerable may shorten it, but the alternative is to be miserable. That should be my choice.
Feel free to vent on this issue all you want...you have brought up a very serious issue. Western medicine is very problematic, in that if the doctors in the field aren't educated about specific conditions and/or tests, then they can easily misdiagnose...and the "continuing education" received by Western doctors appears to be almost entirely provided by pharmaceutical companies that are obviously focused on selling specific products. I cannot overstate the seriousness of this issue: there is a great deal of knowledge about specific conditions in the medical *research* community that takes forever to reach the medical *practice* community...if it ever reaches them at all.
Unless you have a very "mainstream" condition (and probably even then), it is essentially incumbent on the patient to tap into the medical *research* community to get the answers they need, and then take that knowledge (e.g., reports from medical studies) to your doctors if you want to get effective treatment.
This situation is terrible, because if you have a condition that severely limits -- or eliminates -- your ability to do this, then -- unless you have other people to help you -- you might never get effective treatment.
It *is* your choice, as long as you don't allow anyone else to take away your freedom to choose.
You guys are great, I feel like part of a family here
I'm only starting to learn how to talk about paranoia, psychosis and my own general mental health, for many years I couldn't recognise that the problem was me rather than the world. It's easier to cope now that I know I'm ill and vulnerable.
Rexa, I want to give you big hugs. I've always thought there was something wrong with my hearing but doctors could never find out what it was. When I read about your condition things clicked into place and I'm reading about it to see if that's what my problem is. It sounds very familiar and it's a real relief to know that there is a diagnosis that I can use to work out how to cope better.
Did/do your parents have the same processing difficulties, does it run in families? I always used to have to walk on the left side of my mum because she could hear better from that side, she used to say that was her good ear. If I listed to people on the phone with my right ear they just sound garbled but I can manage to understand better with the phone at my left ear. I don't like talking on the phone much unless it's someone I'm close to. I miss most of the words in songs and when I find a tune I like I sometimes look up the lyrics so I can read along.
I'm only starting to learn how to talk about paranoia, psychosis and my own general mental health, for many years I couldn't recognise that the problem was me rather than the world. It's easier to cope now that I know I'm ill and vulnerable.
Rexa, I want to give you big hugs. I've always thought there was something wrong with my hearing but doctors could never find out what it was. When I read about your condition things clicked into place and I'm reading about it to see if that's what my problem is. It sounds very familiar and it's a real relief to know that there is a diagnosis that I can use to work out how to cope better.
Did/do your parents have the same processing difficulties, does it run in families? I always used to have to walk on the left side of my mum because she could hear better from that side, she used to say that was her good ear. If I listed to people on the phone with my right ear they just sound garbled but I can manage to understand better with the phone at my left ear. I don't like talking on the phone much unless it's someone I'm close to. I miss most of the words in songs and when I find a tune I like I sometimes look up the lyrics so I can read along.
Kate, you might also look into inner ear scarring as well as Rexa's problem..which is about a million times worse!
My sister Laura had ear infections when she was a young child, they did all sorts of tretments which did nothing. She finally grew out of them. Over the years she slowly lost hearing in one ear. It turned out she had scarring in the ear. It was so deep that a quick peek did not show it, even when the Dr. was looking thru a high powered scope. They did surgery which didn't help as the scarring had ruined the inner ear. The Dr. told mom, infections, injury and high fever could have been the cause..another words, who knows.
Mike has Tyroid problems, they killed his thyroid and put him on meds. I can always tell when his meds are out of whack..he turns into a bear (grouch). At first i thought he was developing a mental problem. He also losses weight at a fast rate. He once lost 30 pounds and we didn't notice until his dress pants nearly fell off!
The V.A. is forever tinkering with his meds. I should be so lucky!
My sister Laura had ear infections when she was a young child, they did all sorts of tretments which did nothing. She finally grew out of them. Over the years she slowly lost hearing in one ear. It turned out she had scarring in the ear. It was so deep that a quick peek did not show it, even when the Dr. was looking thru a high powered scope. They did surgery which didn't help as the scarring had ruined the inner ear. The Dr. told mom, infections, injury and high fever could have been the cause..another words, who knows.
Mike has Tyroid problems, they killed his thyroid and put him on meds. I can always tell when his meds are out of whack..he turns into a bear (grouch). At first i thought he was developing a mental problem. He also losses weight at a fast rate. He once lost 30 pounds and we didn't notice until his dress pants nearly fell off!
The V.A. is forever tinkering with his meds. I should be so lucky!
You guys are great, I feel like part of a family here
I'm only starting to learn how to talk about paranoia, psychosis and my own general mental health, for many years I couldn't recognise that the problem was me rather than the world. It's easier to cope now that I know I'm ill and vulnerable.
Rexa, I want to give you big hugs. I've always thought there was something wrong with my hearing but doctors could never find out what it was. When I read about your condition things clicked into place and I'm reading about it to see if that's what my problem is. It sounds very familiar and it's a real relief to know that there is a diagnosis that I can use to work out how to cope better.
Did/do your parents have the same processing difficulties, does it run in families? I always used to have to walk on the left side of my mum because she could hear better from that side, she used to say that was her good ear. If I listed to people on the phone with my right ear they just sound garbled but I can manage to understand better with the phone at my left ear. I don't like talking on the phone much unless it's someone I'm close to. I miss most of the words in songs and when I find a tune I like I sometimes look up the lyrics so I can read along.
Everytime I kept trying to reply this I keep getting server busy! Hope it goes through now.
My mother has lost some of her hearing but that's age-related and I don't think has anything to do with me. I don't have a big family but it appears that I am the only "weird" one that's been spawned
I don't know if you have been to an ENT (Ears Nose & Throat) but I would recommend seeing one also getting a referral to an audiologist who also does speech pathology. You should also talk to the ENT about checking for vestibular disorders as well (I think you mentioned something about balance?). The audiologist can also be told to do an ENG on you which is actually several tests and one involves shooting hot and cold water in your ears. It's basically a recording of your eye movements because if you get dizzy/unbalanced then your eyes dart everywhere and they can also tell which ear or if both ears are affected.
I do have a slight vestibular/balance problem and I was initially misdiagnosed with Meniere's Disease 10 years ago. Reason I was misdiagnosed was because I didn't suffer any hearing loss which is one of the characteristics of it (when I was diagnosed with APD they looked into this again at the same time). That and I am clearly not debilitated by it which alot of people with MN would be. The ENG also ruled it out on top of it. Unfortunately, no one still knows what it could be now although I've heard it could be some varient of the "rocking boat" syndrome because I get rare bouts of this type of vertigo. For the most part though I am pretty clumsy and can't walk in a straight line. I am totally fine with that! Just don't ask me to be a gymnast and do balance-beam tricks ok?
There are so many other balance-related things though so it's good to at least bring it up to your doctor about it because alot of ENTs don't get too many of these types of cases so you would want to be prepared to ask questions about it and ask him/her to look into it. Unfortunately, some physicians especially and ENTs are completely clueless about this type of stuff and I had to be very vigilent in looking for the right ones based on high recommendations.
It's good to do those tests though, Kate. First a basic hearing test, then a word-processing test and then an ENG. The ENG is a VERY costly test though if you don't have insurance and it takes about an hour to do it. You would do this last if the doctor recommends it but you should ask about it anyway if he does not make any mention of it.
This is a link explaining about the ENG: Electronystagmography or balance test (ENG) - Washington Hospital Center - Washington, DC 20010 - MedStar Health
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Thanks very much Rexa, I'll look into it.
I don't think there's anything wrong with the volume of sound I'm getting, I can hear things fine but sometimes my interpretation of structured sounds - language is just double dutch. I'll ask my doctor about it though and try to see a specialist to get a proper diagnosis.
It's a real relief to know that there might be a recognised cause for it.
When I say I get wobbly or off balance it's not a physical thing but a psychological state that I mean. I have to be careful about psychosis and paranoia all the time and am very sensitive to warning signs of getting ill.
I don't think there's anything wrong with the volume of sound I'm getting, I can hear things fine but sometimes my interpretation of structured sounds - language is just double dutch. I'll ask my doctor about it though and try to see a specialist to get a proper diagnosis.
It's a real relief to know that there might be a recognised cause for it.
When I say I get wobbly or off balance it's not a physical thing but a psychological state that I mean. I have to be careful about psychosis and paranoia all the time and am very sensitive to warning signs of getting ill.
Well Kate, I am afraid Rexa may be right. My sister's ear scarring had everything to do with gradual loss of volume. At least Laura's problem was helped by a hearing aide.
Much love and Luck coming your way!
Much love and Luck coming your way!
I would like to throw out a response to a comment that someone I highly respect (bigeyes) made in another forum:
It appears that some women believe that their doctors don't do nearly enough to address their medical needs *because* they are women.
As a man, I would like to humbly submit that the problem is perhaps not an issue of gender discrimination, as much as it is a problem with the entire medical establishment. I have personally experienced the same issues about which many women are complaining, and I have come to two conclusions:
1. Women are simply far more likely to share their experiences and vocalize their complaints. It doesn't necessarily mean they are being disproportionately targeted for mistreatment.
2. Our healthcare system is completely broken, and that it will not be fixed until healthcare providers are paid for increasing patient's wellness, instead of being paid to perform a specific service.
The current pay-for-specific-service model incents doctors to meet with patients for 5 - 10 minutes, prescribe medications & order tests. It is simply not possible to understand a patient's holistic health needs in 5 - 10 minutes, and heaven help you if you suffer from an uncommon disease.
It appears that some women believe that their doctors don't do nearly enough to address their medical needs *because* they are women.
As a man, I would like to humbly submit that the problem is perhaps not an issue of gender discrimination, as much as it is a problem with the entire medical establishment. I have personally experienced the same issues about which many women are complaining, and I have come to two conclusions:
1. Women are simply far more likely to share their experiences and vocalize their complaints. It doesn't necessarily mean they are being disproportionately targeted for mistreatment.
2. Our healthcare system is completely broken, and that it will not be fixed until healthcare providers are paid for increasing patient's wellness, instead of being paid to perform a specific service.
The current pay-for-specific-service model incents doctors to meet with patients for 5 - 10 minutes, prescribe medications & order tests. It is simply not possible to understand a patient's holistic health needs in 5 - 10 minutes, and heaven help you if you suffer from an uncommon disease.
Actually, although heart disease kills more women than men, most major studies for heart disease were all done on men.
Most medical studies in general have been done on men, and women were largely ignored, or considered to be imagining symptoms. Even the gynological terminology was derived from words that stemmed from the inherent misogyny in medicine. Hysterectomy-hysteria, anyone? That all came from the idea that women were irrational beings.
Even now, we usually have to fight to get doctors to take us seriously and not dismiss our symptoms as 'all in our heads.'
Do you know that there were no women on any of the R&D teams for any of the manufacturers of breast implants? Not a single person who possessed a pair had anything to do with their development, which may explain why so many boob jobs looked so fake in the 70s and early 80s. Let's make 'em look like cantaloupes, I saw some in a cartoon I liked.
Statistically, men who go into the ER with heart attack symptoms are more likely to be treated, where women are more likely to be misdiagnosed or dismissed.
It's a very real problem. The conditioning we've received to be good little girls and not make waves lest someone classify us as .....es doesn't help much either. Fortunately, some of us don't give a rip anymore.
Better a live ..... than a dead sweetie, I always say. And women do not complain more than men, it's just that men's complaints are always considered to be legitimate gripes where women are classified as whining and griping. It isn't right or true.
But yeah, the health care system is totally broken, and anymore everyone is getting screwed, I think men are just starting to feel it now, too. We've felt it forever.
What I'm seeing happen with men is, they're being separated by status. The wealthy can get anything they want, but if you aren't wealthy, you're getting the same substandard care we've dealt with all our lives, now. Insurance companies used to cover ......, for example, but now they're starting to make men pay for it, so only the wealthy men can afford more than their insurance covers, if it's covered at all.
Most medical studies in general have been done on men, and women were largely ignored, or considered to be imagining symptoms. Even the gynological terminology was derived from words that stemmed from the inherent misogyny in medicine. Hysterectomy-hysteria, anyone? That all came from the idea that women were irrational beings.
Even now, we usually have to fight to get doctors to take us seriously and not dismiss our symptoms as 'all in our heads.'
Do you know that there were no women on any of the R&D teams for any of the manufacturers of breast implants? Not a single person who possessed a pair had anything to do with their development, which may explain why so many boob jobs looked so fake in the 70s and early 80s. Let's make 'em look like cantaloupes, I saw some in a cartoon I liked.
Statistically, men who go into the ER with heart attack symptoms are more likely to be treated, where women are more likely to be misdiagnosed or dismissed.
It's a very real problem. The conditioning we've received to be good little girls and not make waves lest someone classify us as .....es doesn't help much either. Fortunately, some of us don't give a rip anymore.
Better a live ..... than a dead sweetie, I always say. And women do not complain more than men, it's just that men's complaints are always considered to be legitimate gripes where women are classified as whining and griping. It isn't right or true.
But yeah, the health care system is totally broken, and anymore everyone is getting screwed, I think men are just starting to feel it now, too. We've felt it forever.
What I'm seeing happen with men is, they're being separated by status. The wealthy can get anything they want, but if you aren't wealthy, you're getting the same substandard care we've dealt with all our lives, now. Insurance companies used to cover ......, for example, but now they're starting to make men pay for it, so only the wealthy men can afford more than their insurance covers, if it's covered at all.
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Hi,
I have been diagnosed with about all possible mental diseases (bipolar, psychotic, schyzoïd, major depression, ......).
I even spent one month in a psychiatric hospital at my own will to try to find what was wrong with me (that was after a suicide attempt and one night between life and death in intensive care).
I am kind of stable for like 10 years now. My belief now is just that I am oversensible and also have uncurable severe anxiety and panic attack troubles.
I still need to take Xanax, Prozac and Seroquel (to sleep).
To add to this I have an "unknown" neuro-muscular disease for 7 years now with demyelinisation of the nerves in the legs and the muscles tied to them melting when I stop exercises.
I can't count the number of doctors I saw and tests I did: CTs, MRIs, EMGs, ... and soon a LP (yes maybe they should have started with that).
They wrongly diagnosed me with a few diseases including lethal ones so that didn't help much for the mental problems.
Let's add a private note to this as some will probably try to understand the causes.
I had two girlfriends during my university studies: one committed suicide (and succeeded) and the second one died of a lunges cancer (small cells one).
My anxiety and depressive troubles started shortly after that as you can guess.
I don't have a physical diagnostic and I don't have a mental diagnostic but I am officially disabled for 7 years now.
So to the original poster and all the others having mental issues: no you are not alone. Hang on I do so can you.
PS: English is not my first language.
I have been diagnosed with about all possible mental diseases (bipolar, psychotic, schyzoïd, major depression, ......).
I even spent one month in a psychiatric hospital at my own will to try to find what was wrong with me (that was after a suicide attempt and one night between life and death in intensive care).
I am kind of stable for like 10 years now. My belief now is just that I am oversensible and also have uncurable severe anxiety and panic attack troubles.
I still need to take Xanax, Prozac and Seroquel (to sleep).
To add to this I have an "unknown" neuro-muscular disease for 7 years now with demyelinisation of the nerves in the legs and the muscles tied to them melting when I stop exercises.
I can't count the number of doctors I saw and tests I did: CTs, MRIs, EMGs, ... and soon a LP (yes maybe they should have started with that).
They wrongly diagnosed me with a few diseases including lethal ones so that didn't help much for the mental problems.
Let's add a private note to this as some will probably try to understand the causes.
I had two girlfriends during my university studies: one committed suicide (and succeeded) and the second one died of a lunges cancer (small cells one).
My anxiety and depressive troubles started shortly after that as you can guess.
I don't have a physical diagnostic and I don't have a mental diagnostic but I am officially disabled for 7 years now.
So to the original poster and all the others having mental issues: no you are not alone. Hang on
I do so can you.PS: English is not my first language.
Hi Fred, thanks for posting, your English is great
You've had a very hard time, I'm sorry to hear that. It's good that you've been mostly stable for ten years and that you are coping with your problems. I think my psychosis might be caused by me being over sensitive too and death can be very hard to deal with. Cannabis was also a trigger for my main problems.
Best wishes for you from me.
You've had a very hard time, I'm sorry to hear that. It's good that you've been mostly stable for ten years and that you are coping with your problems. I think my psychosis might be caused by me being over sensitive too and death can be very hard to deal with. Cannabis was also a trigger for my main problems.
Best wishes for you from me.
A friend had the same problem.
Cannabis triggered his schizophrenia sadly.
@Kate: that happens when people have sleeping schizophrenia and they start to smoke Cannabis at some point: it's often a substance (like other such drugs) that will trigger the disease.
I had all the negative sindromas of schizophrenia in my past but never the positive ones btw (no voices or such).
Luckily I don't smoke illegal stuff neither drink alcohol or I know it would have been worst.
Cannabis triggered his schizophrenia sadly.
@Kate: that happens when people have sleeping schizophrenia and they start to smoke Cannabis at some point: it's often a substance (like other such drugs) that will trigger the disease.
I had all the negative sindromas of schizophrenia in my past but never the positive ones btw (no voices or such).
Luckily I don't smoke illegal stuff neither drink alcohol or I know it would have been worst.
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