While we're on the topic of mental Illness

[mousme]

Because I'm a curious wench, and because I've noticed that a lot of people on my friends list are suffering/have suffered from some sort of psychiatric disorder/mental illness/what have you, and because I like making polls, I've made this poll. :)

I've made the results private, so there's no need to worry about people being able to see your answers if you don't want them to. If you want to identify yourself in comments in order to foster discussion, that would be great, but it's of course not mandatory. Nothing in LJ is really mandatory anyway, but I'd appreciate it if you answered, even if it's only one word in the text box.

[Poll #221723]

Comments

[odheirre.livejournal.com]

It's not really private - I've been suffering from depression and OCD since teenage years, and have gotten medication about a year and a half ago. The OCD is mild and livable - the depression really isn't at this point.

And, well, I'm not going to feel victimized or ashamed by it. I've told my co-workers about it, my friends know, etc. I'm "out", so to speak.

As for me, I'm always surprised when I see someone not diagnosed with some mental illness or another.

[prolixfootle.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. It seems like there's this huge boulder sitting in the middle of everything and any time you want to get anything done, you have to force yourself to work around it. Most of the times it's just easier not to do anything. And I keep thinking, "You know there's only one sure way to be rid of that bloulder..."

But, I'm glad to say, things are looking a bit brighter, even though the holidays are here again. The meds seem to have finally kicked in.

I hope things start looking up for you soon as well...

[djs-specs.livejournal.com]

*scratches head* I don't really know if I have mild clinical depression or if I just get down and dramatic... So I guess I'll have to say 'no'.

[angelovernh.livejournal.com]

Psychiatric illness isn't quite the right term for it. I don't think that' s a real term anyway, is it? That would mean having a mental illness that would REQUIRE medication to survive. Many people are diagnosed with mental illness, but they manage without meds.. They may or may not need counseling.

I have bipolar disorder and have been diagnosed with depression. I don't consider them psychiatric illnesses. I'm not on meds. I'm handling it without that and without counseling at present, though occasionally I do need counseling.

[mousme.livejournal.com]

Yes, well, no matter what term I use, someone *always* finds a reason to nitpick or else get offended with me. I chose the one I thought would be the least abrasive for people.

I'm sorry that there is no nomenclature right now that caters to everyone's sensibilities, but what can you do?

[resonant.livejournal.com]

I have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD - hoarding and checking, mostly), in remission from meds.

I've been OFFICIALLY diagnosed as having OCD, depression/dysthymia, Tourette's, and being a pyschopathic stalker of some sort (further diagnosis not made as the assessment was just for the purpose of admitting me to an OCD treatment program ... they felt I was "too risky" to take part ... surprisingly that worked out well for me, since I got one-on-one treatment, which worked). But really, OCD is the only issue that I think really exists.