Mental Illness & You: How Do You Cope?

[Pun Damage]

Jesus Christ, it's been a long time since I started a GW thread. *sits in rocker, takes out pipe*

I'm pretty sure I started my original GW account in 2001. Back then, I had moody days like everyone else, and so I thought they'd go away like everyone else's did. I figured it was pointless to bring up to anyone that 6 days of the week I was overwhelmed with sad feelings and thoughts that I couldn't shake, and on the 7th day I rested simply because I was too burned out to feel anything. (Also church was on Sunday, and what good little Christian is going to admit to something that the Bible itself says is a sign of wavering faith?)

I bring up GW because I do distinctly remember there being a Mental Health section of the community, and I wish like hell that I'd been informed enough to look deeper into it and express my own struggles back then. I might have been able to avoid a lot of the dumb shit I've done since then.

I've been diagnosed with Major Depression Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I take medication for the depression. I'm unable to work because of these maladies, and the only reason I'm not homeless and begging is because of my (deeply regretted) military service. I cope with humor and videogames.

I know I'm not alone on the mental illness scale. I want this thread to show that you're not alone, either. How do you cope?

 

[Ryan!]

Have you tried Grounding techniques for your anxiety? It's been shown to be a pretty good launching pad for treatment.

There are also medicines to help with anxiety to make it nowhere near as severe so that therapeutic techniques are more effective.

Edit: Mental health is nothing to be ashamed of. Brain scans have often shown a biological component to the disease. And there are a plethora of medications which have been shown to be effective treatments.

I was personally diagnosed with Bipolar II in undergrad. Through proper medications and seeing a therapist I was helped a great deal.

 

[Pun Damage]

Have you tried Grounding techniques for your anxiety? It's been shown to be a pretty good launching pad for treatment.

There are also medicines to help with anxiety to make it nowhere near as severe so that therapeutic techniques are more effective.

Edit: Mental health is nothing to be ashamed of. Brain scans have often shown a biological component to the disease. And there are a plethora of medications which have been shown to be effective treatments.

I was personally diagnosed with Bipolar II in undergrad. Through proper medications and seeing a therapist I was helped a great deal.

I have a medication I keep on hand for when panic attacks happen, and it doubles as a sleeping aid for those nights when my mind won't stop racing. I've tried grounding techniques, therapy, meds, cannabis, you name it. The best results I've gotten so far have been from DMT trips.

 

[Holly]

I'm on medication for generalized anxiety and ADHD. I hate the stigma against ADHD and how "trendy" it and autism have become, I struggle daily but I don't have anyone to talk with about it. I have long suspected I have Asperger's/HFA but finding any provider that treats adults or even just tests them has so far proven impossible. And currently there are no therapists in my area with an opening.

I cope with my medicine - when I take it. I'm admittedly bad about forming daily routines. I try to slip away for some alone time when I get overstimulated because otherwise I lash out and act like a jerk, which I invariably regret later.

 

[Crystal]

I have dysthymia and general and social anxiety disorders. Plus being trans if certain people are to be believed about mental illness. As for how I cope, poorly. I'm medicated into a pretty numb state a lot, but I still feel happy and crushingly sad. Still have suicidal ideation frequently, have attempts routinely, even as recently as a month ago, give or take. I'm very familiar with my therapists and my psychiatrist, I've been locked in the special suicide room at the ER a couple of times...I still get nowhere.

But I try, I'm here and that's something.

 

[Holly]

I have dysthymia and general and social anxiety disorders. Plus being trans if certain people are to be believed about mental illness. As for how I cope, poorly. I'm medicated into a pretty numb state a lot, but I still feel happy and crushingly sad. Still have suicidal ideation frequently, have attempts routinely, even as recently as a month ago, give or take. I'm very familiar with my therapists and my psychiatrist, I've been locked in the special suicide room at the ER a couple of times...I still get nowhere.

But I try, I'm here and that's something.

I am glad you are still here.

 

[Pun Damage]

... Still have suicidal ideation frequently, have attempts routinely, even as recently as a month ago, give or take...

If you ever, EVER need someone to talk to when the ideation feels unbearable, don't be afraid to reach out. That's a suffering that nobody should have to try to tackle alone.

 

[Ryan!]

I have a medication I keep on hand for when panic attacks happen, and it doubles as a sleeping aid for those nights when my mind won't stop racing. I've tried grounding techniques, therapy, meds, cannabis, you name it. The best results I've gotten so far have been from DMT trips.

I'm weary on suggestions since if anything ever came back to me somehow it could spell very bad news if something awful were to happen.

It's definitely something to bring up with your PCP. They know your history and can work out a plan of care that fits you. There are definitely alternatives to hard drugs and that is always something I will suggest first and foremost.

 

[Crystal]

I am glad you are still here.

If you ever, EVER need someone to talk to when the ideation feels unbearable, don't be afraid to reach out. That's a suffering that nobody should have to try to tackle alone.

I appreciate that, I rarely reach out during those moments, I hate feeling like a burden to people. A couple of people have seen it, it's not pretty. But like I said, I truly appreciate the offer.

That said, my inbox is ALWAYS open to anyone struggling. I can be a good listener

 

[Pun Damage]

I'm weary on suggestions since if anything ever came back to me somehow it could spell very bad news if something awful were to happen.

It's definitely something to bring up with your PCP. They know your history and can work out a plan of care that fits you. There are definitely alternatives to hard drugs and that is always something I will suggest first and foremost.

I'm not trying to advocate for the use of hard drugs to treat mental illness, god no. And I'm not foolish enough to sit here and try to claim that DMT isn't a hard drug; it makes you hallucinate and sometimes disassociate!

My PCP is the VA, and I make sure I'm upfront and honest with them about all the avenues I have, and do, pursue in my quest for a better mental state. The VA is the reason I even have access to therapy and medication in the first place. Without them, I'd probably have given in to the suicidal ideation I had while in the midst of a bad depressive crash in Mexico and we wouldn't be foruming here today.

 

[Pun Damage]

I hate feeling like a burden to people.

This is the real killer. This is a common thing among those of us who suffer from depression: it is suffering, and we don't want anyone else to go through what we are. That feeling of being a burden, though? That's false. It's a deception thrown up by the disease itself, in a way, to isolate you from help.

We are not burdens. People do care. It's rough to ignore that burden shit in the beginning because, yeah, some people just say they care for the nice feeling that empty platitudes bring. But those people out themselves pretty quickly once you actually start reaching out for help, and what's left when you're done trimming out the fakes is a network of people who want what's best for you, rather than what's most convenient for them.

Personally, I hate when people who claim to suffer from depression say 'It gets better.' It fucking does not, we just learn to adapt to it and live with it. I refuse to lose to this, and I refuse to let anyone else be pulled down by it if I can help it.

 

[Crystal]

This is the real killer. This is a common thing among those of us who suffer from depression: it is suffering, and we don't want anyone else to go through what we are. That feeling of being a burden, though? That's false. It's a deception thrown up by the disease itself, in a way, to isolate you from help.

I'm used to be dismissed for feeling depressed, so I don't reach out. I don't want to trouble anyone, suffering or not. I'm not a good person, I deserve to suffer, so I'll suffer alone. But it doesn't stop me from being there for others.

We are not burdens. People do care. It's rough to ignore that burden shit in the beginning because, yeah, some people just say they care for the nice feeling that empty platitudes bring. But those people out themselves pretty quickly once you actually start reaching out for help, and what's left when you're done trimming out the fakes is a network of people who want what's best for you, rather than what's most convenient for them.

I have two people in my life that have been there to see the bad times, and it terrified them. I can't do that to them again, and like I said, most others dismiss.

Personally, I hate when people who claim to suffer from depression say 'It gets better.' It fucking does not, we just learn to adapt to it and live with it. I refuse to lose to this, and I refuse to let anyone else be pulled down by it if I can help it.

Anyone that says it gets better never truly experienced it. You don't defeat it, you manage it between bouts. Nothing more.

 

[shortkut]

I appreciate that, I rarely reach out during those moments, I hate feeling like a burden to people. A couple of people have seen it, it's not pretty. But like I said, I truly appreciate the offer.

That said, my inbox is ALWAYS open to anyone struggling. I can be a good listener

You will never be a burden to anyone here. That is 100% a fact. Next time you feel that way, message someone, make a thread. Everyone here loves you. Back when you went by Apollo, I never saw one negative thing said about you. Here as @Crystal , everyone I have seen has been accepting without any stipulations. You are our friend and part of our GW family, so don’t you forget it. If you ever feel like that, just let anyone here know

 

[Crystal]

You will never be a burden to anyone here. That is 100% a fact. Next time you feel that way, message someone, make a thread. Everyone here loves you. Back when you went by Apollo, I never saw one negative thing said about you. Here as @Crystal , everyone I have seen has been accepting without any stipulations. You are our friend and part of our GW family, so don’t you forget it. If you ever feel like that, just let anyone here know

In fairness, up until @Ben chose me as his replacement not that many people really knew who I was, lol.

I love our GW family, everyone here is incredible and being back among this group has without question been the best part of the past several years. That said, letting people behind that particular curtain is something I'm not good at, I just don't want to trouble people. I'm pretty open about myself, I don't hide behind any of it, but there's a difference between being open in talking about it and letting people see that side. It's dark, it's selfish and I hate it.

 

[shortkut]

In fairness, up until @Ben chose me as his replacement not that many people really knew who I was, lol.

I love our GW family, everyone here is incredible and being back among this group has without question been the best part of the past several years. That said, letting people behind that particular curtain is something I'm not good at, I just don't want to trouble people. I'm pretty open about myself, I don't hide behind any of it, but there's a difference between being open in talking about it and letting people see that side. It's dark, it's selfish and I hate it.

We are all posting on what is essentially the same forum with the same names (with the notable exception of @A Nipple ) as we did as much as 22+ years ago for the 2000-2001 members. It isn’t a burden and it isn’t troubling us. You are not forcing anyone to respond to you if you make your own thread, so if we see it and want to talk to you, we will.

 

[Mark]

We are all posting on what is essentially the same forum with the same names (with the notable exception of @A Nipple ) as we did as much as 22+ years ago for the 2000-2001 members. It isn’t a burden and it isn’t troubling us. You are not forcing anyone to respond to you if you make your own thread, so if we see it and want to talk to you, we will.

Same goes for reaching out privately. I can’t think of anyone here that would turn you away publicly or privately.

 

[Pun Damage]

Just remember: if they can't handle you at your worst, you've been handling you at your worst for years. That makes you stronger than them.

 

[A Slightly New Used Server]

We are all posting on what is essentially the same forum with the same names (with the notable exception of @A Nipple ) as we did as much as 22+ years ago for the 2000-2001 members. It isn’t a burden and it isn’t troubling us. You are not forcing anyone to respond to you if you make your own thread, so if we see it and want to talk to you, we will.

The ability for upper staff members to change my name at will is a coping mechanism for having to deal with the suck.

 

[Mark]

The ability for upper staff members to change my name at will is a coping mechanism for having to deal with the suck.

…and just like that, the sentimental moment for @Crystal is over. Pack it up, y’all. We’re done here. Mental illness is solved.

 

[Crystal]

We are all posting on what is essentially the same forum with the same names (with the notable exception of @A Nipple ) as we did as much as 22+ years ago for the 2000-2001 members. It isn’t a burden and it isn’t troubling us. You are not forcing anyone to respond to you if you make your own thread, so if we see it and want to talk to you, we will.

Same goes for reaching out privately. I can’t think of anyone here that would turn you away publicly or privately.

Just remember: if they can't handle you at your worst, you've been handling you at your worst for years. That makes you stronger than them.

I appreciate it, everyone, and likewise, for anyone else struggling, I'm always here!

 

[A Slightly New Used Server]

…and just like that, the sentimental moment for @Crystal is over. Pack it up, y’all. We’re done here. Mental illness is solved.

I do what I can.

 

[Ryan!]

My inbox is, of course, open. I can offer insight if necessary, or give suggestions, or just listen.

 

[A Slightly New Used Server]

I mean being real - the original GW had a lot of mental health support for me back in the day. It was a horrendous time of my life, with my parents getting divorced, my mom getting cancer, beating it, then immediately getting liver disease...I was working as close to full time as possible as a high school student to help with bills, and most of the rest of my time was spent on here talking with people.

I got through it, and am in a good place now. Anything I can do to return any favors today is well worth my time.

 

[Boots]

Not diagnosed with anything. Too chicken to talk to a therapist.

I know it seems to be trendy to self-diagnose with ADHD, especially adult women with masking, so I'll just say I sometimes suspect ADHD and ASD. I likely suffer from PTSD just from my family. Very emotionally and mental abusive. Limited physical abuse, with lots of threats of physical punishment. I remember being a child and feeling my heart beat loudly in my chest from anxiety, especially when there was a big blow-up argument, which often occurred around the holidays.

Close friends make fun of (lovingly tease) me for having a squirrel brain. Or call me an interrupting panda. My job is all about the details. I'm good at pattern recognition and that sort of thing. My short term memory is absolute trash, but that could just be a symptom of generalized trauma/PTSD.

I can get into research/obsession mode, but I don't understand people who have only one hobby. I'm always jumping around from one to another. Sometimes I become paralyzed by too many choices. I've found myself laying on the bed stuck, not sure what I want to do that day. I'll have taken a shower but I'm laying there with my hair in a towel just doom scrolling for an hour or more. That one was worse when I lived alone.

I'm blunt which people who don't know me can misunderstand as cruel or uncaring. My ex called me a sociopath but I think he was just projecting and trying to put me down/make me feel less of myself. I try and relate to people by sharing stories of similar experiences, which doesn't always go over well. Sometimes I struggle to make eye contact, or worry about whether I'm making enough eye contact during a conversation. I prefer text or email to phone calls, but I think that's just a generational thing. I have a bad habit of picking at my skin. And when presented with a big task I feel overwhelmed and dread.

My sister recently shipped me a bunch of childhood stuff, and my terrible spelling in journals was alarming. It's called dysgraphia and it's a writing learning disorder. I would write things like "favit" instead of "favorite", omitting letters and portions of words. It appears to have turned around when I was forced to write in cursive in 4th grade. Even if a doctor or teacher said something to my parents, it wouldn't shock me to learn they'd kept that information secret. Like a problem that was fixed. But it's a symptom of ADHD that was probably overlooked because I'm female.

 

[Holly]

Not diagnosed with anything. Too chicken to talk to a therapist.

I know it seems to be trendy to self-diagnose with ADHD, especially adult women with masking, so I'll just say I sometimes suspect ADHD and ASD. I likely suffer from PTSD just from my family. Very emotionally and mental abusive. Limited physical abuse, with lots of threats of physical punishment. I remember being a child and feeling my heart beat loudly in my chest from anxiety, especially when there was a big blow-up argument, which often occurred around the holidays.

Close friends make fun of (lovingly tease) me for having a squirrel brain. Or call me an interrupting panda. My job is all about the details. I'm good at pattern recognition and that sort of thing. My short term memory is absolute trash, but that could just be a symptom of generalized trauma/PTSD.

I can get into research/obsession mode, but I don't understand people who have only one hobby. I'm always jumping around from one to another. Sometimes I become paralyzed by too many choices. I've found myself laying on the bed stuck, not sure what I want to do that day. I'll have taken a shower but I'm laying there with my hair in a towel just doom scrolling for an hour or more. That one was worse when I lived alone.

I'm blunt which people who don't know me can misunderstand as cruel or uncaring. My ex called me a sociopath but I think he was just projecting and trying to put me down/make me feel less of myself. I try and relate to people by sharing stories of similar experiences, which doesn't always go over well. Sometimes I struggle to make eye contact, or worry about whether I'm making enough eye contact during a conversation. I prefer text or email to phone calls, but I think that's just a generational thing. I have a bad habit of picking at my skin. And when presented with a big task I feel overwhelmed and dread.

My sister recently shipped me a bunch of childhood stuff, and my terrible spelling in journals was alarming. It's called dysgraphia and it's a writing learning disorder. I would write things like "favit" instead of "favorite", omitting letters and portions of words. It appears to have turned around when I was forced to write in cursive in 4th grade. Even if a doctor or teacher said something to my parents, it wouldn't shock me to learn they'd kept that information secret. Like a problem that was fixed. But it's a symptom of ADHD that was probably overlooked because I'm female.

As a woman diagnosed with ADHD (at the time, ADD) in her childhood this all tracks with my experiences with it. I also have auditory processing disorder, I'd look that up too and see if that resonates with you. It was the reason I was originally tested in 4th grade, I get REALLY LOUD when I'm talking about something I'm excited about so my hearing was tested. But often it takes me a bit of time to process what someone has told me and if I ask them to repeat it usually I get it as soon as I finish asking. Or I don't understand it at all if their accent is thicker or they talk softly. That's led to coping by mentally fill-in-the-blanks via context clues which isn't 100% accurate but usually good enough so that I'm not just standing there looking foolish.

 

[shortkut]

I was diagnosed with ADHD during Covid. I was tested back in 2014, but they said a couple of my test results were high performing and they said I was borderline.

I didn’t take anything for it until last year. Tried Wellbutrin for nearly a year, didn’t notice any improvement so I stopped. Just a few weeks ago I was started on strattera and sertraline (started a month or two earlier because my doctor said my adhd was causing me some anxiety).

I think the strattera is helping somewhat. I’m taking 25mg twice a day.

 

[Boots]

I also have auditory processing disorder, I'd look that up too and see if that resonates with you. It was the reason I was originally tested in 4th grade, I get REALLY LOUD when I'm talking about something I'm excited about so my hearing was tested. But often it takes me a bit of time to process what someone has told me and if I ask them to repeat it usually I get it as soon as I finish asking. Or I don't understand it at all if their accent is thicker or they talk softly. That's led to coping by mentally fill-in-the-blanks via context clues which isn't 100% accurate but usually good enough so that I'm not just standing there looking foolish.

I am the type of person who turns the radio down/off when looking for an unfamiliar address/location. I regularly ask my fiance to pause a video and then speak/repeat what they were saying. I was always getting in trouble as a kid for using the wrong tone. My humor can be quite deadpan.

 

[Pun Damage]

I haven't been formally diagnosed with it, but I fully believe I'm Autistic. I keep asking for an actual diagnoses from my doctors but I keep getting refused because it's not "impacting [my] life." -.-

 

[Crystal]

I haven't been formally diagnosed with it, but I fully believe I'm Autistic. I keep asking for an actual diagnoses from my doctors but I keep getting refused because it's not "impacting [my] life." -.-

That's a pretty terrible reason to ignore something, it's best to know for sure one way or the other

 

[Pun Damage]

That's a pretty terrible reason to ignore something, it's best to know for sure one way or the other

I took the RAADS-R on my own, got 140+. Self-diagnosis is valid.

 

[Raine]

I have formal diagnoses for generalized and social anxiety disorder, a side of oppositional defiance disorder (which I'm obligated to say is some made up bullshit...), and no formal diagnosis but very likely Asperger's Syndrome. Sensory overload is a huge problem; I literally cannot function properly if there are two or more loud, unexpected noises occurring simultaneously, such as multiple nearby conversations. Being in large(r) groups of people requires shutting down to an extent, or otherwise using headphones/earpieces to introduce a focal point through a familiar song.

Coping has been a mixed bag. Through the use of text and voice chat on the internet/while gaming I've managed to (re)gain a modicum of confidence and self-control, which has helped to remain calm and focused in somewhat wider group settings. I've become quite adept at avoiding or otherwise quickly identifying and removing myself from uncomfortable situations, though. Been on a variety of prescription medications over the years but nothing has really helped. I'm not entirely convinced that what they were trying to treat/were seeing is actually there, however, I've definitely been in some deep holes in the past all the same.

At present I mostly just bounce from thing to thing as my mind/interest wanders and try not to worry too much about the details.

 

[Holly]

I haven't been formally diagnosed with it, but I fully believe I'm Autistic. I keep asking for an actual diagnoses from my doctors but I keep getting refused because it's not "impacting [my] life." -.-

I keep getting "we only diagnose children". I don't think they understand how it impacts my life, and I'm reluctant to self-diagnose regardless how online tests go because it doesn't seem as valid and it seems the "trendy" thing to do. I don't want to feel dismissed because I self-diagnosed, I am looking for some validation or some answers. Also I'm not a doctor so maybe there's something else that explains why, for example, I'm most comfortable with pressure on the back of my hands and often sit with them behind my back and my feet tucked under me.

Like, no. I actually struggle with some stuff and while it is partially explained by my ADHD it isn't fully. I want to understand myself better and perhaps come up with some better coping strategies.

 

[Ryan!]

I was diagnosed with ADHD during Covid. I was tested back in 2014, but they said a couple of my test results were high performing and they said I was borderline.

I didn’t take anything for it until last year. Tried Wellbutrin for nearly a year, didn’t notice any improvement so I stopped. Just a few weeks ago I was started on strattera and sertraline (started a month or two earlier because my doctor said my adhd was causing me some anxiety).

I think the strattera is helping somewhat. I’m taking 25mg twice a day.

Pm Wellbutrin as well. I find it helpful. Only problem is I get extremely nauseous around smokers, but that's a minor side effect.

 

[Ryan!]

I haven't been formally diagnosed with it, but I fully believe I'm Autistic. I keep asking for an actual diagnoses from my doctors but I keep getting refused because it's not "impacting [my] life." -.-

Ah, the extremely outdated Comer's Ds of Diagnosis. You can let them know the DSM-V is out now. They can catch up.

 

[shortkut]

Pm Wellbutrin as well. I find it helpful. Only problem is I get extremely nauseous around smokers, but that's a minor side effect.

Maybe they gave you zyban instead

 

[Ryan!]

Maybe they gave you zyban instead

You know, they just might have.

 

[Olga]

I did a short write-up here of stuff I know about: https://gwforums.com/threads/devices-dedicated-to-defeating-depression.221/

IMO, for most people, chemical tools like anti-depressants can have short-term benefits, but do not solve issues long-term. I mention this because I used to think they were neat solutions until I tried some.

 

[The Flame]

Never been diagnosed with anything because I've never been to any sort of therapy, but I've been struggling with depression since high school. Varying levels of it, varying reasons over the years. Can't say I'm actively doing anything to cope with it, but I've always done a lot of introspection and have a few things that just keep me going at the very least.

The big one being the fact that I have people who would be devastated to lose me and I'd rather just deal with it than hurt the people I care about for my own selfish reasons. The other being the fact that I'm still relatively young and have no way of knowing what the future holds. It'd be foolish of me to throw in the towel at 30 when there are still decades of time for things to get better. I'm also a Christian and do my best to stick with it because, while admittedly it doesn't help all that much in recent years, it used to be pretty therapeutic for me when I first took it seriously and the teachings have genuinely made me a better person than I used to be. If I didn't have that I think the world would feel like a much more hopeless place than it already does, and that's the last thing I need. Not to say that I don't believe the stuff, I do, but it's more out of necessity nowadays.

I guess I pretty much just keep moving forward and hope for the best. Used to be able to use video games as a reliable escape, but it's really hard to keep my interest/focus on most of them anymore, so I've found myself distracting myself with a lot of streamers instead. I do my best to avoid vices, occasionally go through phases where I'll exercise or eat healthier, try to keep the few friends I have left and look for more, but I really don't do much otherwise.

 

[Crystal]

I took the RAADS-R on my own, got 140+. Self-diagnosis is valid.

I never bothered to take it before, but figured I would just now:

 

[Pun Damage]

I never bothered to take it before, but figured I would just now:

View attachment 1189

Again, self-diagnosis is valid.

 

[Meathos]

I likely have CPTSD.

I wrote a lot while I was active in the initial iteration of this site. I wrote a lot about what was happening to me, back then, but hid it well.

Now I barely speak to my parents.

 

[Pun Damage]

I likely have CPTSD...

... Now I barely speak to my parents.

Welcome to the club! Punch is by the wall, and the parent-shaped piñata is filled with encouragement.

 

[Holly]

I did the RAADS-R just now. I think one of the hardest things for me to come to grips with is that I operate best on a schedule and with a list of what to do, but I also suck at following a schedule and having one causes me anxiety.

I talk out loud to myself. A lot. It's how I keep my thoughts straight, and I low key hope that if there are any errors in my thinking someone around me will call me out on it. Saying something out loud also helps me remember it a bit better short term.

Taking the test I think part of why I'm having trouble finding a professional that diagnoses and treats adult autism is because - speaking just for myself - I've built coping mechanisms to try to appear normal. Most of those are rooted in anxiety and worrying entirely too much in how I'm appearing to others, being aware I can dominate a conversation for example and mentally forcing myself to stop.

 

[Pun Damage]

Something else I've found that I have is Pathological Demand Avoidance. AKA I don't get into most things until well after their popularity has faded. Case in point:

I just recently watched through Stranger Things for the first time. It's been out since forever.

I'm currently going through the Lucifer series for the first time.

I just started watching Breaking Bad after years of people raving about it.

I haven't watched a single episode of Game of Thrones and have no interest in them.

Etc.

 

[Mark]

Something else I've found that I have is Pathological Demand Avoidance. AKA I don't get into most things until well after their popularity has faded. Case in point:

I just recently watched through Stranger Things for the first time. It's been out since forever.

I'm currently going through the Lucifer series for the first time.

I just started watching Breaking Bad after years of people raving about it.

I haven't watched a single episode of Game of Thrones and have no interest in them.

Etc.

I was not aware that this was a thing, and I’m really considering jumping on the modern self-diagnosis bandwagon because of it.

I mean… I’m on forums and not Reddit for fucks sake.

Even the same examples you’ve listed apply to me. I saw Breaking Bad 2 years ago for the first time. I watched The Wire almost 20 years after it came out… and it was filmed all around me and I have friends that were in it. Hell, I MIGHT be in the background of some scenes for all I know, I never paid attention. I ONLY watched GoT because my girlfriend talked me into it because she has seen me playing Skyrim.

I deliberately avoid trendy shit, and then I’ll revisit it later to see if it was really worth the hype or if people were just being stupid lemmings.

 

[Boots]

Now I barely speak to my parents.

I feel this. I text my dad maybe 4 times a year. I haven't seen him since 2016 (I live 1,000 miles away). He moved out when I was 17.

I saw my mom for the first time in 10 years only because I wanted to attend my cousin's wedding. I'm no contact otherwise.

My fiance calls his dad every few weeks. We got lunch and hung out at the shooting range when we were in town in May. We visit but don't stay as overnight guests. We visited his mom's grave on mother's day.

 

[Tirith]

Wonderful thing, mental health is. I'm diagnosed ADHD (severe) but am unmedicated, simply because I can't be. If I started taking stimulants, I would go longer be eligible for my job, and not making this kind of cash would get me nowhere.


I basically self medicate on energy drinks, because the caffeine does seem to help. But my mind never stops, and has also lead to insomnia and the like.

 

[shortkut]

Wonderful thing, mental health is. I'm diagnosed ADHD (severe) but am unmedicated, simply because I can't be. If I started taking stimulants, I would go longer be eligible for my job, and not making this kind of cash would get me nowhere.


I basically self medicate on energy drinks, because the caffeine does seem to help. But my mind never stops, and has also lead to insomnia and the like.

Strattera is not a stimulant. Have you considered that?

 

[Tirith]

Strattera is not a stimulant. Have you considered that?

Put me in a weird headspace, I didn't like it

 

[Pun Damage]

Sometimes meds just don't work right for someone. Before the fluoxetine (Prozac) was prescribed to me, they tried me on both Paxil and Zoloft. Zoloft messed with my sleep, and Paxil made me unbelievably nauseous. Prozac is the only med I've found that leaves me feeling like I'm still in control- hell, more in control now. And even then I'm on just 10mg a day.