Is it normal to have so many mental disorders?
The only thing I've been diagnosed with is Bipolar/manic depression, but I still show signs of other disorders. I've always suffered from sensory issues and many other symptoms of autism such as repetitive needs and problems understanding social norms.
When I found out what asperegers was I was very relieved to have finally figure out what was "wrong" with me. My family has a very difficult time dealing with me as is so there is more I've been keeping from them but I think it's starting to get unhealthy.
For a while now I've been struggling from symptoms of schizophrenia. It's hard to explain but it doesn't feel exactly like someone talking to me. I feel more like I can't control my own thoughts anymore. That along with other things such as apathy and worsening suicidal tendencies is driving me crazy. I know I'm already enough trouble to my family which is why I haven't told anyone but it's really breaking me down even more than I already am... I already take 30 mg of lexapro for depression as well as Ativan for anxiety, so I'm worried to tell my doctor because I don't know what else he can do.
I am not convinced that being "unable to control" one's thoughts means schizophrenia. It's perfectly normal to have thoughts that appear unwillingly.
With my expirience of being misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and my suspection of my cousin being misdiagnosed too, I wouldn't recommend to rush to a doctor - unless you know someone really ready to challenge their own diagnosis in case of an error.
But your mind may be simply exhausted with all the anxiety and struggle. I was exhausted to the poing where I didn't recognize my own reflection in a mirror. That wasn't schizophrenia. That was mental exhaustion. With a help from my consuelor, I identified my needs (many of them long denied because of "all people are ok without it") and took a lot of rest, and, well, life is full of struggle, but now I'm happy and productive and definitely sane
Also I'm not certain about your bipolar - do "manic" episodes come when you are focused on something you love to the point you forget to eat and rest? Until you burn out and then have a "depression" episode? If so, it also might be all asperger's, not bipolar
So, I would recommend finding a specialist on adult autism before any further treatment.
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With my expirience of being misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and my suspection of my cousin being misdiagnosed too, I wouldn't recommend to rush to a doctor - unless you know someone really ready to challenge their own diagnosis in case of an error.
But your mind may be simply exhausted with all the anxiety and struggle. I was exhausted to the poing where I didn't recognize my own reflection in a mirror. That wasn't schizophrenia. That was mental exhaustion. With a help from my consuelor, I identified my needs (many of them long denied because of "all people are ok without it") and took a lot of rest, and, well, life is full of struggle, but now I'm happy and productive and definitely sane
Also I'm not certain about your bipolar - do "manic" episodes come when you are focused on something you love to the point you forget to eat and rest? Until you burn out and then have a "depression" episode? If so, it also might be all asperger's, not bipolar
So, I would recommend finding a specialist on adult autism before any further treatment.
Yeah thanks this makes me feel a bit better. I don't know about the bipolar because it comes at random most times but also comes how you explained so I assumed I had both.
Your doctor can switch antidepressants, add a second antidepressant of a different class, add a small does of an anti-psychotic, add another adjunct for depression, or try ECT.
There is a lot of different options.
I've gone though 12 different medication combs and am currently taking 7 medications for mood purposes.
I am diagnosed with AS, PTSD, schizophrenia, BPD, plus chronic depression and anxiety. There's a lot of overlap in all those and the first four very frequently have the last two as comorbidities individually. So I would say that it's certainly not uncommon to have multiple comorbidities. Depression and anxiety can both get you in a state of having racing or intrusive thoughts with enough outside stress applied.
I would say take Magz advise and talk to someone who specializes in adult autism before getting too stressed about it. Even if you are, therapy and the right medication can make a world of difference. I've come further in the last 8 months than the previous 30 years, it just took the right course of therapy and medication in combination
I've had lot of diagnoses too; ADD, anxiety, OCD, AS, Dyspraxia, Language Processing disorder, Cluttering, sensory dysfunction issues.
I have also taken medication before. I once was on a bunch of them and vitamins in 5th grade and then it was only one pill in 6th grade and then three of them in high school and one of them was birth control for my hormones.
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Son: Diagnosed w/anxiety and ADHD. Also academic delayed and ASD lv 1.
Daughter: NT, no diagnoses. Possibly OCD. Is very private about herself.
It's extremely common for those of us on the Spectrum to have what I like to call "companion" disorders (I have a weird sense of humor). It's usually anxiety or depression, but I've known multiple people with Autism who have also had Schizophrenia. I personally have Asperger's Syndrome, General Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Depression, and severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
You should definitely talk to your doctor about what you're experiencing (if you haven't already)- especially since said you are having suicidal tendencies. If he isn't able to prescribe something that can help, he should have access to resources that can provide assistance.
I don't think normal is the right word here, there are many people lucky enough to not deal with mental disorders, there are many people who get along with one or several mental disorders, it becomes infinitely more complicated dealing with the ever shifting territory and figuring out where one begins and the other(s) end. It is not unheard of for autistics to develop severe mental health issues radiating outward, from my own perspective, I see autism as the central hub which has grown tentacles due to growing up without knowledge of what I was dealing with, I don't know if I would have developed further things if I had the knowledge initially.
When I found out what asperegers was I was very relieved to have finally figure out what was "wrong" with me. My family has a very difficult time dealing with me as is so there is more I've been keeping from them but I think it's starting to get unhealthy.
For a while now I've been struggling from symptoms of schizophrenia. It's hard to explain but it doesn't feel exactly like someone talking to me. I feel more like I can't control my own thoughts anymore. That along with other things such as apathy and worsening suicidal tendencies is driving me crazy. I know I'm already enough trouble to my family which is why I haven't told anyone but it's really breaking me down even more than I already am... I already take 30 mg of lexapro for depression as well as Ativan for anxiety, so I'm worried to tell my doctor because I don't know what else he can do.
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I am pieplup i have level 3 autism and a number of severe mental illnesses. I am rarely active on here anymore.
I run a discord for moderate-severely autistic people if anyone would like to join. You can also contact me on discord @Pieplup or by email at [email protected]
nick007
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On top of Aspergers I have dyslexia, anxiety, OCD, ADD, & a minor depression. I was diagnosed with other things but don't think I fit them nowadays. I was aLOT of trouble for my parents too cuz of my mental & other physical disabilities. I take Buspar for my anxiety & think it might be a good idea for you to try that if you haven't before OP. It's specifically for anxiety & not a benzo like the Ativan is. But like antidepressants you have to take it regularly & have to be on it a while to notice the full benefit. It can be taken with the meds your on & lots of other psych meds & may increase the efficiency of some so it should be fairly easy to get your doc/psych to prescribe it. That said, I 2nd other posters advice & think it'll be a good idea to try & get an autism assessment before trying other treatments unless you feel like you really need something now. Your age that's listed says your only 14 so it'll be a good idea to sit down & have a talk with your family about your issues & how you'd like to get tested for autism.
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