Hello!

[Quantum]

Hi everyone; I'm new.  I  am 24 years old, and I recently discovered that the way I think and feel are not "normal" (if normal can be described).  I have been diagnosed with OCD and schizophrenia.  I have my own little theory of the progression of my illness, but when I tell people about what I'm going through, no one seems to take me seriously (and I'm not refering to a government conspiracy or little green me).  I dont know if it is because of strong stereotypes, or the fact that I have functioned in society, or what.  For instance, my fiancee is supportive, but he doesn't understand why I can't just stop thinking the way I do- and neither can I.  Now I just keep my mouth shut.  I was wondering if anyone else has struggled with this.

Anyway, thank you for providing a place where I may feel "normal."

[rara]

No i have never feelt like that, well not in the way you mean, but i have feelt ignorred and not taken seriously before. I translated youre mesage as you feeling like people arent lissening to you because a) they dont beliave in pschycology, b) they think youre being irrational all the time, or c) they dont understand, as soonest they get to know about youre diagnosis.
You said you had youre own teori, i read about OCD and in a computer friends case it was partly due to her mothers constant nagging, would you like to share it?
Have you tried telling youre fiance how you feel? You shouldnt feel as if you have to shut up around her!  Have you tried to supply her whit information ore taken her whit you to youre pcsyhologist sometime? /Rara.

[Quantum]

Rara, I replied to you some time ago, but now I see that it never posted.  I just wanted you to know that I wasn't ignoring you.  My theory is that my paranoia has spawned my OCD.  It seems the more people I hear of, the more I think that people never have just 1 disorder.  I guess when you have something wrong, it can manifest as symptoms from many disorders. 

From the perspective of my fiance:  When I have a bad day, and I just want to complain, or the reason that I accomplished nothing that day was because I was scared to stay home, he just fusses that I need to go back to the doctor for new meds.  Even with meds, I still have bad days, but that makes no sense to him.

From everyone else:  they think I am being overly dramatic because they know I'm not crazy.  I guess they think that I am not homicidal, so I can't have SZ.

Thanks for listening.

[Peter]

Hello :-)

Your fiances reaction is based on him not understanding. He wants you to feel better. Natural reaction is go to a Dr get meds feel better. Surely a Dr can help you....etc etc. He just doesn't have any answers, and doesn't comprehend that there aren't any simple ones. Of course his reaction is the same as many people. They want to help, but don't know how.
My daughter was ill some years ago. We went through the cycle of Dr's treatment....failure of treatment etc.. then you begin to try to shut the pain out ( naturally it hurts to see a child suffering) So you are seen as 'ignoring' it.
They care :-)

Peter

[Quantum]

I guess I know that, but it is still frustrating.  Thank you for your response; it feels good knowing that some one else can relate.

[tryn2cope]

Hello Quantum
My name is Shawna and I suffer from agoraphobia, OCD, Panic and Anxiety Disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Believe me, I always feel alone and like no one understands what is really going on. I am on different medications, including xanax, but they are either always upping my dose or changing my meds. And believe me, even though I am married to a wonderful man, I still feel very alone most of the time. I feel like no one understands what I am going through. So when I come to read posted messages and read what other people go through and some of them being the same as I have, helps me a little bit knowing that I am not alone and that there are other people out there who understand what I am going through and what I am feeling. So Welcome and I hope you find comfort here like I am hoping and starting to find.

[Quantum]

Shawna,  I read in one of your posts that you were hospitalized.  I was wondering if you wanted to elaborate on that a little.  I have thought of going in, but I have not heard of anyone's experience.  Did they just regulate your meds?  Did it help?  A friend of mine went to  rehab, but it was an overpriced group therapy in a desert oasis thing.  I would rather padded walls to a money making resort.  I was just curious. If that is too personal, I understand.  I just don't want to go until I hear what someone else thinks.  Thanks.

[CuervoBlonde]

This is my first time on this site - it probably won't even get posted since I'm unsure of what I'm doing!  (Yeah - CuervoBlonde is my name - it fits!)  Anyway, long story short - I know what it's like to not have others know what you're going thru.  I had severe panic attacks in my early 20's.  I've done quite well for almost 20 years; now at age 42 I've completey stopped sleeping.  Yup - you read correctly.  My doctor has prescribed numerous meds but nothing is working.  (I've been on Xanax for years - great during the day but they wear off around 11 PM.)  I spend my nights crying and my days acting like everything is normal.  (Thank goodness for my sense of humor; I LIVE to make people laugh!)  I have, and hope to hold on to, a very successful career.  Hubby is very understanding and supportive, but now my anxiety is increasing due to the fact I'm worried I'll never sleep again.  I'll end here for now and see if I can figure out how to post this thing!  Thanks for letting me vent!