Experiences of disorders?

Question

i'd like to know about any experiences of: Schizotypal disorder, borderline personality disorder, bi polar (any type), depression and ocd.

i have been researching and i have traits that agree with the some symptoms of these, mostly bi polar type 2 and borderline (BPD)

i don't need advice just interested in other's experiences and stories.

thanx =] x

Answer 1

I have a mood disorder, that is most likely bipolar 2 (I haven't been seeing my psychiatrist long enough for her to have seen the hypomania, and the depression)

In my experience, depression, of any level is horrible. Just plain awful. At it's worst, I will not sleep at night, because I will just lay there and cry most of the night. At daytime though, I sleep all day long because I don't want to face the world. I feel as though I will make mistakes all day long if I do get up. I feel guilty, I cry a lot, I have extremely low self esteem.

Hypomania can be equally unpleasant, and at times, it can be almost desirable. At the lower 'levels', it's kinda good, except I'm probably annoying those around me. I can get work done in half the time it should take, I can still concentrate, I socialise a lot more.

When the hypomania is at it's worst, then it's scary. I'm too fast, I think too fast, I talk too fast, I can't concentrate, I can't stop moving. Everyone and everything is too slow, and I can't handle it.  

Answer 2

Hello.  First of all, it is not a good idea to "research" illnesses and then decide you have one or two.  If you look hard enough, you could fit into any diagnostic category.

The "symptoms" of these disorders are very similar and it takes an expert to tease out which disorder you may or may not have.  For example, Bipolar is largely genetic whereas Borderline is largely due to abuse and neglect in childhood.  

Also, people tend to CONFUSE the h**l out of Bipolar disorder.  The majority of people with Bipolar experience mood episodes that last for weeks or months.  For example, someone might be depressed for months, be fine, and then experience a manic episode that lasts for weeks.  Moods do not change constantly.  

Moods that change in response to a stimuli are usually (a) normal or (b) a sign of Borderline PD; who change moods in response to a perceived fear of abandonment.

Look at the DSM IV and go page by page.....you will fit into MANY of those categories.  That is why the experts make the big $$, because they understand the etiology of the diseases.