Someone I knows says that he can not work or hold a job down because of this mental disorder and he also says it is hereditary, too. I was wondering if anyone out there knows what disease this is? Are there any such diseases out there that does prevent someone from working or is he just lying to me? Another thing with instability is it still possible for someone to work on cars and be a boy scout leader? He says he takes medication so I do not understand why he can not work, other people with mental disorders work and take medication so why can he not?\nAny info would be appreciated.
136988
There are plenty of disorders that it could be.  Most mental disorders if they are severe enough can prevent someone from working.  Schizophrenia is one disorder that some people find it hard to hold a steady job with. Severe anxiety and depression can cause it too.  I can see why you may think it a bit odd that he can be a boyscout leader and work on cars but not get a job.  However, maybe the people he does those things for understand the situation and understand if he cannot complete a task on time or show up for a meeting once in awhile.\n\nYes, other people with mental disorders take medication and work, however, sometimes the disorders can be more severe than others.  For example, there are people who are anxious who just feel that way sometimes while severe cases can't even leave their house.  The same with depression there are people who frequently feel a little down and others who are so bad they can't get out of bed.  Also, for some particularly strong disorders they need medication but the medication has awful side effects which prevent them from having a steady job.\n\nPeople with mental health problems can be just as disabled or even more so than people with physical disabilities.  It is just that their impairment is usually not as obvious.   However, to get social security for a disability (assuming he does get it) you have to have proof from a psychiatrist or doctor and sometimes even more than one.\n\nIt is possible that he could be lying, however, I wouldn't jump to that conclusion based on the information you provided and the fact that you don't know the particular mental disorder he suffers from.
417029
This is a serious illness in which I also have.  I take medication and go to cognitive behavioral therapy.  This helps you to "train" and "change" your thoughts from bad ones and get rid of the "what ifs."\n\nI usually suffer when driving and it is scary.  Hang in there, I know that it is a long fight, but maybe it is good to know that you are not alone :)
350862
Jesse, is there no where you can get some free counselling? Like a support group for depression and mental illness? I'm an Aussie so don't know how your medical & gov support works over there but nearly half my family (including two sons) have suffered or suffer depression & my mum is bi-polar! So I do have some idea of the challenges you are facing. Believe it or not there are people who can see past your illness and will value you & realise that your problems are largely due to the illness. Is there no family member or friend to lend you support as this is very important. Talking to fellow sufferers will show you that you are not alone so make a few enquiries about a support group esp if you have no one close to lean on.\nWith regards to your working: it may be difficult to find an employer who is understanding about the limitations that depression & bi-polar can put on you but if you do apply for a job be honest. If you just fail to turn up when you just can't get out of bed they might think you are  lazy. Try to explain that you are trying to get your life together but some days life is just too much to cope with. Try to be positive; set small achievable goals and don't ever give up and take the easy way out. Hope this has helped. Good luck, be brave and keep going.
181393
I am not sure I necessarily agree with Dr. J's assessment of what constitutes a diagnosis.  There are many disease entities that we don't know what causes them, yet they clearly remain a disease - hypertension, MS, depression, and Alzheimer's Dementia are among many others.  He also made a point about Vit D deficiency and he's probably right about most Doctors not testing for it.  \n\nFibromyalgia is a funny syndrome.  There are definite definable similarities between patients.  Unfortunately we have not been able to isolate any pathology to "fix."  It may be a matter of we just don't know what to look for.  I suspect that we will eventually discover that this syndrome is literally all in people's head.  (Not to be confused with an imaginary thing)but a disorder in the brain either is causing the pain and fatigue or sensing it too acutely.  \n\nThe symptoms you typically have with a virus - achey, tired, are not the virus rather it is our own body causing this and signalling us - hey, you are ill, slow down.  I bet this normal process has gone bad and is implicated in fibromyalgia.  When we figure out why this area is working overtime, or at least how to treat that area, I bet we will have a legitimate treatment for FM. \n\nThere are treatments now, however - and people do get over the problem.  Two areas of high importance in my experience is treating anxiety or depression if it exists (almost always does) and treating any sleep disorder (frequently exists too).  These are two areas that have the biggest impact on a patient's outlook and there lies the rub.  Those who are positive and manage not to look at this like they are a victim do much, much better.  Those who feel helpless and victimized do much worse.  Check out some of the links above.  I wish your Mother well.
224766
Look, I am a fourteen year old kid and i have also had a pretty rough year, but let me tell you something, do not give up. This past year has been a struggle for me and my family, but once we found out the problems i was having, we were able to find the proper doctors and medication. I know that it seems tough right now, but you have to hang in there. Nothing is going to happen over night, but if you work hard anything is possible. Please trust me, if I could overcome my problems I am sure you can. As far as your job goes, you will have to make the choice whether or not to go back to school or live with what you have. Maybe it would be a good idea to go see a physiologist or psychiatrist to help work out your problems. Whatever you do, don't eat bad food just because you are depressed, or upset with something. Just say no to junk food. I also suggest that you spend more time with your son. Just remember that he will only be a baby once, so don't spoil that. No matter what always find time for you and your family. Bring your kid to the park or read books with him and always encourage him to do better. Never discourage him or ignore him, that will just make him feel bad, trust me I have a five year old brother. One day soon, sit down with your husband and discuss with him what you think the two of you should do in the future. I hope all of this helps and I wish you the best of luck.
545029
>>1. does all sorts of wrong things (even immoral like lying) to attract attention of other family members.<<\nThis may be his way of crying out for attention if he feels he's not getting enough for his needs.  Any attention, even negative, is still attention. Is there a way to schedule rotating visitors so he has regular company?  That may alleviate this.\n\n\n>>2. Has become very irritable even though he is dependent on others for his day to day activities like bathing, hyegine etc.<<\nActually it is BECAUSE he's dependent that he's irritable.  Think about it, if tomorrow you could no longer wipe your own butt how embarassing & frustrating it would be to have to have/let someone do it for you.  After decades of independence, it's very hard to give that up and realize you are where you are in life.  \n\n>>3. Has become one track mind regarding his eating habits - e.g. if he starts eating chinese , he will want it daily... gets addicted to soft driks etc etc<<\nDon't know about this but if you can get him to eat & drink, let him do it.  I mean what's the worst that's going to happen?  Work a bargain into it "if you have this nutritious lunch, we'll have XYZ for dinner" to be sure he's still getting good stuff but don't fight too hard on it either, let him have some pleasure/sense of winning.  It will make other things easier.\n\n>>IS someone having such prblems.<<\nI took care of my Nana for a year and to get her to drink ANY liquid was such a battle. \n\n>> are these problems age related <<\nYup.\n\n>>AND we have to live with them?<<\nYup.  Can't hurt at all to mention it to his doctor just in case but alot of it you do have to just cope with. \n\nEnjoy every minute you can; I can't describe the pain/frustration that comes with not having them around anymore.  I'd fight my Nana 24/7 to drink if it meant I could have her back.\n\nGood luck.
73461
Even when genetic, there is no sure proof that you or your siblings will get it as well, there is a certain level of self awareness that bipolar victims don't have, as long as you remain emotionally balanced and maintain high self confidence, I don't see how much of a possibility it would be for you to get it as well.
425563
Hi... I'm sorry you guys are having to go through this. I can totally relate to this... I am 21 and am diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, Major Depression that's recurrent and severe, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and DDNOS. In the past year and a half, I've been hospitalized 9 times and have seen several psychiatrists and therapists. I've been on many different medications. So I do know what he is going through. \nI have been out of work since January of 2005. I first had to apply for Temporary Disability and be on that for 6 months before I could apply for Social Security Disability. But when it came time to apply for SSD/SSI I was nervous because I had heard from MANY people that it was a long process, and you almost always get denied on the first try. It took 8 months for them to give me a decision, and thank god, I was approved on the first try. I think that I was approved on the first try because of all the documentation I had... from the doctors, hospitals, and therapists. So I would definitely recommend getting as much support as you from his treatment team. \n\nI hope that everything will work out. Don't listen to the people on here who are saying nasty things. They have obviously never had to deal with severe mental illness before. You and I and everyone else who has suffered from it either personally or through a loved one knows that mental illnesses truly are debilitating. \nGood luck!\n~Julie~
317967
its a stress related disorder. the disorder is not genetic but the way ur family reacts to stress & anxiety is.\ntry not to worry abt it too much and channelize your frustration into some thing else more constructive.\ni will be difficult but try.
53054
Its really hard to say not knowing where you live .... i would look up on the internet for your area and see if there is anything offered. Just a suggestion too... for 12 years i was told i had depression and anxiety, come to find out after i freaked and drove my car to portland lost it and me and dont remember it, i was told i have bipolar , you may want to have that checked, but a regular doctor cant tell you this.... I hope you find help i know how frustrating it is.
218988
Mental Illness is NOT contagious.  If your children have Bipolar Disorder, they will have it from day one based on what genetic coding your genes provided.\n\nThe best way you can protect him is to keep up YOUR medical regimen to be emotionally and mentally healthy AND to continue to monitor him for any signs or symptoms that HE is having problems.  If he seems to be having any difficulties that may be related to Bipolar Disorder, have him assessed.\n\nBut don't obsess about it.\n\nI have depressive disorders, I am a Mental Health Nurse for a facility for the Mentally Delayed AND I have two sons who are Autistic with OCD and ADHD.  \n\nEven with all these issues, my sons are happy, healthy, well-adjusted boys of 9 and 11 years old.  A fammily CAN be stable... if you make it stable.
252900
I read that he Put "down" persons who are Bipolar-disorder (manic-depressive) ( a Mental Illness).  ( I am bipolar; i read it on Internet--news or something.  I don't watch movies often and hardly know him.    best wishes!!!
29213
Please keep pressing for solutions other than psychological! Go to as many doctors as it takes and make a nuisance of yourself if your concerns are brushed aside or put under the "mental illness" umbrella. \n\nMy 5-year-old nephew was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease (a severe allergy to gluten). This disease is commonly screened for in parts of Europe, but only now catching physician's attention in the US. It was once thought to be rare in the US and most well-meaning physicians simply don't think of this as a possibility. My nephew was extremely lucky to get a correct diagnosis so quickly as this disease has symptoms (including those you described) that can mimic many other diseases. Making it even more complicated is that the symptoms, severity, and age onset vary from individual to individual. At any rate, this will give you something to be ruled out if it has not been explored as a possibility.\n\nFor more information go to www.celiac.org. I hope you quickly find a solution. If doctors are leading to dead end diagnoses, I can see where you would post on forums like this for any ideas that think "outside the box" for a possible cause/solution.\n\nGOOD LUCK!
455011
I agree that they are 2 different disorders, however there are people who have been diagnosed with both of these disorders. Another more likely possibility is that  your friend realizes that there  is much more stigma and fear  and lack of understanding for schizophrenia than there is for bipolar, and so chooses to categorize himself as having the more "socially acceptable" diagnosis.
29782
Alot of people discriminate against those suffering from mental illnesses of all kinds ,not just bosses.\n You may just be seeing that they navigate towards more open "normal" people because you don't feel open yourself... I know that no one wants to be around someone who is depressed, it affects many people in many different ways. It's unfortunate, but a fact of life. I myself have suffered depression, and been labeled a "b i t c h " or other unkind things just because I could not paint a smile on 24/7\n What can you do to impress them. Well stop trying to impress them and impress yourself. Make yourself feel, and it is not always easy, and it will show. Don't keep kicking yourself that is not going to work, go get some counseling, get some medication if that is warranted, get the help you need and want and live a full and HAPPY life. It is possible, maybe not every minute but it can happen, but it will take a lot of hard work. I am wishing you the very best.... take care, smile, think good thoughts about yourself and things will fall into place
314834
I'm very skeptical of a "god" gene.  A "gullibility" gene seems much more likely.\n\nYes, it is unfair to those who have been saddled with such a gene.  They'll have to work extra hard to overcome their disability.
71047
Well, one thing is obvious you probably have suffered (and continue to suffer) from anguish and distress.  …Autism constitutes a relatively narrow band on that long axis of Spectrum Disorders that span the whole gamut of learning disability conditions from ADHD to what have you, not to mention heavy metal poisoning, and a multitude of other neurological and behavioral possibilities.  You may or may not have Autism or any of the other spectrum disorder conditions.   The fact of the matter is that we still understand relatively little about how the human brain functions, hence it is a non-trivial thing to make a final/definitive diagnosis and say yes Michele you have such and such, so go home and take a few of these pills.   …I do NOT believe that earning a "label” is necessarily going to add anything positive to your struggle against what you have been going through.   I believe, instead of concentrating on the negatives you must genuinely praise yourself for the great courage, the hard work and the perseverance that you have shown so far in dealing with whatever it is that has been making you suffer.   Obviously, and from your description, your parents have always supported your recovery struggles and encouraged your progress – yet another treasure that you have been blessed with and should be grateful for.  As I see it you might have been this and that and what have you (and may even continue to suffer with residual effects), but now at least you seem like a very well spoken and eloquent lady, isn't that reason enough to celebrate and be happier?   Isn't that reason enough to find love somewhere in the midst of all this "confusion" as you put it?   Meaning is something that all of us (autistic or otherwise) have to labor to bring into our lives.     I know it is NOT easy, it is not easy for any of us, but try and lead a more loving life and I’m sure even better and bigger progress will come your way in time.