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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 9 to 33 of 42. Go back in thread:
Posted by SLS on February 2, 2009, at 18:42:58
In reply to Diagnose me (please) - recommendations?, posted by garnet71 on February 2, 2009, at 1:29:57
Maybe you can poke around here to get a few of your questions answered:
- Scott
Posted by garnet71 on February 2, 2009, at 18:45:14
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » garnet71, posted by Phillipa on February 2, 2009, at 10:54:05
Phillipa, I probably have had enough of meds...I'm not going to rule it out forever, but am going to get some medical tests first. I dont want them tainted with skewed results from pharmaceuticals.
Posted by SLS on February 2, 2009, at 19:03:41
In reply to Diagnose me (please) - recommendations?, posted by garnet71 on February 2, 2009, at 1:29:57
I think your plan to "get clean" and pursue medical evaluations is a sober one. I hope you remain stable enough to follow through with this.
I find it reassuring that you have not decided to demonize psychiatry or its treatments. It is unfortunate that there remains so little understanding of how to diagnose and treat mental illnesses. It is very easy to become disappointed in the state of the art. Clinical practice is indeed still more of an art than a science.
I wish you luck in your future explorations.
I wouldn't presume to diagnose you. With your intellectual resources, I think you might do well to educate yourself and produce a tentative diagnosis on your own.
- Scott
Posted by garnet71 on February 2, 2009, at 19:52:24
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » garnet71, posted by SLS on February 2, 2009, at 19:03:41
Scott,
I have no clue-that's why I asked for advice. None of the 'disorders' seem to fit. You all are the best resource I have ever found, by far. I have learned more from this website than almost 10 years of doctors. I can't even remember my son's phone number offhand, let alone find my own diagnosis.
The only thing that seems to make sense is there lacks a classification for people who were victims of narcissists/sociopaths. It's part spiritual-there is nothing in the medical field that exists for such a concept. The most I have learned, which isn't much more than I have already found from narcisstic abuse recovery internet communities, is from a therapist, a PhD, who used to work in a prison for many years. This person observed the prison staff-both professionals and non-professionals-being tangled in the web of such people. Staff who lost their jobs. A mental health professional has to have had the experience of being a victim of this type to gain the insight to treat others. I have never met someone like that. If I knew where to find one, I would be their patient.
Such people have been seen to have eyes that totally blacken. This is not a hallucination of the victim. I searched and searched for something to explain this. There is nothing that has explained, that I could find, how a human being's eyes can temporarily and intermittently become completely black w/o a change in the environment.
Nothing compares to soul rape.
Posted by garnet71 on February 2, 2009, at 20:00:50
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » SLS, posted by garnet71 on February 2, 2009, at 19:52:24
Just to clarify - some of the most dangerous of this type are not located in prisons. They are the professionals, friends, spouses, coworkers, lovers, neighbors among us.
Posted by SLS on February 2, 2009, at 20:08:48
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations?, posted by garnet71 on February 2, 2009, at 20:00:50
> Just to clarify - some of the most dangerous of this type are not located in prisons. They are the professionals, friends, spouses, coworkers, lovers, neighbors among us.
I guess you are looking at two or more separate issues:
1. The diathesis for which your cognitive impairments are symptoms of.
2. The reasons why you have on multiple occasions fallen victim to narcissists.
3. Any residual psychological issues arising from abuse.
Can you expand upon these? Perhaps none of them are right.
- Scott
Posted by JadeKelly on February 2, 2009, at 20:31:03
In reply to Diagnose me (please) - recommendations?, posted by garnet71 on February 2, 2009, at 1:29:57
Hi Garnet!
I had to go out for a while *big deal* for me as I wasn't well enough to leave my house for a while! Well, I did drive one of my sons to school every day, does that count?
Anyway, I'm back and on my laptop! Not sure when you'll be done studying but I'll probably be close by if not on my computer ;-)
PS-I'll check my mail
Your friend,
~Jade
Posted by seldomseen on February 3, 2009, at 6:48:07
In reply to Diagnose me (please) - recommendations?, posted by garnet71 on February 2, 2009, at 1:29:57
What if you printed out your post and took it to your Pdoc a couple of days prior to your appointment? It might help him/her to help you the best. How long is your pdoc appointment scheduled for?
In my personal opinion, I think you need help more than a diagnosis. Although having one would give a name to what you are experiencing and sometimes that, in and of itself, can be comforting.
I also get the strong impression from your posts that you want to talk. You've got something to say. A lot of therapists work on a sliding scale for their fees. I think that this is something that your pdoc can definately help you with.
Alternatively, I know this may sound odd, but some VA hospitals offer outstanding psychiatric care. It's hit or miss, but the one in my area is the leading center for PTSD, anxiety etc and they have a thriving set of psychiatric clinics. With your military background - especially if you spent time in country - you may qualify for free care, or care at a dramatically reduced rate. Just be sure you have a copy of your DD214 because they *really* fixate on that in regards to the paperwork. I would look into that.
My regimen? I take 20 mg of Prozac and 1 mg of Klonopin a day for depression/anxiety.
The best diet that I have found for depression is one that is high in anti-oxidants and omega-3s. I used to eat a lot of fish, but now I worry about mercury, so I supplement with omega-3 instead. I keep it in the fridge and take twice the recommended dose on the bottle.
Yogurt, nuts, berries, lots of vegetables, whole grains and plenty of water. I've also noticed that this diet improves my skin significantly. Green tea helps too, but somedays I can't tolerate the caffeine. I'm convinced that anything bleached and processed (flour, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, even some rice and oatmeals) is not good for us.
I'm lucky though, because I live in an area that is practically obsessed by whole foods and organic products. I can literally walk to my local cooperative grocery store for seasonal, fresh vegetables and meats.
I take magnesium as well, first thing in the morning according to the dosing instructions on the bottle. I drink at least two packets of "emergen C" a day.
Of course, I relapse occasionally even with this regimen, (I think it is the nature of the beast)but always manage to rally.
Good luck.
Seldom.
Posted by Garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 15:16:59
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » garnet71, posted by SLS on February 2, 2009, at 20:08:48
> I guess you are looking at two or more separate issues:> 1. The diathesis for which your cognitive impairments are symptoms of.
Yes.
> 2. The reasons why you have on multiple occasions fallen victim to narcissists.
No
> 3. Any residual psychological issues arising from abuse.
>
Yes and no.> Can you expand upon these? Perhaps none of them are right.
>
>
> - Scott-------------------------
I just want to so bad get back to how i used to be. I want my self back. My sparkle. My confidence. My health. I don't want to feel hung over without drinking anymore. I want to keep up with the house, my personal grooming, family, school, and work - all at the same time. This was never a problem before.
In thinking about all the prior years now that I've seperated them, how is it possible to suddenly become such an unproductive person at risk of failing out of graduate school?
I just want to know what's wrong with me so I can get treated appropriately. You all are my only hope-really.
Given my personality traits and past, how can I be bipolar? What is depression without being sad called? Could I have that? Could I have ADD? Could I have health problems? Or is it just GAD?
Sigh.
Thank you for asking. :)
Posted by Garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 15:22:05
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » garnet71, posted by SLS on February 2, 2009, at 18:42:58
> Maybe you can poke around here to get a few of your questions answered:
>
> http://www.mentalhealth.com/
>
>
> - Scott
--------------------Had you not subsequently posted afterward, I would have really questioned your intent for this response to my thread. Seems a bit cold. Just curious.
Posted by Garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 15:26:22
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » garnet71, posted by seldomseen on February 3, 2009, at 6:48:07
Hi Seldomseen, yes I'm taking a list to PDoc. This thread was supposed to be that 'list' but turned into something else. I do really like therapy-can't afford it and if I did-I honestly can't handle going to more appointments and being tasked with more than I already am. This forum will have to substitute, for now..
You are right about the VA..good thinking; in fact, some of the best doctors I have known were military doctors. I already checked into this. Healthcare is free there if you served in a combat zone, which I did not. Still, I hadn't thought about going there with my insurance. I'll have to check into that.
I agree about the foods. I'm eating healthy too-I wish I knew what I know now--really, our diets do contribute so much to both our physical and mental wellbeing.
Posted by toduar on February 3, 2009, at 17:23:49
In reply to Diagnose me (please) - recommendations?, posted by garnet71 on February 2, 2009, at 1:29:57
I really don't like giving recommendations, but i had a couple ideas for things that you may want to look into.
from your symptoms, what you described could be caused by either 1. adrenal burnout 2. low thyroid
for adrenal burnout, amalgam illness (that i recommended in the other thread) has one of the best adrenal support sections ive seen.
a quick and inexpensive experiment that you may want to try just to see if there is any positive effect that could point to adrenal burnout:
licorice root and pregnenalone. I just take 20mg. sublingual pregnenalone (let it disolve under your tongue) and 2 dropper fulls of licorice root extract (hold under your tongue for 30 seconds) first thing in the morning. if you get any negative effects, stop.for thyroid i don't really know (maybe someone else here has some ideas) but maybe start at this websiste:
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/
all the best, todd
Posted by garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 18:32:52
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations?, posted by toduar on February 3, 2009, at 17:23:49
Thanks Todd. What is "sublingual pregnenalone"? I'm not into all the technical names. I thought abou the adrenal burnout - it's on my list of questions to ask endo for appt. next week. I want her opinion whether or not that is a clinical condition - or -if it was just invented by alternative practictioners to make money. Much like anti-depressants are marketed to make money.
Do you have a link to the adrenal support infor. you brought up?
Posted by JadeKelly on February 3, 2009, at 18:36:55
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations?, posted by toduar on February 3, 2009, at 17:23:49
"ORIGIONALLY POSTED BY BOBBY ON SOCIAL"
"MAYA ANGELOU'S"
BEST POEM EVER
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,even if she never wants to or needs to...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..a youth she's content to leave behind....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...a feeling of control over her destiny...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...how to fall in love without losing herself..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...that her childhood may not have been perfect..but it's over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone . even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...**Just a peice of a post-thanks to Bobby!!!
Posted by garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 18:44:08
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations?, posted by JadeKelly on February 3, 2009, at 18:36:55
((((((Jade))))
What an uplifting thought to share. I love this quote. Thanks for reminding me what's important in life.p.s. I do have a lot of those things believe it or not!! Including the power drill! Black and Decker! lol
Posted by garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 19:01:14
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » garnet71, posted by SLS on February 2, 2009, at 20:08:48
2. The reasons why you have on multiple occasions fallen victim to narcissists.
- Scott
---------------I just thought up a little theory about this.
Narcissists have an external reference point; their identity and sense of self is derived only from those outside of them; they are empty except what they can feel as a result of interaction with others; they are extroverted (not to be confused with outgoing). They have an ego-barrier to their soul...btw, Do narcissists have more white brain matter than grey?
The oppositite of narcissists - introverts (not to be confused with people who are shy) - have an internal reference point; their values, thoughts, identity is a product of their internal soul; our being is not filtered from interacting with others; our ego is transparent and weak; these are the impulsive, open, unpretentious people; often ADDers. btw, do ADDers have more grey matter in their brain?
Aspects of this conjecture lie in the very intangible psycho-spiritual realm; it is not, and probably will never be, researched.
Narcissists want what the introverts have. It makes them angry that they cannot have such a strong self identity, values, convictions. They loathe us. They see this in us and consciously or unconsciously prey on us. They want to break us - so that ultimately, our soul, or 'self' is attributed to them *because* they have no identity, sense of self outside that which is derived only from relationships and interaction w/others. Our sense of self is so strong, narcissists are naturally attracted to that (since their whole identity comes from others) in a plight to feel closer to the soul.
Posted by toduar on February 3, 2009, at 19:02:48
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » toduar, posted by garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 18:32:52
> Thanks Todd. What is "sublingual pregnenalone"? I'm not into all the technical names. I thought abou the adrenal burnout - it's on my list of questions to ask endo for appt. next week. I want her opinion whether or not that is a clinical condition - or -if it was just invented by alternative practictioners to make money. Much like anti-depressants are marketed to make money.
heres a link for a good brand of pregnenelone. you may want to do a google search also.
http://www.sourcenaturals.com/products/GP1257/
>
> Do you have a link to the adrenal support infor. you brought up?its in amalgam illness. here is a preview link
Posted by Garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 19:47:42
In reply to Diagnose me (please) - recommendations?, posted by garnet71 on February 2, 2009, at 1:29:57
Someone had suggested I may have ADD with comorbid depression. I think they may be correct. The only problem with this diagnosis, however, is the inclusive factor of chilhood symptoms in the ADD diagnoses spectrum. I had checked on this a few weeks ago. But-the other night while I was trying to do abstract math, I realized that in dropping out of highschool and f*$#ing up since 7th grade, I never got to the higher math courses that would allow me to observe such symptoms. I do remember being bored all the time. Sort of doesn't fit with someone who is interested in everything. I've always been an extremely contextual thinker -one thought leads to 60 million - so that when abstract things are presented, I can't really deal with them and process the black and white information.
My son has been diagnosed with ADHD - but his symptoms are different. He is very clumsy, forgetful, gets hurt all the time by accident. He bought a dirt bike last year - and I was scared to death he would get severely injured. He is very impulsive and doesn't think before he does things. He also can't concentrate, has some other issues..but was always very hyper. I never had the H in ADHD, although I can be quite impulsive.
I'll talk to the PDoc about it. Maybe I will again take Zoloft (helps my anxiety) but only if they prescribe me Adderall or Ritalin in conjunction with the antianxiety med. Or maybe Buspar with a stimulant? HOw to talk about this with PDoc w/o being accused of being a 'drug seeker'??
I can't do this anymore. It took me all day to write one page of research and read 4 pages in a textbook. I have fallen so far behind, if I don't get my act together w/in the next 3 or 4 days, I will fail the whole semester.
I'm sitting here again trying to do the paper. THe distractions are too strong. I am stunned at the time that has gone by - and I have barely anything to show for it.
Posted by Garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 19:51:23
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations?, posted by toduar on February 3, 2009, at 19:02:48
Thanks for the links! I still don't know what that stuff is - except that is a supplement in a bottle. Wiki has good answers. I will go there.
Posted by Phillipa on February 3, 2009, at 20:14:18
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » toduar, posted by Garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 19:51:23
Garnet affects hormones. When saw my endo requested adrenal test as Mother had Addison's disease. Just three blood draws. Accurate is 24 hour saliva test as the levels vary throughout the day. I thought You had been exposed to toxins in the war zone? But agree good pdocs at the VA hospitals the large ones as seldom speaks of. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on February 3, 2009, at 20:14:19
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » SLS, posted by garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 19:01:14
Hi Garnet.
I have to agree that narcissists are infuriated to see in another individual what they can't have for themselves.
I'm not so sure about the introvert/extrovert dichotomy. I think a narcissist can covet equally what he sees in an extrovert or an introvert. Extroverts can't have a strong self identity, values, convictions, etc?
I am not sure what I am. I don't know whether I am an introspective extrovert or a gregarious introvert interested in interacting with all aspects of my environment. Either way, I am extremely happy.
Anyway, narcissists are no more responsible for their condition than I am for being bipolar.
- Scott
Posted by Garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 20:26:28
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » garnet71, posted by SLS on February 3, 2009, at 20:14:19
> I'm not so sure about the introvert/extrovert dichotomy. I think a narcissist can covet equally what he sees in an extrovert or an introvert. Extroverts can't have a strong self identity, values, convictions, etc?
I agree in not falling into the black and white trap; but most extroverts (imo) are not narcissists, while all narcissists are extroverts. I did not articulate that as well as I could have.
> Anyway, narcissists are no more responsible for their condition than I am for being bipolar.I disagree. Narcissism is not a mental illness, imo; I don't care what the DSM says.
Narcissists know right from wrong. They know how to NOT hurt an individual when they are pursuing you and priming you for months on end. They can control THAT. Once they 'got you' - they then make a conscious decision to hurt and abuse you; to break you down.
Posted by SLS on February 3, 2009, at 20:35:36
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » SLS, posted by Garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 20:26:28
> > Anyway, narcissists are no more responsible for their condition than I am for being bipolar.
> I disagree. Narcissism is not a mental illness, imo; I don't care what the DSM says.I wasn't coming from a position of trying to structure narcissism around a DSM diagnosis, although it seems to be accurate as a descriptive text. I guess it is more of a spiritual idealism that allows me to forgive most people their humanity.
- Scott
Posted by garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 20:44:05
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » Garnet71, posted by SLS on February 3, 2009, at 20:35:36
> I wasn't coming from a position of trying to structure narcissism around a DSM diagnosis, although it seems to be accurate as a descriptive text. I guess it is more of a spiritual idealism that allows me to forgive most people their humanity.
> - Scott------------------
It's not a matter of being unforgiving. I think 1/2 the people in our prisons don't belong there; many are victims of society. Narcissists aren't all victims of bad childhood - some are born that way and have loving, normal parents who had raised health siblings. Some have developed that behavior out of pure self-centeredness.I've spent my whole life excusing and forgiving people who have mistreated and abused me. I have no reason to be a narcissist apologist.
You are entitled to your opinion, so I can respect what you have to say. On the other hand, maybe you had never experienced soul rape before.
Posted by garnet71 on February 3, 2009, at 20:49:14
In reply to Re: Diagnose me (please) - recommendations? » Garnet71, posted by SLS on February 3, 2009, at 20:35:36
I wasn't coming from a position of trying to structure narcissism around a DSM diagnosis, although it seems to be accurate as a descriptive text.
- Scott--------------
Just curious as to how you have come to view the DSM diagnosis to be an accurate description of the characterists of a narcissist. Have you known one intimately?- Garnet
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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