Q. For self-injury/eating disorders/manic depression... Thoughts?
A. Dear Tami,
Find a possible community or an online group of "peers' - others who have "been there," in terms of their sharing your experience with the problem. Make sure that the group is welcoming, accepting, supportive, and positive. In other words, do you feel that the group is "for you"?
Unfortunately there's no major national community support group for persons who SELF-INJURY. So, you'll need to check out the online groups. One that appears to have good qualities is...
"Secret Shame: Self Injury Information & Support"
Scroll down to bottom of homepage to see links to their message board, separate e-mail lists for self-injurers, their family and friends, and for IRC chats (Note: "bus" stands for "bodies under siege"). They have extensive information resource on self-injury and self-abuse. Resources for how to recovery from self-abuse, to include resources for families members or friends of abusers. Ask your questions, and be sure to join in helping others there too.
One for those who use a 12-step program for their recovery...
Self-Mutilators Anonymous (SMA)
http://www.selfmutilatorsanonymous.webs.com
A fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strength and hope with each other, that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from physical self mutilation. Information resources. Online chat group meetings available a few nights a week.
For EATING DISORDERS, there are a couple of national support group organizations to check out and see if they have any local support group anywhere near you...
"National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders"
http://www.anad.org/get-help/support-groups/
Has over 125+ free ANAD support groups, an online Discussion forum and will assists individuals in the formation of new self-help support groups in your area if there isn't one and you're interested in joining with others to start one. They also have a telephone helpline - 630-577-1330 - for those affected by eating disorders, and they can provide referrals to local therapists and treatment centers that specialize in eating disorders.
"Eating Disorders Anonymous"
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org
A 12-step fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover from their eating disorders. Offers local support group referrals online. Has chatroom and phone support.
Focuses on the solution, not the problem. Endorses sound nutrition.
Something Fishy â "Remember It Hurts Bulletin Boards"
http://www.something-fishy.org/online/bulletinboard.php
Support for those in recovery from anorexia, bulimia, overeating and binge-eating. Also offers chat capabilities, and a variety of other information and resources.
In terms of MANIC-DEPRESSION, your very best bet for both community and online groups, is...
"The national Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance" (DBSA)
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=support_findsupportlanding
Mutual support and information for persons with depression and bipolar disorder, and their families through their many community support groups across the country, and their online and phone mutual support networks. Their website has plenty of other resorces and information.
I hope a few of these may be helpful to you in your recoverying from these disorders and getting your life back.
It a great time, with this new year, to get your life back. Best to in your effort.
Take good gentle care, - Ed
Find a possible community or an online group of "peers' - others who have "been there," in terms of their sharing your experience with the problem. Make sure that the group is welcoming, accepting, supportive, and positive. In other words, do you feel that the group is "for you"?
Unfortunately there's no major national community support group for persons who SELF-INJURY. So, you'll need to check out the online groups. One that appears to have good qualities is...
"Secret Shame: Self Injury Information & Support"
Scroll down to bottom of homepage to see links to their message board, separate e-mail lists for self-injurers, their family and friends, and for IRC chats (Note: "bus" stands for "bodies under siege"). They have extensive information resource on self-injury and self-abuse. Resources for how to recovery from self-abuse, to include resources for families members or friends of abusers. Ask your questions, and be sure to join in helping others there too.
One for those who use a 12-step program for their recovery...
Self-Mutilators Anonymous (SMA)
http://www.selfmutilatorsanonymous.webs.com
A fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strength and hope with each other, that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from physical self mutilation. Information resources. Online chat group meetings available a few nights a week.
For EATING DISORDERS, there are a couple of national support group organizations to check out and see if they have any local support group anywhere near you...
"National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders"
http://www.anad.org/get-help/support-groups/
Has over 125+ free ANAD support groups, an online Discussion forum and will assists individuals in the formation of new self-help support groups in your area if there isn't one and you're interested in joining with others to start one. They also have a telephone helpline - 630-577-1330 - for those affected by eating disorders, and they can provide referrals to local therapists and treatment centers that specialize in eating disorders.
"Eating Disorders Anonymous"
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org
A 12-step fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover from their eating disorders. Offers local support group referrals online. Has chatroom and phone support.
Focuses on the solution, not the problem. Endorses sound nutrition.
Something Fishy â "Remember It Hurts Bulletin Boards"
http://www.something-fishy.org/online/bulletinboard.php
Support for those in recovery from anorexia, bulimia, overeating and binge-eating. Also offers chat capabilities, and a variety of other information and resources.
In terms of MANIC-DEPRESSION, your very best bet for both community and online groups, is...
"The national Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance" (DBSA)
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=support_findsupportlanding
Mutual support and information for persons with depression and bipolar disorder, and their families through their many community support groups across the country, and their online and phone mutual support networks. Their website has plenty of other resorces and information.
I hope a few of these may be helpful to you in your recoverying from these disorders and getting your life back.
It a great time, with this new year, to get your life back. Best to in your effort.
Take good gentle care, - Ed
What do anorexics live on to ya know, stay alive?
Q. Someone told me that not eating could make you fat or something. So if anorexics don't eat how are they so skinny? I don't get it
A. People with anorexia do eat sometimes. They just go for as long as they can without eating or some eat very tiny portions each day. But it depends on the individual. Some of them starve themselves, then they binge. Some of them also have bulimia.
The thing about fat depends on a persons metabolism. If a "normal" person doesn't eat, their metabolism will slow down and try to store fat, so when they get around to eating a meal, their system is trying to protect itself from famine. Its en evolutionary trait.
A person with anorexia doesn't really have proper meals often so their body need to consume its own fat to survive. So its different than just skipping a meal occasionally and your body storing fat. Their body is running out of resources and consumes fat.
The thing about fat depends on a persons metabolism. If a "normal" person doesn't eat, their metabolism will slow down and try to store fat, so when they get around to eating a meal, their system is trying to protect itself from famine. Its en evolutionary trait.
A person with anorexia doesn't really have proper meals often so their body need to consume its own fat to survive. So its different than just skipping a meal occasionally and your body storing fat. Their body is running out of resources and consumes fat.
What exactly is borderline personality disorder?
Q. What is usually the outcome for a male that suffers from it? Think my boyfriend may have that and he is seeing a shrink.
I may have to leave him, cause he is so nasty violent and abusive, is there hope?
I may have to leave him, cause he is so nasty violent and abusive, is there hope?
A. I am taking this as it is in the DSM IV-TR. I am including a cautionary statement that is at the beginning of the Axis II section (Axis II is for personality disorders)
The specified diagnostic criteria for each mental disorder are offered as guidelines for making diagnoses, because it has been demonstrated that the use of such criteria enhances agreement among clinicians and investigators. The proper use of these criteria requires specialized clinical training that provides both a body of knowledge and clinical skills.
These diagnostic criteria and the DSM-IV Classification of mental disorders reflect a consensus of current formulations of evolving knowledge in our field. They do not encompass, however, all the conditions for which people may be treated or that may be appropriate topics for research efforts.
The purpose of DSM-IV is to provide clear descriptions of diagnostic categories in order to enable clinicians and investigators to diagnose, communicate about, study, and treat people with various mental disorders.
pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
(1) frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.
(2) a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation
(3) identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self
(4) impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, Substance Abuse, reckless driving, binge eating).
Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.
(5) recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior
(6) affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days)
(7) chronic feelings of emptiness
(8) inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights)
(9) transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms
The outcomes, male or female, depends on the person and if they are willing to work on their issues.
Many times males are "labeled" or diagnosed with anti-social disorder instead of BPD.
There are many websites on BPD if that is what your boyfriend is diagnosed with.
Some include -
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder.shtml this is by the national institute of mental health
www.bpdresourcecenter.org/what.htm a good resource for just the facts
www.mayoclinic.com/health/borderline-personality-disorder/DS00442 the mayo clinic is an excellent source for all health related topics
www.BorderlinePersonalityDisorder.us this gives alot of information about how you can cope with knowing someone with BPD
www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-pe05.html give you more info on BPD and what it is like to be around someone with it
www.bpdworld.org/ gives you a chance to look at what people with BPD feel and say about having BPD
www.bpddemystified.com/ gives you some insight to what BPD is
I could keep going on with the website, you can do a web search for BPD and find these plus many more. Be careful what you look at because not everything on the web is true, factual, or even reasonable.
The specified diagnostic criteria for each mental disorder are offered as guidelines for making diagnoses, because it has been demonstrated that the use of such criteria enhances agreement among clinicians and investigators. The proper use of these criteria requires specialized clinical training that provides both a body of knowledge and clinical skills.
These diagnostic criteria and the DSM-IV Classification of mental disorders reflect a consensus of current formulations of evolving knowledge in our field. They do not encompass, however, all the conditions for which people may be treated or that may be appropriate topics for research efforts.
The purpose of DSM-IV is to provide clear descriptions of diagnostic categories in order to enable clinicians and investigators to diagnose, communicate about, study, and treat people with various mental disorders.
pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
(1) frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.
(2) a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation
(3) identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self
(4) impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, Substance Abuse, reckless driving, binge eating).
Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.
(5) recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior
(6) affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days)
(7) chronic feelings of emptiness
(8) inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights)
(9) transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms
The outcomes, male or female, depends on the person and if they are willing to work on their issues.
Many times males are "labeled" or diagnosed with anti-social disorder instead of BPD.
There are many websites on BPD if that is what your boyfriend is diagnosed with.
Some include -
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder.shtml this is by the national institute of mental health
www.bpdresourcecenter.org/what.htm a good resource for just the facts
www.mayoclinic.com/health/borderline-personality-disorder/DS00442 the mayo clinic is an excellent source for all health related topics
www.BorderlinePersonalityDisorder.us this gives alot of information about how you can cope with knowing someone with BPD
www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-pe05.html give you more info on BPD and what it is like to be around someone with it
www.bpdworld.org/ gives you a chance to look at what people with BPD feel and say about having BPD
www.bpddemystified.com/ gives you some insight to what BPD is
I could keep going on with the website, you can do a web search for BPD and find these plus many more. Be careful what you look at because not everything on the web is true, factual, or even reasonable.
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