NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.aol.com/health/article/study-finds-disorders-in-young-adults/264439

CHICAGO (Dec. 2) - Almost one in five young American adults has a personality disorder that interferes with everyday life, and even more abuse alcohol or drugs, researchers reported Monday in the most extensive study of its kind.
The disorders include problems such as obsessive or compulsive tendencies and anti-social behavior that can sometimes lead to violence. The study also found that fewer than 25 percent of college-aged Americans with mental problems get treatment.
One expert said personality disorders may be overdiagnosed. But others said the results were not surprising since previous, less rigorous evidence has suggested mental problems are common on college campuses and elsewhere.
Experts praised the study's scope — face-to-face interviews about numerous disorders with more than 5,000 young people ages 19 to 25 — and said it spotlights a problem college administrators need to address.
Study co-author Dr. Mark Olfson of Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute called the widespread lack of treatment particularly worrisome. He said it should alert not only "students and parents, but also deans and people who run college mental health services about the need to extend access to treatment."
Counting substance abuse, the study found that nearly half of young people surveyed have some sort of psychiatric condition, including students and non-students.
Personality disorders were the second most common problem behind drug or alcohol abuse as a single category. The disorders include obsessive, anti-social and paranoid behaviors that are not mere quirks but actually interfere with ordinary functioning.
The study authors noted that recent tragedies such as fatal shootings at Northern Illinois University and Virginia Tech have raised awareness about the prevalence of mental illness on college campuses.
They also suggest that this age group might be particularly vulnerable.

Comment on this.

"Everything is now a syndrome syndrome strikes again!"

"Everything is now a syndrome syndrome strikes again!"

Hehehe.

On a serious note, I suffer from a mild case of OCD and from social anxiety. They say crazy people are geniuses.

Once again, someone paid some assclowns to discover the obvious.

Hehehe.

On a serious note, I suffer from a mild case of OCD and from social anxiety. They say crazy people are geniuses.
*sigh*

"I'm a bit shy and like to be organised" - aye, huge problem there. I'm an untidy extrovert, does that make me some kind of sociopath too?

Once again, someone paid some assclowns to discover the obvious.

*sighs*

*sigh*

"I'm a bit shy and like to be organised" - aye, huge problem there. I'm an untidy extrovert, does that make me some kind of sociopath too?

Yes, it does. :D

they included alcoholism in there. and well this is college. plenty of reason to drink.

I think they underestimate the term 'interferes' in this context.

19 to 25, eh?

they included alcoholism in there. and well this is college. plenty of reason to drink.

Spiced wine especially, am I right?:D

Hehehe.

On a serious note, I suffer from a mild case of OCD and from social anxiety. They say crazy people are geniuses.

I have a minor hyperactivity problem, and i'm a little OCD too. But like ya said, the smart are crazy... :p

"Everything is now a syndrome syndrome strikes again!"

Not sure if you are serious with this comment or not, but, to be quite honest, I am starting to think this myself.

Once again, someone paid some assclowns to discover the obvious.The cases when "common sense" gets disproven justify spending money on stuff like that.

Not sure if you are serious with this comment or not, but, to be quite honest, I am starting to think this myself.
I'm incredibly serious about this.

"Counting substance abuse, the study found that nearly half of young people surveyed have some sort of psychiatric condition, including students and non-students."

Half of all young people don't drink or smoke at least tobacco? Christ.

Last time I tried to write a paper on my home comp, I ended up looking at wikipedia for hours trying to see if there was a way to combined rabies and flu virus to create a zombie epidemic (this paper was on Duns Scotus). Does this mean I have ADD? No, it means I'm fairly lazy and our current level of technology provides an absurd amount of distractions.

Spiced wine especially, am I right?:D

spiced wine is jsut for when i am cold and feel like something differnt. Chimay blue label. Or Saint Arnold's Xmas ale (taste very similar to blue label actually and is locally made.)

Last time I tried to write a paper on my home comp, I ended up looking at wikipedia for hours trying to see if there was a way to combined rabies and flu virus to create a zombie epidemic (this paper was on Duns Scotus). Does this mean I have ADD? No, it means I'm fairly lazy and our current level of technology provides an absurd amount of distractions.
Ah evil scientists of the future :D

I mean, 'interferes with everyday life'? Abusing alcohol -is- everyday life for some of them.

Last time I tried to write a paper on my home comp, I ended up looking at wikipedia for hours trying to see if there was a way to combined rabies and flu virus to create a zombie epidemic (this paper was on Duns Scotus). Does this mean I have ADD? No, it means I'm fairly lazy and our current level of technology provides an absurd amount of distractions.

I call that procrastinating, not ADD. Besides, as much as I enjoy philosophy, Duns Scotus is über boring.

Ah evil scientists of the future :D

Pfft, I certainly wish. Every day I regret that I didn't go into a hard science; so much more interesting results and applications than what will likely turn out to be a career in law or business. =\

I call that procrastinating, not ADD. Besides, as much as I enjoy philosophy, Duns Scotus is über boring.

God, completely agreed. Nothing makes me want to slit my wrists and drown in my own pool of blood more than Medieval Philosophy.

http://news.aol.com/health/article/study-finds-disorders-in-young-adults/264439



Comment on this.


Based on my personal experiences, I believe older people's psychopathologic state is worse.

It's just that these things are easier to talk about now and some disorders are quite mild and has nothing to do w/ getting locked up in a mental institution which gives u electric shocks....

God, completely agreed. Nothing makes me want to slit my wrists and drown in my own pool of blood more than Medieval Philosophy.

I did enjoy St. Agustine of Hiponna.

I did enjoy St. Agustine of Hiponna.

Eh, personally I find Abelard to be the most tolerable; not because I find his works especially interesting, but because his life was very...odd. I'm actually hoping that before I finish up school here in a bit, I'll be able to take a class that goes over Spinoza but he's too late for Medieval and too early for Modern so no professor at my freaking university covers him.

Eh, personally I find Abelard to be the most tolerable; not because I find his works especially interesting, but because his life was very...odd. I'm actually hoping that before I finish up school here in a bit, I'll be able to take a class that goes over Spinoza but he's too late for Medieval and too early for Modern so no professor at my freaking university covers him.

Benedict Spinoza (Baruch Spinoza)?

Just another way to shirk personal responsibility-"It's not their fault they're losers-it's a condition!"

*sigh*

"I'm a bit shy and like to be organised" - aye, huge problem there. I'm an untidy extrovert, does that make me some kind of sociopath too?

yeah social anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder are little more than cute quirks. Nevermind that they are serious illnesses and can and often are debilitating.

After all, cancer is just a few wild cells. What's the big deal?

yeah social anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder are little more than cute quirks. Nevermind that they are serious illnesses and can and often are debilitating.

After all, cancer is just a few wild cells. What's the big deal?

In the article in the OP, it is pointed out that most successful people are obsessive, and that it contributes to their success.

Obviously, it's not debilitating in most situations. Everything is a matter of degree.

http://news.aol.com/health/article/study-finds-disorders-in-young-adults/264439



Comment on this.

Thank you for this interesting article. Food for thought.

Unfortunately, as with any discussion related to mental conditions on these forums, this thread will be largely an exercise in ignorance, prejudice, arm-chair psychology, and general assholery. :(

Thank you for this interesting article. Food for thought.

Unfortunately, as with any discussion related to mental conditions on these forums, this thread will be largely an exercise in ignorance, prejudice, arm-chair psychology, and general assholery. :(

Yes, I'm starting to see that now.:(

Yes, I'm starting to see that now.:(

It got to some of us, Neko-Chan, it got to some of us. :)

In the article in the OP, it is pointed out that most successful people are obsessive, and that it contributes to their success.

Obviously, it's not debilitating in most situations. Everything is a matter of degree.

Actually, the article recognized the differences among being "obsessive," obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000942.htm), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml):

All good students have a touch of "obsessional" personality that helps them work hard to achieve. But that's different from an obsessional disorder that makes people inflexible and controlling and interferes with their lives, he explained.

Obsessive compulsive personality disorder differs from the better known OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, which features repetitive actions such as hand-washing to avoid germs.

Actually, the article recognized the differences among being "obsessive," obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000942.htm), and obsessive-compulsive dis (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml)order:

All good students have a touch of "obsessional" personality that helps them work hard to achieve. But that's different from an obsessional disorder that makes people inflexible and controlling and interferes with their lives, he explained.

Obsessive compulsive personality disorder differs from the better known OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, which features repetitive actions such as hand-washing to avoid germs.

And who here has an official diagnosis by a doctor that they are OCD?

Saying you've got OCD is not the same as having the actual diagnosis.

And this is the Internet, which I repeat, is not the place to come for medical help. Ever.

Benedict Spinoza (Baruch Spinoza)?

Yup, I nabbed his "Ethics" from the local public library a while ago but never got around to it because I got distracted by some books on Khaldun and had to return it before my card expired. =\

It seemed to me that at the cusp of the Modern era of philosophy, Spinoza is referenced a good deal and is extremely influential in laying the foundations of many Enlightenment ideals. Rather than ever study this important figure, I get to read about fucking universals...I think, when I die and end up in Hell, I'm going to be stuck in a Purdue classroom surrounded by the local children (buncha fucking racist shoplifters, they are) while being forced to read Republic and write papers about Medieval beliefs as regards Univerals and this will last for all eternity.

And who here has an official diagnosis by a doctor that they are OCD?

Saying you've got OCD is not the same as having the actual diagnosis.

And this is the Internet, which I repeat, is not the place to come for medical help. Ever.

I have an official diagnosis of OCD.

I don't the basis of Nanatsu no Tsuki saying she has OCD, but I see no reason to doubt her. Just because some people have been known to lie or exagerrate on the internet, doesn't mean everyone does.

And I don't see how admitting you have a problem on the internet and getting advice that you should see a doctor is a bad thing. I agree, however, that most other advice should be ignored.

EDIT: I got a bit mixed-up between two thread in which we were having a similar disagreement. Who asked for medical help in this thread?

I have an official diagnosis of OCD.

I don't the basis of Nanatsu no Tsuki saying she has OCD, but I see no reason to doubt her. Just because some people have been known to lie or exagerrate on the internet, doesn't mean everyone does.

And I don't see how admitting you have a problem on the internet and getting advice that you should see a doctor is a bad thing. I agree, however, that most other advice should be ignored.

I have a psychiatric evaluation and diagnose on the OCD and on my social phobia condition.

yeah social anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder are little more than cute quirks. Nevermind that they are serious illnesses and can and often are debilitating.

After all, cancer is just a few wild cells. What's the big deal?

I believe the point being made was "I highly doubt you actually have a serious and debilitating illness".

I believe the point being made was "I highly doubt you actually have a serious and debilitating illness".

Why?

These forums often seem to presume that any mental illness is just attention-seeking, being emo, quirky, etc. The truth is mental illnesses are just as serious and variable as "physical" illnesses.

I believe the point being made was "I highly doubt you actually have a serious and debilitating illness".What other reason would people use to spend hours on the internet then?

I have ADD. And, it's affecting my life. I had to change school, use Ritalin and many think I'm stupid and nuts. Although, crazy but not stupid. And, in a few months I'm gonna restart Ritalin.

Hehehe.

On a serious note, I suffer from a mild case of OCD and from social anxiety. They say crazy people are geniuses.

Again --- everything is a disorder now

mild OCD means you alphabetized & colour coded your books cd's ... well anything alphabetizable and colour-codeable.

social anxiety -- you can't get a date, you blurt out rude comments without thinking & alienate your friends

... being cool is not a disease dude.

hey i think i have social anxiety

hey i think i have social anxiety
A wee bit shy, then?

Pfft, I certainly wish. Every day I regret that I didn't go into a hard science; so much more interesting results and applications than what will likely turn out to be a career in law or business. =\

Wow, from my experience I thought it was the other way around!

I have ADD. And, it's affecting my life. I had to change school, use Ritalin and many think I'm stupid and nuts. Although, crazy but not stupid. And, in a few months I'm gonna restart Ritalin.

I found ritalin pretty dire (I was misdiagnosed with ADHD when I was younger). It disrupted my sleeping patterns to the point where I'd not sleep for four days then crash for two.

Again --- everything is a disorder now

mild OCD means you alphabetized & colour coded your books cd's ... well anything alphabetizable and colour-codeable.

social anxiety -- you can't get a date, you blurt out rude comments without thinking & alienate your friends

... being cool is not a disease dude.

Being flippant and ignorant about disease is neither cool nor intelligent.

Yup, I nabbed his "Ethics" from the local public library a while ago but never got around to it because I got distracted by some books on Khaldun and had to return it before my card expired. =\

It seemed to me that at the cusp of the Modern era of philosophy, Spinoza is referenced a good deal and is extremely influential in laying the foundations of many Enlightenment ideals. Rather than ever study this important figure, I get to read about fucking universals...I think, when I die and end up in Hell, I'm going to be stuck in a Purdue classroom surrounded by the local children (buncha fucking racist shoplifters, they are) while being forced to read Republic and write papers about Medieval beliefs as regards Univerals and this will last for all eternity.

Wow your vision of hell is quite frightening.

Hehehe.

On a serious note, I suffer from a mild case of OCD and from social anxiety. They say crazy people are geniuses.

I don't think there is a such thing as "mild" OCD, the very existence of diagnosable OCD means it's not mild at all.

I don't think there is a such thing as "mild" OCD, the very existence of diagnosable OCD means it's not mild at all.

"Mild" is simply a label that means the opposite of "extreme". You could have mild OCD that affects your life and is noticable, but in comparision to a more severe case is nothing.

A wee bit shy, then?

yes a little i'm scared of girls

"Mild" is simply a label that means the opposite of "extreme". You could have mild OCD that affects your life and is noticable, but in comparision to a more severe case is nothing.
Interesting. I suppose I have that "extreme" form where it ruins my life more often than not, not the nice cute "mild" form where I have a label maker.

I do have a social anxiety, but i'm getting over it with help. From awesome people. :)

I don't think there is a such thing as "mild" OCD, the very existence of diagnosable OCD means it's not mild at all.Depends. I have urges to walk in a certain manner that makes a pattern, among other things. I can resist it, but it's there, and I usually comply since it doesn't inhibit me terribly. Overall, these conditions will vary in how extreme they are; a diagnosable form of OCD will usually be bad enough for it to be debilitating, but that doesn't mean the milder cases aren't really the same thing on a lower level. Stuff like that usually doesn't play nice with the human desire to neatly categorize things, and the clear-cut line between normal and disorder is hard to find, if it really exists.

Again --- everything is a disorder now

mild OCD means you alphabetized & colour coded your books cd's ... well anything alphabetizable and colour-codeable.

social anxiety -- you can't get a date, you blurt out rude comments without thinking & alienate your friends

... being cool is not a disease dude.

Let me see, OCD. I count the lines on the floor outloud when I walk down the street, I organaize my house to death, I organize my closet according to shirst, pants and then skirts, I can't see cracks on the floor and step on them, and my books and papers have to be straight on the drawers or I have a fit.

As for my social phobia, without medication, I'm unable to perform my duties at work. People make me want to vomit, their proximity makes me gag. I don't post these things to seek attention. I don't need that from a forum full of people I may never cross paths with.

I did identify with the article.

Interesting. I suppose I have that "extreme" form where it ruins my life more often than not, not the nice cute "mild" form where I have a label maker.

Not to seem like I'm defending their diagnosis, but you're being stupid. You're arguing from semantics. OCD is OCD, and like most disorders it runs on a spectrum from mildly debilitating to crippling. Just because you claim to have the crippling kind does not exclude the existence of a lesser form.

Let me see, OCD. I count the lines on the floor outloud when I walk down the street, I organaize my house to death, I organize my closet according to shirst, pants and then skirts, I can't see cracks on the floor and step on them, and my books and papers have to be straight on the drawers or I have a fit.

As for my social phobia, without medication, I'm unable to perform my duties at work. People make me want to vomit, their proximity makes me gag. I don't post these things to seek attention. I don't need that from a forum full of people I may never cross paths with.

I did identify with the article.

We all have flaws. You're still awesome. And a good friend. :)

Why?

These forums often seem to presume that any mental illness is just attention-seeking, being emo, quirky, etc. The truth is mental illnesses are just as serious and variable as "physical" illnesses.

Of course they are, but it's also the case that many people with too much acces to the internet see symptoms of those diseases and use them like personality tests. "a little bit OCD, kinda have Aspergers, totally ADD".

I think the study did use a broad brush to find more people that there really is, especially conting drug-use and alcohol-abuse as a disorder. We all know what college was like. A time to experiment and of excesses. As such, I'd take this study with a grain of salt.

It is not unheard of that adolescent have anti-social behaviour that continue in their 20s. So I think the study is flawed in that respect too.

That being said, the amount of untreated disorder is still significant so we should really do further resaerch on why that is and what to do about it. This study has at least shown us that.

Of course they are, but it's also the case that many people with too much acces to the internet see symptoms of those diseases and use them like personality tests. "a little bit OCD, kinda have Aspergers, totally ADD".

I frequently see this claim made -- that those of us on the internet that claim to have mental illnesses are merely self-misdiagnosing -- but I've never seen any real evidence to back it up.

Do you have any such evidence or do you simply think being cynical about mental illness is cool?

Depends. I have urges to walk in a certain manner that makes a pattern, among other things. I can resist it, but it's there, and I usually comply since it doesn't inhibit me terribly. Overall, these conditions will vary in how extreme they are; a diagnosable form of OCD will usually be bad enough for it to be debilitating, but that doesn't mean the milder cases aren't really the same thing on a lower level. Stuff like that usually doesn't play nice with the human desire to neatly categorize things, and the clear-cut line between normal and disorder is hard to find, if it really exists.
"wanting to do quirky things, but being able not to do them" isn't OCD behavior.
Let me see, OCD. I count the lines on the floor outloud when I walk down the street, I organaize my house to death, I organize my closet according to shirst, pants and then skirts, I can't see cracks on the floor and step on them, and my books and papers have to be straight on the drawers or I have a fit.
Interesting.

I frequently see this claim made -- that those of us on the internet that claim to have mental illnesses are merely self-misdiagnosing -- but I've never seen any real evidence to back it up.

Do you have any such evidence or do you simply think being cynical about mental illness is cool?

Just because I don't believe most of what I read in Internet forums doesn't mean I'm cynical. It means I have a modicum of common sense.

I found ritalin pretty dire (I was misdiagnosed with ADHD when I was younger). It disrupted my sleeping patterns to the point where I'd not sleep for four days then crash for two.

I had no side effects from it. And, I was generally OK with taking it.

Just because I don't believe most of what I read in Internet forums doesn't mean I'm cynical. It means I have a modicum of common sense.

Because people have an incentive to lie about being mentally ill, the way some people might falsely claim to be a lawyer?

Being flippant and ignorant about disease is neither cool nor intelligent.

Ok fine.

I have a friend with rather serious OCD, he's also Manic Depressive & always going to Psychiatrists. But in his case I think he actually likes it -- being crazy makes him different. I really don't think he's any crazier than I am though, he just likes to wear that label. It's a handy excuse for his strange behavior. Not fitting in is his way of fitting into society.

I'm always telling him that he's not sick. I secretly re-arrange his various CD, video-game, Poptart collections, etc. He usually flips out... a little bit of mary-jane usually cools him down though. Besides if I didn't do it what would he do from 2am to 6am every night???

Yeah, maybe OCD is a valid diagnosis but my friend is definitely cool and I don't think any of the various meds aside from the all-natural kind have helped so why call it a disease. Why must everyone label every form of odd behavior as a syndrome or a disease!!!???

I had no side effects from it. And, I was generally OK with taking it.

I'd consider it likely that the side effects I experienced were caused by the fact that I don't actually have ADHD.

I'd consider it likely that the side effects I experienced were caused by the fact that I don't actually have ADHD.

It could also be that Ritalin is related quite closely to methamphetamine...that stuff, like so many other modern psychiatric drugs, is downright terrible for you. It comes from the fact that nobody yet has any fucking clue just how these disorders work, so they treat specific parts of the problem that are likely not the correct or complete cause, leading to all the bad side-effects of these drugs.

Because people have an incentive to lie about being mentally ill, the way some people might falsely claim to be a lawyer?

The first seems to happen much, much more often, neh?

Wow, from my experience I thought it was the other way around!

Grass is always greener and all that, perhaps.

In regards to the actual topic at hand, I was under the impression that the human mind exists along an "obsessive" spectrum, hell it's one of the reasons we can focus on a single task without immediate result, but actual OCD, rather than the personality disorder, occurs when an unfortunate soul is too far up the compulsive side of the spectrum so that would mean that, yes, as regards those within this range, OCD can be mild or extreme, but, to the outside observer, it is always extreme, for all intents and purposes.

I frequently see this claim made -- that those of us on the internet that claim to have mental illnesses are merely self-misdiagnosing -- but I've never seen any real evidence to back it up.

Do you have any such evidence or do you simply think being cynical about mental illness is cool?

You're extending things a bit. You say 'those of us'. As though everyone single one of you is subjected. Have I expressed doubts about your illness? Has anyone in this thread? Do you honestly deny that there are those that -do- misdiagnose themselves?

It could also be that Ritalin is related quite closely to methamphetamine...

I've read that it isn't related to methamphetamine.

I'd consider it likely that the side effects I experienced were caused by the fact that I don't actually have ADHD.

Side effects include amoungst other things difficulty sleeping.

"wanting to do quirky things, but being able not to do them" isn't OCD behavior.
If the OCD label is correct. It may be the same thing, just to different degrees.

Because people have an incentive to lie about being mentally ill, the way some people might falsely claim to be a lawyer?

I wouldn't call it a lie as much as a misunderstanding. Some people don't comprehend the severity of those symptoms, and 'having' these illnesses and definition, or uniqueness to a person.

Ok fine.

I have a friend with rather serious OCD, he's also Manic Depressive & always going to Psychiatrists. But in his case I think he actually likes it -- being crazy makes him different. I really don't think he's any crazier than I am though, he just likes to wear that label. It's a handy excuse for his strange behavior. Not fitting in is his way of fitting into society.

I'm always telling him that he's not sick. I secretly re-arrange his various CD, video-game, Poptart collections, etc. He usually flips out... a little bit of mary-jane usually cools him down though. Besides if I didn't do it what would he do from 2am to 6am every night???

Yeah, maybe OCD is a valid diagnosis but my friend is definitely cool and I don't think any of the various meds aside from the all-natural kind have helped so why call it a disease. Why must everyone label every form of odd behavior as a syndrome or a disease!!!???

OCD is an illness, and as far as I can read here on the thread, no one has called the condition a disease. Please.

I've read that it isn't related to methamphetamine.

I believe it's chemically closer to methamphetamine but functionally similar to cocaine. Its functioning is similar to any stimulant when you get down to it.

It is a controlled substance, after all, and can be quite addictive if used improperly. That is of course a big reason why treatment with Ritalin shouldn't be started too early; it's something that needs to be diagnosed at a later age than childhood or else you're going to end up with serious negative side effects. Problem is, the lack of objective understanding of the syndrome has led a few too many parents to get their kids Ritalin as a way of keeping them docile when in fact that does nothing but cause significant damage and damage the reputation of child psychiatry as a drug farm that does little but push them on children through inattentive parents.

It could also be that Ritalin is related quite closely to methamphetamine...

LOL what?

meth is this:
http://www.totse.com/en/drugs/speedy_drugs/speed1.html

ritalin is this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritalin

As I understand it both are stimulants and can make you concentrate but meth is an amphetamine and as far as I know ritalin is not.

Side effects include amoungst other things difficulty sleeping.

I live my life with many symptoms common to ADHD and I'd take my recklessness and impulsivity any day over being awake for four days.

I believe it's chemically closer to methamphetamine but functionally similar to cocaine. Its functioning is similar to any stimulant when you get down to it.

It is a controlled substance, after all, and can be quite addictive if used improperly. That is of course a big reason why treatment with Ritalin shouldn't be started too early; it's something that needs to be diagnosed at a later age than childhood or else you're going to end up with serious negative side effects. Problem is, the lack of objective understanding of the syndrome has led a few too many parents to get their kids Ritalin as a way of keeping them docile when in fact that does nothing but cause significant damage and damage the reputation of child psychiatry as a drug farm that does little but push them on children through inattentive parents.

Thank you, you put it better than I.

Last time I tried to write a paper on my home comp, I ended up looking at wikipedia for hours trying to see if there was a way to combined rabies and flu virus to create a zombie epidemic (this paper was on Duns Scotus). Does this mean I have ADD? No, it means I'm fairly lazy and our current level of technology provides an absurd amount of distractions.

The important question is did you succeed?

I live my life with many symptoms common to ADHD and I'd take my recklessness and impulsivity any day over being awake for four days.

Or psychosis, mood swings, mood changes, nervousness, stomach aches, diarrhea, headaches, decreased sex drive, lack of hunger, gum and skin bleeding, dry mouth, dehydration, and irritability...

Now, we won't legalize psilocybin, mescaline, LSD or any other psychotropic drug for potential psychiatric applications, but we will push shit like Ritalin that carries far more severe side effects than any of these and is addictive to boot. Hell, we won't even legalize marijuana for any medicinal use and we'll still push these lousy drugs...any SSRI or stimulant on the market is easily more dangerous and more damaging to the body than any of these drugs.

Has anyone with OCD here seriously tried either martial arts or meditation? I don't consider myself ill / sick / syndromed / whatever but I do find that when I'm getting a little crazy both mellow me out quite a bit. Also, In my personal experience when I do go a little nuts there is usually a reason, either I've forgotten to eat, sleep, or I'm super stressed from school and/or personal life.

yes a little i'm scared of girls
A line of coke will make you more confident, try it some time.

A line of coke will make you more confident, try it some time.

:eek2:

For me I got over some of my OCD problems by really focusing and taking my mind off them. I would pay close attention to what I was doing and pretty much force myself to avoid doing my OCD activities. Over time I stopped altogether as it became habit. I still have some minor problems with OCD but nothing as bad as when I was a teenager.

I'm incredibly serious about this.

"Counting substance abuse, the study found that nearly half of young people surveyed have some sort of psychiatric condition, including students and non-students."

Half of all young people don't drink or smoke at least tobacco? Christ.

Um, you do know there is a difference between substance use and substance abuse, yes?

For me I got over some of my OCD problems by really focusing and taking my mind off them. I would pay close attention to what I was doing and pretty much force myself to avoid doing my OCD activities. Over time I stopped altogether as it became habit. I still have some minor problems with OCD but nothing as bad as when I was a teenager.

But Zero, on focusing on not repeating OCD patters you were basically giving into the condition. You had to repeat focusing on not OCDing every day.

A line of coke will make you more confident, try it some time.



A line of COKE!

http://www.efootage.com/video-clip-images/DV-268/109276/business-businesses-corporate-corporation-corporations-industry-industrial-money.jpg

The first seems to happen much, much more often, neh?

True. After all, it's a lot easier to fake having Asperger's than it is to fake being a lawyer, so someone would have to be pretty stupid to do the latter!

But Zero, on focusing on not repeating OCD patters you were basically giving into the condition. You had to repeat focusing on not OCDing every day.

I suppose I did, but in the long run it's not affecting me that much any more.

A line of COKE!

http://www.efootage.com/video-clip-images/DV-268/109276/business-businesses-corporate-corporation-corporations-industry-industrial-money.jpg

http://www.ratemyeverything.net/image/2361/0/Coke-Heads_Dream_Line.ashx
Maybe more along these lines. :p

He should try the game. (http://www.afunnystuff.com/pics/funny/3038.jpg)

I suppose I did, but in the long run it's not affecting me that much any more.

Good for you then. :)

Good for you then. :)

I told ya before I don't give up. ;)

I told ya before I don't give up. ;)

Yeah, I know. That's your OCD, I guess. :tongue:

Yeah, I know. That's your OCD, I guess. :tongue:

Surpisingly, you might be right there. But it's a good kind of OCD. :)

Surpisingly, you might be right there. But it's a good kind of OCD. :)

Now, can you prescribe anything for the awful gag reflection I have when strangers get too close to me on the McDonald's line?

Now, can you prescribe anything for the awful gag reflection I have when strangers get too close to me on the McDonald's line?

Perhaps being held by your man whilst queing. :)

Perhaps being held by your man whilst queing. :)

Or making him buy my food so I don't have to stand on the line.

Or making him buy my food so I don't have to stand on the line.

That would work too.

For me I got over some of my OCD problems by really focusing and taking my mind off them. I would pay close attention to what I was doing and pretty much force myself to avoid doing my OCD activities. Over time I stopped altogether as it became habit. I still have some minor problems with OCD but nothing as bad as when I was a teenager.

But Zero, on focusing on not repeating OCD patters you were basically giving into the condition. You had to repeat focusing on not OCDing every day.

Thats why I mentioned the thing about martial arts. Everyone OCD or not needs to focus their mind in-order to control it, otherwise the chaos of everyday life is too much to bear.

Thats why I mentioned the thing about martial arts. Everyone OCD or not needs to focus their mind in-order to control it, otherwise the chaos of everyday life is too much to bear.

Playing the piano tends to work for me. A lot.

Lol.

It's common knowledge that everyone has a psychiatric disorder. There is no normal.

What a bunch of asshats.

Lol.

It's common knowledge that everyone has a psychiatric disorder. There is no normal.

What a bunch of asshats.

I pointed that out early in the thread.

Playing the piano tends to work for me. A lot.

Wow - I love listening to the piano. :)

(full discolsure-21 as of september and diagnosed with asperger's in 1999. I rarely menion it because, I don't want to be treated differently)

Is this really a suprise?

Im really dreading taking one of my lab classes because I am afraid of the germs in the room it is held in every term... what do you make of that?

http://news.aol.com/health/article/study-finds-disorders-in-young-adults/264439



Comment on this.
hmm. i (ab)used drugs and had something of a psychological disorder while i was at university. could the uni have cared any less? no... not really.

the lack of care where i went to uni was really quite awful. made all the worse considering the huge gap between school's "pay attention and make sure you do your work" attitude and university's "i don't give a shit if you turn up or not" attitude.

Last time I tried to write a paper on my home comp, I ended up looking at wikipedia for hours trying to see if there was a way to combined rabies and flu virus to create a zombie epidemic (this paper was on Duns Scotus). Does this mean I have ADD? No, it means I'm fairly lazy and our current level of technology provides an absurd amount of distractions.

I do that too.

I have ADD and I probably have Schizotypal personality disorder. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizotypal_personality_disorder)

And who here has an official diagnosis by a doctor that they are OCD?


I have. Why?

I have. Why?

Hmm, how severe is it?

A line of COKE!

http://www.efootage.com/video-clip-images/DV-268/109276/business-businesses-corporate-corporation-corporations-industry-industrial-money.jpg
http://lolcat.net/d/980-2/beautiful.jpg
I have ADD and I probably have Schizotypal personality disorder. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizotypal_personality_disorder)

Based on teh Wiki's definition:
1. Ideas of reference (excluding delusions of reference) No clue
2. Odd beliefs or magical thinking that influences behavior and is inconsistent with subcultural norms (e.g., superstitiousness, belief in clairvoyance, telepathy, or "sixth sense"; in children and adolescents, bizarre fantasies or preoccupations) I'm very superstitious, and believe in a sixth sense.
3. Unusual perceptual experiences, including bodily illusions Erm... What in God's green earth are 'bodily illusions'?
4. Odd thinking and speech (e.g., vague, circumstantial, metaphorical, overelaborate, or stereotyped) Ones I do are bolded.
5. Suspiciousness or paranoid ideation Good God! I'm incredibly paranoid.
6. Inappropriate or constricted affect Definitely constricted affect
7. Behavior or appearance that is odd, eccentric, or peculiar Behavior? Yes. Appearance? No.
8. Lack of close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives I have one person outside of my closest relatives that I trust.
9. Social anxiety that tends to be associated with paranoid fears rather than negative judgments about self Yes.

According to that, I've got the disorder. Of course, a lot of it is probably just me misjudging myself.

Anyways, I know for a fact that I'm socially... Impaired.

Hmm, how severe is it?

How severe is it, now? Not a problem. It's actually very helpful that I feel the compulsion to constantly re-check results, etc.

When I was younger (it would be between almost 20 and nearly 30 years ago that I was dealing with it) it was about as sever as it can realistically be. Imagine having to force your body to breathe so you can go to sleep. Imagine having to take the same route back through a building, or town, that you took 'going in'. The obsessive handwashing. The obsessive counting. The obsessive touching. Turning lightswitches on and off in even patterns. And really stupid stuff - imagine having to wear two watches, because the lack of balance in symmetry of wearing only one watch would make you ill.

Lots of the ways I've dealt with it over the years have been like VKZ said earlier, either by perverting it to my own ends (I'm great on directions), or by deliberately flying in it's face (I currently have one tattoo, on my left arm, deliberately, just to make me constantly assymmetrical).

Schizotypal personality disorder? Really? 3. Unusual perceptual experiences, including bodily illusions Erm... What in God's green earth are 'bodily illusions'? Um, hallucination? You know, a lot of the other stuff can be found in lots of other disorders too... and to my knowledge schizotypal implies those symptoms+hallucination, so if you don't hallucinate, you don't have it. You see, some questions have more weight than others, such as 'do you hallucinate?'. THAT is why self-diagnosis is generally a bad move; people just don't know how the symptoms weigh up to one another.

Spiced wine especially, am I right?:D

Lulz :tongue:

As for the OP, no real surprises. More and more young people are drinking these days. I know I drink far, far too much.

the lack of care where i went to uni was really quite awful. made all the worse considering the huge gap between school's "pay attention and make sure you do your work" attitude and university's "i don't give a shit if you turn up or not" attitude.

That part of university life is a shocker. Adapting from school to college environments is no easy feat. I'm happy I adapted so well and so quickly to life as a college student. Many kids that attended with me weren't so lucky.

I'm incredibly serious about this.

"Counting substance abuse, the study found that nearly half of young people surveyed have some sort of psychiatric condition, including students and non-students."

Half of all young people don't drink or smoke at least tobacco? Christ.

WOW! What a novel concept!

I smoke AND drink... I guess I have a psychiatric condition. I guess I better go pay a shrink assloads of money to "cure" me.

Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if doctors just publish things so they profit off the increased number of patients.

Technically, I have AD/HD, but I for one don't consider that a psychiatric condition... Just a different frame of mind.

WOW! What a novel concept!

I smoke AND drink... I guess I have a psychiatric condition. I guess I better go pay a shrink assloads of money to "cure" me.
Nono, that's what I mean.

"This is a disorder"
"Err no"

Personality Disorders are some of the most amorphous and can be the most difficult to diagnose. "Interfere" is a serious word by DSM standards--if a disorder "interferes" with your life, it means that said disorder wrecks havoc on your career, in your love life, in your social life, etc. Not "I'm shy and I only have a few friends". More "I'm shy and I haven't left my apartment in a week because the last time I did someone across the street laughed and they might have been laughing at me."

Substance abuse problems also do not equal addictions. I've abused a number of substances; I am not addicted to anything. Considering that many college-aged students regularly binge drink, this certainly makes sense that they would meet the criteria for "substance abuse", but not addiction.

All us 18-25 year old Americans are little more than a disorderly mob anyway, no surprise we have actual disorders.

Hehehe.

On a serious note, I suffer from a mild case of OCD and from social anxiety. They say crazy people are geniuses.

Not all geniuses are crazy. It helps, though.

I don't think it is as much as what disorder you may have but rather how you accept responsibility for dealing with it.

I have little patience for those that seek to use an anagram as an excuse for their poor behaivor but I do have much respect and understanding for those that find a way to accept their individual make-up and act in a way that take them forward.

And I never trust anyone who claims that they are normal.

And I never trust anyone who claims that they are normal.

Pray tell.. what does normal mean? I always thought it was a nonsense word...

Pray tell.. what does normal mean? I always thought it was a nonsense word...

That would be the state of completely accepted beahvior by all groups in a society--an impossibilty to achieve by its very definition.

And if it weren't impossible, that person would most likely be extremely boring.:tongue:

That would be the state of completely accepted beahvior by all groups in a society--an impossibilty to achieve by its very definition.

And if it weren't impossible, that person would most likely be extremely boring.:tongue:

I avoid normal I prefer words along the line of typical because normal is not broad enough.

I'm autistic and somehow managed to get married.

I'm autistic and somehow managed to get married.

You're my hero! I can't even get a date anymore, they get bothered by my uncontrollable tendency to stare directly at them and make eye contact every time I speak. People call it unnerving.

i don't see how, in a culture that promotes stressful lifestyles, and putting trying to impress each other ahead of the kind of world we all have to live in, anyone could reasonably expect there to not be (disorders in young adults, which is kind of a perenial winge since time losts in the mists of history anyway. like "so tell me something "new" even")

You're my hero! I can't even get a date anymore, they get bothered by my uncontrollable tendency to stare directly at them and make eye contact every time I speak. People call it unnerving.

maybe you should try not to do that while driving....

maybe you should try not to do that while driving....

When I drive I tend to look right into the headlights of incoming cars... I don't drive for that reason.

Has anyone done a study on disorders in older adults? Now, I admit, my study population is somewhat skewed, being Pagans, Faire folk, University employees and my family, but I find that most older adults are ... eccentric? My mother was bipolar, my father was a sociopath, my daughter is slightly OCD and, possibly ADD, my son is dyslexic, most of my friends cover the disorder range from OCD to Asperger's to ADD. The age range is 37 - 91.

I think you'll find, if someone can be bothered to do some studies, that the spectrum and relative number of disorders is similar in all age groups, it's just underreported in older people because most disorders were not recognized until recently and people just lived with them.

You're my hero! I can't even get a date anymore, they get bothered by my uncontrollable tendency to stare directly at them and make eye contact every time I speak. People call it unnerving.

If you're talking to a guy, yeah, that's weird. But if you're talking to a girl, you can swoon her by saying something like "oh, sorry, I can't help it, your eyes are just so pretty".

http://news.aol.com/health/article/study-finds-disorders-in-young-adults/264439



Comment on this.

What a load of crap.

If you're talking to a guy, yeah, that's weird. But if you're talking to a girl, you can swoon her by saying something like "oh, sorry, I can't help it, your eyes are just so pretty".

Guy, Girl, Dog, Cat, Fire Hydrant (no I don't talk to fire hydrants) I don't even realize I am doing it. In fact; I'm usually looking past people but it seems like my eyes are fixed right on them.

Guy, Girl, Dog, Cat, Fire Hydrant (no I don't talk to fire hydrants) I don't even realize I am doing it. In fact; I'm usually looking past people but it seems like my eyes are fixed right on them.

Well, at least with a girl, if you're attracted to her, you can recover from it. Then joke about how at least you're not looking at her breasts.

Incidentally, my e-mail is sirfirehydrant, and the alias I go by on most forums is SirFireHydrant. So, by talking to me, you are, kinda, talking to a fire hydrant. >.>

Well, at least with a girl, if you're attracted to her, you can recover from it. Then joke about how at least you're not looking at her breasts.

Incidentally, my e-mail is sirfirehydrant, and the alias I go by on most forums is SirFireHydrant. So, by talking to me, you are, kinda, talking to a fire hydrant. >.>

Damnit, I really am going insane...

On the breast note... I can be quite charming, I can tell someone blatantly that I am in fact checking them out and they usually just grin at me.