Get Rid of the Stigma

A blog to help promote mental illness awareness. With more awareness, we can help de-stigmatize mental disorders and become more tolerant and accepting. It's absolutely deplorable how many teenagers commit suicide because they don't think they can talk to anybody because they don't feel that anybody understands or are accepting of what they're going through. I'm by no means a professional, but I'd still like to share what I've learned. If you'd like to share your experiences with mental illness, whether it is from personal experience or something you observed in others, post your story in my Ask Box or email it to me at [email protected] Please feel free to tell me things you want me to talk about and also, if I make any mistakes, please let me know. I'm here to hopefully help, but I'm also here to learn. Please, just call if you need someone to talk to. Depression Hotline: [phone] Suicide Hotline: [phone] LifeLine: 1-800-273-8255 Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 Sexuality Support: 1-800-246-7743 Eating Disorders Hotline: [phone] Rape and Sexual Assault: 1-800-656-4673 Grief Support: 1-650-321-5272 Runaway: 1-800-843-5200, 1-800-843-5678, 1-800-621-4000 Exhale: After Abortion Hotline/Pro-Voice: 1-866-439–4253

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I'm sorry I haven't posted recently

between stress at school including exams and family stuff, I haven't had much time or motivation to update daily. But don't worry, I've got stuff coming. Also, I'm always open to suggestions, so write in my ask box or email me at [email protected]

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What Would You Like to See Me Post?

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-Post Secret

Some PostSecret entries tell the real stories of experiencing mental illness. Definitions can only go so far; personal anecdotes can give you whole new insight into what mental illness really is.

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Every week, I'm going to ask my followers what they want to see more of, so that I can update regularly

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Schizoaffective disorder- Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Schizoaffective disorder symptoms vary from person to person. Generally, people who have the condition experience psychotic symptoms — such as hallucinations, disorganized thinking and paranoid thoughts — as well as a mood disturbance, such as depressed or manic mood. They tend to be isolated and avoided.

Psychotic features and mood disturbances may occur at the same time or may appear on and off interchangeably. The course of the schizoaffective disorder usually features cycles of severe symptoms followed by an improved outlook. To establish a diagnosis, a person must have demonstrated, at some point, delusions or hallucinations for at least two weeks even when mood disorder symptoms are under control.

Most commonly, the mood disorder accompanying the schizophrenic features is either bipolar disorder (bipolar-type schizoaffective) or depression (depressive-type schizoaffective).

Signs and symptoms of schizoaffective disorder may include:

Strange or unusual thoughts or perceptions

Paranoid thoughts and ideas

Delusions — having false, fixed beliefs

Hallucinations, such as hearing voices

Unclear or confused thoughts (disorganized thinking)

Bouts of depression

Manic mood or a sudden increase in energy and behavioral displays that are out of character

Irritability and poor temper control

Thoughts of suicide or homicide

A speaking style that others sometimes can't follow or understand

Behavior at extreme ends of the normal spectrum (catatonic behavior) — either appearing to be in a coma-like daze, or talking and behaving in a bizarre, hyperactive way

Problems with attention and memory

Lack of concern about hygiene and physical appearance

Changes in energy and appetite

Sleep disturbances, such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

When to see a doctor If you think someone you know may have schizoaffective disorder symptoms, talk to him or her about your concerns. Although you can't force someone to seek professional help, you can offer encouragement and support and help your loved one find a qualified doctor or mental health provider.

Suicidal thoughts Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common when one has schizoaffective disorder. If you suspect or know that your loved one is considering suicide, seek immediate help. Contact a doctor, mental health provider or other health care professional.

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It’s time to walk the talk and and stomp out stigma forever! Bring Change 2 Mind is proud to partner with NAMI again this year to do our part to stomp out stigma. Please join us and make our message seen – and heard. There’s no better weapon against stigma than the power of community. Bring your friends, families, co-workers, neighbors, etc. and change minds – and lives.

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Schizoaffective disorder

Definition By Mayo Clinic staff Schizoaffective disorder is a condition in which a person experiences a combination of schizophrenia symptoms — such as hallucinations or delusions — and of mood disorder symptoms, such as mania or depression. Schizoaffective disorder is not as well understood, or defined, as are other mental health conditions. This is largely because schizoaffective disorder is a mix of multiple mental health conditions that may run a unique course in each affected person. Untreated, people with schizoaffective disorder may lead lonely lives and have trouble holding down a job or attending school. Or, they may rely heavily on family or live in psychiatric group homes. Treatment can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for people with schizoaffective disorder.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/schizoaffective-disorder/DS00866

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The fear of stigma can have a devastating effect on those living with mental illness. Change happens one person at a time. If you are living with a mental illness, know someone who is, or just want to help, take our pledge to help end stigma.

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Here is another link for general information about anxiety disorders in CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. they have additional links to information about specific disorders. 

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This link is also to the Columbia University Center for Anxiety and other Related Disorders website, but this is information about anxiety in ADULTS

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"Whether you have been formally diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, or you just personally feel anxious a lot of the time, this will be a place for you to share your story, or read those of others who may feel similarly to you. I have dealt with anxiety my entire life. I have been formally diagnosed with three of the five central anxiety disorders: Generalized anxiety disorder, Obsessive Compulsive disorder, and specific phobia. The other two main disorders are Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Panic Disorder. The thing I have found the most difficult over the years is feeling alone. I constantly am told that I am just being weak. That I am faking it and trying to get attention. It hurts more than anything to feel that the thing I am most ashamed of is thought of as fake. As if I enjoy feeling this many conflicting emotions all at once. If your problems are worse than mine, or far less extreme, or if you just have questions. This is a safe place. You can leave any questions you have in the ask box (anonymity is possible and privacy is respected) or you can email me at [email protected]"

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What Would You Like Me to Cover?

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Binge Eating Disorder Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors While the exact causes are unknown, several factors are thought to play a part in binge eating disorder, including:

biological/genetic

psychological

sociocultural

Professionals are also still trying to determine what risk factors could potentially result in developing binge eating disorder. However, they may include:

dieting

psychological factors

sociocultural factors

http://www.bedaonline.com/aboutBED.html

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UK hotline for suicide, eating disorders, etc.  Name: Supportline Site: http://www.supportline.org.uk/index.php Phone number: 020 8554 9004

UK and Ireland suicide hotline: Name: The Samaritans Site: http://www.suicide-helplines.org/uk.htm Phone number: 1850 60 90 90

UK and Ireland hotline for children and young people who can call about any problem any time 24/7 Name: Childline Site: http://www.childline.org.uk/ Phone number: 0800 1111

Australia 24 hour Crisis Hotline Name: Lifeline Phone number: 13 11 14

German (Berlin) crisis hotline (auf Deutsch) Name: TelefonSeelsorge Site: http://www.telefonseelsorge-berlin.de/ Phone number: 0800 111 0 111

USA:             1-800-656-HOPE       (            1-800-656-4673      ): Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network USA:             1-800-799-SAFE       (            1-800-799-7233      ): National Domestic Violence Hotline

USA Bulimia and Self-Help 24-hour Crisis Hotline Phone number:             1-314-588-1683      

USA Self-Injury Help by S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends) Phone number:             1-800-DONT-CUT       (            1-800-366-8288      )

National Eating Disorders Association (International treatment referrals and info) Phone number:             1-800-931-2237      

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Schizophrenia Treatment

Medications called antipsychotics are available for people with schizophrenia. Unfortunately these are not always entirely effective, and most schizophrenics live with at least some symptoms. As many as 14 percent of those schizophrenics who take antipsychotics show no significant improvement [source: Javitt].

Antipsychotic drugs affect the amount of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, in your brain by blocking dopamine receptors. When their effectiveness in fighting schizophrenia was first discovered in the 1950s, scientists came to the conclusion that an improper balance of dopamine in the brain led to schizophrenia. However, with the 1980s came the development of new atypical antipsychotics that inhibited dopamine receptors less and that of other neurotransmitters more. When these proved effective in fighting more symptoms and causing fewer side effects, it prompted a reexamination of other neurotransmitters' role in schizophrenia. Although older versions of antipsychotics are only effective in fighting positive symptoms of the disorder, atypical antipsychotics treat negative symptoms as well. Finding the appropriate medicine and dosage for each patient can be a difficult process, as side effects vary depending on the individual.

Some of the possible side effects with antipsychotic medications are weight gain, restlessness, stiffmuscles, drowsiness and muscle spasms. Although lowering the dosage or finding a different antipsychotic may help get rid of these symptoms, many people stop taking the medication because of the side effects.

In addition to medications, other treatments for schizophrenia can help, such as community support activities and psychotherapy. Community support activities can include training schizophrenic people in particular skills to help them become contributing members of society. Psychotherapy can add structure and confidence to the patient's life, increasing their ability to perform daily activities and chores on their own. Group therapy and family therapy have been shown to help as well [source: Grohol].

Despite falling out of favor in the mid-20th century, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (also known as shock therapy) is still practiced for such disorders as schizophrenia and severe depression. About 100,000 Americans receive ECT every year [source: Mayo Clinic]. Though the process has changed dramatically since its first inception in the 1930s, it remains controversial. In ECT, electric currents sent to your brain cause seizures and change chemical activity. Though no one is sure how exactly it works, after recurring treatments, it may improve schizophrenic symptoms.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/human-biology/schizophrenia4.htm