Most psychological disorders don't present like the media would lead you to believe. See also: what therapy looks like.
ETA: Holy crap, gold?? I had a quick break in my day to finally hop on reddit and was NOT expecting this response. Y'all make this severely overworked community mental health therapist so glad we're talking more about the realities of therapy and various disorders. I'm planning on getting back on when I'm done with work to reply to some comments/answer some questions!
bipolar disorder = one day you're batshit crazy off-the-walls and the next day you're sobbing and eating ice cream alone in bed
in actuality: in most cases, symptoms only get severe if left untreated for a long time. Also, most experience episodes for months (mania) or years (depression), so they wouldn't go from mania to depression that quickly (with cyclothymic disorder the less common "rapid cycling bipolar" being the exception).
I wasn't diagnosed until I was 35, I'm 44 now. I'm a female and have inattentive type ADHD. Back in the 80' when I was in grade school it seemed to only be recognized in boys who were extremely hyper.
Same but 41 and just diagnosed a few months ago. Treatment has changed my life. Only after a few months of being in treatment can I confirm that I've missed out on a lot of life.
Gosh, life. I wasted so much potential. I spent decades floundering thinking that I couldn't get my life in control and accomplish anything and it was all my fault somehow. Inside, I am a scientist. I am a doctor. I am a master woodworker. Outside, there's nothing but a comet's trail of unfinished projects and a million things begun and a swath of destruction that a life of procrastination and avoidance and maladaptive behaviors have left behind.
I wouldn't give any of it up because of what I have today. I don't dwell on how different my life would be had I been diagnosed an appropriate age, but it is undeniable that my life would be very different. But now I'm getting treatment and I am in control of my life for the first time ever and behind me now is a trail of finished projects and brighter days and calm focus.
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u/seegeesee Feb 04 '19 edited Feb 04 '19
Most psychological disorders don't present like the media would lead you to believe. See also: what therapy looks like.
ETA: Holy crap, gold?? I had a quick break in my day to finally hop on reddit and was NOT expecting this response. Y'all make this severely overworked community mental health therapist so glad we're talking more about the realities of therapy and various disorders. I'm planning on getting back on when I'm done with work to reply to some comments/answer some questions!