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Page 1 of 6 The information in this booklet is from studies designed to find out how people who experience psychiatric symptoms deal with these symptoms and help themselves feel better. The researcher and the study participants are people who have been told that they have a psychiatric or mental illness. Not all of these ideas work for everyone--use the ones that feel right to you. If something doesn't sound right to you, skip over it. However, try not to dismiss anything before you have considered it.
The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the Center for Mental Health Services.
Have you been told that you have a psychiatric or mental illness like depression, bipolar disorder or manic depression, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dissociative disorder, post traumatic stress disorder or an anxiety disorder?
___ yes ___ no
Or do feelings or experiences like those that follow make you feel miserable, unsafe and get in the way of doing the things you want to do?
- feeling like your life is hopeless and you are worthless
- wanting to end your life
- thinking you are so great that you are world famous, or that you can do supernatural things
- feeling anxious
- being afraid of common things like going outdoors or indoors, or being seen in certain places
- feeling like something bad is going to happen and being afraid of everything
- being very "shaky", nervous, continually upset and irritable
- having a hard time controlling your behavior
- being unable to sit still
- doing things over and over again--finding it very hard to stop doing things like washing your hands, counting everything or collecting things you don't need
- doing unusual things like wearing winter clothes in the summer and summer clothes in the winter
- believing things like the television or radio are talking to you or that the smoke alarms or digital clocks in public buildings are taking pictures of you
- saying things over and over that don't make any sense
- hearing voices in your head
- seeing things you know aren't really there
- feeling like everyone is against you or out to get you
- feeling out of touch with the world
- periods of time go by when you don't know what has happened or how the time has passed--you don't remember being there but others say you were
- feeling unconnected to your body
- having a hard time keeping your mind on what you are doing
- a sudden or gradual decrease or increase in your ability to think, focus, make decisions and understand things
- feeling like cutting or hurting your body
- feeling like you are a "fake"
___ yes ___ no
If you answered yes to either or both of these questions, this booklet is filled with helpful information and things you can do to feel better.
First, remember, you are not alone. Most people experience feelings or experiences like these at some time in their life. Some of them get help and treatment from health care providers. Other people try to get through it on their own. Some people don't tell anyone what they are experiencing because they are afraid others will not understand and will blame them or treat them badly. Other people share what they are experiencing with friends, family members or co-workers. Sometimes these feelings and experiences are so severe that others know you have are having them even though you have not told them. No matter what your situation is, these feelings and experiences are very hard to live with. They keep you from doing what you want to do with your life, doing things you have to do for yourself and others, and doing things that are rewarding and enjoyable.
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