[birdcrazy]

I can't seem to find where I belong. I keep hearing everyone is different, but what if you are so different that you can't find anyone to relate to?

As a kid, I was like no other kid in school. With almost daily tantrums due to overactive emotions, very bright, social skills so bad they put me through training, very hyperactive, etc...

As an adult, I have some sort of mental illness for sure, but it doesn't quite follow the normal pattern of bipolar or psychosis, the best way to describe it is rapid mood changes with delusions, panic attacks and hypersensitivity. What in the world is that???

I have investigated different groups of people and found none I can totally relate to people with no psych problems I'm too different from. Mentally Ill I relate a bit, but I have some problems I don't think they have, and for some reason I can't relate well. ADHD, I had characteristics as a kid, but I don't relate to the adults. Asperger's, I've only spent a good amount of time with one of them and I can semi-relate with the special interests and some social skills problems but he was more socially inept than me and was much less emotional.

I've hit out and out depression....

[Ygrec23]

Originally Posted by birdcrazy

I can't seem to find where I belong. I keep hearing everyone is different, but what if you are so different that you can't find anyone to relate to?

That's a tough one, birdcrazy. But it's not all as bad as you may think. Once they stick a label on you, of course you feel more comfortable in terms of the group within which you fit. But neither you nor anyone else is really just an egg in a crate. You are (like everyone) a different, specific, unique person - and letting yourself be diagnosed into a group with a label can be a double-edged sword. I personally spent a very long time without the kind of diagnosis you're looking for and resented it like you do. But it did force me to focus on my situation and my problems in a way that was probably much more attentive than I would have used had I been diagnosed into a category long ago.

I don't know whether you're working with a T now or not. If you are, he/she ought to be able to satisfy your desire for a lable. If they don't or can't, consider it a blessing in disguise. Not everyone is easy to categorize. And that's not a bad thing. Instead of following a script, you have to invent your own ways to analyze and deal with your problems.

Take care.

[Gus1234U]

aaah, {{{{{Birdie}}}},,, you have many friends on PC, and are well liked in real life,, that is so much more important than finding your clones. turn this around, being unique is a rare and special quality,, by definition~! and, everyone is... i hope you get past this in good time, and don't run away from us just because you can't get a good grip on this feeling of belonging~! best wishes,, Gus

[birdcrazy]

Off topic: Did everyone suddenly block me? I was really upset this morning and everyone kept talking about what they were with no acknowledgment.

[Skully]

I never could find people to relate to either. I was a loner as a kid and I still am today at 34. I feel I am very different than anyone else. But, maybe one day I will find someone who is like me

Hang in there birdcrazy!

[Melbadaze]

I think until we begin an active recovery programme there is always that feeling of being "unique", no one understands me or feels like I, thats part of "it", then with recovery you begin to see everyone has their little eccentricity's, even "normal" folk, I use to believe there was a clear line between me and them, now the line isn't so clear...

[yellowted]

bird, you are not alone, I too can find no one to really relate to as few have even heard of my dx and i have yet to find another with it to relate to!!! it does have some advantages, if you get pxxd off you can really show it and put it down to your dx no one can say its not!! I have found it helped me to mould my care package as i was the 'expert' in what help i needed! the only down side is that the professionals treat me exactly as 'the book says' as they have no real life experience of treating people with it so do not understand every case is different!
I totally understand your frustrations of being/feeling so different, it is a lonely place to be, but there are loads of very understanding people on this site even if they can not relate to evevry symptom you have you will find a few people who each relate to different ones you have so overall you should be able to get the support you are seeking x good luck xx

ps, have you ever considered that you may not have a singular thing but a combination of more than one dx? maybe Asperges with ADHD or something???

[birdcrazy]

Well, ADHD with Asperger's is seems obvious from what i describe, but there are other key symptoms that I am missing from those disorders, though ironically my last T thought I had both. I think I might fall under ADHD with the new criteria coming out for it with the new DSV 5.

[ladyjrnlist]

Bird, I get ignored a lot in chat too. Sorry if I've ever done that to you. I'll try harder. Don't worry about fitting in. It's overrated.

[bpd2]

birdcrazy, I'm listening, but don't have much to add. I did see your dx as schizo affective disorder...is that a helpful dx in any way?

[yellowted]

not everyone with asperges or adhd has all the main features, all conditions are personal to the individual, some with asperges have a multitude of phobias others only have one slight fear, others find it hard to understand others where as some have no problems as such in that area, please remember you are you, you are an individual, not a clone of a diagnosis! if everyone was the same what a boring world we would live in!!!

[birdcrazy]

Originally Posted by bpd2

birdcrazy, I'm listening, but don't have much to add. I did see your dx as schizo affective disorder...is that a helpful dx in any way?

Well, I have mood problems and psychosis problems in an episode, so it's helpful in getting treatment. I'm on bipolar meds and I'm so much better.

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by birdcrazy

Well, I have mood problems and psychosis problems in an episode, so it's helpful in getting treatment. I'm on bipolar meds and I'mtrying so much better.

I also suffer from chronic mood swings and adhd and trying to find the right med combo