[OurLadysTears]

If you could swap your mental disorder for another, which would it be and why?

[Cnytroxy1973]

I would be scared to swap... every disorder comes with it's own set of symptoms and treatments. At least I know what I am up against and what I need to do with the disorders that I have...

[Fresia]

Interesting question. I agree with Cnytroxy; I don't know that the 'grass would be greener' with another diagnosis and do know what I'm faced with now. Took some time but because it is now somewhat manageable, it colors this judgment. They all have their issues advantages and disadvantages, hard road to deal with regardless with any diagnosis in just getting there and finding the right treatment. I think I'd stay right where I am.

[Perna]

I think we "choose" our problems, based on our lives/lifestyle, past, and personalities, etc. Our spirit, mind, body, emotions, are all one entity and how we interact with ourselves and the world is what life "is". Just like we'll get certain medical problems based on genetic weaknesses and lifestyle, I think we get certain mental problems based on predisposition and lifestyle. I don't think we would do very well consciously choosing something else because we could only know that intellectually.

[Sanada]

I don't actually believe that mental health disorder is an unhealthy thing; 'unless' its a medical problem. The list of medical disorders is a long one to.

My own personal disorders are non medical, they are inner problems to do with identity and personality. I also get depressed to, but i don't take meds for it, i just try to live with it. I take meds for anxiety (valium).

But.....i guess, i would swap my tendency's for addiction; (i was/still), am addicted to S/H or S/I.
I would swap that for i guess (and this is a 'wild' guess), ED.

I don't really feel comfortable saying that, but it is a 'very good' question and it makes oneself reflect on how to see's others, disorders; and how it may affect me if i could swap.

[Elysium]

I am who I am.

I do not think it's fair to say I would swap anyone for their disorder, because to me that is saying to those people who may have the other disorders, that their disorder is less painful, less challenging, or easier to live with and deal with, and I don't think that's fair. It, in a way, minimizes and invalidates others experiences as if to say "It's not THAT bad."

Every disorder has the ability to be devastating. To swap would mean trading one devastating thing for another, and that doesn't make sense to me.

Plus, I wouldn't wish my disorders on anyone. To get them, you would have to have lived through and been a part of some horrible things.

I understand that your question was innocent and offered as a conversation and thinking piece so I hope you don't feel I'm coming down on you, because I'm not.

Just saying that I would not swap, and why I wouldn't.

[Indie'sOK]

Originally Posted by Elysium

I do not think it's fair to say I would swap anyone for their disorder, because to me that is saying to those people who may have the other disorders, that their disorder is less painful, less challenging, or easier to live with and deal with, and I don't think that's fair. It, in a way, minimizes and invalidates others experiences as if to say "It's not THAT bad."

I agree. If I were to say that I wish I could swap my anxiety for someone else's depression, that would make it sound like their disorder is easier to deal with, which we all know isn't fair to say. No problem is any easier to live with than the next, because they all effect us significantly. Granted, for someone with a serious disorder like schizophrenia, etc., something like anxiety might seem easier to control. But for those who have anxiety disorders and feel its effects every day, it's no different. I guess what I'm trying to say is that yes, our problems effect us no matter what they are.

Hope this makes sense..

[kaliope]

ourladystears
thats a really hard question. im ptsd and bipolar. i also suffer from anxiety pretty bad. i would love not to have these disorders. if i could swap them for another, what would it be? maybe just plain old depression or generalized anxiety. or an adjustment disorder. if i had to choose on of the biggies to exchange for my biggie, i think i would want something that would take my mind away completely, so that i wasnt concious of how much my MI was taking control of my life, so that i didnt have to work so hard at surviving this life. sounds kinda warped i know. but just what comes to mind.

[yellowted]

i am not saying it is easier to deal with , but i would much prefer one which results in being unaware of my inabilities and the 'norms'/expectations of life

[Merlin]

Specific Phobia to something I am never exposed to, like scorpions or something like that.

[lizardlady]

I agree with those who said picking one disorder over another minimizes some problems. Frankly each disorder has it's own set of problems. I wouldn't wish any of the disorders I have on another person. At the same time I wouldn't want to trade. I guess the know problem is more tolerable than the unknown?