Does your illness define your life or is it just an issue you deal with?

[IowaFarmGal]

It sure has limited my life from the git go. It isn't my life but it destroys my life?

Yes, my illness is my life-no it prevents me from having a life

No, but it's my main focus-I'm not focused on it I try to go on inspite of it

No, but it's a large part-No it's an obstacle to life

No, it's just part of my life-no it's an obstacle...

[gaia67]

My severe social anxiety began when I received my BP1 diagosis, so I think I've let it define me and dictate my self-image.

[PurpleFlyingMonkeys]

Currently it is an issue I have to deal with that is defining my current life. It's not all that I am but it currently consumes every part of me. Wishing I could get back to where I was just a couple weeks ago, back when it was just an "issue"

[archipelago]

No, in fact it is important for me at least to say that we are never just our illness. For times when it is strongly present or we are new with it, it can seem to take over, but it is no more a definition of who I am than if I had diabetes or something like that. Sure it will change how I do things in my life, but as far as an identity, no.

At this point in my life it does define me, unfortunately. I let it.

[mimi2112]

i definitely feel it has defined me lately. my life has been all about my diagnosis. taking meds, seeing the nurse, adjusting the meds, seeing the therapist, talking about it. blah blah blah. i need to get a life!

[LostNgone4ever]

I said yes my illness is my life, I hate that I answered that way but right now it is the truth I am so overwhelmed with depression and my new diagnoses of bipolar and binge eating. I know I have all of these and I know how I can get better, right now I do have some medical issues that are standing in the way (I'm hypothyroid, I think my medication isn't the correct dose) but I am having that checked tomorrow.

I have been in out of treatment, I have the tools and skills memorized, I know what I need to do, but I choose not to do it, instead I do things to make myself more depressed and give in to things that make me manic and then fall into a deep depression a few days later.

I wish I was strong enough to change...I am battling and am working on mustering up the strength.

I wish there was an icon with someone trying to lift a large object

I appreciate the honesty. No judgment here... just curiosity. There were a couple of periods in my life where I let my illness define me. I let it steal huge chunks of my life. I think I let it happen anyway.

[-jimi-]

If you by illness include all diagnoses I will put it like this.

Although I can be serious, I am not depression.
Although I can be sensitive, I am not anxiety.
Although I prefer night time, I hate not being sleepy until 5-6, so maybe I am partially my DSPS.
I am my own version of Asperger's.
I am my own version of ADD.
I am not like anyone else I've met.

[RedBarchetta]

You know not totally sure - I can tell you any physical issues I try to basically deal with the best I can. Mental issues - well, I know there have been plenty as long as I can remember - but no solid diagnosis yet (mostly because I basically ignored it totally from high school until now - and then it was just barely enough to satisfy the school of a few things)
Since as of yet I am still not sure of everything that is going on, it's hard to say - but there is a good chance that those issue have at the very least play a huge roll in what I have ended up doing, insisted on going, and refused to do, through out my life - hard to say to what extent at this poit however.

Yes depression and anxiety are pretty much me. I can't find a med that works without some insane side effects and I have lost SO MUCH over the past few years, so now I just drown in it.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by George H.

Does your illness define your life or is it just an issue you deal with?

just something I have to deal with...if it was my life then I would not have the job I have, would not have accomplished going to college, getting my degree, became a therapist... i would not have met the woman who became my wife, would not have had a honeymoon in Niagra Falls, would not be pregnant, would not have this computer, would not have the clothes on my back....

if my mental disorders (dissociative disorders, past diagnosis of DID, bipolar disorder, Seasonal Depression, PTSD, Multiple Sclerosis, eating disorder, and others) was my life I would still be DID, would still be laying in my room depressed,.... only to come out to go to my treatment providers, short version my mental disorder would be running me not me in control of my life..

sure I have to take the time to go to my treatment providers, make sure I take my meds but theres so much more to my life then my mental disorders..

Im a woman who is married to a wonderful woman, will soon be a mom to a precious child..I am a woman with a full time job in a crisis center and hospital, I am a college student, sometimes Im a window washer, dish washer, a person who does many hobbies and physical activities...all of which have nothing to do with my mental disorders..

[Hellion]

I never really understand this question of course I am not my mental disorders, but they do interfere with pretty much all aspects of life. I wouldn't see it as anything I choose or am 'letting' happen it's just the way it is so I figure its best to try and live with the disorders than fighting a constant battle for 'recovery' which isn't going to happen.

Wow, I am truly SHOCKED at the results of this query. I was certain that everyone would have said, no, its just part of my life. Eye opening. Great question.

[whoswho]

Mental illness was my life, at one point. I've demoted it recently. Hopefully it stays that way.

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by lightbulb7

Wow, I am truly SHOCKED at the results of this query. I was certain that everyone would have said, no, its just part of my life. Eye opening. Great question.

Well not sure I'd be the same person without dealing with the mental issues I have, so if I were to say it was just part of my life it wouldn't be entirely accurate. My cat dying is part of my life but doesn't effect who I am really, the mental illness on the other hand has more of a direct effect on personality I'd say.

I kind of wear my illness as a pair of glasses. I have glasses, have needed them for years. I take them off and on, but most of my life is spent without the glasses.

[ShaggyChic_1201]

I was definitely my illnesses at one point and for a long time. Now though it's more just a part of my life.

To misquote Dow Chemical's slogan, Better Living thru Therapy.

[brackenbeard]

i'm always careful cuz my responses sometimes cater to what i want to believe, not what's true.

it's a large part, yes. everyday i deal with some symptom. i like to think my attitude is ... yes i have an illness but i just get on with my life, but it's rarely that simple.. for the most part i roll on. that's all we can do right.

[lizardlady]

There have been periods of my life that my depression was a major part of my life. Today, due to hard work in therapy and meds, it's just a part of my life. It's like my physical disability, it impacts my life, but it doesn't define my life.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by lightbulb7

Wow, I am truly SHOCKED at the results of this query. I was certain that everyone would have said, no, its just part of my life. Eye opening. Great question.

Lightbulb7, I think the very nature of Psych Central tips the results. PC is a place for people struggling with mental health problems. It seems logical that many here would feel it was a major part of their life.

I happen to have DID, but it does not have me or define me. Its not my whole life.

Originally Posted by George H.

Does your illness define your life or is it just an issue you deal with?

It just is.

I have borderline personality disorder and depression. I am not my illnesses, but my illnesses are a major part of my life. I have had some major losses, friendship-wise, because of my behavior related to by BPD. It affects everything if not dealt with, and until very recently, I wasn't dealing with it properly.