[xraychick01]

I am posting this in hopes of understanding someone close to me. I'm pretty sure they suffer from some sort of mental health disorder, and they have not been professionally diagnosed nor will they even consider talking to a doctor or therapist.

I know this isn't a place to get diagnosed, but I was hoping maybe someone here could provide some insight for me. My heart is breaking for this person as I know they are suffering and I know they know they are but probably don't know why or are afraid to admit that they may have a mental health issue.

The issues below seem to be a pattern throughout their life:

This particular person has very strained relationships in every aspect of their life. If they think you've done them wrong they will cut you out of their life no questions asked. This applies to friends, family, intimate relationships of the opposite sex.

They run away from their problems instead of trying to understand them and fix them. They will close themselves off emotionally, lack of communication.

They hate their parents (parents are divorced and both remarried) and blame them for the way they turned out...for all the issues they struggle with. This is a common theme in their life, they tend to always be the victim.

They cannot hold a job for an extended period of time. They will up and quit, oftentimes without having another job lined up, if they don't like the way a superior is treating them, talking to them, if they just get tired of the job etc.

They tend to think that people are against them.

They have addictive tendencies...alcohol, drugs, even hobbies that tend to consume every minute of their spare time.

They could be happy one day and very depressed the next.

Does this behavior sound like it could be a mental health issue?

Wow, this all sounds like a description of my bipolar except for your description of aggressively cutting off friends and ending relationhips. If anything, during manic phases, my social circle grows. I fiercely enjoy being around people and collect many associates eager to ride the wave. On the contrary, it is during periods of Depression that my circle tightens as I withdraw from everything and everyone. I may even push people away. But never have I cut people off. I've certainly gotten irritable during hypo/mania but never have I raged or been agressive.

I agree this could be a mental health issue. Borderline Personality Disorder perhaps?

A few additional questions. You mention a fluid change of moods ...

- does this person exhibit signs of grandiosity? Are they the 'life of the party'?
- have you recognized any risky behavior (this could be as little as driving agressively to permiscuity to life risking)?
- do they speak rapidly and dominate conversations?
- are they impatient? irritable?

[xraychick01]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

Wow, this all sounds like a description of my bipolar except for your description of aggressively cutting off friends and ending relationhips. If anything, during manic phases, my social circle grows. I fiercely enjoy being around people and collect many associates eager to ride the wave. On the contrary, it is during periods of Depression that my circle tightens as I withdraw from everything and everyone. I may even push people away. But never have I cut people off. I've certainly gotten irritable during hypo/mania but never have I raged or been agressive.

I agree this could be a mental health issue. Borderline Personality Disorder perhaps?

A few additional questions. You mention a fluid change of moods ...

- does this person exhibit signs of grandiosity? Are they the 'life of the party'?
- have you recognized any risky behavior (this could be as little as driving agressively to permiscuity to life risking)?
- do they speak rapidly and dominate conversations?
- are they impatient? irritable?

To answer your questions in order...
-They say they are not afraid of anything or anyone.
-I'm not real sure about the risky behavior. I guess I would say no.
-They do tend to dominate conversations and tend to talk over other people.
-Yes, very impatient...doesn't like to wait for anything. Easily irritated...I notice this a lot when they drive. Everyone else is a terrible, discourteous driver.

I should probably clarify the cutting off of people. I've seen them abruptly stop contact with people close to them only to reconnect weeks or months later when they've "gotten over" whatever issue peeved them off in the first place.