[not quite right]

I've suffered from several personality disorders along with crippling panic/anxiety, insomnia, night terrors, and situational depression for most of my life. I have an above average iq and that's helped me project the appearance of normality. Over the last several years the decline in my ability to function is alarming. Will I know when it's time to recieve some psychiatric observation? Am I dangerous?

[Travelinglady]

Hi! I suggest you go ahead and talk to a psychiatrist about your situation since you have gotten afraid of yourself.

[volatile]

i mean, none of us can tell you if you need help. if you think you need professional help then you should get it.
With me it was always "i'll get help when i can't take it anymore" but then it was amazing how much i could take and how worse it got. So many times I was waiting for some sign that it was time to get help and all that was doing was hurting myself. If you are upset, get help. That;s it.
good luck.

[here today]

I went to a psychiatric hospital over 50 years ago for an eating disorder. I got over that and have been in and out therapy since then. I’m pretty sure that I qualified for OCPD but was never treated for that. After my husband died 14 years ago my identity, defense system, whatever you want to call it, broke down, fell apart. Therapy had not helped during the meltdown and some therapy post-meltdown made things worse. Finally three years ago a support group friend recommended a specialist therapist she knew and I have been steadily getting better.

My experience is that a lot of therapists don’t know how to diagnose, let alone treat, personality disorders. So, I’d recommend that you go ahead and start looking for someone now. It’s important that you find someone that you can have some rapport with – and, if you’re anything like me, I didn’t have a clue what that was like. Because of the personality disorder.

[not quite right]

I don't even know where to start. also am uninsured & have no financial resources. alredy afraid of the white coats & their make you better methods & meds. when you can't pay, treatment is limited

[here today]

Yeah, wish I could say it was otherwise but IMHO the white coat methods and meds aren’t the ticket for PD’s. I’m of the opinion that PD’s develop in an unhealthy social environment (family) and really need a healthy social environment for recovery.

Your state or local NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) may have some suggestions. There are some in-person support groups that might be of help, if there are any near where you live. DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance), Emotions Anonymous . . . there may be others. Even if the group discussion doesn’t help, meeting some people who “know the system” in your area might help you locate some resources.

If you really feel dangerous to yourself or others, then in my area there is a crisis line that you can call and they will help you find resources.

And, you can write more here if you want.

Good luck!!