Hello ATSer's.

I have recently had what some may call a mental breakdown. It's reason I haven't been hanging around ATS over the past few weeks.

Anyhow, I have been hearing voices, I have been having major panic attack. My personality seems to change from moment to moment, although I don't relise at the time.

My doctor believes I have bi-polar but she thinks my paranoia stems from my time at ATS.

I was just wondering your thoughts on this.

More importantly...what do you think about what your GP said. I'm not a trained professional to judge your state of mind.

We all need a mental health break sometimes. There's nothing wrong with that.



Des

You should hold your mental health over denying ignorance.

Next thing ya know, our health insurance providers are going to want to know what websites we visit.

I don't think ATS can actually cause a mental breakdown, but I agree with your GP that this may not be the best environment for someone who is wrestling with serious personal issues. Speedy healing!

Leave ATS for a period of time and see if you get any better, although I suppose once you know the truth and the things that have been said, you'll never forget but with all honesty, you should take her advice.

Good luck and I hope you get well soon.

Actually, my panic disorder has reared its ugly head again and I am back on meds. My doc feels it is related to websites like ATS freaking me out.

However, he also visits this site and agrees that it is important to be aware as well as calm.

He recommends taking breaks from it when I feel my blood pressure rising and I start to feel anxious. So that's what I do....I leave the web, go outside, or do something else that is productive and not related to the end of the world.

I have to admit, though....The people who are rude and make fun of others get my BP up much higher than the doom-and-gloom scenarios.

A GP blaming ATS for paranoia?

Now THAT'S a generalization for ya.

There's more to ATS than the doom and gloom. Relationships, Jokes and Puns, Automotive, Urban Legends, Music, Movies.......there is a lighter side to ATS and those forums are a good place to start.

I see from your numbers that you are here a lot, but I've seen members who haven't been here as long with MUCH higher numbers.

If I were you I'd look into changing GP's, not your forum posting habits.

Originally posted by Destinyone
More importantly...what do you think about what your GP said. I'm not a trained professional to judge your state of mind.

We all need a mental health break sometimes. There's nothing wrong with that.



Des

edit on 31-3-2012 by Destinyone because: (no reason given)

Honestly, I believe ATS knock down many walls for me. I feel as if doc is rebuilding them, which I don't like. I feel as she is a doctor I should listen but I do not want to. Im confused as to whether she is with or against me. But I have been told that that confusion mean I still hold so me sense of stability.

Double post.

Originally posted by ALOSTSOUL

Originally posted by Destinyone
More importantly...what do you think about what your GP said. I'm not a trained professional to judge your state of mind.

We all need a mental health break sometimes. There's nothing wrong with that.



Des

edit on 31-3-2012 by Destinyone because: (no reason given)

Honestly, I believe ATS knock down many walls for me. I feel as if doc is rebuilding them, which I don't like. I feel as she is a doctor I should listen but I want do much not to. I confused as to whether she is with or against me. But I have been told that that confusion mean I still hold some sense of stability.

Without your mental health intact, your house, figuratively speaking, will have it's walls knocked down.

Hi there, I am so sorry to hear of your troubles. I've had mental health issues as well in the past ... suicidal, committed to psych a couple of times but I made it through. I am not any kind of professional so I offer my thoughts not as advice but just to show support. I think the most important thing I learned was the power of positive thinking. I wouldn't avoid ATS completely because if you feel cut off from a valuable source of support and information, feelings of panic could result. It is essential to maintain a balance with time spent online and absorbing info. I hope you are able to spend some time in nature. Fear and anger are so toxic so dwelling on negative subjects is a bad idea. What worked for me was cutting back on pharmaceuticals ... I went for blood tests instead and opted for bioidentical hormones to balance my thyroid and adrenal glands. I also stopped consuming beef, processed foods, sugar, rice and starches. Yeast overgrowth in the intestinal tract leads to all kinds of ghastly toxicity that I think can affect the brain. Vitamin deficiencies are an issue as well. Keep your intentions positive, best of luck to you.

Originally posted by ALOSTSOUL

Originally posted by Destinyone
More importantly...what do you think about what your GP said. I'm not a trained professional to judge your state of mind.

We all need a mental health break sometimes. There's nothing wrong with that.



Des

edit on 31-3-2012 by Destinyone because: (no reason given)

Honestly, I believe ATS knock down many walls for me. I feel as if doc is rebuilding them, which I don't like. I feel as she is a doctor I should listen but I want do much not to. I confused as to whether she is with or against me. But I have been told that that confusion mean I still hold some sense of stability.

I agree with you ALS. ATS is a good place for having the fabric of what is real, stretched sometimes. It's one of the reasons I like it. Maybe your Dr. is just trying to help you cope with some of the symptoms of anxiety you might be feeling, by suggesting you limit your time here on ATS. I don't think a good Dr. would tell a patient that is going through hard emotional times, that only ATS is the cause of the problems.

You seem to have a clearness in how you communicate, that is good. It can't be all that bad. But, taking breaks to focus on other aspects of life, outside of ATS may be beneficial too.

It's like knowing that candy is not that great for you if that's all you eat. And only eating candy as a treat sometimes.

I wish you well in your path of healing....

Des