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[14 May 2008|10:18pm] |
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I thought I would just post something to say that I have joined the community I am 43 and artist, signal mother and LMT most of my post are friends only so if you come to visit and want to see my rants you will have to leave a comment on one of the open posts on my journal and I will add you
I keep my journal to stay sane I blather and rant and to keep my precarious mental balance that with lavender essential oil has worked almost as well as meds
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| Hope this helps |
[10 Apr 2008|03:52pm] |
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Hi..
So, I'm new to these sites and I'm new to certain diagnoses. I was diagnosed with Anorexia at 12 (I'm 27), bulimia at 19 and bipolar I and Generalized Anxiety Disorder at 25. If I can keep my anxiety and mood under control, the other two fall into place. I'm on Topamax, Lamictal and Effexor XR. Lamictal was a wonder drug for me. My moods were so severe, I needed two mood stabilizers. Topamax was just making me foggy and forgetful, but helped with stabilization. The Lamictal picked me up and the pieces fell into place. Effexor took the edge off the anxiety and here I am living life. All I know about meds: WE CAN'T SURVIVE WITHOUT THEM. I go downhill within a week. I'm shell of myself and seriously contemplating suicide (I'm not manic, but depressive in those states).
As far as gov't aid: Disability is a great option. I went on it once already. if you don't have insurance, go to a clinic. They have psychiatrists who can make you eligible. The government will give you the time you need and if you have been at your job for more than a year, by law, they have to as well.
If your situation is more serious, seek out charity care. Charity care will usually pick up the complete tab for someone to do at least IOP and pay for meds if they meet the financial criteria, which varies from state to state. It can last as long as 6-8 months, which will allow you to really get back on your feet. They will allow you to go to state hospitals, which usually have very competant IOP programs.
Finally, welfare is always an option. Welfare will provide you with medicaid. I stress this because MEDICINE IS A PRIORITY FOR PEOPLE WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER. They will also be very flexible with work situations if you are seeking IOP treatment. I am in NJ. If anyone has any more specific questions related to this state, please reach out. I will do my best to help you.
My Best,
M
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[09 Apr 2008|10:43pm] |
So, a bit about me:
I'm 24. I have PTSD, EDNOS, Bipolar II, and a host of other labels various docs have tried to stick on me, but which I don't buy. I was hospitalized for the first time when I was 17, and managed to stay out of hospitals until I was about... 19 or 20. I've been in and out of hospitals, homeless shelters, and "independent living programs" since then. I had my own apartment for a while, but eventually started spending more time in the hospital than out of it and lost my job & apartment. I got on SSI about three years ago.
I have a good place to live right now. This is the first time in my life I've been able to say that honestly. It's safe and "loving".
However, I'm having a difficult time not getting rid of 99% of my stuff & running away. I've been homeless and on the edge of homelessness for the better part of seven years. Being in one place for so long is terrifying. It feels dangerous. I itch to leave, just forget about everything I own, and just take off. It's so hard to stay here, keep going to school, doing the things I know I need to do in order to have the life I want.
I've been battling this feeling for a while now, but it's just getting stronger. Maybe if I just chuck a bunch of the things I've collected, it will simmer down some.
I don't know how to be "normal", to have a bunch of objects that are mine (other than books), and to be happy and safe in one place. I need to leave, to be lighter. Being here feels dangerous, even though I know logically it isn't. The longer I stay, the more freaked out I get, and the harder it is not to self-destruct.
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| USA: Stimulus Payments Information |
[26 Feb 2008|12:58am] |
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(crossposted a bunch of places)
Here's the official scoop from the IRS. It includes information for Social Security recipients, Veterans Benefits and levels of eligibility for employed people. There are links and FAQ's with more information.
If you do not usually file a tax return, you must file a 1040A this year to qualify for the rebate. Most post offices have forms and instruction booklets. There are also instructions on the IRS site.
SSI recipients are NOT eligible. I think that sucks.
My main income is SSDI. I stopped by the SSA office a couple of weeks ago and spoke to a supervisor. She said SSDI folks should be eligible. Retirees definitely are. She gave me a benefits statement to attatch to the 1040A. The IRS already has Social Security, Railroad Retirement and Veteran's Benefits information on file. The site says to use the amount on the summary statement mailed in January -- or just multiply your monthly benefits by twelve. If you want a statement to play it safe, request one on ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213. I've requested them many times, both from the site and automated phone service. They arrived in the mail within ten days. Or, you can go to your local office and wait around. DON'T go on the first week of the month, it's a zoo! Take some entertainment anyway. My local office runs bad TV shows, yuck.
Working people: Make sure you have all documentation and be absolutely precise. If your return is complicated, if preparation fees are less than the rebate you'll recieve, it may be worthwhile. Seniors and low-income people can get free assistance (see IRS page).
We can all use the extra bucks. Make sure you get yours!
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| Reviving this community? |
[25 Feb 2008|01:10pm] |
Hi, folks. I've been a member of this community for a while. I was also on a large, budget-minded community some of you may know or be members of. I won't name it in case someone does a search, finds this post and takes unintended offense. I cannot relate to most of the subjects anymore. There are differences between debt management, having a low or moderate income that may increase, future planning (retirement, buying a house, etc.) and being extremely poor. They're all important. Disability, public assistance, unemployment, part-time or minimum wage employment require other strategies. Add the stress of living with mental illness and each day is a struggle to survive.
How do you make the most of what you have while managing your condition(s)? I make and freeze meals when I'm feeling okay. Unhealthy fast-food places are tempting when I'm too depressed to cook and the cost adds up. BTW, if you don't have a crock pot, check sales or thrift shops for one. They're great for cooking ahead, feeding families inexpensively or making easy meals on Bad Days. ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) what_a_crock is full of tasty, cheap recipes. Don't know how to cook? Simple crock recipes are a great way to learn.
I'm into recycling and environmental responsibility. Reusing things is good for the Earth and cheap, too! Here's a list of hints from my journal. Maybe it will inspire more posts and ideas.
( the list )
People like us are the only ones who understand other people like us. Let's help each other.
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[24 Aug 2007|05:46pm] |
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I think I have the borderline personality disorder and I don't know what to do. Can anyone help me?
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| not positive what's 'wrong' with me |
[11 Jun 2007|02:26pm] |
Hi, I'm new. 26, lesbian, living at home, and have been fighting depression in one form or another as long as I can remember but I've never gone to a professional to be diagnosed for anything. Just by my own research into things I most closely identify with borderline personality disorder.
( a disorganized listing and rant off the top of my head )
So, no real point other than to kind of let loose some of what I'm feeling as a way of messy introduction.
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| your thoughts on this quote please? |
[21 Apr 2007|10:06am] |
"A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug."
Patricia Neal
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[14 Apr 2007|08:56am] |
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What type of meds are you on and how do you deal with the side effects? how do your current Dr's deal with side effects or do they just switch you to another? anyone on off the wall meds that they just cant deal with or that the side effects are driving you nuts but the meds themselfs work?
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[14 Apr 2007|08:32am] |
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i would like to hear from all you other folks. in what ways do you feel the goverment can help in mental illness? or in what ways do you feel changes can be made in todays society to help us that are on severely low incomes and are mentally ill?
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[08 Apr 2007|04:43pm] |
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I'm gonna be deleting this account and would like a new maintainer for the comm. Comment if you want it.
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| Psych Patients: Meet Your New Roommates |
[01 Mar 2007|06:07pm] |
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| Gov. Eliot Spitzer and legislative leaders Thursday announced agreement on a bill that allows for convicted sex offenders to be confined after they complete their prison sentences -- a measure that could affect hundreds of inmates and cost the state more than $80 million a year to carry out, officials said.
The still-to-be-introduced legislation -- which must be approved by both houses and signed by the governor -- will create a new system by which mental-health experts would decide at the end of a sexual predator's sentence if an offender is fit to return to the community or should be held in a psychiatric center.
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What better place to house violent sex offender than with heavily drugged mentally ill folk who are undoubtedly aware that no pays attention anything they say. Wouldn't a better plan be to actually keep violent sex offenders in prison? They claim these sex offenders are a risk to the public, but apparently putting at risk mental patients (who've often committed no crime) is not a concern because "crazies" aren't people.
Under this new law, in New York you will be drugged and locked up with a mass of outgoing convicted sex offenders if you say the wrong thing to a therapist or psychiatrist. The safest option if you live in the State of New York: never under any circumstance say anything to a therapist or psychiatrist.
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| national ID controversy -- how this affects you |
[28 Jan 2007|10:47pm] |
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http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53945
This proposed "national ID" also, I believe, contains your MEDICAL HISTORY.
If you are a psurvivor and are trying to leave "the system" behind, you WILL NOT BE ABLE TO once this "national ID" is in place. Your medical history will be stored on this chip and your diagnosis (and "treatments") will follow you FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
Call Congress and say NO to the "national ID".
Thank you.
x-posted to antipsychiatry
x-posted to psurvivors
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| boo! |
[25 Jan 2007|03:59pm] |
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Hi, I'm Siggy, I'm 26 (will be 27 in 2 weeks), I live in Orange County, California, and am on Disability for bipolar disorder and PTSD. My boyfriend, who I live with (he moved me out here from Connecticut), has Asperger's and works 2 jobs, about 70 hours a week. Between our two incomes we make ends meet okay but I remember being incarcerated in a mental insitution because I had no source of income (I was denied Disability three times) and no place to go. I was diagnosed with BP at age 22 and spent the past 4 years in and out of hospitals and group homes. After coming out to California in December I totally stopped taking my psych meds because of the horrendous physical and mental side effects. My tremors have finally stopped but I am still getting the "zaps" (I was on a cocktail of 7+ meds), and I have some mildly severe cognitive blunting from the medication. For example, my thoughts are very scattered and it is difficult for me to talk and put my words together coherently.
Today I was at Planned Parenthood taking a pregnancy test. When I first went to Planned Parenthood in December for my Depo-Provera shot, I had to list the medications I just stopped because we didn't know if there would be any interactions. Today after my test I had a clinician tell me if I didn't go back on my medications they would no longer treat me at Planned Parenthood. She shoved a piece of paper with counseling numbers on it in my face and totally disregarded everything I said to her.
When I see my primary care physician for the first time I am apparently going to have to lie about having BP, because otherwise it will be her "duty" to prescribe (and monitor) meds, and possibly call in a 5150 for me daring to be off meds and not hospitalized.
I think it's illegal for them to deny me treatment for my refusal to take psychiatric medications, and I smell a lawsuit coming.
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| Hello |
[21 Jan 2007|05:27am] |
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New! Backstory. I am 24, bipolar, ADHD, fibro, PCOD and others, including depression and anxiety disorders. My boyfriend is schizoaffective bipolar type and is currently trying to get gov't aid. He tried to work, bless his heart, but it was way too much for him. I am a recent divorcee, and when my husband left, he had 3/4 of the house income and 3/4 of the house bills were in my name. I have exhausted every option available to cut down bills but so far my bills and pay have evened up. We have a $30/mo food and household items budget. I dont qualify for aid because I "make too much." I really need to be on disability myself - it is so very hard for me to work, now I have 2 jobs and I think Im going to die all the time. Hopefully my boyfriend will be able to get food stamps and stuff. I am hoping it wont take over a year to get his aide, but yesterday we recieved an eviction notice from our apartment complex. I have court on monday for the rest of the divorce stuff. My ex and his lawyers are bloodsucking assholes. My ex knows how hard things are for me and my illnesses, but he has said for years that I was just faking everything "for attention." He broke my heart everyday. i trying very hard to keep the credit cards out of court, and my car out of repo, but the next 2 weeks will tell. Hopefully things will get better. Blessed be.
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| Pressure to get high speed Internet |
[18 Jan 2007|02:22pm] |
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It sucks having dial-up. Everywhere I go, I encounter people telling me that I should get DSL or broadband. I am a gamer. I would love to take advantage of the online gaming that's becoming available on Wii and DS. However, whenever I ask about the gadgets that could help me take advantage of them, they all require high speed internet. I ask if there is anything that could function for people that use dial-up. All I get are responses from people that I should get high speed internet. One person says that I should get a job so that I could afford it. Ha. I wish. *sob*
It sucks being unemployed. It sucks being uncoordinated and lacking in the ability to maintain concentration for tedious jobs. It sucks being the sort of person that lacks people skills. Most jobs in my area involve either house cleaning / janitor work, working at cash registers, or sales. Jobs that pertain to the use of information technology are extremely rare. My dream jobs don't exist here, either. (I want to do something that involves video games...) I hate living where I live right now. I want to relocate to Los Angeles, California, but I have nobody to move in with, over there. I presently have Section VIII Subsidized Rent. My hope is for my housing voucher to transfer to California. It seems pointless to get a job now, where I live. Each moment, I would feel the desire to quit, because I hate living in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Plus, even if I were to get a job, there would be no change in my total income. My social security benefits would be reduced to compensate for the extra income. Therefore, I see no point in obtaining work that I don't enjoy. I'm going to remain unemployed until I relocate. Please, God, help me move!
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| The Burning Mad |
[04 Jan 2007|10:16am] |
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The holocaust did not begin with the Jews or gays or the Roma peoples or even the political dissidents. The holocaust began in the psychiatric institutions. The first gas chambers installed by the Nazis were in the "hospitals". The skills that would in later years be used against other groups were developed in those institutions. It was under the auspices of psychiatry that it began.
The politics of psychiatry are dangerous, and recent history shows the appetite for forced psychiatry has not abated. Mental patients are one of the most vulnerable groups. "Normal" people fear the mad. They feel they need to be protected from us. We need to be controlled. And of course - they always know best for us.
I've heard people who would cringe at the oppression of any other group casually declare "Why would I care about a bunch of crazy people?". When people take the attitude that something needs to be done to "help" the mentally ill, they usually take the NAMI/TAC approach of forced drugging/electroconvulsive therapy/imprisonment. These approaches are not really about helping the mad, only about shutting us up. The website of the NAMI affiliated Treatment Advocacy Center , which purports to be about helping mental patients, instead relies almost entirely on fearmongering — the evil crazy people are coming to kill your cops and throw you under a train. They must be controlled.
In my more optimistic moments I hope that "sane" people figure out that what is now done to us may effect them also. The realm of psychiatry is expanding, more and more of who were once considered "sane" are being given the label "insane". The expansion of who is insane is aimed at anyone who isn't happy and productive and non-questioning of the standard paradigm. No one is "safe" from being redefined, and if you find yourself in mourning for longer than two weeks when you most dear loved one dies, you may be joining the rest of crazies who may have at one time been called human.
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| Poll |
[25 Dec 2006|04:47am] |
Poll #894720 Can You Cook?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: AllDo you cook for yourself when you are free? Who taught you to cook?
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48 (47.5%)