PTSD, Schizo-affective disorder, bi polor disorder(manic depression), clinical depression... all cured?

I've just turned 18. I've been in the foster care system and had a problem cutting myself since I was 13.
I've been in many group homes and even more mental hospitals.. I've been diagnosed with the stated above.
At 16 I met a girl who helped me feel better about myself.. and I stopped taking medication. I havent taken any since.
I feel fine. I get depressed sometimes.. but nothing else.
I thought all of those were uncurable?
Let me know how I get better, because someone suggested I take medication again, because of reading my diagnosies, not because of how I act now.

I meant how I got better.. not how I get better.. sorry

this is wonderful news: tell the person you'll think it over. If they insist--get a new shrink. if that only makes you more depressed--apologize to the other shrink and ask for session to resume with some but not all of the medication which is appropriate for how they think you act now.
if it's more than two pills--go back to the other shrink!

There is such a thing as misdiagnosis and there is such a thing as change!

http://discoveries.typepad.com/my_weblog...

Here is your answer on this link, watch the five minute video, too.

Most of the time when you are admitted to a hospital or psychiatric institute they will base a diagnosis on your pre-admitting condition. (your past behavior) When you were diagnosed with the above I am assuming the goal was to "rule out" most of the diagnosis as that is how it is where I work. However, you contradict yourself when you say you are cured but want to know "howto get better". Most kids get better without medication and benefit from psychotherapy but I cannot offeryou any adivse w/o knowing your history. Since you listed PTSD and MDD i can only assume you have been abused either physically or sexually and that this cause you to test reality and harm yourself. IT also cause major depression and low self-esteem and severe mood swings all of which could be diagnosed with the above mentioned. I suggest you get some sort of treatment from a pofessional who you can trust if you feel you are slipping.

I have bipolar disorder and PTSD. I take very little medication because I am allergic to almost every 'mood-stabilizer on the planet. (I would laugh at all my bills that prove this, but it isn't funny.) There are periods (sometimes years even) when Bipolar and PTSD go into what I nicknamed "remission". IE: A period of life when everything seems to be okay and you wonder if you were ever really sick. I know this because when I was 16 I suddenly felt better. Then at 20 I totally freaked and tried to commit suicide. I don't know why or what triggered it. Those good 4 years I wasn't on anything. I have been fighting ever since. My advice: You are probably in a remission period. Be grateful. Make progress in your life like schooling, work or community service. When the tables turn months or years from now, take meds. They help and you will need them. Have a Psych. Doc. on hand and explain how you want yourself handled. (IE no meds as long as your are a functioning member of society, but when you hit the skids - you want and then be really specific about what you want and do not want. It might even be really helpful to have an attorney work out your wishes so that you can't get tossed into a psych ward on some Docs whim.) Enjoy your life while it is pain-free! Do things that are good for you and will improve you. Good luck against the monsters.

Hi there,

Let me share my story somewhat. I am a psychologist who also used to be a patient. My diagnosis was major depression with anxiety, panic and phobia and schizoaffective disorder. Today I'm totally cured yet remain on medication.

However I am not truamatised or fearful of all the shootings that are today a phenomenon having viewed the website suggested by response person number1. I choose to remain on medications (I remain on the four that I have found with medical help to work the best for me).

As a psychologist I help persons in need and especiallly psychological need. I too have changed my thinking over the last 10 years that anxiety can be cured and without medication if necessary. I also know of persons with mental disorders who have stopped taking medications reportedly with minor non-significant side effects.

I must council persons not to ignore sound medical advice and stop taking their med's before they have had the optimal chance to correct and improve brain chemistry! This being said the long term effect of stopping medication on a large scale has not to my best knowledge been made publicly available or even been studied. I suspect that the successful cases of this are relatively small. Nevertheless I do believe that persons brain chemistry balance and function can be improved apart from medication alone. From your own testimony you met a girl at age 16 who helped you signincantly to feel better about yourself and the difference you felt then made a profound difference to your mental health. Whether you are cured I would have to determine for myself by seeing you, talking to you and testing you.

Sinse you wish to clear up any misconceptions that this significant person in your life may have about your current mental status, before you go to a mental hospital or see a psychiatrist I would suggest that you test you cognitive, emotional and physical functioning by seeing a Neurologist if you are able to do so easily enough not a (psychologist). He/she is a medical doctor who specializes in neurological illnesses/diseases that is disorders in perception and mental functioning. He/She may send you to do an MRI (magnetic resonance Imaging) to see a picture of the interior of your brain, as well as determine if you possess any cognitive deficits, that is any low levels of thinking. Then go to your psychiatrist and let him/her also check you out. Let them know exactly how you've been feeling and coping lately and over the recent almost two years sinse you've stopped taking your med's. If everything is o.k. then you have no problem and can confidently get on with your life ahead. If not discuss your options with your doctor. I as a Christian psychologist however do believe that it is possible to be cured by faith itself and this by the grace/favour of GOD himself. So I don't doubt your sincerity or your perceived wellness for as a man thinketh in his heart so is he, I just want for you to be sure sinse you now have some doubt. Jesus Christ will clear up any confusion for you. Pray to him if you will, but always be willing to accept the truth in your situation, whatever is best for you, whether med's or not. What is important I believe in your situation is the best health possible and the best life possible. To be on med's is not a curse, everyone in life needs something or someone, no one is perfect except GOD himself.

Good luck and I hope that you have support like the person who suggested you get yourself back on med's if he/she is genuine.

Barry H

P.S. We would all like to be off med's forever.