got a question about a "stigma" ...

[anton]

Hello,


well , I read over nostigma.org , and was horrified, b/c I have way too many of the same warning signs as they list ...

but the problem is that I don't think my parents believe it's any kind of mental illness or something (or maybe they don't want to believe), but they see that I'm different from others ...

so , got few questions ...

maybe I should go to doctor ? but the problem is that I don't really feel like going to doctor without support of my famuly ..


I always hear those advertisements about non-prescription drugs that make you happier and "at easy" , like alcohol (which I know makes me absolutely another person ) , but without side effects ... is it a good idea to try to use them ?

thanks.

 

[shiner]

Alcohol is a depressant. If you really think you have a problem GO TO A DOCTOR/PSYCHOLOGIST!!! Your health isn't something you want to play games with.

 

[Jfur]

well, if it is not mental illness, a doctor can verify that, too. it is very common these days and nothing to feel ashamed about. just find a qualified doctor and make an appointment, and your parents will probably go alaong. they are probably just concerned and "in denial" because when they were young this was not something that people talked about. nowadays, though, it's no big deal.

 

[vi edit]

There are several ways to approach mental "disorders".

Biological - drugs
Behavioral - changing your living style and patterns that you set yourself into
Cognitive - changing the way you think about things
Social - group interactions and group therapy
psychotherapy - basically a joke, it's what Freud did. You just ramble off random thoughts and a therapist tries to figure out some deeper "issues" that you may have

Without knowing exactly what you are concerned about, it's hard to make a recommendating about what method would work best.

I like to suggest to people that biological methods be a last resort. Many times cognitive and behavioral approaches are far more effective, and don't have any adverse side effects.

BTW - Alcohol is recommended by 0 out of 4 pschychiatrists

 

[db]

Trying to self-medicate is a real mistake that will only lead to more problems.

Can you just tell the family that you would like to see a counciler? They will ask, so be prepared for that.
If you don't want to discuss it with them, can you stay cool about it to get their permission/blessing?

 

[vi edit]

If money is a concern, I will remind you that *most* insurance companies do provide some basic forms of counseling support at a nominal, if not free cost.