Welcome to Gaia! ::

Hello, I just recieved an invitation ^^
My name is Kathryn and I'm 18. I was never really diagnosed with Selective Mutism as a child, but I think my anxiety was initiated in elementary school. My teacher yelled at me for "not listening to her" and had a conference with my mom. This teacher was a very nasty lady who criticized me for biting my nails, not erasing properly, and not speaking in class. I was a sensitive child, so I withdrew into myself. I met a few friends in the neighboorhood, but other than that, I never really spoke to anyone. Those friends have since given up on me.

I was diagnosed with Avoidant Personality Disorder about two years ago. It's kind of sad that my parents never really noticed that I had a problem, but it's too late, I guess. My seclusive nature has made me overwhelmingly shy and depressed. My personality changes when I'm around people: I become dry and boring. When I'm at home, however, I actually act like myself. I've only been to one behavioral psychologist and I've seen only a tiny shift in my problem.
I haven't made a single friend in a long long time, but I'm about to leave for a massive university in about 2 weeks.
I have mixed feelings about this situation...


I plan to join the Anxiety Center at the University once I get there, and I'll force myself to participate in group therapy sessions.

Yea, people can be really hard to deal with. They are the cause of 90% of stress lol

Hi. I'm 27 years old, and I have social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, and mild depression. I suspect I may also have Asperger's Syndrome though this is not something I've discussed with my current therapist. I've made a lot of progress with my generalized anxiety over the past couple of years though I still have trouble with it, and now am working to improve my social issues and push through depression symptoms as well.

Hi, I'm Lin and I'm a sixteen year old female.
Two years ago, I had a therapist that said I most likely suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder. I didn't stay with her long enough to get the full diagnosis, but I think she was probably correct.
I also have a problem with self-injury and an eating disorder.
I either starve myself or I purge the little food that I do eat.
I'm slowly gaining control over that, though, and I hope to make a recovery.

Hullo, I'm Joe. I'm Raven's boything.

I'm almost 23, and though I've never been diagnosed with any disorders I have an interest in abnormal psychology and personal experience with schizophrenia (it runs in my family), with Reactive Attachment Disorder (my brother), with ADD and ADHD (my brother, my two older sisters) with Downs Syndrome (my cousin) and with Autism in various forms (My best friend's daughter, two close childhood friends, and multiple friends in my adult life). Not to mention the close relationship with Raven, leading to up close and personal experience with BPD.

I also have friends with various other disorders but I'm not going to list them all. XD

I'm not really -sane- but my insanity is in what could possibly be symptoms of mild schizophrenia. However, I'm not really qualified to make that sort of judgment call, being not certified or even as fully educated as I could be.

Anyway, my point in being here is to show support, learn things, and possibly help educate, as the cases may be.

Ciao.

Hi all

My names Cat, I'm 18, South African, and am currently studying a BSc in Human Life and Psychology. As you might guess from the last part, I have an interest in mental disorders. I hope to one day be a qualified clinical psychologist so that I can help people to deal with them. I already act like one in my personal life, specifically with my friends who have depression, in some cases, to the extent of saving their lives.

On a more personal note, I've been diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder, after about 6 months of being treated for depression only.
In truth, I showed signs of depression from about 12 years old, and signs of hypomania from about 14. Since then things got far worse, with me having severe depressive episodes as well as slightly more serious manic episodes from the age of 16 onwards.

The medication I'm on is doing some good, thankfully. It's helped me get out of a very scary place, and now I am able to function much more normally.

I'm relatively stable compared to where I used to be, and I hope to be able to contribute to this guild in a positive way, by giving advice and support, as well as to learn from other's experiences.

I'm more than willing to chat to anyone who needs/ wants it.
3nodding

Hi I'm jopwie
I've been diagnosed with a lot of things. Problem is I kept landing in psych emerge and would receive a different dx every time. But the ones that my current psychiatrist recognizes are PDD Aspergers, Schizoaffective Disorder, & anxiety (not otherwise specified)

I'm on government disability and recently applied to college. I hope to become a personal support worker. I'm really hoping I get accepted.

The only other thing in my life is my dog. He's so special. I adopted him in October and am so proud to be his mummy.