YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

Hello, my name is Ian and I live in Arkansas. I have been listening to the podcast for months now but this is my first time posting on the forum. Even though I live in one of the largest cities in the state there are no support groups for mental illness in this area. This forum is the closest I'm going to get and I hope it will be as welcoming as Paul says it is.

I am 31 years old and have struggled with bipolar disorder since I was 16. I also struggle with social anxiety and sexual trauma from childhood. I guess I would also be labeled as having love addiction, but I'm not sure if I agree. Is it so wrong to need an intimate connection with a partner?

Anyway, that's all I have for now. Thank you for reading and I hope to be an active member of the forum.

Hello imaginarynumber, welcome to our little forum. Make yourself at home in the threads and topics here!

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imaginarynumber wrote:I guess I would also be labeled as having love addiction, but I'm not sure if I agree. Is it so wrong to need an intimate connection with a partner?

I also have social anxiety and I have a hard time telling apart my needs and my wants in personal relationships.

All the best to you and cheers!