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

Hey everyone, my name is Brandon.

I titled this entry "Cornucopia of Personality Disorders" because it was the first thing I said about myself that made my therapist laugh.

I'm diagnosed with OCD and ADHD, but I also have some sort of Nonverbal Learning Disorder that they haven't figured out yet. I'm guessing that I'm Dyslexic... but after working at a Dyslexia center for a year... I was able to outsmart any test they gave me.

I live in Hawaii. Hawaii sounds great when you're not living here, but honestly... it can be pretty bad. It doesn't take long until you find out that the person you're talking to was abused or sexually molested as a child.

In the past three years I've been diagnosed with Cancer on my graduating semester of college, dated a girl that beat me in the hospital when I didn't do what she said, and had to move back home with my physically/mentally abusive mother... it's not 100% her fault tho... her stepfather molested her at a young age and created the monster she is now.

If one good thing came out of this, it's brought me to the decision to become a Clinical Psychologist. I haven't a meeting with the dean on Thursday, so wish me luck =).

Anyways, It's nice to get this off my chest. I hope to get to meet you all soon.

Hey Brandon,

My name is David, and, quite frankly, the title gave me a good laugh. I just came to the forum for the first time with the intent of feeling connected, and your post caught my eye. I too have plethora of diagnoses, unsure where one begins and the other ends. ADHD-C, Social Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Episode (chronic)...

The most recent diagnosis was last week when my new psychiatrist diagnosed me "Personality disorder NOS with Borderline and Obsessive-Compulsive traits." While unexpected, it wasn't surprising; and while surprising, it wasn't unexpected. I hope to see more of you around the forum.

I certainly feel for you with respect to your mom. I realized this summer that all of my family is toxic to my mental health, and I don't think I even love them. I'm currently in pharmacy school and don't expect to go home for any break or vacation. It's regrettable, but that's life. It sucks, and then you die. Aaaaaand that was super depressing and not at all helpful, haha. I'm starting to apply DBT strategies to my life; it's tough. (This is also diagnostic of my OCPD characteristics because I researched it and started figuring it out yesterday afternoon. My psychologist will probably just laugh. And maybe facepalm. )

Hey David,

Thanks for the reply. I can relate to your issues with family. I don't think I spent a single holiday with them for the last decade. The most annoying part of it all is having to explain it to people who enjoy being with their families. It's like, they can't even imagine their parents being flawed, so I must be the problem. I can't tell you how many times I've been given a lecture about respecting my parents. I have to say that I'm not only annoyed by them, but I also envy them.

It's the whole reason why I put myself into therapy... so hopefully I won't do the same to my kids (whenever that time comes around).

I can understand your feelings of not loving your family, it's something I feel too, but hardly ever say. Anyways, I'm glad you're getting help and I hope you enjoy this forum too. Take care.