I was sexually assaulted a few times and stalked/harrassed by an abusive, predatory and highly manipulative man who was in a position of trust to me. (We weren't in a relationship; he is nearly three times my age.) I am confused about where I should "be" or where I amin terms of getting over the events. Counselors and websites are quick to point out things like PTSD and rape trauma syndrome; they are suggesting things like EMDR and strongly hinting that I'm traumatized. I'm not convinced. Is it possible to actually be traumatized and not realize/recognize it? Is a "trauma response"... with panic attacks, flashbacks, and such... the only possible response to rape and harassment? Secondly: Is therapy always necessary to deal with this sort of thing? Or is it possible that I have/will get over it by myself? I don't want to pathologize myself. I don't want to create new problems for myself by going to therapy that I might not actually need. I wanted to ask metafilter because the counselors I speak to are obviously going to be somewhat biased in telling me that I am "traumatized". [more inside]
posted by gemutlichkeit on Jun 1, 2013 - 26 answers

How do you get used to yourself as bipolar (II)? Trying to understand my lows and mixed highs better, but find myself slipping into despair. [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish on Apr 28, 2013 - 11 answers

Hi. I'll try and cut a long story short, about 6 month ago I've been diagnosed with ADHD and now I'm doubting my diagnosis. (more down there, all sappy again) [more inside]
posted by ahtlast93 on Apr 16, 2013 - 12 answers

Depression has upended my life and the people trying to help aren't really helping, what do I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 7, 2013 - 19 answers

Two days ago I had some sort of emotional/mental breakdown. I got help in the immediate sense, but I'm not sure how to process and get over it. [more inside]
posted by trogdole on Mar 1, 2013 - 26 answers

Getting a prescription cat... How to, should I, and can I? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 28, 2012 - 21 answers

Are there online forums/communities for support for medical professionals/students with serious mental health diagnoses? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 26, 2012 - 2 answers

How do I help myself when I feel like I don't deserve it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 11, 2012 - 17 answers

Help me help a friend suffering severe depression in Tokyo. [more inside]
posted by harujion on Mar 21, 2012 - 3 answers

How can I battle depression and insomnia (I think they're related, actually) without meds or doctors? [more inside]
posted by bryanthecook on Jan 6, 2012 - 36 answers

PDX Filter: Had a small meltdown last Friday and came home from work. Today I'm feeling completely detached from my job and I just want to get some help once and for all. What kind of mental health facilities can I call up today about getting in this afternoon? More snowflake-y stuff inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 7, 2011 - 8 answers

How to find a therapist tailor-made for my snowflake issues? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 2, 2011 - 6 answers

Need some life advice, I don't really know what I'm doing, I've failed so far miserably. [more inside]
posted by sawyerrrr on Nov 1, 2011 - 39 answers

I need help identifying a name or category for this troubling mental health symptom so that appropriate kinds of therapy may be sought.(Not me, thankfully.) [more inside]
posted by stormygrey on Jul 6, 2011 - 14 answers

MentalhealthFilter: dealing with the trial and error of meds, wondering if it's just me or if it's really a brain issue. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 18, 2011 - 11 answers

How do I make sure that I will have a job to come back to after checking into a psychiatric hospital? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 25, 2011 - 12 answers

TL;DR My boyfriend has asked for psychiatric help, but he is unemployed and uninsured. I don't know where to look or where to start. [more inside]
posted by lisawin on Jan 27, 2011 - 17 answers

I'm in a hole, and I keep digging. I'm behind on numerous things, and I just bury my head until problems become unbearable. Help me pull some dirt into this hole (without me in it) and lay down some concrete so this doesn't happen again. [more inside]
posted by SNWidget on Aug 2, 2010 - 39 answers

Why am I destroying my life when everything was going so great for so long? And how do I stop? [more inside]
posted by Hey nonny nonny mouse on Jun 25, 2010 - 16 answers

Can anyone recommend a good mental health professional or clinic in the Denver area that works on a sliding scale? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 23, 2010 - 4 answers

Help me not let depression make my life stand still? Or worse? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 24, 2010 - 5 answers

Has your therapist fallen asleep during your therapy session? [more inside]
posted by ChicagoTherapyConnection on May 24, 2010 - 41 answers

Every night that he comes home and winds up browsing the internet for hours, I feel like I'm going to scream. Am I a nagging worrywort, is my boyfriend mildly depressed, or both? And what's the best way to work on it? [more inside]
posted by brisquette on Nov 17, 2009 - 39 answers

Should I mention my mental illness on my graduate school statement of intent? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 16, 2009 - 24 answers

I've lacked confidence in every aspect of my life, and it's holding me back. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 16, 2009 - 18 answers

Should I reveal my depression to my co-workers? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 7, 2009 - 37 answers

Looking for some advice on how to cope with long-standing psychological issues - except...I'm studying in Tokyo for the next month, which adds some unique twists. [more inside]
posted by Griffinlb on May 26, 2009 - 8 answers

Obsessiveness Filter: I fixate on and plan obsessively about moving to new (specific) places, and I'd like to know why. Here's the situation: I have mild depression with anxiety and take medication for it which helps a lot. However, periodically I do something that I find odd and that I can't find specific references to in information about OCD, depression or anxiety. I pick a place that I might vaguely like to move to, and become obsessed with planning every detail about it. [more inside]
posted by supercoollady on Apr 28, 2009 - 21 answers

I disclosed depression at work. Most of the things people tend to do in response to a depressed colleague are things which actually make me sicker. What to do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 24, 2009 - 9 answers

I've recently taken on, what I've found to be, the most miserable and painful task ever. That is, finding a mental health provider that is covered by my insurance... (Long "please-for-the-love-of-everything-good-in-this-world-Help-me" story.) [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 28, 2009 - 6 answers

Please help me sort out my anxiety-related relationship problems and help me to have an open heart. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 30, 2008 - 6 answers

How to climb out of severe depression? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 9, 2008 - 21 answers

Recommendations or help with finding low cost therapy in the Philadelphia area for anxiety and depression. Any particular schools, agencies or companies that you know of or have used would be great.
posted by antisocialiting on Dec 26, 2007 - 2 answers

Are there any statistics that suggest mental disorders (from depression to schizophrenia and anywhere in-between) have been growing (in terms of people being diagnosed) over the years?
posted by JaySunSee on Nov 20, 2007 - 12 answers

Adult sibling with mental health problems living with parent. How to help from afar? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 9, 2007 - 7 answers

How do I find a psychiatrist that doesn't suck? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 30, 2005 - 15 answers

Question about mental health and the developing world. More inside. [more inside]
posted by plep on Jun 20, 2004 - 7 answers