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Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/12/2007 8:24:52 PM   
Aneirin


Posts: 6121
Joined: 3/18/2006
From: Tamaris
Status: offline 		I recently read somewhere,not sure if it were on Collarme,that people in the BDSM community are either prone to,or suffer MH issues.Is this true,or is it just that kinky people are more open,and willing to talk with others and therefore seem to suffer when in fact we are no different from any other group in society?

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/12/2007 8:27:23 PM   
michaelOfGeorgia


Posts: 4253
Status: offline 		i have MH issues...i suffer from mood swings, depression, anxiety and bi polar. i'm in bad shape...maybe a spanking would fix me right up?

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/12/2007 9:47:07 PM   
slaverosebeauty


Posts: 1941
Joined: 12/12/2004
From: Cali
Status: offline 		I have a few.. OCD, manic depressive {not bi-polar}, suffer from anxiety and panick attacks at times.. I think in this lifestyle we are more open to discussing things and to asking for help; look at the very personal nature of some of the things that get asked on this board alone, Its amazing how helpfull and kind others can be.

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/12/2007 10:05:09 PM   
juliaoceania


Posts: 21383
Joined: 4/19/2006
From: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Status: offline 		There was a recent poll taken of people over 35 asked if they had ever suffered a depression in their lifetime... 96% said that they had... I hope that sheds light on how widespread mental health issues are. I think that the vast majority of people suffer from something at some point in their life... we just label it with names now. I also think that for most of us these situations will rectify themselves mostly... if we think of mental illness like any other illness, we have all had the flu or a cold... for some people their depression or anxiety or chemical imbalance becomes chronic, for others it is acute

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/12/2007 10:59:17 PM   
LadyHeart


Posts: 561
Joined: 5/7/2007
Status: offline 		The chemicals generated by a good flogging are actually good for mental health.
:))
LH

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/12/2007 11:16:47 PM   
Nosathro


Posts: 3319
Joined: 9/25/2005
From: Orange County, California
Status: offline 		greetings
I have years of experience and training in the Mental Health Field.  It is true that in the DSMIV which is used to diagnosised mental illness, Sadism and Maschoism are listed as mental illnesses.  Depression is the common cold of mental illness and can be treated effectivly.  Mood Swings, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Bi-polar, Manic/depressive, can be caused by chemical inbalance in the brain, drug abuse (Including Alcohol), stress, etc.  Just being in this lifestyle would have little to do with the condition.  I do think people here are more open to talk about it.  If you think you have a mental disorder I sugguest you get an evalution.

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/13/2007 2:51:28 AM   
RCdc


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Mental health issues are on the increase in being admitted and there simply isnt the support in place as there was and now it is all down to medical intervention.
 
BDSM is full of people from outside wiitwd and so it has it's percentage just as anything else.  I don't see that BDSM is prone to people who have depression but more that depression is a fact of life.  It is how you deal with it that is more the issue.
 
I know you already know my stance on this A, but I wanted to respond to you here.
 
Peace
the.dark.


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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/13/2007 3:53:37 AM   
lilacs


Posts: 46
Joined: 2/17/2005
Status: offline 		My (mind, mostly uneducated) thoughts on this is that it is dangerous to make generalizations about such things.  My personal observation is that there are many groups of people who might be considered on the "fringe" in whatever sense or part of various subcultures that the same statements could be said about.  There is really no way of knowing exactly why those of us who are kinky are the way we are - and if I really dug into my past and my childhood it could be a manifestation of things that happened when I was very young.  However, what is really important is how it is handled.  As has been said above, sadism and masochism is listed in the DSMIV, but I think I remember someone indicating that it is not diagnosable unless it causes distress in other aspects of the person's life.  If a person handles the kink of their life in a safe way, that is the sign of exceptional mental health - not mental illness.

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/13/2007 9:03:23 AM   
sasshay


Posts: 38
Joined: 3/5/2006
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What Is Bipolar Disorder?
http://abilify.com/abilify/channels/bipolar_content.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&utm_medium=paidsearch&channelName=Bipolar%2fBP_Disorder&utm_content=branded_text_whatisbipolar_static&utm_campaign=google_ConditionDiagnosis&utm_source=google&referrer=nullBipolar disorder, formerly called manic-depressive illness, is a condition that affects more than two million Americans. People who have this illness tend to experience extreme mood swings, along with other specific symptoms and behaviors. These mood swings or "episodes" can take three forms: manic episodes, depressive episodes, or "mixed" episodes.
The symptoms of a manic episode often include elevated mood (feeling extremely happy), being extremely irritable and anxious, talking too fast and too much, and having an unusual increase in energy and a reduced need for sleep. It's also very common for someone to act impulsively during a manic episode, and engage in behaviors that are risky or that they later regret, like spending sprees. And in over half of all manic episodes, people are troubled by delusions or hallucinations. For example, they may think they have a relationship with someone famous, claim to be an expert in an area they really know nothing about, feel paranoid (unusually fearful), or hear voices that are not there.
The symptoms of a depressive episode often include an overwhelming feeling of emptiness or sadness, a lack of energy, a loss of interest in things, trouble concentrating, changes in normal sleep or appetite, and/or thoughts of dying or suicide.
A mixed episode includes symptoms that are both manic and depressive.
What causes it?
The symptoms of bipolar disorder are thought to be caused by an imbalance of key chemicals in the brain. The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that move a constant stream of information from one to the other. To keep the information flowing, the cells release chemicals known as "neurotransmitters." Two key neurotransmitters that are needed for brain function are dopamine and serotonin, which play a crucial role in emotional health.
Many scientists believe that when the levels of these neurotransmitters aren't quite right, it may result in bipolar disorder. For instance, too much dopamine in certain parts of the brain can cause symptoms such as delusions, while too little dopamine in other parts of the brain can cause symptoms such as a lack of emotion and energy.

Just an FYI :)
Shay

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/13/2007 9:37:39 AM   
jokerssmile


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Status: offline 		bi-polar disorder is by definition manic/depressive...bi-polar is just a more technical name....bi (two) polar (sides) means two opposites basically.


just bugs me when people think manic/depressive isn't bi-polar...grrr

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/13/2007 10:26:59 AM   
slaverosebeauty


Posts: 1941
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From: Cali
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quote:

ORIGINAL: jokerssmile
bi-polar disorder is by definition manic/depressive...bi-polar is just a more technical name....bi (two) polar (sides) means two opposites basically.

just bugs me when people think manic/depressive isn't bi-polar...grrr


{giggles} I was diagnosed OVER 10 years ago with Manic/Depression and my sister with Bi-Polar disorder about 7 years ago; a few therapists STILL hold onto the original thinking that they are seperate diseases; close but seperate {their ARE differences between them, if you look in the medical books, NOT what wickapedia says, lol}.  Things got 'lumped together' because it was partly confusing since they are closely related, and the word 'manic' scared people. If you can't explain 2 closely related diseases to people, then just put them under an embrella term, that is EXACTLY what happened.

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/13/2007 10:54:17 AM   
KatyLied


Posts: 13029
Joined: 2/24/2005
From: Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		There are two types of bi-polar (I & II).
There can also be bi-polar with psychosis.
As far as I know manic-depression and bi-polar is the same thing.  Are they listed separately in the DSM-IV?


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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/13/2007 10:57:51 AM   
mistoferin


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Joined: 10/27/2004
Status: offline 		Actually, 10 years ago ALL bipolar disorders were termed Manic Depression. Manic Depression is simply the old terminology. Now we have it broken down into Bipolar I, II, III and Cyclothymic Disorder...all of which are Bipolar disorders.

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/13/2007 11:10:02 AM   
LadyInControl


Posts: 30
Joined: 11/28/2006
Status: offline 		I would like to add to this by asking the opinion of those that have posted.  I had a pet that requested release and got out of the lifestyle as he "could not feel stable" no matter what he did or what I did.  I am wondering if, short of professional help (which he had and was diagnosed bi-polar) anyone has feelings on a right or wrong way to handle a sub with these issues, or if it is in their best interest to deal with the issue outside of the lifestyle. 

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/13/2007 11:21:57 AM   
KatyLied


Posts: 13029
Joined: 2/24/2005
From: Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		I personally hate the thought of someone leaving a relationship or lifestyle because of issues that are being addressed appropriately (under medical care).  I do understand that some people consider this "baggage" that they don't want to deal with.  But anyone's health can be in jeopardy at any time in their life.

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/13/2007 11:30:47 AM   
RCdc


Posts: 8674
Status: offline
Without knowing the individual, that is a very tough question to answer.  Everyone is diagnosed differently and everyone reacts to being bi-polar differently.  It really comes down to an individual assessment.  Sometimes, BDSM just isn't a healthy option for someone with a mental illness.  Sometimes, it has to be taken in stages depending on how their 'swing' is going.  Some people can cope extremely well for a large majority of the time, but some are just unable to hold a relationship or have any stability in their life - including jobs etc.
 
Peace
the.dark.


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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/13/2007 11:59:46 AM   
Aswad


Posts: 9374
Joined: 4/4/2007
Status: offline 		Attempting to handle bipolar disorder without extensive experience or a professional skillset is edgeplay at best.

If anyone is to make an attempt at coming up with a suggestion beyond just leaving it to the docs, you're going to have to be a bit more specific than just "bipolar", as there are different kinds of bipolar. I realize people don't usually remember ther dx codes, but at the very least a suggestion requires knowing how severe the manic episodes are (hypomanic, mania, mania with psychosis), how severe the depressive episodes are, whether there are mixed states, what kind of treatment he is undergoing (if any) and whether that is working for him. Knowing how fast he cycles would also be a factor in making any suggestions.

Bipolar is a very wide spectrum.

If you count the subclinical versions, it ranges from being a moderate annoyance to being effectively impossible to live with even with treatment.

If he is not undergoing treatment now, realize that it can, and frequently does, take up to 2 years to find the appropriate meds, adjusting them, and adjusting to them. Some will undoubtedly suggest doing without, which is fine by me, but significant numbers of bipolar support groups liken that (doing without) to the alcoholic deciding to start drinking in moderation again: some can do it while keeping their act together, most cannot.

I'd suggest talking to a Kink Aware Professional about this, specifically one who is a trained and licenced psychiatrist. They can suggest ways to deal with things, and know how to deal with both angles of the issue.

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/13/2007 8:30:29 PM   
zindyslave


Posts: 601
Joined: 1/14/2007
Status: offline 		I have one question when one is in a mixed state can it feel to that person like they are 'normal' like their moods are in the right ranges and that they can function normally? Just wondering cause I have felt 'normal' quite a bit, when I wasn't on meds.  I would also like to add that I agree with Aswad about the sub that couldn't handle a BDSM relationship because of his bi-polar or problems he had related to that, we can't really answer that, I can however add that I as being bi-polar and in the lifestyle that it actually helps me and I love it. It could just be that he couldn't handle being in a relationship at that time or because of his bi-polar had problems with that kind of commitment.

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/14/2007 2:27:02 AM   
lilacs


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quote:

I have one question when one is in a mixed state can it feel to that person like they are 'normal' like their moods are in the right ranges and that they can function normally? Just wondering cause I have felt 'normal' quite a bit, when I wasn't on meds.


This is from someone who has *only* seen this from the sidelines, so keep that in mind.

I have a relative who suffers from very severe bi-polar disorder with psychosis.  When she (for whatever reason) goes off her meds and is manic, she (almost by definition) feels *great* -- for awhile.  She feels better than 'normal'.  She has some amazing energy, she doesn't need to sleep, she can conquer the world!  She experiences feelings that nothing can harm her, she goes on spending sprees, she survives on three hours of sleep a night or less where she normally needs 7-9 a night.  Then the psychosis comes in and the voices start or the dreams or the other audio hallucinations and it gets frightening.  Then sometimes the depression hits and that's when things get really frightening.  Then when she gets on meds again she has to try to pick up all the pieces again, try to return all the expensive items she bought (sadly, cars are not usually returnable...)  She realizes she doesn't have a job because she quit when she was having hallucinations so the job search begins.

Now, are you asking if it is okay to feel "normal" or if it is okay to feel "great" when you are off your meds?  There is obviously a difference between the two.  In normal, you can feel and express feelings of happy, sad, and in between and none of those states becomes what feels extreme or chronic.  If you are having side effects from whatever mood stabilizer you are on that makes going off them make you feel more like a human being, I would ask whoever is managing your meds to see if you could try a different one.  There are a lot of new medications on the market and it might just be that the one you have been on isn't the one that works for you.  Granted, the family member that I talk about above has a fairly extreme bi-polar (she has also had a schizophrenia diagnosis) but it took a large amount of trial and error before the doctors found something that worked without causing long-term harmful side effects.

Okay, that's it for my uneducated, from the sidelines observations. ;)

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RE: Mental health issues and BDSM? - 6/14/2007 2:37:45 AM   
NoirUMC


Posts: 132
Joined: 4/17/2007
Status: offline 		I'd just like to point out that, as of my last psychology class at college--sometime last year--there is no such thing as "manic-depressive" disorder in that its name has been changed to more accurately reflect its nature. It is officially called "bipolar" disorder. Why anyone would point out that they are specifically manic-depressive and not bipolar is beyond me.

Oh! One other thing, for those of you who might have been worried by the earlier post about sadism and masochism... Things are only defined as mental illnesses when they become disruptive in one's daily life. For example, sadism becomes an illness when it causes "marked distress or interpersonal difficulty." The text also specifies acting on sadistic urges with a "nonconsenting person."

Diagnostic criteria taken from: http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/sexsadismTR.htm

< Message edited by NoirUMC -- 6/14/2007 2:44:25 AM >

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