#bipolar disorder symptoms in females

[drrahulmathure]

Is Bipolar Disorder Genetic?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition denoted by extreme mood swings. Individuals with bipolar disorder experience periods of intense mania, where they feel excessively energetic, impulsive, and euphoric.

These manic episodes alternate with periods of deep depression, marked by overwhelming sadness, and a sense of hopelessness. These mood swings can significantly impact a person’s daily life, relationships, and overall functioning.

Is Bipolar Disorder Genetic?

Yes, bipolar disorder has a significant genetic component. This means that it tends to run in families, and individuals with a close relative who has bipolar disorder are at a higher risk of developing the condition themselves.

A combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors contributes. Genetic predisposition plays a significant role, with a higher risk if there’s a family history of the disorder.

To get more information related to "bipolar disorder" Contact: 8818812800

[athenaokas]

5 Common Symptoms of Paranoid Schizophrenia in Females

Schizophrenia is a complex and often misunderstood mental disorder, that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It is characterized by a combination of symptoms that can include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and speech, social withdrawal, lack of motivation, and impaired cognitive abilities. The condition affects millions of individuals worldwide. While it can occur in both men and women, there are unique aspects of its manifestation in females.

Schizophrenia typically emerges in late adolescence or early adulthood, affecting individuals during a critical period of personal and professional development. However, it is important to note that the age of onset can vary significantly. Studies suggest that women may experience a slightly later onset of schizophrenia compared to men. The late teens to early twenties are considered the most common period for the development of symptoms in females.

Symptoms of Paranoid Schizophrenia in Females

Paranoid schizophrenia is a subtype of schizophrenia characterized by the presence of prominent delusions and auditory hallucinations. While symptoms may vary from person to person, here are five common symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia in females:

Delusions: Delusions are fixed, false beliefs that are not based in reality. In paranoid schizophrenia, common delusions may involve ideas of persecution, where individuals believe they are being targeted, spied on, or plotted against by others.

Hallucinations: Auditory hallucinations, such as hearing voices, are a hallmark symptom of paranoid schizophrenia. These voices can be critical, commanding, or conversational. The hallucinations may contribute to the individual's delusions and shape their beliefs about the world around them.

Disorganized speech and thought: Paranoid schizophrenia can lead to disorganized thinking, resulting in difficulties expressing coherent thoughts. Affected individuals may experience tangential or incoherent speech patterns, making it challenging to follow their conversation.

Social withdrawal: People with paranoid schizophrenia often experience social withdrawal due to their suspiciousness and fear of others. They may isolate themselves, avoiding social interactions and relationships. This withdrawal can lead to difficulties in maintaining employment, education, or interpersonal connections.

Anxiety and irritability: Paranoid schizophrenia can cause significant anxiety and irritability in affected individuals. Due to their delusions and hallucinations, they may constantly feel on edge, suspicious, and tense. This emotional distress can further contribute to social withdrawal and difficulty in daily functioning.

Importance of Women's Mental Health

Women's mental health is a vital aspect of overall well-being and deserves special attention. Gender-specific experiences and challenges can impact mental health outcomes differently in women compared to men. Issues such as reproductive health, pregnancy-related mental health, postpartum depression, and the impact of societal expectations on body image and self-esteem are all crucial considerations. Recognizing and addressing these unique challenges can lead to better mental health outcomes for women.

Understanding the development and symptoms of schizophrenia in females is crucial for timely intervention and effective treatment. Additionally, recognizing the prevalence of depression in women and prioritizing women's mental health can significantly improve overall well-being. Facilities like Athena OKAS in Gurgaon are leading the way in providing specialized care for women, fostering a supportive environment where they can heal and thrive. Let us continue to promote awareness, eliminate stigma, and advocate for comprehensive mental health services that cater to the unique needs of women.

Athena OKAS: Empowering Women's Mental Health in Gurgaon

Athena OKAS is an exceptional mental health treatment facility located in Gurgaon, India, dedicated exclusively to women's well-being. The center provides a safe and supportive environment where women can receive specialized care tailored to their unique mental health needs. With a team of experienced professionals, Athena OKAS offers a wide range of therapeutic interventions, including counseling, psychotherapy, medication management, and holistic approaches. Athena OKAS aims to create an atmosphere of understanding and empowerment by focusing solely on women's mental health.

To know more about our treatment plans, call us at 9289730444 or drop us a message at info@athenaokas.com

To know more details about womens mental health issues, womens mental health clinic

[ohmerricat]

session with the psychiatrist today and he finalised getting me a s*roquel prescription… upon a google i discovered that one of the most common side effects is supposedly weight gain so now i am actually considering the preferred alternative option of recovery which is k*lling m*self

[lilliththeghost]

I was always jealous of boys. I knew from a young age they had something I didn't. Different toys, different hobbies, different roles. My dad made it no secret that he wanted a boy. Someone he could teach to play football and game with. It hurt me that he never thought I could be that person. I thought I must've been born wrong somehow, that I was a mistake, that I should've been different.

I remember when I first discovered that you could change your gender, and you could do it just by deciding that you were something else and maybe taking some medicine. It would change me, but I never wanted to be myself anyway, so maybe this would be better. I was on board. I changed my name, cut my hair, bound my breasts. I never wanted to be a girl anyway. I wouldn't miss it. I found a doctor that would prescribe me testosterone and started looking into a double mastectomy. I felt like I finally knew why I was so broken, and this would fix me.

I panicked a week in and cancelled the whole thing. People were confused. They had supported me, for the most part, and now they thought I was lying. They thought I was backing out because I was scared. And I was scared, because I just wasn't sure this was the answer I was looking for. I just wanted to time to decide if I was sure. But the gears were already turning. People had decided I was a boy now from the instant I said so. But I was unwell. Very unwell. And I had always been, and people tried to convince me that transition would fix that. It would cure me.

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder two months ago. After years of psych visits and evaluations and hospitalizations, years of people ignoring and downplaying my symptoms. I just turned 30. It's likely that I have been suffering from this disorder for the last 15 or so years without the proper assistance. This is how long it took for a multitude of doctors to find out what was wrong with me.

And do you what really scares me? The fact that it took this long to diagnose me with a lifelong medical condition, yet when I expressed that I MIGHT be trans, I was IMMEDIATELY told that I needed to make major medical changes. I almost signed myself up for a lifetime of the wrong treatment because people were so concerned about validating my identity that they didn't even stop to ask if I was sure.

I don't know which is worse: not being diagnosed with bipolar for 15 year, or being diagnosed as trans inside of a week. I think both are examples of the failure of the mental health system. Where is the balance? How are women supposed to lead healthy lives when they're either ignored for years or immediately prescribed permanent life-altering treatment that might not be right for them?

I want to understand and be accepting of people. I want the people around me to feel heard and loved. I just can't help wondering how many girls like me thought they might be boys because everything in their life just sucks, and they desperately need a change. I see doctors from gender clinics coming out and saying that the majority of their patients are women with serious mental health issues and trauma. And I just think, that could've so easily been me.

My entire life has been defined by my existence as a girl and a woman. And I always hated that. But it's not because I was never meant to be a female; it's not because I was born wrong. It's because being a female in a patriarchal society is utter fucking shit. And I owe it to every girl like me to help fix that.

[freesia-writes]

Lil Life Update for Y'all <3

I've been a lil cryptic or back-n-forth, I think, and just wanted to share a little bit about what's been going on. I say it's not for attention but who knows what motives lurk under there, LOL. It's mostly because I love you all and want to let you in, also hope that it's encouraging or connective for anyone else who's experienced the same, and also I just miss the community I have sooooo loved here. 🥹

I'm a 34yo female with 2 kids aged 4 and 7. I had depression like crazy during and after my second pregnancy especially. In Aug 2021, my primary doc suggested I try something like Zoloft since I'd been complaining of irritability, no capacity, constant worry, and other anxiety symptoms. When I did feel some relief and felt encouraged that I could "feel like myself" again, I pursued solutions for other issues I was noticing. Over the last year and a half, it's been quite a ride. ADHD symptoms led to Adderall for 4 days, then Wellbutrin for a few months, then Buspar for a few months, then Strattera (tapering up and then back down) for about 3 months, then Ritalin for 1 month, which I thought was helping until we realized that the entire month of October was basically an increasingly manic episode.

Whew.

We're talkin 2007 Britney here (ok I didn't shave it but I cut my hair off into a pixie). Spent thousands on a new wardrobe of the "dark academia" style. Bought Disneyland tickets. Invested in a photography mentorship. So much energy and inspiration. Then we realized it was getting out of hand.

I had also been tapering off a lot of the meds over the last two months, so it was just a crazy cocktail of chemicals that made my brain finally go kaput. I finished the last dose of Zoloft on November 5th, and that was the last of the meds, so now I'm off everything. My therapist thought the mania was medication-induced due to all the changes plus the addition of the stimulant, so the goal was to try to allow everything to settle down and see what "baseline" is for me right now.

And it has been frickin HARD.

Cervical vertigo. All-or-nothing sleep and appetite. Extreme sensory sensitivity. Random itchiness. Racing mind. Total inability to focus. And the worst part has been the mood swings.

I'm basically having all the symptoms of bipolar disorder in a rapid-cycle format. It may be cyclothymia, or it may be the withdrawal effects from all the meds, but regardless... It's been quite the roller coaster. The nerd in me has been fascinated by the experiential knowledge of it all, since I majored in Psychology and have always loved learning about it, but the overall negative effects on me and my family have been difficult.

I'm someone who has always relied completely on being highly capable and in control. I find my worth in my productivity and competence. And it has caused increasing stress throughout my life. I've been praying for years that God would break me of it, and I can see how he is using this to do precisely that -- lovingly trying to answer my request to be freed of this relentless pursuit of the illusion of control. He's inviting me to simple, joyful life of trust. The perspective shift is so freeing when I realize that I don't need to have it all figured out because he already does, and I can just rest in his loving guidance and look to him for the next step instead of trying to plan out every possible outcome and strategy. I went on a reflective retreat in the Santa Cruz mountains and just felt so encouraged and loved in the way he invited me to let my shoulders down and to ground myself in his warm provision and care.

But the change doesn't happen overnight.

So in the middle of a total storm of bipolar symptoms -- days of mania followed by days of depressive episodes and being so new at it all that I don't know how to navigate "normal life" with all of that -- I'm also trying to rewire 34 years' worth of the way I think and act. BUT it's a blessedly simple process: the only thing I have to worry about is this moment. I can't affect the future or the past. So all I have is right now, and I can turn to God for guidance, encouragement, insight, or anything I need in this moment, and he is so faithful to give it. But man, it's easy to forget. ;)

Literally me with that right now, trying to figure it all out on my own before I remember I can't and don't need to:

Anyway, this got LONG, surprise surprise, but I've always enjoyed being vulnerable for the sake of connection and potential encouragement. And selfishly, I'd LOVE to hear from any of you who may have had similar experiences. Right now the fixation of my [very limited] capacity is on my photography business, but I've been feeling drawn to writing more and more, and have attempted a lil drabble here and there. So I'm just patiently waiting for the inspiration to return. :)

I have so appreciated the love from you all. I also haven't been as active with reading/reblogging/supporting/etc as I was, and that's just where I'm at right now, but please know that my heart is with you even if my brain is not, LOL.

If you made it this far, you get a gold star. Or a Howzer hug. Or somethin. :)

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

Hi. I'm questioning about having ADHD and Autism, but there is really little information online about what it feels like to have both. And there is even less information about women with both diagnoses. And less information on adults.

So, basically, I need help

So, I wanted to ask. Which behaviours has an adult woman with both ADHD and Autism? Do the following behaviours resonate with you? -Loving order but struggling to organize. -Having too many thoughts at once but they're all connected. -Thinking in systems but also connecting seemingly unrelated ideas. -Struggling to be on time but being unable to wait when the other person is late. -When I was little I was late ALL the time but I couldn't wait for others. -Since I'm little I tend to eat the same food for breakfast and "merienda" (it's a meal we have before dinner) for a few months. Then change to another thing and repeat the cycle. -Since I'm little I want to wear the same clothes all the time but since sometimes I feel out of place I change them. -I love scheduling, but I have a hard time following the schedule. -I love order, but since I'm always looking for novelty, I tend to break that order a lot. -Having a strong interest in Biology, but also in learning and connecting the things I learned, because I want to stay on track (with Biology) but get super bored if I only do that. -Wanting to be the center of attention while also hating being the center of attention. -Wanting everyone to be silent while being too loud myself. -Talking too loud and fast or too quiet and slow. No in between. -Feeling like an ambivert. -Being really good at managing one-on-one interactions while feeling like not being there (I believe it's called dissociating) where I'm in social situation with two or more people. I just feel like there are too many variables. -When I was little, I had a set of rules (only my code of respect remains from this) to manage social situations, while also being able to be spontanious if I had a little nudge. -When I was little I couldn't understand other people's emotions but I also felt REALLY bad if something bad happened to them. -Loving social interaction but feeling overwhelmed by it. Send you kisses <3

Hi there,

I did find some information about autism/ADHD in women/girls, so I hope they help. I’ll leave some excerpts below:

…This isn’t surprising, as autism and ADHD are both often missed or even misdiagnosed in women. Nearly 80% of women with autism are misdiagnosed – often with conditions such as borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, bipolar disorder and anxiety. It’s currently unknown how often women with ADHD are misdiagnosed.

But there are a number of reasons that may explain why this happens. The first is that autism and ADHD symptoms are different in women than they are in men. Other conditions common in people with autism and ADHD (such as anxiety and depression) may also make it appear that symptoms are the result of these conditions instead. Women with autism and ADHD may also learn over time how to hide their symptoms from people – which may further lead to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.

Another major problem is that autism and ADHD are still often seen as “male disorders”. While it’s true that both conditions affect a higher proportion of men than women, it also means that the current tools used to diagnose people with these conditions tend not to recognise female symptoms as readily.

Girls with autism may have less obvious social difficulties and often have better verbal communication than a boy with autism might. For girls with ADHD, they often aren’t as hyperactive and may not have the disruptive behaviour some boys may have. This means that many girls with these conditions may be overlooked by their parents, teachers and even clinicians as the diagnostic criteria do not match with their symptoms.

Source:

Adhd in Women

ADHD has three main presentations: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined inattentive and hyperactive.

Women and girls can have any of these presentations, and presentations and symptom severity can vary across their lives. However, both research and lived experience indicate that girls and women most often appear to have the inattentive presentation:

* Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes

* Has difficulty sustaining attention, does not appear to listen

* Struggles to follow through with instructions, has difficulty with organization

* Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort, loses things easily

* Is easily distracted, is forgetful in daily activities

To assume that women and girls only experience the inattentive presentation would be incorrect. Many women and girls report and describe “internal” hyperactivity and other unrecognized symptoms, with behaviors often ascribed culturally to very “social” girls:

* Talks excessively

* Fidgets and often needs to get up and walk around

* Acts impulsively or speaks before thinking

* Appears to daydream but will explains that her thoughts feel like they are “going a million miles a minute” and she has trouble keeping her mind on one topic

* Easily makes friends but has difficulty sustaining friendships

* Self-harming activities, or activities that require extreme and unhealthy self-discipline

* Adopts compensatory strategies, leading to working two to three times as hard as her peers in order to be equally successful

* Fears rejection by peers or friends and clings to other people or remains in unhealthy relationships

Additional indications of ADHD

Though not often listed as symptoms, other indications of ADHD in girls and women include co-occurring depression and anxiety, difficult romantic relationships that can lead to intimate partner violence, trouble maintaining friendships, and at least one space in her life in disarray (messy house, messy bedroom, or similar personal space).

Often girls with ADHD will become sexually active at a younger age than their peers, due to impulsivity, poor planning, or a desire to be cared for by their partner. When they do so, they are at a greater risk of being pressured into unwanted sexual activity or becoming victims of sexual violence, and are less likely to use or be able to insist that their partners use contraception.

Source:

Autistic girls don’t fit the “model”

Autism is a developmental disorder that is marked by two unusual kinds of behaviors: deficits in communication and social skills, and restricted or repetitive behaviors. Children with autism also often have sensory processing issues. But here’s the hitch, according to Susan F. Epstein, PhD, a clinical neuropsychologist. “The model that we have for a classic autism diagnosis has really turned out to be a male model. That’s not to say that girls don’t ever fit it, but girls tend to have a quieter presentation, with not necessarily as much of the repetitive and restricted behavior, or it shows up in a different way.”

Stereotypes may get in the way of recognition. “So where the boys are looking at train schedules, girls might have excessive interest in horses or unicorns, which is not unexpected for girls,” Dr. Epstein notes. “But the level of the interest might be missed and the level of oddity can be a little more damped down. It’s not quite as obvious to an untrained eye.” She adds that as the spectrum has grown, it’s gotten harder to diagnose less-affected boys as well.

In fact, according to a 2005 study at Stanford University, autistic girls exhibit less repetitive and restricted behavior than boys do. The study also found brain differences between autistic boys and girls help explain this discrepancy.

Wendy Nash, MD, a child and adolescentpsychiatrist, adds that girls are more likely to control their behavior in public, so teachers don’t catch differences. “A lot of autistic girls get ruled out because they may share a smile or may have a bit better eye contact or they’re more socially motivated. It can be a more subtle presentation,” Dr. Nash explains. If girls are socially interested but odd, which is the case with the majority of these girls, she adds, “I think people give them a pass.”

Another problem: misdiagnoses

Dr. Epstein says there’s another reason autistic girls are misdiagnosed, or diagnosed later than boys. Girls struggling with undiagnosed autism often develop depression, anxiety or poor self-esteem, and clinicians may not “really dig underneath to see the social dysfunction” caused by autism.

Dr. Nash adds that these girls can also be misdiagnosed with ADHD. “I see a lot of girls who are diagnosed withADHD when they’re young who actually meet the criteria for autism,” she says. “There’s hyperactivity without as much social impairment or a different kind of social impairment, so the autism is missed.”

Autistic girls “pass”… at least for a while

Another reason girls may not be diagnosed is because they’re able to “pass.”

“Girls tend to get by,” Dr. Epstein says. “They might not understand what’s going on but they’ll try to just go along and imitate what they see. And they may get away with it to third grade or fifth grade, but once they get to junior high and high school, it shows as a problem.”

This has been the case for Lisa, now 13. Melissa says of her daughter, “She is less mature than her typical peers, and girls are so intricate in how they behave socially. It’s very difficult for her to maintain friendships because of this and, let me tell you, 13-year-old girls are not very accepting of someone different.

Source:

I hope these can help. Many some of my followers can help too. Thank you for the inbox. I hope you have a wonderful day/night. ♥️

[donniesexceptionalmind]

'Oh, you have a girl. It's not autism.'

Disclaimer: I will use the term afab instead of girls because the assigned gender at birth plays a big role in diagnostic processes (not happy about it).

Second relevant point: the criteria for diagnosing autism spectrum disorder are based on data derived almost entirely from studies of boys.

It was also a common assumption that autism is at least four times more common in boys than in girls.

Experts also believed that autistic afab people were, on average, more seriously affected:with more severe symptoms, such as intellectual disability.

Newer research suggests that both these ideas may be wrong.

A 2012 study found that if amab & afab people had a similar level of autistic traits, afab people needed to have either more behavioural problems or significant intellectual disability, or both, to be diagnosed.

This suggests that clinicians are missing many afab people who are on the "less disabling end" of the autism spectrum, previously designated Asperger's syndrome.

Disclaimer two: I am not a fan of functioning labels. I am considered high-functioning but I am really NOT.

What may be different in autistic afab people?

Social & personal factors that may help to mask traits or compensate them

Biological factors that lessen the symptoms

Special interests not fitting the stereotypes are not recognised as such

Huge amount of anxiety that stems from socialising & sensory issues, the latter is often missed

Eating disorders such as anorexia/orthorexia & arfid as a way to release autistic hyperfocus and/or to battle food sensitivities

ADHD, Bipolar & OCD are common labels to be diagnosed with instead of autism (misdiagnosis)

Struggles may firstly present when adolescence arrives: social life becomes more complicated, development of the female body, not connecting with the female stereotypes

Dismissing experiences because of social/cultural norms: "Women are too sensitive, they make a fuzz out of everything, ..."

Why does this gender bias still exist?

Afab people have been absent from the growth of psychology as a field & medicine in general, thus making the way the mind is seen is based on male subjects.

Why have they been left out? Because the afab body is much more complicated due to its complex hormonal cycle.

Scientists want theories, which requires sameness. Individual differences are looked down because if you consider them it's much harder to generalize:

Everyone needs to fit into a category.

Conclusion:

Science is flawed and far from perfect.

The tools to diagnose autism are designed to recognise boys or 'severely affected' afab people.

The truth: autism presents differently in afab than in amab people because of many different reasons that need to be researched more intensely.

There shouldn't be a gender bias at all.

Sources: [📰]

And I have also lost my point of writing this. I feel very sleepy & not present at the moment.

[musingsofanaroace]

Why I Didn't Get Diagnosed with Autism as a Kid

When I was a kid in the nineties, it was very uncommon for girls and afab individuals to get diagnosed with autism even when it was obvious that they had it. And instead, many were misdiagnosed with other mental illnesses, such as borderline personality disorder, PTSD, bipolar disorder, etc.

Reading NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman really opened my eyes to the state of autistic research before 2000. Absolutely appalling and abysmal. The researchers had their entire focus directed on finding a cure for autism, and ABA therapy encouraged masking and repressing stims.

Now, modern research has shown that masking increases anxiety and that dampening positive stims result in the development of poor coping strategies.

Given everything that I now know about the history of autism, I realize that I never would have received an autism diagnosis before I became an adult. And this fact makes me sad for the younger me that never had the opportunity to be given the support I so desperately needed while at school. And all because of the sex assigned to me at birth.

And because this assigned sex was female, all of the autistic symptoms I displayed in childhood were ignored. Teachers and caregivers simply labeled me shy, quirky, sensitive, a picky eater, strange, socially awkward, an enigma.

Well, that's all I have for today. Until next time, take care and stay curious.

[reidsaurora]

"𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫" 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 ~ 𝐒. 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐝

Summary: When Spencer Reid, a young FBI agent, meets Imogen Sterren, a patient with bipolar disorder, at the Bennington Sanitarium, he realizes that love can be found anywhere—even in a mental health facility.

Series Word Count: TBD

Series Warnings: fade to black smut (MINORS, PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND USE YOUR NOGGIN!!) some chapters takes place in hospital, mentions of hospitals, mentions of various medications, in-depth details of panic attacks, swearing (both mild and explicit), food consumption, possibly more?

⚠️ PLEASE CHECK INDIVIDUAL CHAPTER WARNINGS BEFORE READING ⚠️

Genre: some Fluff, some Angst, some Newfound Friends to Lovers

Series Based On the Song: Soon You'll Get Better by Taylor Swift

Part One: "In Doctors' Office Lighting" ~ 2.5K words

Summary: After ten months of being away on cases, Spencer Reid is finally able to visit his mother. Upon arriving at the sanitarium, he meets the person who's been keeping her company while he's been away.

Content Warning: takes place in a hospital, mentions of food

POSTED ON: November 6th, 2022

Part Two: "Holy Orange Bottles" ~ 2.1K words

Summary: Later that night, Spencer finds that not everything is as it seems. The next morning, he's determined to figure out why those holy orange bottles don't seem to be doing their job.

Content Warning: takes place in a hospital, mentions of various medications, mentions of depression and anxiety, mentions of food, very mild swearing

POSTED ON: November 13th, 2022

Part Three: "Back To Normal" ~ 3.4K words

Summary: When Spencer gets a call from his boss saying that he needs to come home early, Spencer and Imogen alike learn just how much they hate it when things go back to normal.

Content Warning: takes place in a hospital, explicit details of a panic attack, mentions of medications, one (1) explicit swear word, food consumption

POSTED ON: November 20th, 2022

Part Four: "The Best of a Bad Deal" ~ 2.4K words

Summary: It's been a month since Spencer and Imogen's first phone call, and the two are beginning to settle into their new nightly routine. However, after a confession and some advice from Penelope, Spencer realizes just how much he wants to make the best of a bad deal.

Content Warning: mentions of hospitals, mentions of medications, food consumption

POSTED ON: November 27th, 2022

Part Five: "What Am I Supposed To Do?" ~ 1.3K words

Summary: When Imogen catches Spencer between a rock and a hard place, he wonders exactly what it is he's supposed to do.

Content Warning: mentions of a mental facility

POSTED ON: December 4th, 2022

Part Six: "Paint The Kitchen Neon" ~ 3K words

Summary: In preparation of Imogen's Christmas visit, Spencer decides to employ the help of Penelope in an endeavor to paint his apartment. Little did he know he'd also be employing her for some much needed advice.

Content Warning: one (1) explicit swear word, light mentions of food, light mentions of the sanitarium, a light mention of medications

POSTED ON: December 11th, 2022

Part Seven: "The First Time" ~ 3.6K words

Summary: When Imogen visits Spencer for Christmas, he underestimates just how special the first time for everything really is.

Content Warning: R16+ for a makeout scene and sexual content, mild swearing, mentions of the sanitarium, mentions of food consumption, food consumption

POSTED ON: December 25th, 2022

Part Eight: "Scared" ~ 4.7K words

Summary: When Imogen visits Spencer for Christmas, he realizes just how much there is to learn about her... and just how much he never expected to learn about her.

Content Warning: MINORS DNI (18+ content - oral f!receiving, descriptions of the female anatomy, technically orgasm denial, multiple mentions of sex, nudity), explicit language, somewhat details of a suicide attempt, discussions about medications, discussions of Imogen's bipolar symptoms, mentions of Bennington, mentions of food and food consumption

POSTED ON: December 25th, 2022

Part Nine: "The Nicer Nurses" ~ 2.3K words

Summary: Summary: When New Year's arrives, and things begin to go back to normal, both Spencer and Imogen learn valuable lessons: (1) that Spencer is a runner, and (2) how important it is to know the nicer nurses.

Content Warning: R16+ for slight sexual content (sex + making out are both mentioned but neither are described in detail), physical violence? (Imogen kicks a nurse), takes place at the sanitarium, mentions of medications, mentions of a needle, small mention of food consumption, lmk if i missed anything!

POSTED ON: January 1st, 2023

Part Ten: "You Have To" ~ 1.2K words

Summary: Two weeks had passed since the incident at Bennington's, and Spencer and Imogen hadn't spoken since then. However, on day fourteen, an important piece of mail arrives explaining to Spencer why that is.

Content Warning: very mild swearing, a couple mentions of the sanitarium, a mild mention of manic and depressive episodes, overall just very angsty

POSTED ON: January 8th, 2022

Part Eleven: "Desperate People Find Faith" ~ 1.5K words

Summary: Summary: After everything that's happened, Spencer somehow finds himself at St. Dominic's, the local Catholic church, praying for Imogen.

Content Warning: religious matters, Hotch might be a Christian idk, mentions of panic attacks, mentions of manic episodes, small mentions of cases/killers, tiny mention of food, mentions of divorce

POSTED ON: January 15th, 2023

Epilogue #1: "Years Of Hoping" ~ 1.7K words

Summary: After years of hoping, Spencer might finally receive his chance to reunite with Imogen.

Content Warning: DARK THEMES (this fic discusses Spencer having been m0lested as a child, PLEASE continue at your own risk), explicit language, mentions of medications, mentions of mental health facilities, mentions of food, minor character death but not really, tiny mention of alcohol, let me know if i missed anything!

POSTED ON: May 14th, 2023

Epilogue #2: "I Have To" ~ 2.3K words

Summary: Spencer shows up at Imogen's door, one thing on his mind: how he has to love her. No matter her response.

Content Warning: explicit language, small mention of church (is that a warning? idk but) small mentions of Spencer's drug addiction, tiny mention of puke, this whole chapter is mostly Spencer having a panic attack, mentions of bipolar episodes

POSTED ON: May 14th, 2023

Finale: "Not A Day That I Won't Try" ~ 2.7K words

Summary: One last little story about Spencer, Imogen, and the new life they've created.

Content Warning: takes place in a hospital, mentions of Imogen's previous episodes, mentions of Spencer's abuse during childhood, mentions of Spencer's drug addiction

POSTED ON: May 14th, 2023

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☆𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒☆

[menalez]

Re: the bpd stuff (idk when you posted about it but I saw it recently so), I think my issue with it is that it may be specific but yeah, it is vague - vague in such a way it can be a misdiagnosis. Most commonly I've seen cases of it being a misdiagnosis for bipolar (when symptoms are episodic in context of a mood episode but treated as if a general state), autism (in which emotional dysregulation is common), and trauma disorders (which I think you mentioned?). I think that also contributes to then how the range of presentations of it is SO wide. Someone who is autistic and finding emotions and relationships hard, an undiagnosed bipolar patient who is usually ok but when isn't is very not ok, a woman with a traumatic history who would probably better fit c-ptsd, and someone who actually does have bpd can all end up with this diagnosis. (And I know examples of each of these!) And then they all present differently. Which might be ok ig except they all need different ways of being supported.

i agree with you there and honestly i think there needs to be insistence on certain diagnoses that differentiate these disorders from BPD + it does need to become more specific bc the criteria is SO broad and let’s be honest, many psychs are misogynistic and will slap on the BPD label quite quickly bc they’re lazy.

lots of women with autism are misdiagnosed as BPD, bc of biases with diagnosing autism (viewed as a “male disorder”) and BPD (viewed as a “female disorder”)

bipolar also has mood swings but the mood swings aren’t as rapid as BPD & BPD does not tend to have actual mania but rather something similar. but ofc again… lazy psychs will be quick to slap on the BPD label on women even tho there’s a clear differentiation taught to us between bipolar & borderline

when it comes to trauma tho, most people diagnosed with BPD are also diagnosed with a trauma disorder. they’re highly comorbid for obvious reasons! iirc it’s something like .. 80% of those with BPD that are also diagnosed with PTSD? and BPD also has trauma symptoms within it like dissociation.

but i totally agree that the criteria needs to be narrowed down bc it’s very broad in many ways. so many symptoms listed and u only need a few of them to be diagnosed which is why i was also saying 2 people diagnosed with BPD can actually have 0 shared symptoms and no similarity in their clinical manifestation which clearly is an issue

[nullshocked]

I think a lot about how misdiagnosis can really fuck someone up with stigma tbh.

I've had medical issues flat out ignored because people treated me like I was being irrational or dramatic due to the stigma attached to Bipolar disorder. I've had my parents immediately leap to me being dramatic or overreacting when something would upset me. A psychiatrist I had when I was 16 took me talking about something awful my then-girlfriend did to me and called me a drama queen to my face about it.

People get bitchy about self-diagnosis, but doctors consistently ignored my ADHD symptoms FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS because of how outdated and biased the industry is, ESPECIALLY if you're assigned female at birth.

[athenaokas]

Women's Mental Health Tips: Self-Care Practices for Women

It is a common scenario these days to find women juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, leaving little time for self-care. However, prioritizing mental well-being is crucial for women to lead fulfilling lives. Women's mental health should be given the attention it deserves, and self-care practices play a vital role in nurturing and maintaining it. Some of the effective self-care practices that can help improve women’s mental health are:

Recognize the Importance of Women’s Mental Health Awareness

Women's mental health issues are unique and require specialized attention. Therefore, it is important to take the first step towards self-care by being aware of the unique challenges women face related to mental health. Recognizing and acknowledging your emotional well-being empowers you to seek appropriate support and treatment care for women's mental health when needed. Stay informed about mental health conditions that are more prevalent in women, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and postpartum depression, to name a few.

Prioritize Self-Care in Your Daily Routine

Making self-care a non-negotiable part of your daily routine is crucial for nurturing your mental well-being. Carve out time for activities that bring you joy, whether it’s reading a book, practicing yoga, taking a walk in nature, or indulging in a hobby. Prioritizing yourself allows you to recharge and reduces stress levels, enhancing your overall mental health.

Establish Healthy Boundaries

Learning to set boundaries is essential for maintaining good mental health. It's okay to say no to commitments that overwhelm you and prioritize your own needs. Establishing healthy boundaries not only protects your well-being but also empowers you to create a balanced and fulfilling life.

Connect with Supportive Networks

Building a strong support system is crucial for women's mental health. Surround yourself with individuals who uplift and support you. Seek out like-minded friends and participate in community groups or online forums where you can discuss mental health topics and find solidarity. Additionally, consider reaching out to professional support networks like women's mental health clinics, therapists, and counsellors who specialize in women's mental health issues. Their expertise can provide invaluable guidance and treatment care tailored to your needs.

Practice Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques

Mindfulness and stress reduction techniques are powerful tools for nurturing mental well-being. Engage in activities such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or journaling to bring your attention to the present moment and alleviate stress. Taking a few moments each day to practice mindfulness can help reduce anxiety, increase self-awareness, and enhance overall mental resilience.

Maintain a Balanced Diet and Prioritize Sleep

Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet and getting enough sleep are essential for women's mental health. A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains provides the necessary nutrients for optimal brain function. Prioritize quality sleep to allow your body and mind to recharge. Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.

Road To Recovery

Women's mental health deserves attention and care. By prioritizing self-care practices, women can nurture their mental well-being. Incorporating these practices into their daily life can empower women to lead fulfilling, balanced lives, maintaining a strong foundation of mental health and overall well-being.

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Athena OKAS is one of the most trusted and reliable residential mental health treatment facilities designed dedicatedly to women. We focus on the mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being of women dealing with any form of mental illness. With a team of experienced professionals, round-the-clock care providers, clean & comfortable accommodations, and fully resourced therapy rooms, our gender-specific setting allows women to communicate more openly and freely. Sounds interesting? To know the complete details about our treatment plans and facilities, contact us at 9289730444 or drop us an email at info@athenaokas.com and our representative will contact you shortly. 

[friendlyneighborhooddepresso]

Shower thoughts:

If we can switch the races of the actors playing the Disney Princesses now & not be "canon" to the original stories, can we change more? Like, official representation style?

Nonbinary Rapunzel? Male (gay) Cinderella? Lesbian Jasmine (female Aladdin)? Can we just play gender/race/sexuality roulette with it now?

Don't get me wrong, I love the originals I grew up on, but I don't want to see the same thing on the screen. I want to see more than just the main story, I want the extra layer of complexity.

Give me a (not white, that would change the storyline) trans Tiana that takes the whole "mistaken for a princess thing" to another level. Give me aroace Merida who struggles with getting her mother to understand her sexuality throughout the movie. Give me a male Cinderella who has to go disguised to the ball to be an eligible suitor for the prince.

And you know what? Stick in some physical disability/mental disorder representation too. Cinderella's shoe doesn't fit anyone else in the kingdom because it was made for a prosthetic! Anna has ADHD. Jasmine is bipolar & has more expressed symptoms because of being locked up by her dad. There are so many people with autism, allergies, anxiety, diabetes, etc. things that may or may not be seen clearly by the outside world.

I want to see more of that without having to actually look for it. I don't have to go looking to see cis straight white people going on adventures, falling in love, & getting their happily ever afters. Just saying.

[sickestprettyboy]

Forgive me if said questions are a bit insensitive, I am just a bit curious as to what your blog is about. So for context, I discovered your blog through a hashtag that I always visit. And I saw your get to know me post (answering another anon’s question). And within that post you mentioned how you are an actual ‘yandere’ (and how how bpd, bipolar, and histronic personality disorder leads you to that, for anyone confused scroll down to the get to know me post). My question is how does all of that affect you in the real world (as in day to day, when trying to build friendships, actual real life relationships)? Do you find more acceptance online?

I personally found it to be a bit out of place in the sense that the hashtags I lurk and mostly female writers and not male (let alone someone who says they are ‘yandere’). Not saying that’s a bad thing of course, but a guy writer is a bit of rare thing for me to find as I read fiction about as to what you write (not sure if that made sense). (What are your thoughts on this).

some fun questions: are you in college/university? What are you studying/ hope to be career wise? And if you have a celebrity look a like who do you think people say you look like the most?

Sorry for the long post, you don’t have to answer anything at all, and quite literally this is my first ever anon post on tumbler! - 😐 anon

No need to apologize, Darling! I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. I have been asleep though, so my apologies for getting to you so late....

As far as BPD, Bipolar, and Histrionic Personality Disorder goes, yes it's definitely a recipe for disaster.

Looking at symptoms of these cluster disorders, I feel as though it may make sense:

Histronic Personality Disorder symptoms I have:

• Being easily influenced/gullible, especially by the person I like. I have awareness at times, but I usually ignore it.

• Having difficulty maintaining friendships, as I may appear unrealistic or shallow in my interactions with 'friends'.

• Needing constant approval and reassurance.

• Feeling as if I'm worthless if I'm not receiving any attention.

• Rapidly shifting emotions

Borderline Personality symptoms I have:

• Impulsive behaviors which vary from different situations. I am not a fighter or aggressive most of the time. But I have an issue with reckless driving, and being into "unsafe sexual activities"

• Repeated Self-Harm. I still do this, though it isn't out of being upset. I genuinely enjoy the pain and watching myself bleed. I often feel as though I'm not real and scratching, burning or cutting myself seems to help with that. I don't condone this for anyone, but I still love the feeling.

• Temporary paranoid/intrusive thoughts. I struggle with this pretty bad. It's a type of dissociative episode. I'll just stand still/stare into space and have an internal battle between urges and consequences.

• Fear of abandonment as that is quite literally my BIGGEST FEAR. I don't want to be alone. I don't think I could survive...

Bipolar 1 symptoms I have:

• Manic episodes, I'm still becoming aware of these and I don't quite know how to express them yet.

• Psychosis. I experience more delusions rather than hallucinations. Though I wouldn't exactly call myself delusional 😔

• Mood swings. I really don't get angry much. Most of my mood swings consist of being chirpy, then distant and sulky. Very few times have I actually gotten angry- angry. I'm mostly frustrated because I still can't seem to express myself how I want.

To answer your question, yes. I have extreme issues with having any sort of relationship/friendship. I can't seem to get a grip and I attach myself to certain people really quickly which... They don't like. I'm quite a clingy individual. I'm always needing to show myself off for the people I care for. All of my relationships have been cut short, due to me. I'd like to believe they simply didn't understand me and though that was some of the reason, most of it was because my symptoms were at their prime and I didn't have enough social/communication skills for a relationship.

I label myself as a Yandere, strictly because that's the group I feel as though I fit in most. It describes me well.

Acceptance and approval... As far as that goes, I do get more online. I do have a few friends IRL, though! I've become anti-social over the years though, so I mostly keep to myself now.

As far as being a male Yandere, I feel slightly out of place as well. I don't see many. It's mostly just women. I don't mind, of course. I have thought about trying to start off a conversation with them, but I don't trust myself to not fuck it up, and a good half of them are Lesbian and I would like to respect that.

💜 And onto the fun questions! Yes, I am taking college courses! Most of them are related to business and finance. But currently, I work at a library. I like it for the most part, it's a calming environment. 💜

💜 Ive been told that I look like the male version of Billie Eilish. From eye color, and facial features. I have been through many different dye stages and right now I have black hair with vibrant purple undertones. I have been told over and OVER that I "look like Billie eilish, but like, the boy version". So I guess that's something! 💜

[mermaidsirennikita]

Haven't seen Malcolm's list yet (though I plan to) but as someone who watched QC I feel like even season 2 of Bridgerton failed when it came to better research and SCREENTIME for the Sharmas. QC has some really blatant issues that I wish they hadn't put in (or explored in the way they did re: Danbury's marriage), and the real-but-actually-fake monarchy backdrop further adds to the confusion, but its one "strength" of sorts was that it was tighter than Bton season 2 in terms of side plots. The side plots make even less sense to me now because you could not pay me to explain to someone what the point of Benedict's art school thing was, or the poorly done Eloise one, or the Featheringtons. I feel like this can even be traced back to season 1 because aside from all the blatant problems, Simon felt like he was sidelined in the last episode and I don't know how to explain why, other than to give significance to Daphne 'understanding' him? Anyway, thanks for the Tom Jones rec

I ended up watching QC with a friend through venues that are comfortable to me. And I’ll be honest, I thought it was kind of complete dog shit and I don’t really get the praise and passes it’s been receiving. Obviously everyone is free to like and dislike what they wish. But….

—the pure manner in which Lady D’s husband is portrayed. Darkest skinned person on the show, and much like Simon’s father, he’s not only a horrible person but depicted as grotesque. She doesn’t want to huge his “giant babies”, they give the actor (who’s a handsome guy irl) fake teeth and weird makeup to make his skin look ashy. He flaps around desperate for white approval when he’s not raping his wife (the darkest skinned woman in the show) in a manner the show plays as comical. Then he dies trying to rape her again. Wow.

—both black female leads end up essentially alone and they hate their kids and are depicted as cold mothers. But hey, they’re strong and dignified TM so who needs love? Not them! I know everyone was laughing at the way Charlotte skimmed over her son sobbing about his dead daughter but it seemed to me a stark contrast to sweet mom Violet who’s just so horny right after her son goes on his honeymoon

—they did an entire episode going over things we’d already seen, but this time with FARMER GEORGE TM torture porn. I found the depiction of his mental illness both laughably under-researched (some theories re: George in real life surround him suffering from bipolar disorder… speaking as someone who has that, actually, I can tell you the show’s version doesn’t have any kind of bipolar disorder I recognize; his symptoms are basically what the plot requires).

—homeboy was barely present in the back half; romance show? What romance show?

—the much promoted gay love story ends in one party alone and the other either gone or dead for no reason

—why did anyone love each other? They would speak a few random sentences and then trope trope trope it’s fine you know what we need? More Danbury rape

I’ll be real, I didn’t see a tighter show. A tighter show would’ve cut the entire present day storyline, which did nothing, and everything to do with Violet (but I guess we needed a white woman to bemoan her horniness to Lady Danbury who’s Beyond That Now).

I don’t have a really great opinion of either of the previous seasons, but they for sure had better leading men (I am begging people to stop comparing Farmer George to Nick Hoult) and at least they weren’t incredibly depressing and quite as rape heavy. Season 1 did have a pivotal rape, but it didn’t have like…. Five comical rapes.

Mr. Malcolm’s List and Tom Jones walk circles around this franchise. Fuck, so did season 1 of Sanditon.

[once-was-muses]

Will the Killer muses accept the nasty for Hatch?

Alejandro: sorry, but that's not his call to make; gotta take that up with his boss. (Good luck with that.) But if you can find him after the trial, he can reconsider~.

Athanasios: they'll immediately assume they're being made fun of, which is not good for anyone's health. They may very well leave the unfortunate survivor dying, find the hatch, then take them as far away from it as possible so they bleed out rather than just hook them. We love a petty queen (gender neutral).

Druanee: it thinks they're joking. Or horrifically damaged. Or both. Whatever the answer is, its is entirely dependent on what serves it best. While it may wring some humiliation and degradation out of the exchange, sex ultimately doesn't offer it much to feed from.

Carmina: no. Whoever is boneheaded enough to ask will be hooked immediately, Carmina leaving her crows behind to pick at them before they're ultimately sacrificed.

Herman: hypersexuality is a symptom of bipolar disorder, and one that Herman suffers from. That being said, he will not broach the subject- but is the most likely here to accept the proposition if offered it.

Philip: he was more than likely going to take the last survivor to hatch and "accidentally" let them wiggle out anyhow. Now he's just uncomfortable. (Especially if they're a woman/female aligned.) He'll probably still let them escape (unless they don't pick up his signal to back up), but now they'll be finding the hatch themself while he hides on the other side of the trial grounds.

Rin: asexual queen, she will just laugh in their face and hook them. Unless they're a man. Then the only action they're getting is a katana.

Talbot: he's too repressed old to care about sex. Begone from him, Jezebel!; survivors serve him better to keep the Entity off his case than any carnal satisfaction.