Multiple mental health issues at once?

[issy93]

Hello!

I've posted to beyond blue before and know the people on here are very kind and helpful. I really need help.

Is it possible or normal to have many mental issues at once... I haven't seen a psychologist but am thinking I have depression, social anxiety, personality disorder and trichotillomania (compulsive picking of hair). I've heard of people with depression also having anxiety or OCD etc, but can you have all the ones I listed together?

Every day is so hard for me and I'm finally thinking no this isn't ok, I need to seek help. I can't keep living with these problems.

I feel I don't know who I am/ what image to project to others. I have picked at my scalp to the point I have a large bald spot. I also hate going out, because of my issues with who I am and who I want to project to the world. I'm scared to be seen because I don't know who I am. I don't feel comfortable with myself at all and I am not living.

Thank you for reading 🙂

[issy93]

I also forgot to mention I have emetophobia (fear of vomit). I am freaking out about how many issues I have 😞 😞

[HA1]

Hi Issy

By way of a first quick reply, yes most people with mental health issues have a combination of these. I for one, have severe depression, dysthymia, social anxiety and OCD. How these overlap in presenting themselves in the way I feel and am, is still a mystery to me. But I am learning every day.

If you have not sought out help yet, I think it would be wise to do so.

Please continue to talk - I would love to hear back from you.

K

[Neil_1]

Hi there Issy

Welcome back to Beyond Blue and it’s great that Hideaway has been to respond to your post.

I would like to add my support to Hideaway’s response and that yes, having a number of issues is quite common and that the living with them just has to be done as best we can. And we do this by placing a number of different support mechanisms for us to help us get through each day to the best possible way we can.

Getting to a GP and getting a proper, formal diagnosis is the 2nd step. The first step is coming here and well done for doing so.

Stemming from that appointment there could be a couple of additional steps to take; and that would be for an appointment to be set up with a psychologist as well as the potential for some medication to be provided as well.

Not sure about your health level, but if you’re able to – exercise is a massive thing that can benefit us. You mention that you don’t feel comfortable in going out – but with exercise, you can still get out to either walk, jog or even cycle – wearing a hat, cap or helmet as you wish, can assist you with feeling more comfortable.

Also just on that, wearing a cap; is done by a lot of people nowadays – just don’t do it like those ‘cool punk kids’ do, with it on backwards and slightly pointed to the left. Wear it and that could possibly help a little with your ability of meeting up with others?

So if you haven’t been to a GP yet, that is where I would be heading at your next convenience.

Would love to hear back from you.

Neil