Question by Bitski: How can tell if what I’m feeling is bad enough to be diagnosed as borderline personality disorder?
A couple years ago I was diagnosed with acute major depression. I took medication and was tapered off after a year. Now I’ve been off medication for a year and my depression remains under control most days, but some days I just feel so empty. When I reflect on my life I honestly feel like there’s no one out there that truly cares about me and I’m the only one forcing myself to continue on with life. I looked into bpd and realized I had essentially every symptom mentioned, especially the feeling of being abandoned. I’m 22 and have never been in a relationship. I have one friend, but I fear if she leaves or something happens to her (she’s depressed and had suicidal thoughts) then that’d be it, I’d have no one. I feel so detached from everything. People avoid me and I just have never felt like I belonged anywhere. I fear what life is going to be like when I finally leave college and my fear of people prevents me from doing anything worthwhile. Is this just my depression/anxiety returning? Is this something I should pay attention to or do “normal” people have these thoughts as well? When is enough, enough? Please help.    Read more...

UNICEF: Treating drug addiction in Maldives — MALE, Maldives, 11 March 2009 In the tropical tourists paradise of Maldives, beyond the waving palms and turquoise pools, lurks the ugly problem of youth dru…

Question by Modus A.: A spiritual crisis hit after I quit my drug addiction. I cannot make any sense of it?
I just quit a 4 year addiction (marijuana) and a lot of “stuff” is coming out. I am not going psychotic, and I am working with a spiritual advisor.

It started with nightmares about demons and the end of the world. Then, I began having horrific panic attacks about my own existence. Issues like, “What am I? What is my soul? What is reality?”, etc. I understand this is a spiritual crisis. But, I am still experiencing the emergency. I am getting moments where I desperately want this to all go away. It feels like the greatest suffering. I imagine going through this experience permanently, as if my soul will be reborn over and over, only to suffer so much more human suffering. Please help :    Read more...