Attention Deficit Disorder causes a person to have great difficulty focusing on a topic or activity for any significant length of time. Often creating the most challenge in school and work environments where sitting still, staying organized, and staying on task for specific time frames, ADD with or without Hyperactivity is quite common and can be managed in a variety of ways.
Alcohol Dependence—alcohol dependence, or alcoholism, is characterized by atypically heavy/frequent drinking, often to the point that it interferes with daily life activities and relationships. Individuals who struggle to feel “normal” or to enjoy themselves without the aid of alcohol, or who experience withdrawal symptoms in the absence of alcohol consumption are very likely in a stage of Alcohol Dependence.
Information:
<a href="https://www.alcohol.org/alcoholism/">www.alcohol.org</a>
<a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics">www.niaaa.nih.gov</a>
<a href="https://www.ncadd.org/">www.ncadd.org</a>
If you have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, your symptoms may include constant worry, restlessness, and trouble with concentration. More than just feeling anxious when preparing for a confrontation, a big event, or a test, this kind of anxiety may strike you with no clear explanation as to why.
Information:
<a href="When Worry Gets Out of Control ">Anxiety and Depression Association of America</a>
<a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml"> When Worry Gets Out of Control </a>
A complex developmental disorder, autism and other disorders on the autism spectrum are often symptomatic, if not diagnosed, in early childhood. Ask your questions, share your triumphs, vent your frustrations (but follow the rules), and build community on the ASD forum.
For more information on ASD: www.autism-society.org and https://researchautism.org/ are fabulous resources.
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, ranging from periods of extremely “up” and energized(manic) to very sad, “down,” or hopeless (depressive). To share, ask questions, or find resources, post here.
Information:
<a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml">https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder</a>
<a href="http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/bipolar-disorder">http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/bipolar-disorder</a>
<a href="https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/bipolar-disorder/support">https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/bipolar-disorder/support</a>
COVID-19 has changed the world. It has been a challenge to adjust to a new way of living. You are not alone. Be there for one another and together we will overcome.
Just in America, over 16 million adults are living with depression (NAMI.org). More than just feeling blue or down in the dumps, causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Find support, encouragement, and resources and ask your questions about depression on our Depressive Disorder forum.
Information:
<a href="https://adaa.org/supportgroups">Anxiety and Depression Association of America</a>
Disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders refer to a group of disorders that include oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania and pyromania. These disorders can cause people to behave angrily or aggressively toward people or property. They may have difficulty controlling their emotions and behavior and may break rules or laws, and the behaviors are more severe and longer lasting than regular temper tantrums.
Often occurring in individuals who have experienced trauma, Dissociative Disorder involves a person involuntarily escaping from reality, possibly via memory loss, out of body experiences, or emotional detachment.
For more information:
<a href="https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/dissociative-disorders">Dissociative Disorders</a>
<a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/dissociative-disorders/what-are-dissociative-disorders">What are dissociative disorders </a>
Emotional/mental disorders are often co-occurring with substance use disorders/addiction, in which case there is a “dual diagnosis.” If you or someone you know is facing a dual diagnosis, it can be a complex issue to live with and treat. Connect with people who understand, ask your questions, and maybe find a little hope on our Dual Diagnosis forum.
More information:
<a href="https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/related-conditions/dual-diagnosis">Dual Diagnosis</a>
Eating disorders can take on a variety of forms, including undereating, overeating, and binge eating/purging. Frequently occurring with other mental and physical health problems, eating disorders affect people of all genders, races, and socioeconomic status. While eating disorders can be life-threatening, they are also treatable.
Information:
<a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/what-are-eating-disorders">What are eating disorders</a>
<a href="http://www.bulimia.com">An American Addiction Centers Resource</a>
Go to the Education Forum to share or find information about furthering your own education, preschool, K-12, requirements for jobs, financial aid, or about education philosophy.
If you are looking for a job, need good workers, are in the early stages of forming a business, or if you’re already working and want to talk about your job/career or ask questions about others’ work, check out the Employment & Business forum. It’s also a great place to seek or find resources.
The AllyU Faith/Relgion forum is a safe, judgement free place to share ideas, questions, and experiences about faith and religion. Find open, warm, and robust discussion with your Allies on our forum.
If you’re inspired by fashion and beauty trends and tips, share them and find them here. Ask questions, post pictures or helpful videos or articles. Interact with other members who share your passion, or even help someone to reinvent his/her look on our fashion/beauty forum.
Are you one of a growing number of foodies in our society? Post favorite recipes, experiences at restaurants, ask for ideas about cooking/preparing/growing food, and share your pictures on our forum.
Gender dysphoria involves a conflict between a person's physical or assigned gender and the gender with which he/she/they identify. People with gender dysphoria may be very uncomfortable with the gender they were assigned, sometimes described as being uncomfortable with their body (particularly developments during puberty) or being uncomfortable with the expected roles of their assigned gender(psychiatry.org).
Find and share a multitude of perspectives on the issues and events occurring all over the world. This is a place where you can share links to articles, post opinions, pictures, statistics, events—anything relating to global affairs.
Since physical health/fitness and mental health go hand in hand, use the Health/Fitness forum as a resource to stay well all around. Post healthy recipes, articles, exercise routines, and questions here.
If you are a history buff or would like to learn more about the history of...anything--come to our History forum. Share interesting facts, ask questions, engage in spirited discussions, and learn about other opportunities to engage with the past on our History forum.
Finding and doing things you enjoy is vital to general, everyday happiness and contentment. Share your hobbies, ask questions, and meet other people with similar interests on the hobbies forum.
Stressing about how to decorate your house/set your table/grocery shop/cook for guests? Need ideas for the holidays? Preparing for a party and need tips, inspiration, and support to not crack under the pressure of hosting? Find what you need and share what you love on our holiday/entertaining forum.
Funny memes, links to articles that will make others smile, anecdotes from daily life, book or movie recommendations for people looking for a good laugh—find all things humorous on our Humor forum. It’ll be a great pick-me-up.
See our immigration forum to connect with others, to ask questions about policy and processes, and to get or share advice or resources.
More Information:
<a href="https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources">Community Resources</a>
<a href="https://www.ilrc.org/">Immigrant Legal Resource Center</a>
It’s hard to move in a positive direction with legal situations or fees in front of or chasing behind you. Ask questions about laws and possibilities, seek resources, and share experiences here.
Share your favorite book quotes, poetry, recommendations and reviews of books. Look for next things to read and seek literary resources for topics of importance to you on our literature forum.
If you’re dealing with/have dealt with/have knowledge of medical issues—whether it’s the physical, mental, social, or financial aspect—post here. Inspiration and support for others, questions, advice, overcoming...you can post it all and find it all on the Medical Forum.
Post or search the Money forum to learn more about earning, saving, spending, and resources to assist you with saving or rebuilding finances. Further, if you need help navigating money-related conflicts, find support here. Money...can’t live with it, can’t live without it.
Our music and movies forum is a perfect place to connect with others with similar tastes and interests. Share reviews and links to new or old songs, albums, and films. Ask questions about them, find out how to find rare ones, and more.
The ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.
NCD consists of a decrease in cognitive function (e.g., paying attention, executive functioning, learning, memory, language, coordination and other motor skills) that interferes with everyday activities and should be observable by self and others, and confirmed by medical testing. To be considered an NCD, the cognitive decline should not be a result or symptom of another mental disorder or illness.
Occurring as a result of brain injury/trauma or abnormal brain development, neurodevelopment disorders include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, learning and intellectual disabilities, and hearing/vision impairments.
For information/support: http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/
https://chadd.org/affiliate-locator/
https://www.cerebralpalsyguide.com/community/parents-caregivers/
If you or someone you know are dealing with OCD, then you are familiar with uncontrollable, repetitive thoughts (obsessions) that often cause anxiety and behaviors (compulsions), all of which can interfere with daily life in work, school, and personal relationships (NIMH).
Information:
<a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml">Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder</a>
<a href="https://iocdf.org/about-ocd">International OCD Foundation</a>
Not every life situation/difficulty has a specific label. If you need a little help from your friends, but you don’t necessarily fall into any of our labeled forum categories, post here.
If you have dealt with sudden onsets of intense feelings of fear or impending disaster without a clear trigger or explanation, you may have experienced symptoms of Panic Disorder. Panic “attacks” are often accompanied by physical symptoms like sweating, shortness of breath/hyperventilation, or a feeling like having a heart attack. Panic can set in unexpectedly, so Panic Disorder can interfere greatly with daily life functions.
Information:
<a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms/index.shtml">When fear overwhelms</a>
<a href="https://www.anxiety.org/panic-disorder-panic-attacks">Panic Attacks</a>
Psychiatrists typically identify these as personality disorders:
• Paranoid personality disorder
• Schizoid personality disorder
• Schizotypal personality disorder
• Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• Histrionic personality disorder
• Narcissistic personality disorder
• Avoidant (or anxious) personality disorder
• Dependent personality disorder
• Obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCDP) (mentalhealthamerica.net)
If you deal with one of these disorders in your own life or the life of someone you know, share experiences and frustrations and seeks support and information on our forum. You can click on any of the above links to find out more about a particular disorder. To learn more about Personality Disorders, visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201205/the-10-personality-disorders for a short article overviewing the disorders, and www.mentalhealthamerica.net
PTSD is common among individuals who have witnesses or experiences something traumatic such as physical/emotional/sexual assault, war/combat, a natural disaster, or a traumatic accident or loss. Mood swings, flashbacks, nightmares, and intense or disturbing thoughts and feelings, “jumpiness...” all of these can be signs of PTSD.
Information:
<a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd">What is PTSD?</a>
<a href="http://www.ptsdalliance.org/about-ptsd/">About PTSD</a>