Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist - 3/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: I don't know if I'm able to get therapy on my own at 17 without a parent's help. I'm a female, but I know the problems aren't just my hormones from being a teenager. I turn 18 in a month.

I took many online tests for psychological issues, and asked friends to take them too so I could compare to see if the results might have been too far off, but their results were normally good, and mine would tell me problems I most likely have, and to find therapy.

I hope you can honestly help, but if not, that's alright too. Anyways, I researched many of the disorders: Manic depression, general coping problems, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Self-esteem problems, Phobias (including social), eating-disorder (as a result of self-esteem), some type of schizophrenia, relationship/technology issues, obsessions/compulsions, posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), and borderline personality traits.

After I did the research, I realized I do need help. I tried to tell the closest people in my life, but there's no real response for me. They can't hear what I think, or know how I feel, and when I describe these thoughts or estranged feelings, it somehow turns into a joke.

Miranda

ANSWER: HI Miranda,

Unfortunately you have not told us what symptoms you suffer from. Ours is a self-help psychotherapy web site, where you can help yourself by reading articles. One way to start is by testing yourself with the

The Nutrition-Behavior Inventory Questionnaire (NBI) at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/nutrition-behavior_inventory.html

and

The Hypo Quizz at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.org/hypo_test.asp

and if you score above normal, you are likely to have a hypopglycemic syndrome, which could be responsible for the symptoms, and which can be treated by going on a hypoglycemic diet.

Please read:

What is Hypoglycemia at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/what_is_hypo.html

and also

The Serotonin Connection at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/serotonin_connection.html

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychologist
Hon. Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
Skype: jurplesman



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Specific problems:

I have horrific images that pop into my head and give me actual fear. I can't do certain things, like take a shower, without my eyes being uncovered at all times. I'm scared to look at mirrors because I think I'll see a different person, or other people behind me. Sometimes I doubt my gender. I fear that people are all trying to get me, or hurt me in some way (usually physically). I have specific detailed ideas of things that are going to happen and I become paralized and feel ice cold and frozen. When I talk to people (even if I know them, like family) I feel like they are criticizing everything I am doing and saying and I feel stressed out doing anything that involves people. I have thoughts that I could hurt someone and I fear that I really will and I become scared of myself, like I have no control and I realize that it makes no sense and no one here can understand me. There is so much more, I experience mood swings that switch quickly, I get depressed easily so I usually spend the time alone. I have fears of hurting myself on purpose, even though I really don't want to. It's been this way since childhood, always picturing the worst and crazy scenarios and fearing them no matter how irrational I thought that it really was. I feel stressed by little things and I cry about anything when I'm alone.

I hope it's not troublesome that I have re-responded to the question. Please help, if you can't direct me to what I should be researching... I just feel lost and alone here.

Miranda

Answer
No you don't need to be afraid of asking questions. It all seem to boil down to the possibility that you are overproducing adrenaline or fear hormones due to an inner metabolic disorder. In other words it is not in your mind but in your body. Read the following articles for possible clues;

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Nutrition.
http://curezone.com/upload/PDF/Articles/jurplesman/OCD_and_Nutrition.pdf

Anxiety and the Sympathetic Nervous System at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/anxiety_SNS.html

Beating Anxiety and Phobias at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/beating_anxiety.html

and

http://www.hastingspress.co.uk/hypo/
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/hypoglycemia.htm

and discuss with a Nutritional Doctor, Clinical Nutritionist or Nutritional Psychologist. Go on the hypoglycemic diet as a first step.

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist
Hon. Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
Skype: jurplesman