Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
NebSenior Contributor
Just wondering about how many years contributors have coped with mental illness. I am looking for the more mature people but in the interest of evenhandness how many is for everyone/
me....first started at the age of 15, and I will be 58 this year so that gets me 43 years.....oh my! I am a survivor in more ways than one.
In response to: Just a survey
BlueBaySenior Contributor
Hi @Neb
I'm 51 and I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, pstd, BPD 7 years ago as a result of childhood sexual abuse.But looking back through my childhood I think I sufferred a lot longer than 7 years 😞
In response to: Re: Just a survey
Zoe7Senior Contributor
Hi @Neb First 'official' diagnosis - 23 years ago. Am now 46.
In response to: Just a survey
mufasaSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Just a survey
MazaritaSenior Contributor
Hi @Neb, @Zoe7, @BlueBay and other long survivors of mental illness,
I had significant problems with mental health in childhood that were undiagnosed and untreated. First saw a psychiatrist at age 27 when I had a big breakdown. At first it was all diagnosed as anxiety and depression. Later, bipolar. Continued under the care of psychiatrists (with other therapists from time to time) until now, age 54. Although my life has been troubled and strange and I continue to struggle, I seem to appreciate being around more than ever before as the years advance, maybe through more acceptance of who I am.
In response to: Just a survey
MummytotwoSenior Contributor
In response to: Just a survey
MummytotwoSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Just a survey
MoonGalSenior Contributor
@Mummytotwo - i missed it, but the moderators are very careful looking after this diverse and fragile community, don't feel bad, live, learn and move on. Can you answer without the triggering material?
I went mentally west at about 12, was diagnosed in 2014 (at 53) as Bipolar, cPTSD, OCD and core anxiety
In response to: Re: Just a survey
ArjaySenior Contributor
Too long
In response to: Just a survey
OhanaSystemSenior Contributor
Hi Neb,
Our body is 34 and was first diagnosed with mental illness at 16 -- however according to the body's mother, we were showing signs of mental illness as early as 3.
In response to: Just a survey
Unknown userMember
Hi @Neb, I was 1st diagnosed with depression at 26, changed to schizoaffective later, but I think I was suffering from ptsd since I was a little kid. I know certainly I coped with ptsd symptoms since I was 11.
The real question is why is it taking us all so long to be diagnosed and how sad that it did.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
Fields marked * are required
