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Something’s not right

Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

creative_writerSenior Contributor12 Sept 2025, 4:22 pm AEST

Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

I have multiple mental illnesses including Bipolar 2, cptsd, OCD, social anxiety. I’m also neurodivergent, ADHD and ASD. I already have tons of labels and a lot going on. I’m getting assessed for an ED on Monday during my psych appointment, I reckon I meet criteria so I am anticipating another diagnosis. I know it explains my how I’ve been feeling but it’s another label, I hate feeling so broken and feeling like I’m complicated. I know my disordered eating habits are adversely affecting my mental and physical health, I’ve just been in denial for so long and would also get defensive when people commented on my eating habits or asked about them.

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In response to: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

AuntGlowModerator09 Dec 2025, 9:26 pm AEDT

Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

Good evening @creative_writer 💖

I wonder if joining a group, just to see how it feels, might be helpful?

Also, have I shared Grow Groups as an option with you before?

I hear you and it sounds like being around people you can truly unmask with would be so freeing... those people are out there, I promise.

I have a 'future self' exercise that just came to mind, which could be helpful, if you'd like me to share it?

If you could place a hand on your heart and say one kind thing to yourself right now, what would that be? ☺️

In response to: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

rav3nSenior Contributor10 Dec 2025, 11:02 am AEDT

Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

@creative_writer the lecture sounds great. hopefully one day, talking about mental health will be just as easy as chatting about our physical health.

yep, exactly like you said - it does take a lot of practice. it was so uncomfortable at the start, but the more i practiced it even on the hard days, the more progress i saw. i've got my fingers crossed it'll get easier for you too.

aww so cute!! speaking of cats, i opened the door at night yesterday and felt like someone was watching me... it was a white cat just staring right at me. it was really cute tho, ran away before i got a chance to go near it. i have a pet bunny! do you have pets? sounds like the kitties of your neighbour are like your adoptive furbabies 😊

In response to: Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

creative_writerSenior Contributor10 Dec 2025, 12:49 pm AEDT

Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

@AuntGlow I haven’t heard of Grow Groups before. Would love to hear more about future self exercise.

I know I’m trying and I’m still fighting despite feeling super exhausted and hopeless.

@rav3n I wish it was easier to talk about MH. There is a lot of shame in needing professional support. Sometimes there are pressures that we must be able to resolve our issues ourselves and/or with help of family and friends. It’s important to recognise we can’t use friends and family as therapists.

Self compassion takes a lot, it’s a skill that improves over time.

Kitties get so scared so easily. They run away all the time. They don’t always realise that we just want to love them. Bunnies are adorable too. Our neighbour’s kitty is a regular visitor (the neighbour’s named her Jasmine), there are also other cat visitors. I think I previously mentioned aloo samosa. He found a new girlfriend, though not sure if they had a fight. We named his girl kiwi. He has followed her on a number of occasions, it was so cute and funny. Though I think kiwi has the upper hand. We have other random cats that pop by every now and then

In response to: Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

rav3nSenior Contributor10 Dec 2025, 5:59 pm AEDT

Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

@creative_writer true, our family/friends can't all be therapists. personally, i do try to find friends who create safe spaces at least so i can be honest with them but i definitely don't expect a solution from them. i know my parents have their limits so i don't talk to them much about my mental health anymore (thank god for psychs!)

haha yes i do remember aloo samosa, and now the gf kiwi aww!! kiwi sounds fierce, love it. it's so funny seeing cats interact and play around. my bunny is very quiet and keeps to himself, he's scared of cats and dogs. but he's had some funny and annoying moments... like when he chewed my earphones cord just cos it was 'in his path'... he could've walked around it 🙃 (now i only have wireless earphones lol)

In response to: Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

creative_writerSenior Contributor10 Dec 2025, 6:25 pm AEDT

Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

@rav3n providing a safe place is different to trying to solve someone's problems. I personally find my parents have the tendency of wanting to solve, and they are limited in that area. People often fear stigma of reaching out to professional supports, and that places enormous pressures on parents to solve their kids' issues and other family stuff. Once my mum was given the advice that if she wanted to talk to someone about in law stuff, she should talk to her daughters. My mum has discussed in law drama with us, sometimes even at the capacity I had to offer emotional support and feel torn between parents. I wish families included boundaries in their vocabulary, there would be less in law drama. I also wish couples were allowed to be more assertive.

I don't tell my parents about what I talk about in therapy, they stopped asking. I'm sure I touch upon topics they won't approve of. But what else are you supposed to do? I need to heal and that involves diving into the not so pretty stuff. My psych wants to stabilise me before we do more diving in, I will have to have the med conversation with my psychiatrist. My psych wanted me to consider an admission, but it is still not sitting well with me. I've thought about it, but it feels too much. I know she was looking at it from a safety perspective because they will be able to monitor my meds under supervision. Hospital stay will send my parents on edge even if it's for medication adjustment and I struggle to trust people. I don't want to have to deal with my parents and own anxieties at the same time.

Kiwi was angry with having her tail touched, she has boundaries. Not sure about aloo samosa's boundaries. Jasmine tried to befriend (I think she only wanted friendship) aloo samosa, but he rejected her. Maybe he has a fluffy cat type. You bunny sounds adorable. They are fur babies at the end of the day, they don't know better but it's frustrating when they destroy something. The cat that used to come in our backyard used to pull at our fly screen, my dad was very angry. After they do a naughty thing, they look so innocent. Maybe we will get a cat one day, it would be hard to be a functional human being afterwards. It's so tempting looking at cute small things all day

In response to: Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

AuntGlowModerator10 Dec 2025, 8:51 pm AEDT

Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

Here is the link to Grow groups, if you'd like to have a look! https://grow.org.au/find-a-group/

The future-self exercise: write out everything you would like to feel and experience (it could be in the next few months or years), use this information to paint a clear picture of what your future self might look like, then pop it into ChatGPT and ask it to write you a first person reflection of a realistic day in the life of your future self. I did this and cried a lot, it was so lovely to read. I then asked it for a realistic plan of what I could do daily to very slowly work towards this version of myself. If ChatGPT doesn't sit well with you, I encourage you to use your creative writing skills for this exercise (this is the original format of the task anyway - but I found this version on Instagram and thought it was a fun way to explore it!).

As always, we are here for you and happy to keep talking about different ways you can connect to yourself safely and compassionately. 🫶 @creative_writer

In response to: Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

creative_writerSenior Contributor11 Dec 2025, 4:54 pm AEDT

Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

@AuntGlow thank you for sharing that link and exercise.

I’ve had a busy day since I’m preparing for a big day out tomorrow with family. Touched base with GP who also thought it was potentially possible to change meds as outpatient if I see my pdoc regularly. Really trying to avoid an hospital stay if possible. I haven’t SH so far. Can’t say I’ve been free of SI, but I can stay safe.

In response to: Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

creative_writerSenior Contributor11 Dec 2025, 4:56 pm AEDT

Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

@AuntGlow I hope today has been a kind day for you 💖

In response to: Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

AuntGlowModerator14 Dec 2025, 2:40 pm AEDT

Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

How are you feeling today, lovely? @creative_writer 💖

In response to: Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

creative_writerSenior Contributor04 Jan 2026, 8:47 am AEDT

Re: Mixed feelings-might be getting another diagnosis (ED)

@AuntGlow @Jynx I’m back from my break. Went on holidays, site seeing was breathtaking. Sort of wish I enjoyed it more, but I guess depression dampens joy. I hope you have both been well and the new year has been kinder 💖

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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.