anxiouspandasthoughts

[anxiouspandasthoughts]

.: Demihuman :.

Not actually a coining post ;; More like a re-introduction and exploration of an Identity which isn't often talked about?

Demihuman

Falls under the alterhuman umbrella; it is, itself, an umbrella term, but can also be used as an identity in itself

1) Someone who has lost their personal connection to humanity; this is commonly due to trauma or neurodivergency, but could be for any reason; they may or may not then "pick up" a nonhuman identity

2) Someone who is only partially human, or only partially identifies with humanity; the other part(s) of their identity may or may not be known ;; this is the type of Demihuman commonly portrayed in media.

There are three Demihuman terms related to the first definition:

Ahuman: One who has completely lost their connection to humanity

Librahuman: One who is/feels less 1-50% human

Parahuman: One who is/feels 51-99% human

Similarly, there are many identities that fall under the umbrella of the second definition, such as:

Any/all species that are a cross between human and another species [eg. demi-gods, nephilim, dhampir, half-elves, saytrs, etc]

Any shapeshifting species whose base form is human [eg werewolves]

Any 'kin whose kintype is partially human

Any fictives whose source is partially human

(I think you get the gist)

Demihuman is a self-identifier, no one is required to ID as it, even if they may fall under its umbrella.

Demihuman is inclusive of those with Clinical Lycanthropy, and any disabled and neurodivergent folk who may feel disconnected from humanity because of their disability/neurotype.

At this time, there is no Demihuman flag.

References: - Demihuman on the Otherkin wiki - This blog post on the LGBTA+ wiki - This post by cringepunkarchives - My own experience as a Demihuman c:

[anxiouspandasthoughts]

I don't know whats wrong with me today, I'm just having the these horrible intense trauma memories and feelings.

Whats special about today?! Why now!?

[anxiouspandasthoughts]

teens who had PANDAS disorder when they were younger/are still recovering

“ITS A DISEASE NOT A BEAR” is a sentence youve said multiple times in your life

you don’t even flinch when they take a strep culture

you know how to read the rapid strep A test

one or more doctor, therapist, or nurse has told you that PANDAS doesn’t exist

most, if not all of your doctors didn’t know it was a disorder in the first place

you’re a pro at getting blood work done bc you get it so often

you probably have some really weird allergies

some kid at your school that you don’t really talk to comes up to you and says “remember those months/years you turned into a psycho?” yes i do thanks for reminding me of the worst four months of my life, Jared

you’ve had strep in your nose, ears, and/or skin

you haven’t met anyone else with PANDAS

you get really excited when someone already knows what PANS/PANDAS is before you explain it

you were homeschooled at one point/are homeschooled now

you feel like when you explain it to other people, they’ll never truly be able to understand how traumatizing it truly is

you know way too much about antibiotics and you’ve probably been on at least 5 different ones

right after you start to feel better from a flare up, you get strep again

agoraphobia even after you recover (or is that just me? i was afraid to be in department stores/movie theaters/crowded or loud areas for a while even while not flaring up)

your parents/guardians had to fight to get you a diagnosis especially if you were diagnosed before 2012

your PANDAS doctor is hours away from where you live

[anxiouspandasthoughts]

Sometimes, like right now, I hate myself for being me. I hate who I am, I hate having Pandas. I see other people that have it way worse then me, and I feel like I should be happier. I don't have it as bad as them, so it feel selfish for me to be so sad.

I don't have tic or at least not prominent ones, while so many others do. I should be happy, I'm lucky. But I hate myself. I hate how I can't be happy when I'm so fortunate. Why am I even sad!!?? I have no idea, it's just depression I guess.

[anxiouspandasthoughts]

I did my makeup like a demon today because I don't feel human.

I don't know what I feel like, a monster maybe, so I went with demon/monster makeup.

[anxiouspandasthoughts]

Hello

┏━•❃°•°❀°•°❃•━┓

Hi there o/ 

My name is Em

My pronouns are she/they/(sometimes) it/ (and also some neuos, they make me happier)

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

I have a disorder called Pandas. It is kinda hard to describe and explain, but I’ll try in another post, and check my earliest reblogs for more info. 

To sum it up in a way though, I have:

 ocd

Extreme Anxiety

Depression

Mood swings

Part of my ocd and anxiety is Cynophobia, and a more mild zoophobia.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

I made this blog hoping to treat it like a diary, but one that others can read and maybe relate to. I would love to make some friends that understand what life can be like for me. 

I hope to one day be able to help people like me, but more so and for now, to spread awareness, not just for PANDAS, but for all sorts of mental health.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

I originally made the blog  @isle-of-no-dogs to talk about my cynophobia. I’ll try to keep my more cynophobia thoughts there, but may share them here too. 

(if I think of anything else to say then I’ll edit this later)

┗━•❃°•°❀°•°❃•━┛

[anxiouspandasthoughts]

PANDAS & PANS

PANDAS & PANS are conditions that do not seem to get enough awareness on this site, so I am writing this little awareness post. I am 18 year old with PANDAS / PANS. PANDAS & PANS are autoimmune conditions that cause the immune system to attack part of the brain called the Basal Ganglia. Symptoms often come on suddenly and can include severe OCD, food restriction, urinary issues,  separation anxiety, motor and vocal tics, brain fog, depression, psychosis, a decline in math and handwriting ability, developmental regression, a loss of coordination, hyperactivity and an inability to pay attention, personality changes, rage attacks, oppositional defiance, seizures, sleep disturbances and more. PANDAS is triggered by strep infections like strep throat and impetigo and PANS can be triggered by other infectious and non-infectious triggers. Not everyone has every symptom.

Some of these symptoms closely resemble Tourette Syndrome and co-occurring conditions, this is because the same part of the brain is affected. However, there are some differences. In PANDAS / PANS, the symptoms can change over time and people have symptoms ‘flares’. A flare is where an individual is exposed to an infection and may suddenly deteriorate. A person who was fine for a while may suddenly become plagued with symptoms and may ‘lose’ themselves. Symptoms can change meaning that in one flare an individual may have OCD, tics, seizures and sleep disturbances, but as a teenager they may be fine for a while and then go into another flare where they develop psychosis and extreme ADHD symptoms that they have not had before.

People with PANDAS / PANS often see symptom improvement with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and immune modulating treatments and it is possible that some people can remit entirely if treated early on, meaning that a person with PANDAS / PANS could live a life without debilitating OCD, depression, tics, psychosis etc. However, if an individual is exposed to strep or another trigger they may go into another flare which would require treatment. 

It is so difficult to describe what it feels like to be in a PANS / PANDAS flare as I feel like it is hard for others to understand unless they have experienced it themselves. I just thought I had Tourette’s at the time as that is what I had been diagnosed with but I got an infection and suddenly could not think straight it comprehend things, had a constant stream of intrusive thoughts, was terrified, kept zoning out and losing awareness of what was going on around me, had intense brain fog and bizarre sleep disturbances where my thoughts were arguing in my sleep and I lost my gross motor coordination to the point where I could barely feed myself with a fork or reach out to grab something. It is my wish that the awareness of PANDAS / PANS increases so that people find it easier to get the correct diagnosis and access treatment.

Of course, not every case of tics, OCD or eating disorders are down to PANDAS / PANS, but those do have it are often missed. Therefore I think it’s reasonable to believe it would be helpful for people with sudden onset severe tics and / or severe OCD or atypical food restriction that comes on abruptly to be assessed for PANDAS / PANS.

Some people here in the UK have to go abroad for treatment because the conditions are so misunderstood and it can cause a lot of financial strain to pay for treatment, so this needs to change. 

Here are some resources on PANDAS / PANS: 

PANDAS PSA from the International OCD Foundation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr93EwVdM9Q

PANDAS Physician Network:

https://www.pandasppn.org/antibiotics/

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, so this is not to be taken as medical advice. This is not to be used as a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified medical professional. This is to be used for educational purposes only. If you believe you or a family member may have PANS / PANDAS then please see a specialist. 

[anxiouspandasthoughts]

PANDAS / PANS can look like a case of 'sudden ADHD.' Classic ADHD does not come on suddenly, people with PANDAS / PANS could suddenly develop these symptoms in their teen years or even in adulthood.

Traits may include - impulsivity, restlessness, feeling like constant stimulation is needed, not being able to think things through, racing thoughts, jumping from one task to another, being unable to notice small details, skim reading, attention span 'cutting out' and more.

To have PANS, a person would need OCD or food restriction along with 2 other symptoms which could include hyperactivity. Someone with PANDAS may present with sudden tics and ADHD traits.

OCD and ADHD can co-occur together anyway, without PANDAS / PANS, so it is important that a detailed history is carefully taken so that the correct diagnosis is given. If a person develops OCD and ADHD traits so abruptly and so severely that it is a complete change to how a person was prior to the onset and a person becomes completely dysfunctional, then PANDAS / PANS may be the cause.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, this is not intended to be used as a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified medical practitioner. This is to be used for educational purposes only. If you need medical advice, please see a doctor.

[anxiouspandasthoughts]

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Approximately 2% of the general population has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For many people suffering from OCD in the UAE, it feels like a frightening experience. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can take different forms, but most people usually experience repetitive, intrusive thoughts, and impulses that they cannot ignore. These thoughts cause you to perform repetitive activities to try to get relief. Although some people think they have OCD, they might just be perfectionists. OCD differs from perfectionism by the time spent on compulsion and obsession.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Definition

OCD is a mental health disorder that causes a recurring cycle of unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that cause repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These thoughts are uncontrollable and intrusive fears, impulses, sensations, or ideas that cause extreme distress. Some patients with OCD might think that their obsessions are unrealistic while others believe they are real.

Individuals carry out compulsive behaviors to try to reduce and control this distress and avert feared ideas. If you have OCD, your obsessions and compulsions might seem unnecessary and strange, but also out of control, for instance, the need to wash your hands for an hour after touching something. These repetitive actions can bring problems and interfere with your life.

Although you might experience distressing thoughts or repeat behaviors, this alone does not determine that you have OCD. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a persistent and intense pattern of obsessions and compulsions that takes most of your time. It can become uncontrollable, disrupt daily life, and impair social functions.

If you ignore these obsessions and don’t go through with the compulsions, you become distressed, until you engage in the compulsive behavior. This is why it’s advisable to consult the best psychiatrists in Dubai if you have any obsessions or urges to engage in your compulsions.

Causes of OCD

Although experts don’t know the exact causes of OCD, they believe that a family history of this condition increases your risk. Impairment and irregular development of specific areas in the brain have been associated with OCD. There is evidence suggesting that OCD may relate to how the brain reacts to serotonin (a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep and mood).

Risk Factors

For individuals who are genetically more likely to develop obsessive-compulsive disorder, other factors can also contribute to this condition. They include;

·       Trauma or stress – Stress at home, at work, at school, or in personal relationships increase your risk of developing or worsening the existing OCD symptoms.

·       Traumatic brain injury – OCD can appear for the first time after a head injury.

·       Abuse in childhood – Kids who experience traumatic events or abuse like severe neglect or bullying have a higher risk of OCD.

·       Personality – Specific personality traits like perfectionism, heightened feelings of responsibility, or inability to handle uncertainty may factor into obsessive-compulsive disorder.

·       Childhood acute neuropsychiatric symptoms (CANS) - For some kids, obsessive-compulsive disorder begins immediately after infection. It happens after a streptococcal infection and this syndrome is known as pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus (PANDAS). Other diseases or infections can also cause symptoms.

It is crucial to know that you can have a family history of OCD and other risk factors and still not develop the condition. People without any risk factors can also develop obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Symptoms

(Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/cabinet-spices-orderly-organize-334128/)

OCD has 2 types of symptoms; obsessions and compulsions. You can experience 1 or both symptoms. These symptoms are not short-lived or fleeting; even a mild symptom can take up to an hour daily and can significantly affect your life. These symptoms can affect your ability to complete tasks or pay attention at school. The compulsive behaviors feel uncontrollable even if you might realize they are not real.

Obsessions

Obsessive thoughts can take many forms but the most common are;

·       Fear of self-harm or harming others

·       Worries about illness, dirt, or germs

·       Fear of saying something obscene or offensive

·       Explicit violent or sexual thoughts

·       The need to be orderly

·       Worries about throwing your items away

·       Intrusive sounds, words, or images

·       Worries about your safety and health and that of your loved ones

·       Questioning your sexual orientation or desires.

Although you might try to suppress these obsessions, they keep coming and this persistence can lead to a stronger conviction that they might come true or are true if you don’t any action to prevent them.

Compulsions

Compulsions are repetitive mental acts or behaviors that you feel forced to engage in so you can reduce the distress brought by the obsession. These responses can be directly related to an obsessive worry or unrelated actions that reduce your anxiety. Repeating these behaviors become very demanding and time-consuming and can interfere with your daily activities.

Common compulsions include;

·       Excessive ritualized handwashing, cleaning or brushing your teeth to a point where your teeth or skin starts bleeding

·       Arranging or ordering things in a specific way

·       Avoiding using public transport, public toilets, touching door handles, shaking people’s hands

·       Repeatedly checking appliances, switches, doors, and locks

·       Doing tasks a specific number of times and in a specific way

·       Constantly seeking reassurance or approval

·       Checking on your loved ones to make sure they are okay

·       Excessive praying or doing rituals associated with religious fear

·       Repeating certain prayers, phrases, or words

·       Repeatedly tapping to a specific number, counting to a specific number, or needing to count objects

·       Hiding objects you could have used for self-harm or harming others

·       Collecting particular objects or buying several of that object.

Treatment

Although you cannot prevent or cure OCD, treatment can help you deal with symptoms and improve your quality of life. Early treatment is crucial because symptoms can worsen with time. Treatment can reduce symptoms and improve functioning. It also helps to manage symptoms of related disorders like depression and anxiety. Treatment includes medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.

Although you might experience intrusive thoughts and fears, obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms are more extreme, random, unrealistic, and time-consuming. OCD is more than being organized or a perfectionist, it requires repetitive rituals and causes distress. If you think you have OCD symptoms, it is advisable to seek help from a professional like the best psychiatrists in Dubai.

[anxiouspandasthoughts]

☆ PANDAS and PANS affect part of the brain called the Basal Ganglia

☆ Symptoms include OCD, personality changes, cognitive decline, anxiety (especially separation anxiety), new onset phobias, motor and vocal tics, a deterioration in handwriting and maths ability, depression, mood swings, behavioral and developmental regression, dilated pupils, hyperactivity, coordination changes, urinary problems such as wetting and needing the toilet more than usual, sleep disturbances, brain fog, psychosis, eating disorders, rage attacks, irritability, oppositional defiance, difficulty focusing, sensory processing issues, memory decline and more. Some people only have a few symptoms and other people have a lot.

☆ Some doctors don't understand PANDAS/PANS, so it can go misdiagnosed as Tourette's, Autism, Classic OCD, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, BPD, FND, 'behavioral issues' or schizophrenia.

☆ Symptoms can sometimes change over time and new symptoms can arise in each flare.

☆ PANDAS is triggered by group A Streptococcal infections such as strep throat and scarlet fever. PANS has both infectious and non-infectious triggers. Infectious ones include Lyme Disease, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Influenza, Chickenpox and more.

☆ With the right care, people can go into remission and can live without debilitating neurological and psychiatric symptoms. This is why awareness is vital. If people get the correct diagnosis then they may find it easier to access appropriate care.

☆ In infection induced PANDAS/PANS, the body gets an infection and the immune system gets confused. Instead of just attacking the infection, it attacks part of the brain as well! This causes the neurological and psychiatric symptoms.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, this is not to be used as a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified physician, this is to be used for educational purposes only. For medical advice, please see a medical practitioner. I do not claim to treat, cure or mitigate any condition.