Topic: misdiagnosed illness

Online Test Says I’m Bi-Polar, And You Probably Are Too

Online Test Says I'm Bi-Polar, And You Probably Are Too

I probably shouldn’t ever do online tests that claim to be reliable indicators of my health or personality, but that doesn’t stop me from frittering away my time every once in awhile. Who doesn’t want to know how their IQ stacks up with their friend’s, whether their personality type is compatible with their partner’s, or if they could be considered a “fitness junkie”? I know I do. So when Alternative Depression Therapy’s online bi-polar test showed up in my Twitter stream, I was too curious not to see my results. I’ve never been diagnosed with any mental illness, but hey, this could save me the trip to the psychologist, and an excuse to get my hands on some good pills! (Kidding, of course.) But all the test really taught me is that I’m, in fact, much cooler than I’d ever imagined. More »

I Have Endometriosis and I’m Not Going to Treat It

I Have Endometriosis and I’m Not Going to Treat It

A large part of my teenage years was spent curled into a painful little ball. I used to get cramps that were so debilitating, I couldn’t do anything but lie in the fetal position and whimper.

Not ever having known anything different than incredibly painful periods, I honestly didn’t think much of it. I was also having really heavy periods — like Fort Knox wouldn’t have protected me kind of heavy. At the time I didn’t realize what I was experiencing was unusual; I just thought that’s how every girl’s period was. Now that I finally know what’s amiss, I’m not planning to treat it. Here’s why. More »