annielovesbacon

How do you handle patients who need specialized care? I was hospitalized involuntarily a couple years ago (but I needed it) and there were some in there with severe depression, some who needed just a night to stabilize, some who were detoxing, some who were acutely suicidal, some who had severe eating disorders... it was a safe place for us, but I feel like most of us didn’t get the actual help we needed. Is this typical of psychiatric hospitals?

Hi, thanks for doing this AMA!

Are bipolar and ADHD commonly misdiagnosed for each other? I’m in my mid-twenties and just got diagnosed with ADHD, and it feels like my whole life makes sense. I’ve had a bipolar diagnosis for five years now, and I also think that fits me. But the more I research ADHD (especially in women and AFAB people), I notice lots of similarities between ADHD and (hypo)manic symptoms. Now I’m doubting my past manic episodes and wondering if some of those symptoms were actually ADHD. I’m really confused now and would love some expert insight.

Do people frequently assume you have cancer? A good friend of mine has alopecia, and a lot of people who don't know her well think she has cancer.

Wow, I am so glad you posted this AMA! I began reading the first TTYL book when I was ten, but I never finished because my mom didn't allow me to read it. I had forgotten about it, but now I'm totally going to go back and read it!

And The Infinite Moment of Us looks great, I'm planning to buy it ASAP :)

I do have one question - if you could meet someone face to face who describes your books as "trash" and you could say whatever you wanted to them without worrying about their feelings or bad press, what would it be?

Of course there must be loads of training involved, but how much of your flexibility/skill is natural, and how much is training?

Are you a contortionist or are any of your coworkers contortionists?

Also, proof please :)