Members with any mental health issue -- are you doing okay at this time of year?

[Evangelicalhumanist]

This is the hardest time of year for most people who suffer from any sort of mental health issue. Anxiety levels go up, there's less sunlight, thus less melatonin. The expectations (of happiness and celebration) can be huge, and you may not be able (or invited) to engage.

When I was 17, I was left alone on the streets of Toronto at Christmas by the Children's Aid. I don't suffer from any mental health issue (that I'm aware of) but I can tell you the the sheer misery was infinitely worse on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

So, are you doing okay? Do you have people to connect to? Help on the internet is pathetic, but if you're having a tough time, is there anything we can do to help?

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

Although I'm finding it a bit challenging to navigate certain subjects on RF due to my use of a narrow pallet of vocabulary, I'm feeling probably the best I have since anyone has known me here. I get regular health checkups after seeing what happened to my dad back when - someone with a fear of doctors, and who was a fairly nice person in general, but also stubborn, and refused regular checkups. And I feel that I tend to be honest with my doctors about my progress (things I can do better now) and what challenges I may face.

In fact, I haven't even felt the need to make a thread in Journals lately to vent about my life. Although if I do, I'm probably still fine.

So if anyone is currently worrying about me - just know that everything's going to be okay. One thing I'd like to practice in the future is opening my heart up more to demonstrate better kindness to people. But, there are some challenges with fully coming to that point, too.

Thanks for asking, by the way.

 

[VoidCat]

I haven't been doing ok. I don't want to get into it but i havent felt safe even tho I know I am. I've had more flashbacks then usual. As for how you can help... I have some negative core beliefs I know are wrong and incorrect but after years of them being installed into me it's hard to deal with them sometimes even tho i know they are wrong. I've been working on them with a therapist but maybe a reminder they aren't true could help. Here they are they pop up from time to time

1. I am a burden unworthy of life.
2. I'm worthless and useless
3.I'm not actually disabled im just an attention seeker(even tho every therapist I've been to says im autistic and im not faking for sure)
4. I should suffer im a horrible person.
5. My needs and wants don't matter.
6. I don't care about anything
7. No one cares about me.
8. I'm insane.
9. I'm not safe. Im never safe.
10. I can't do anything right

That's just a few of them. There are more but those been active a lot these last few days.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

I tend to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, in addition to depression associated with my dementia...but yeah, doing pretty well, all in all...I think in part because we decided we're not trying to host a get-together for family this year...and with the current weather outbreak, it's a good thing...

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

I haven't been doing ok. I don't want to get into it but i havent felt safe even tho I know I am. I've had more flashbacks then usual. As for how you can help... I have some negative core beliefs I know are wrong and incorrect but after years of them being installed into me it's hard to deal with them sometimes even tho i know they are wrong. I've been working on them with a therapist but maybe a reminder they aren't true could help. Here they are they pop up from time to time

1. I am a burden unworthy of life.
2. I'm worthless and useless
3.I'm not actually disabled im just an attention seeker(even tho every therapist I've been to says im autistic and im not faking for sure)
4. I should suffer im a horrible person.
5. My needs and wants don't matter.
6. I don't care about anything
7. No one cares about me.
8. I'm insane.
9. I'm not safe. Im never safe.
10. I can't do anything right

That's just a few of them. There are more but those been active a lot these last few days.

I suggest writing a list of the opposites of all those, and then read that list aloud at least 10 times...

And know that people do care, and not to listen to the negative things, and yes you do matter!

 

[VoidCat]

I suggest writing a list of the opposites of all those, and then read that list aloud at least 10 times...

And know that people do care, and not to listen to the negative things, and yes you do matter!

I also sometimes end up thinking my trauma is my fault but that's wrong too.

Imma do what you suggest and write a list of opposites

 

[Secret Chief]

I haven't been doing ok. I don't want to get into it but i havent felt safe even tho I know I am. I've had more flashbacks then usual. As for how you can help... I have some negative core beliefs I know are wrong and incorrect but after years of them being installed into me it's hard to deal with them sometimes even tho i know they are wrong. I've been working on them with a therapist but maybe a reminder they aren't true could help. Here they are they pop up from time to time

1. I am a burden unworthy of life.
2. I'm worthless and useless
3.I'm not actually disabled im just an attention seeker(even tho every therapist I've been to says im autistic and im not faking for sure)
4. I should suffer im a horrible person.
5. My needs and wants don't matter.
6. I don't care about anything
7. No one cares about me.
8. I'm insane.
9. I'm not safe. Im never safe.
10. I can't do anything right

That's just a few of them. There are more but those been active a lot these last few days.

Ray! Yes they are wrong, as you in fact know. Can you get out of your head more; whatever does it for you - dance, exercise, sing, do voluntary work, take up a musical instrument or do drawing/painting, writing, crafting...

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

Although I'm finding it a bit challenging to navigate certain subjects on RF due to my use of a narrow pallet of vocabulary, I'm feeling probably the best I have since anyone has known me here. I get regular health checkups after seeing what happened to my dad back when - someone with a fear of doctors, and who was a fairly nice person in general, but also stubborn, and refused regular checkups. And I feel that I tend to be honest with my doctors about my progress (things I can do better now) and what challenges I may face.

In fact, I haven't even felt the need to make a thread in Journals lately to vent about my life. Although if I do, I'm probably still fine.

So if anyone is currently worrying about me - just know that everything's going to be okay. One thing I'd like to practice in the future is opening my heart up more to demonstrate better kindness to people. But, there are some challenges with fully coming to that point, too.

Thanks for asking, by the way.

Demonstrating better kindness to people is probably the best thing that any of us can do -- and it takes very little effort. The challenges, that you allude to, mostly have to do with whether we can forgive (or condone, pick either word, I don't care) who/what/how they are.

Forgiveness is the strongest thing you will ever find when it comes to other people. It doesn't need you to deny who you are or what you believe -- only that you hold nobody else to blame in any way for who they are and what they believe. Forgiveness is hard -- and wonderfully effective.

 

[Audie]

This is the hardest time of year for most people who suffer from any sort of mental health issue. Anxiety levels go up, there's less sunlight, thus less melatonin. The expectations (of happiness and celebration) can be huge, and you may not be able (or invited) to engage.

When I was 17, I was left alone on the streets of Toronto at Christmas by the Children's Aid. I don't suffer from any mental health issue (that I'm aware of) but I can tell you the the sheer misery was infinitely worse on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

So, are you doing okay? Do you have people to connect to? Help on the internet is pathetic, but if you're having a tough time, is there anything we can do to help?

I don't got issues.
I cause them.

 

[VoidCat]

Ray! Yes they are wrong, as you in fact know. Can you get out of your head more; whatever does it for you - dance, exercise, sing, do voluntary work, take up a musical instrument or do drawing/painting, writing, crafting...

I work most days these days.

 

[Secret Chief]

I work most days these days.

I know the feeling.
Ya gotta squeeze some me time in there. If we don't we lose ourselves.

 

[VoidCat]

I know the feeling.
Ya gotta squeeze some me time in there. If we don't we lose ourselves.

Im only allowed 6 hours in the community a day. Once I'm home I don't have much to do.

 

[Secret Chief]

This is the hardest time of year for most people who suffer from any sort of mental health issue. Anxiety levels go up, there's less sunlight, thus less melatonin. The expectations (of happiness and celebration) can be huge, and you may not be able (or invited) to engage.

When I was 17, I was left alone on the streets of Toronto at Christmas by the Children's Aid. I don't suffer from any mental health issue (that I'm aware of) but I can tell you the the sheer misery was infinitely worse on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

So, are you doing okay? Do you have people to connect to? Help on the internet is pathetic, but if you're having a tough time, is there anything we can do to help?

Good thread.

 

[Secret Chief]

Im only allowed 6 hours in the community a day. Once I'm home I don't have much to do.

Not quite understanding - do you mean you have 6 hours a day of your own time?

 

[VoidCat]

Not quite understanding - do you mean you have 6 hours a day of your own time?

I live in a group home. I'm only allowed 6 hours a day in the community by myself unless someone signs me out.

 

[Secret Chief]

I live in a group home. I'm only allowed 6 hours a day in the community by myself unless someone signs me out.

Ok. So you can do your own thing in that time then?

 

[VoidCat]

Ok. So you can do your own thing in that time then?

I use all 6 hours at work M-F.
On weekends tho yeah.

 

[Secret Chief]

I use all 6 hours at work M-F.
On weekends tho yeah.

Ok. I still think whatever time you have should include activity to get out of your head. Lose your self to find your self (although that does sound a bit Deepak Chopra...)

 

[VoidCat]

Ok. I still think whatever time you have should include activity to get out of your head. Lose your self to find your self (although that does sound a bit Deepak Chopra...)

I try

 

[Secret Chief]

I try