acceptance

We are currently looking for a new Co-Leader for the Multiple Health Challenges group. We are growning fast and just passed 2,200 members. This is really exciting to me, however to be honest, I have been very frustrated that there is less activity recently and as our membership grows steadily the number of comments & replies has actually diminished. Our old co-leader Chris is no longer with the group and we need to have others step up and make up for her commitment to regularly respond to posts and comments. This means a collective effort from everyone in the group! I have had numerous layers of serious physical & mental health challenges recently and not been as active as I would like in order to step back and focus on self-care. This is a time having another co-leader to pick up the slack is essential!

My last post about hobbies was actually first posted 16 months ago (when we had at least 1,000 less members) and it got over 200 ❤️ & 👍and 100 comments then! It got only ONE this time. And Laura made a great post about disability after that and it got only two responses as well. When new members open up and post to introduce themselves and then get very little response that is even worse. I fear that new members will see this and not be active moving forward. This is OUR group everybody and it functions best when members support other members. We all have our varied health histories and with them the knowledge and wisdom we’ve garnered along the way! PLEASE let’s share these with each other. Without this empathy and understanding this group is falling short of what I first envisioned when I started the group and what it’s capable of.

For a co-leader I am looking for someone to welcome new members, comment or respond to posts and other comments & replies, and make new posts to the group. It is important for the group to have distinctly different voices to support people because people might relate more to either of us. What is a really good situation is if we both respond to the same posts, welcome new members from different perspectives and provide voices for people that are accessible and relatable. There is a commitment needed that you monitor activities on the group regularly and can respond pretty quickly.

Offering your own posts provides more content for the group. I can assist and support by offering to look at your new posts for feedback and editing before you post if you would like, will comment on your posts to get the responses going to best support your efforts, and I can help finding memes or images.

I look at potential leaders' history of posts and/or comments that have helped and supported others in the past. Willingness to be honest and open about your own health challenges is crucial to best support people.

You will get access to the Community Leaders group and your name will have a “Group Leader” tab next to it up top on your comments and responses so I think people pay attention especially to your activity and wisdom shared from your personal experience. Would you consider joining me on this journey? Let’s have a DM chat to discuss this! Thanks for considering taking on this role!

In service,
Moshe
@moshemhc

#Depression #Anxiety #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Chronicpainwarrior #Disability #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #BipolarIIDisorder #Bipolar1Disorder
#ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Schizophrenia #AspergersSyndrome #Autism #Dementia #Concussion #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #Cancers #TraumaticBrainInjury #BrainInjury #LossOfAParent #Grief #Suicide #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #DistractMe #HIVAIDS #MightyQuestions #DownSyndrome #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #Deafness #neckpain #BackPain #CongestiveHeartFailure #Migraine #COVID19 #PeripheralNeuropathy #LymeDisease #Diabetes #EatingDisorder #Headache #Stroke #Cancer #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Fibromyalgia #Disability #thankful #grateful #CocaineDependence #drugaddiction #Alcoholism #PTSD #EmotionalHealth #physicalhealth #PainAcceptance #Acceptance #relief #Selflove #Selfcare #MentalHealthHero #TheMighty #RareDisease #MightyTogether #RareDisease

Even when you think no one is there to listen

Today I believe in tomorrow.

I'm a 35 year old masters degree recipient who comes from an abusive and neglectful family. I almost didn’t survive my childhood, spent years in hospitals, and am now expecting to start receiving ECT in the coming months. #shock #denial #anger #Bargaining #Depression #testing #Acceptance

Calling the distress line is NOT an easy move for some youths or even children. I know some people do not have the courage. It can be terrifying. As a child, there was a kid help phone and I had no courage to speak to it.

I was feeling so alone even though I had my parents. But anyway I had started calling the distress line since I was in a toxic friendship from June 2016 to April 2017. Calling the distress line reminded me of how my voice is definitely heard.

I still remember being on the phone with them until I got home after I walked into my door. When I first saw the posters on the TTC on the way home. But when I first called there were questions running through my head I was worried I would feel judged or just feel that my voice isn’t heard.

Sometimes it is hard to find someone who can hear you. I have been calling this line since 2016 and it is a long long wait I know but while you are in the queue you can prepare yourself. I know there are times you might feel alone but don’t worry you have someone who has your back always.

Myself, I may not feel emotionally or mentally stable, but I can fight things off. But let me tell you and ask you what if your counselor is not available or you feel like you do not want to bother a family member or friend during the hours that they may be asleep?

Also, when you do call the distress line you will not know who is on the other side of the line. When it comes to calling I felt that I had some comfort. I remember first hearing “distress center” or a responder introducing themselves. I was amazed like wow there are so many people and it made me feel like it is not easy for some people.

But a reminder to the youth who do call the distress center or kids help phone does remind you that you are never alone. I know sometimes the distress lines, kids help phone, and suicide hotlines may not help which is understandable it is not for everyone. For those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, or even social anxiety, even any kind of mental health issue they are right there for you.

My countless hours with them made me feel I am worth living and see a future where I can always count on them. I do still call the distress line because I do struggle to find myself and who I really am today. Like yes, I get a yummy drink or something but it is best to take one day at a time.

I do encourage people to call it would change their life forever. I know I know sometimes you would feel like oh they do not help and I have been in your shoes I will be listing the hotlines and which ones to reach out to.

#MentalHealth #Disabilities

#Acceptance

When I’m depressed the emotions can be overwhelming. I often just want to go back to bed, pull the sheets over my head & hide. I don't feel social at all, I just don't want to be around other people. I feel like everyone will see my pain or know I'm hurting. I don't want sympathy, I definitely don't want extra attention. I just want to hide. I want to be at home where no one can “see” me. In a weird way I just want to stay depressed, so I don't do anything that would make me feel better. I've had friends say “Why can't you tell me how you feel?” “If you're around people it will make you feel better.” “You need to push yourself and get out”

If they only knew how hard it is in those moments! It’s so easy to say I need to get out around people and not isolate, but it’s so hard to do. I JUST WANT TO RIDE IT OUT! I know myself, and how painful it can be to put on a fake smile, put on a brave face, to hide and mask my feelings. These seem like insurmountable goals and I know how much it has hurt to try these things in the past.

So what can I do to help myself: sometimes I journal, watch a funny movie, listen to upbeat music, or eat a favorite meal and ALLOW myself time and space until I feel better and the fog has lifted. I TRY to go out for a walk, but just the thought of getting dressed and venturing out can seem insurmountable. I try to call family or friends, to be open and honest about how I’m feeling...to ASK FOR HELP! But this has backfired in the past. People don't know what to say, worst of all I feel like a burden. Then sometimes they give advice that seems so insensitive! They want to help, but I often feel it makes things much worse.

So I don't talk about it, I don't call those family and friends who care about me because I feel transparent, like they will see right through me and know my pain. I just stay at home, lonely, sad, feeling weak & depressed. I have learned that if I do avoid other people, it can actually help. The stress of having to try too hard is lifted and takes one layer of worry away. I have learned that I just have to tell myself that these feelings will pass, that I’m Bipolar & this is just my down cycle. I allow myself to be unproductive & try desperately to not judge myself.

But there is the ever present battle. I know that I should push myself through, that I should go out, that I should ask for help, that I should try to resurface from my pain by being active, even just sitting on my balcony and get some fresh air if I can’t push myself to walk. Yes, I SHOULD do all these. I know on some level they will help and hopefully my depression will clear sooner. But these are really hard things to do when I’m depressed and I usually give in and I ride it out. I have learned that this is ok. That I’m not a failure and weak. I have learned what has worked for me in the past is to do nothing while I wait for my head to clear!

Moshe Adler
June 20, 2017

#MentalHealth #Anxiety #Depression #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar1Disorder #Bipolar2Disorder #BipolarDepression #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Disability #PTSD #Acceptance #Selflove #Selfcare #TheMighty #MightyMinute #MightyTogether #DistractMe #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #MentalHealthHero