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    Support is everything (except when you're balancing multiple mental illnesses) #MentalHealth

    They always say that it's important to have a support system. That it's vital to healing and mental well-being. Therapist and doctors say this a lot. And while I agree with this life can get pretty hard when you're balancing multiple mental illnesses. I try to do everything in my power to manage them through therapy, self-care and medications. I am beyond grateful for my support system. I have so much love for them. They have been so instrumental in my healing process that sometimes I don't stop and think about how wonderful they are. We often take for granted how much beauty we have in our lives. Yet life can get hard when I have to balance three challenging mental illnesses. I never knew that #BipolarDisorder could be so exhausting. It seems like I am on an emotional roller coaster at times. When I'm happy, I'm manic. When I'm sad, I'm depressed.

    But Bipolar was not my first diagnosis. After my stay in the hospital after my self harm and suicide attempt, I was diagnosed with #PTSD . I was incorrectly diagnosed with #Depression at first because I wasn't showing any signs of mania. Receiving that PTSD diagnosis changed things for me. Now I can understand why I act the way I do and why I have nightmares sometimes. Why emotions are so intense when I get triggered. While it changed things for me, it only added to the complexity. Then I was later diagnosed with #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder I suppose due to the emotional dysfunction that I exhibit. In either case, while I now had labels for my problems they create more problems than solutions. Especially when trying to get my emotions under control. Sometimes I bristle at the help given because I am either in a Bipolar mood episode, I feel overwhelmed or I don't know how to express myself. While I am surrounded by people that love and want to support me, I am still navigating my way around all three of my illnesses.

    However never underestimate the power and necessity of a support system. I am forever grateful and I know that with their help I can work on my struggles. My illnesses don't define me. They are just a part of my story just like my history of trauma. It's just there, while it does impact me I don't have to navigate its effects alone anymore. For so long I was alone and that only made things worse. Now I am not alone. So I encourage all of you to gather support. People who love and understand. People that are patient and compassionate. This is vital to thriving and healing. While I may never understand why I was abused or why I have the illnesses that I do, I know that I am loved, supported and believed. This has been crucial for my healing. I pray that all of you find this too. So stay safe and strong my friends. As always, thanks for reading and reach out for help if you need to. We are here for each other. I enjoy reading your comments. I'm glad I can help.

    Blessings,

    -Anastasia

    #SexualAbuse #EmotionalAbuse #ChildhoodAbuse #Trauma

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    Coping Strategies

    #MentalHealth #resilience #coping

    Spend Time With People

    It is common for people with PTSD to shy away from people, withdraw, and retreat. Fears, anxiety, anger, frustration, confusion, and the feeling of being overwhelmed are just some of the reasons why it might feel better to stay isolated than be around people.

    Keep in mind that if you are sharing space with any family or friends, it is likely they already notice you struggling. Many times people don't know how to help or are afraid to say something for fear of causing more emotional pain. It can be helpful for all parties—both you and your loved ones—to have time to spend together.

    Some ways to spend time with others can include things like:

    -Going for a walk

    -Have morning coffee

    -Play a card game

    -Talk on the phone

    -Share funny stories

    If you don't feel ready to talk yet, you can also sit quietly in the same room to read a book or a newspaper. Simply sharing the same space quietly can feel comforting.

    Mindfulness

    Because of the levels of stress, anxiety and overwhelm that people often experience with PTSD, finding time for prayer, meditation, and other mindfulness techniques can be helpful to calm our bodies and minds.3 If the thought of this is uncomfortable for you, keep in mind that there is no pressure to perform.

    Just beginning with one or two minutes per day of quiet mindfulness can feel like a victory. The goal of that time is to stay focused on the present without any threat of fear or judgment. Gradually add more time as you go, offering yourself moments to experience a sense of calm and learn how to balance yourself if you begin to feel overwhelmed or anxious.

    Exercise

    Just as it is important to learn how to calm your mind, it is also important to get your body moving. Taking time to enjoy the outdoors, get some fresh air, and move our bodies can be a helpful way to regulate mood and emotions. Research has shown that physical exercise can help our brains better cope with stress.

    In fact, psychologists suggest that just a 10-minute walk per day can benefit our mood and help to relieve anxiety and depression. Here are some things to keep in mind as you get started:

    -Find an activity you enjoy

    -Set small goals

    -Be consistent

    -Listen to music or podcasts while you exercise

    -Ask a friend to join you

    -Be patient with yourself

    -Drink plenty of fluids

    -Make sure to dress for the weather

    Participate in Counseling

    Talking with a professional such as a counselor or therapist might feel a bit intimidating, but can be very helpful when you are struggling with PTSD.

    Counseling offices can offer a safe, calm space for you to process without any fear of having to perform or be judged. Being consistent in your participation is helpful to build on your progress, continue growing, and find healing.

    Keep a Journal

    Some people find it relaxing to journal their thoughts and have a consistent place to go back to in order to write and process their experiences. Research has shown that people struggling with PTSD can find benefits in keeping a journal, including decreasing flashbacks, nightmares and intrusive memories, helping them slowly reconnect to people and places that they may otherwise want to avoid.

    Journaling can also aid in your counseling, as you can typically bring your journal to sessions as things come up that you would like to process. Talk with your therapist and see if this might be an option for you.

    You can refer to this:

    resiliens.com/resilify/program/the-science-of-resilience-and-coping

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    The Fall

    I have been in a manic episode since November. If I sleep I have nightmares but most nights I don’t get much sleep. My brain and body is pure chaos right now. My
    Thoughts are all over the place. My family tries to understand. I tell them if I notice a change in moods and they try to understand but they just don’t get it. I feel the fall fixing to happen. I see the black cloud hovering over me. Waiting to cover me. I had a really bad depressed episode 2 years ago where I withdrew from anything and everyone and stayed in bed for 1 year. I’m petrified that’s what is going to happen this time. I know from experience that I’m going to come down from this manic episode but does anyone know how to keep me from going To a really dark place? Is there something I can do to even my moods out? I’m on medications for mood stability and antipsychotics to help with my visual and auditory hallucinations Any suggestions would help. #Bipolar #BipolarDepression #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #CPTSD #Anxiety

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    Does anyone here take Toviaz or myrbertiq for interstial cystitis?

    I have interstitial cystitis and lately it’s gotten worse so my doctor wants to switch me from Toviaz to Myrbetriq. The only side effect she told me about was high blood pressure. I have nightmares and when I wake up my heart is racing out of my chest. I am afraid to switch to the myrbetriq because I am scared a may have a stroke. Any suggestions? #InterstitialCystitis

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    What do you love most about your life? #prompt

    I love to journal and I love finding prompts to journal about. I just Google the prompts that I'm looking for and I find thousands of them. Tonight's prompt is really making me think. Especially about the positive. I know it sounds negative and pessimistic to say that I tend to think of the negative regarding my situation. I suppose negative thinking and internal dialogues are a normal aftereffect of being abused. But tonight I want to challenge those thoughts by writing something positive. So this brings me to the question: What do I love most about my life? I've never actually put much thought into this question. Maybe there isn't any one answer to this question but I'm going to answer this as best I can.

    I tend to focus on the fact that I was abused and abandoned and this leads me to think that there is no good in my life. This isn't true. I love the fact that I can finally and genuinely feel safe. The hyper-vigilance of PTSD is still pretty active especially around people I don't know but now I can tell myself that I am truly safe. I have a family now that would protect me if they needed to. I can rest at night (pretty well) knowing that my nightmares can't hurt me and they aren't as bad as they once were. I love that I can be safe with a few select people and not shut them out because of distrust or fear.

    I love that I am loved and wanted. After being abused and abandoned I felt objectified and unwanted. Now though I am expected at family functions and have been told how loved and wanted I actually am.

    I love how I can create the life that I want without the fear of being abused again. No longer do I live in fear but I can now live each day as I choose. If I relapse I can show myself grace and love. If I have a healing day then I can celebrate it. I love how I can express myself without fear of retribution. I can be open and honest with myself and others and have my experiences and emotions validated. These might seem like little things so some but they are big things to me.

    Just being free from abuse and fear and being able to adjust to life at my own pace means a lot. Like I always say, I am not fully healed but each day I am getting closer to my goal. I may have bad days where I slip up but I also have good days where I can be proud of myself and show myself the love that I always deserved. So I ask you: What do you love about your life? I won't tell you to think positive because I know that toxic positivity can be hurtful. I will tell you to celebrate your life and your accomplishments. You deserve it. Just as I do. I am so glad that I chose this prompt because now I feel more positive and happier compared to earlier. I hope this post inspires someone today. Blessings to you all.

    #PTSD #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #SexualAbuse #EmotionalAbuse #Hope #Healing #Writing #Love #Life

    5 reactions 5 comments
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    Night Terrors

    I have had night terrors since I was a child due to PTSD. I’m 46 years old and the nightmares are still with me. I will wake up screaming , soaked with sweat. On a really bad night I will wake up screaming, soaked with sweat and I peed in the bed. They have been so bad lately that I refuse to sleep. I will do this for days until I’m so exhausted my
    Body just gives in to it. Any suggestions about how to prevent or something I could do to help the anxiety at night or stop the nightmares. I’m on Prazosin to help prevent nightmares. I don’t know what else I can do. I’m so tired. #Night Terrors
    #c -PTSD # Bipolar #Gastroparesis
    #Anxiety #BipolarDepression

    38 reactions 31 comments
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    Anxiety Before Sleeping/Change in Bipolar Episode #PTSD #BipolarDisorder

    Ever since I was sexually abused and assaulted I find myself getting triggered at night. I am not afraid of the dark-I am afraid of what happens in the dark. I am trying to come up with a relaxing bedtime routine that involves calming music and meditation. Because the abuse only ended a few years ago, I still find myself crying over it. Depending on how badly I get triggered I have nightmares and can't breathe. If I am mildly triggered then I am severely anxious and want to escape. Problem is, I can't escape my thoughts or emotions. So what do I do?

    A change in mood doesn't help either. I can feel my mood shifting from manic to depressed but I still have anxiety. I feel like my changing emotions impact everything else. I want to do a lot of things but struggle to do them. I find myself crying more often and wanting to sleep more-two signs for me of a depressed episode. The emotional intensity of Borderline Personality doesn't help either. Sometimes I feel like I have no control. Please help. I don't want to become so depressed that I go down a dark path -self-harm for example. It's been a few years since that has happened and I want to keep it that way. I am on a lot of medications and am in therapy but sometimes that doesn't seem like enough. I'm hoping someone here can reach out to me. Thanks.

    #SexualAbuse #EmotionalAbuse #SexualAssault #PTSD #boderlinepersonalitydisorder #help #Anxiety

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    How High Functioning is "High Functioning?"

    I’m “high-functioning” they say. I have “high-functioning” depression, “high-functioning” anxiety, “high-functioning” PTSD and complex PTSD, “high-functioning” ASD & ADHD.

    I suppose that’s because on the surface I’m pretty much kept together. I’m pretty sociable; I go out & see friends, I work (supporting people with mental illnesses would you believe!?), I sing in a group, out in public, I’m also studying for a masters in Psychology. I smile, laugh and joke a lot, I try to be there all hours to support my friends and would do anything I can to help them. I get complimented on being “so chilled”, “happy-go-lucky”, “really laid back”, “always smiley and bubbly.”

    But then there’s what you don’t see. Most of the time, people only see what I want them to see. Other times I am dying inside, screaming, trying to reach out, begging for someone to help me, some support, praying for someone to tell me I’m not as awful as I think I am or begging for some kind of distraction, yet usually I try to push through alone. I try not to let people see this side, the side that would shock them if they saw this reality exists.

    People don’t tend to see the hours of curling up on my bed, eyes squeezed tightly shut as I relive and re-experience one type of trauma or another. They can’t see the insomnia or when I do eventually sleep the nightmares and night terrors that plague what could be my one chance to switch off from it all. They don’t tend to see the panic attacks that feel like they go on for hours as they drain the energy from me. They don’t see me needing to be ready extra early to allow for the numerous attempts to leave the house. They don’t see the intrusive thoughts that take over mind, body and soul and convince me everyone secretly hates me, that I deserve this and that everyone would be better off without me. Nor do they see how hard I try to push it all away and keep it hidden in the company of other people and try to be the ‘me’ that people have come to expect.

    But then at times it gets more difficult, I struggle to hide it, it feels pretty much impossible to keep up that façade and continue being the person people expect me to be. It feels like I have absolutely no strength left to push through any more rubbish that comes my way. And no matter how much I try to start each morning feeling grateful that I get to see another day, I can’t do it with any sincerity. It can get to a point where I waking up in the morning feels terrifying and the thought of having to try and fight through another day is beyond terrifying. I barely focus and become physically and mentally drained. Leaving the house starts to feel even more difficult.

    So, I guess you could say people that are “high functioning”, can still barely be functioning at all.

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    Does anyone else have “flashbacks” from your own nightmares the next day? It is super uncomfortable.

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    Spine Surgery Anxiety 😵‍💫

    I have a major spine surgery quickly approaching this Friday 3/3/23 and l'm extremely anxious. I just had a different type of spine surgery 6/22/22. Something just feels different this time and I can't seem to wrap my mind around it. I keep having nightmares that I’m going to wake up from surgery paralyzed. I didn’t have nightmares or anxiety before my last spine surgery. It makes sense and it’s valid, but it just seems odd to me. In total, this will be my 13th surgery, I’m generally not anxious about surgeries or procedures (colonoscopies and endoscopies every 1-2 years for the last 29 years). It definitely doesn’t help that I’m also in a Crohn’s flare currently. Getting to the bathroom quickly can be very challenging after spine surgery, I learned that from the first surgery. Sitting on the toilet is very uncomfortable/difficult also.

    ⭐️❤️Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated, I'm having trouble escaping/controlling my mind right now.⭐️❤️

    Photo is of myself with my awesome Service Dog Onyx, he makes living life much easier for me. 🐕‍🦺

    I've had some difficulties finding groups that are active here, so I'm not even sure where to post or where this post will end up. I'm not giving up on finding people to connect with though.

    #MightyTogether #SpinalStenosis #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #ChronicPain #chronicbackpain #Arthritis #DegenerativeDiscDisease #PanicDisorder #MajorDepressiveDisorder #CrohnsDisease #InflammatoryBowelDiseaseIBD #ChronicSpinePain #Anxiety #Insomnia #Nightmares #PTSD #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder

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