Rare Disease

When my daughter was first (mis)diagnosed with a rare disease in 2013, not only was I utterly devastated by the news that she had a progressive disease, but I was also shocked beyond reason by the realization that such a disease even existed in the first place. That moment was reality-altering. In fact, I remember very little from that day, except [...]

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Glenda McCoy

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Rare Disease

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How My Daughter's Rare Disease Opened My Eyes

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#52SmallThings #CheckInWithMe #Selfcare #MentalHealth #Disability #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RareDisease #Anxiety #Depression
#Autism #Parenting #PTSD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDisorder #Fibromyalgia #Lupus #MultipleSclerosis #Migraine #Spoonie

52 Small Things 3h

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Who could benefit from hearing your story?

We’re going back to our truest roots for this week’s self-care theme — storytelling.

Here on The Mighty, there are so many amazing people who share their experiences daily. We all benefit, resulting in a community for those who may share a diagnosis, have a similar experience, or can simply gain perspective through others’ vulnerability.

One thing we know for sure is that each of our stories are important and worth sharing (yes, yours too!), especially in those moments when we need support and a listening ear. When we share our stories, we not only build community, but we also let others know they are not alone.

Who could benefit from hearing yours?

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52 Small Things 3d

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What is something you do for comfort when you have a tiring, stressful, or overwhelming day?

Let’s talk positive coping strategies and self-soothing techniques today!

When we’ve had a tiring, stressful, or overwhelming day, knowing how to best practice self-care and comfort ourselves can make all the difference —especially when figuring out the ways that effectively help us unwind and recharge.

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks likes to lay in silence in her dim-lit room, with all of her pillows surrounding her for comfort. It helps her to reground and re-energize.

How do you comfort yourself at the end of an exhausting day?

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52 Small Things 4d

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Who do you feel most comfortable sharing your symptoms and health experiences with?

Knowing who you can share your story, symptoms, or health experiences with is an important (and very personal) choice that may take some trial and error, and careful deliberation to come to terms with. And that’s OK.

We all have different levels of comfort and trust when it comes to opening up to others. Perhaps you feel most comfortable sharing your health details with a doctor or other health professional, a parent or sibling, a friend, or even a stranger you meet at a grocery store or in an online community like The Mighty!

Who do you feel most comfortable sharing with?

P.S. Your story is important and you deserve community and support from people who understand. 💌

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Thomas Ousterhout PhD

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@thomas_of_copenhagen

Conquer Your Mind 4d

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One thing I’ve learned is that when negative thoughts appear, they can sound incredibly convincing. A thought can repeat itself enough times that eventually it stops feeling like a thought and starts feeling like a fact. I’m failing. This isn’t going to work. I’m not good enough.

What helps me is noticing the thought before automatically agreeing with it. I don’t have to fight it or force myself to think positively. I can simply create a little space and ask, “Is this actually true, or is this just a thought passing through my mind?” That small distinction has helped me give far less power to thoughts that don’t deserve it.

We all have negative thoughts. The goal isn’t to never have them. It’s to get better at deciding which ones deserve our attention.

What is one thought you’re trying to stop treating as a fact?

Also, if you're going through a tough time right now, I want you to know that I post mental health videos about how to deal with painful thoughts. So if you or anyone you know is struggling and wants help, click on one of the links below or write me if you have any questions you want me to answer:

www.tiktok.com/@thomas_of_copenhagen

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether

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52 Small Things 5d

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Where do you go when you want to feel comfortable and safe?

There is nothing more important than finding spaces where we feel safe and comfortable. Whether its physical or virtual, building community around like-minded people or having a space to call your own can help build stability and maintain mental health.

Where are your safe spaces?

Mighty staffer @sparklywartanks says her safe spaces are her room, the living room with her mom, or over Zoom with her therapist.

💖 P.S. The Mighty is always here to be your safe space if you need it.

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Thomas Ousterhout PhD

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@thomas_of_copenhagen

Conquer Your Mind 5d

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One thing I’ve learned is that when I’m overwhelmed, whatever I’m feeling in that moment can suddenly feel like the whole truth. The thought feels urgent. The reaction feels justified. And sometimes all I want is to do something immediately just to make the feeling stop.

That’s why I try to give myself a little space before I react. Not because the emotion isn’t real, but because it is real enough to deserve more than an automatic response. Sometimes that space is just a breath or a few quiet minutes. It gives me a chance to ask myself what I actually need, instead of letting the intensity of the moment decide for me.

I don’t always get it right. But I’ve found that even a small pause can change what happens next.

What helps you slow things down when your emotions feel urgent?

www.tiktok.com/@thomas_of_copenhagen

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

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Thomas Ousterhout PhD

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@thomas_of_copenhagen

Conquer Your Mind 6d

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You do not have to be grateful for the things that hurt you. Some experiences were painful, unfair, and never something you would have chosen. But healing can include recognizing what you learned from surviving them. Maybe you learned how much you can endure. Maybe you learned what you need, what you value, or what has to change. That does not mean the pain was good. It means your story did not end there. Depression can make it hard to see your own strength, especially when you are still in the middle of it, but the version of you that kept going deserves to be seen with compassion too.

What is something you have learned about yourself from making it through hard times?

www.tiktok.com/@thomas_of_copenhagen

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

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52 Small Things 1w

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Comfort to me feels like...

Happy Monday, Mighty fam! ⭐

We all have different levels of comfort, from who we feel safest around to places we go to unwind after a long day; or even what self-care and self-soothing techniques we each gravitate toward. What may comfort one person may not comfort someone else and that’s ✨ the spice of life. ✨

Finish today’s prompt in the comments below. 💌

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