Relationships

I’m feeling low today. I had a hard time leaving the bed, which is completely uncharacteristic of me.
I had another family member delete me from social media. My support feels like it’s constantly dwindling the more I come forward about the stuff I have experienced. The more I set up boundaries and appropriate expectations, the more trauma I endure. I am systematically removing people, but I am also in a very vulnerable place with the amount of battles I am fighting. I need support but I am losing the natural supports I had. Which obviously weren’t as supportive as they let on.
A lot of my de-realization has been impacted by the fact that the people who were “supports” were people who loudly, boldly, professionally declare themselves helpers. And the world believes it. They are people who work with disabled or needy populations. They tout their volunteer efforts as “personal experience” when they haven’t ever had to beg for anything like I have had to. They don’t get that their volunteer experience does not reflect my lived experience. They also keep forgetting that I too have that professional experience and volunteer experience. I am very rational and logical and yet they write me off as defensive
It’s also really hard to get new support when I don’t work and am constantly in crisis so meeting new people is… not in the cards in this moment. I have tried many ways to make new friends and when my symptoms are more manageable, I work in this. I do have support from my boyfriend. It’s just relatively new and I feel really scared because of past relationships/unreliability of people. He has been really understanding and accommodating. He helps a lot with the shame I feel on a constant basis. He always reminds me it’s not my fault- not the trauma, not the way people are treating me, and not my symptoms (especially my embarrassing, child-like panic attacks 😳)

I *know* all of the things about having to accept that people aren’t going to always be respectful and setting up boundaries etc. it just feels like it’s never going to get better. I know it will. I just need to vent about it because i am feeling really alone today.

#Anxiety #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #PostTraumaticStressDisorder #PTSD #Agoraphobia #PanicAttacks #ADHD #ChronicVestibularMigraine #Migraine #Disability #MentalHealth #CheckInWithMe

Those who follow this blog have seen me rail against toxic positivity. When it’s not absurd, it’s insulting to those of us with mood disorders. No, we can’t just cheer up. If we could look at the bright side, we wouldn’t have depression or anxiety. You may be able to choose happiness, but I can’t. I’ve needed medication and therapy just to feel meh at times. If I could turn bipolar disorder off like a light switch, don’t you think I’d do it?

Toxic positivity can be seen nearly everywhere, in a lot of different situations: the self-help movement, of course, but also business, medicine, and even religion – as well as endless memes. American society is rife with toxic positivity. It appears in motivational business conventions and TED Talks. Salespeople are advised to think positively and envision success. Breast cancer survivors are advised to keep a positive attitude, to the extent that they are encouraged to tell how the disease has had a positive effect on their lives and relationships. (Expressions of fear, anger, and other natural emotions in response to the diagnosis are downplayed or discouraged.) Religions can exhort us to count our blessings or “manifest” our wants and needs by using positive thoughts to attract them.

Positivity becomes toxic when it is seen as the only method of coping with problems in life, even ones that have other solutions or none. Toxic positivity presents relentless cheer as the only acceptable reaction and a panacea for every difficulty. And toxic positivity leads people to demand that others take up the mindset and apply it to every situation, even devastating ones. As such, it denies the reality of human suffering and normal emotional responses. It’s a form of non-acceptance.

So, what is the alternative? What is a more natural – but still effective – technique for dealing with difficulties? How can those of us who have mood disorders or any other brain illness find ways to navigate through life without slapping on a smile and coercing our emotions to fit a certain mold?

Radical acceptance is one answer. Radical acceptance means that you accept your inner feelings and your outward circumstances as they are, especially if they are not under your control. You acknowledge reality without trying to impose a set of emotional mandates on it. Your acceptance and acknowledgment may involve pain or discomfort, but those are understandable, normal human conditions. They are natural conditions that evoke a natural response.

Rooted in Buddhist teachings and given a name by Marsha Linehan, the psychologist who developed dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), radical acceptance uses mindfulness to help people learn to face and regulate their emotions. Interestingly, one 2018 study found that accepting your negative emotions without judgment is a factor in psychological health.

With radical acceptance, when you encounter difficult situations and emotions, you note their presence without trying to suppress them. You accept them, as the name implies. This attitude can address – and reduce – feelings of shame and distress that you may feel, especially when you are not able to simply shut off those feelings and replace them with positivity. That doesn’t mean that you wallow in unpleasant feelings or allow unfortunate circumstances to stunt your responses.

Instead, you note the feelings – accept that they exist – and “hold space” for them within you. You appreciate that your emotions can lead you to new understandings of and reactions to your circumstances. For example, instead of adhering to the unattainable maxim that “Failure is not an option,” you can recognize when you have indeed failed and accept it as a natural part of life. You can then move on to a mindset of growth where you use that failure to inform your future actions. You develop a more accurate picture of the world and can begin implementing real solutions.

Of course, there are situations where radical acceptance is not appropriate. Abusive situations, for one, shouldn’t simply be accepted without being addressed. But neither will positive thinking resolve them. They require action, from seeking help from a trusted individual to leaving the situation to contacting law enforcement or an organization that can help.

But in other circumstances, radical acceptance may be an answer for some. For myself, I’ll just be satisfied if radical acceptance helps drive out toxic positivity. I don’t think it will, but a person can dream.

Part 1 of 2 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a ubiquitous and sexually transmitted virus affecting millions worldwide. It is a leading cause of various diseases, including cervical cancer, making it a significant public health concern. This introduction aims to shed light on the critical role of the HPV vaccine in preventing these diseases by providing an overview of HPV, its associated health risks, and the primary purpose of this post: to inform, educate, and advocate for HPV vaccination.

HPV, with over 100 known types, is the most common sexually transmitted infection globally. While most HPV infections resolve independently, certain high-risk types can lead to cancers, including cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, causing approximately 311,000 deaths globally in 2018. These statistics highlight the urgent need to address HPV infection and its consequences.

Understanding HPV:

HPV is primarily a sexually transmitted virus. It can be transmitted through genital, anal, and oral contact, making it one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Understanding its transmission pathways is crucial in both prevention and education efforts.

High-risk HPV types, particularly HPV-16 and HPV-18, are strongly associated with the development of cervical cancer. These types can infect the cervix’s cells and, over time, lead to precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. These lesions are often asymptomatic, making regular cervical cancer screenings essential for early detection.

Statistics highlight the severe health risks associated with HPV. Approximately 570,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year. This underscores the urgency in comprehending the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer and the importance of vaccination as a preventive measure.

The HPV vaccine:

The HPV vaccine is a groundbreaking medical advancement in the fight against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its associated health risks.

There are several HPV vaccines available, with the two most widely recognized being Gardasil and Cervarix. Gardasil, for instance, protects against the most common high-risk HPV types, HPV-16 and HPV-18, and low-risk types that cause genital warts. These vaccines offer comprehensive protection against the most concerning HPV types, reducing the risk of developing cervical and related cancers.

The effectiveness of the HPV vaccine is well-established through extensive clinical trials and real-world data. Studies have consistently shown that the vaccine effectively prevents HPV infection and associated diseases. For instance, research has demonstrated a substantial decrease in HPV-related conditions, including cervical precancerous lesions and genital warts, in vaccinated populations. These findings underscore the vaccine’s role in preventing HPV transmission and the subsequent development of related health issues.

Safety is a paramount concern for vaccines, and the HPV vaccine has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its safety. Common side effects include pain at the injection site, mild fever, and dizziness. Serious adverse events are rare and thoroughly investigated by healthcare authorities to maintain public trust in vaccination programs.

The impact of the HPV vaccine:

One of the most significant achievements of HPV vaccination is the marked reduction in HPV-related diseases. Cervical cancer, in particular, has seen a substantial decline in cases, which is expected to continue. Vaccination has significantly decreased the prevalence of high-risk HPV types, reducing the occurrence of cervical precancerous lesions and ultimately preventing cervical cancer.

The impact is not limited to cervical cancer; it extends to other HPV-related conditions like genital warts and oropharyngeal cancer, contributing to improved public health outcomes.

On a global scale, several countries have successfully implemented robust HPV vaccination programs, achieving impressive results. Countries like Australia, which initiated school-based HPV vaccination programs, have seen remarkable reductions in HPV prevalence and related diseases. These success stories demonstrate the effectiveness of proactive vaccination efforts and serve as models for other nations.

Recommendations for getting vaccinated:

The HPV vaccine is recommended for specific populations to maximize its benefits. Adolescents are a primary target group, with vaccination typically recommended for boys and girls starting at ages 11 or 12. Initiating vaccination at this age ensures that individuals receive the vaccine before potential exposure to HPV through sexual activity. Catch-up vaccination is also available for those not vaccinated at the recommended age, extending the opp

Hi, my name is Champ3148. I'm here because I have many questions about relationships and I have been happy with my situation

#MightyTogether

My son turns 29 after Christmas. My son has schizoaffective disorder and LD. He is home with me, my wife, and on a temporary basis, her brother. I’d like to see my son be able to date (he also has said he wants to date), but I don’t know how to go about helping him or suggesting to him how he can find appropriate women to date. Everyone he knew at public school is married or in long term relationships. The behavioral school he attended did not allow contact outside of school, so he can’t even contact friends from that time. I’d also like to see him involved in some kind of activities or a program (not the program my daughter attended, as there are issues with the program now.) Any suggestions for activities or how he can go about beginning to date?

My daughter is 30 years old and has schizoaffective disorder and LD. She went to a behavioral health school for high school. No interaction with other students was allowed outside of school, so she had no friends or opportunities to date. My daughter had lived in a group home and went to group meetings/activities for about 4 years and now has been in an independent living apartment about 4 years. She has a boyfriend who lives in the building who has LD. This is from what I’ve heard as well as learned interacting with him, not sure if he has any other conditions. They have broken up a number of times. On the one hand I am happy my daughter has a special someone, but on the other hand I can’t help but feel she could find someone more at her level or above. She’s of the age that having children is on her mind and I have concerns if this relationship continues. She has talked about having children, but doesn’t mention her current boyfriend. She hasn’t had an opportunity to date much. Just 2 other guys in her building and it was just a couple dates.

I had a friend for years, I liked him but I never told him as I was always very shy and introverted, now looking back I think I might have missed some hints... I still think of him and wonder "what if". I would rather know and stay friends than keep asking myself this for the rest of my life. Any advice how to bring up the subject? Is it ok to discuss it via text or maybe in person? If it's better to talk in person how do I invite him? We haven't met in many years.

Hi...I kind of feel safe here so I'm posting it with a heavy heart..
I'm not feeling ok..
I had a fight with my boyfriend 😞
He was just telling me he helped her female batchmate in understanding some academic topics...(we r in long distance relationship)...and I panicked!
I shouted and... got anxious 😰

I didn't mean to do it,it just happened

I'm sad...

I'm so so so so so insecure and scared of losing him
I'm so afraid of it
I'm not feeling gud
It's so hard to deal with the fear of losing him... specially when we r not in a same city.

He said why u reacting like this...
They r just batchmates nothing else...not important than u etc etc but my anxiety is not going down..

I'm just hurting myself
Feeling so so helpless.

😞😞😞

#Selfharm #Anxiety #insecurity
#helpless