Schizoaffective Disorder

Hi, Mighties! 💙

Last week, as we kicked off the new month, I took an actual break from "most" of my never-ending list of responsibilities. In doing so, I realized that resting is really challenging for me.

I noticed that when I slow down, my mind has more time to ponder, wander, ruminate, and reflect. Sometimes that's a good thing, but other times my thoughts can become dark or lonely in what feels like the snap of a finger. It was an uncomfortable experience, but it's also something I'm learning to navigate.

What's your relationship with rest? How does taking a break affect your mind and your mental health?

I'd love to hear your perspective. What helps you to actually rest and recharge?

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn

I don't move through life in a straight line. My paths wind into places most people avoid, and I've stopped pretending that's a flaw. The twilight suits me—half-lit, uncertain, honest in a way daylight isn't. There's a kind of room only that light makes possible: not empty, just unfinished, and I've learned not to rush to furnish it.
There are rooms in my mind I don't open often. Not because I'm fragile, but because I know what it costs to go in and truly look. Some days, I don't have that cost to spare. My sensitivity isn't gentle. It's like water—it erodes things, including me, including people I've loved. I write because the alternative is drowning quietly instead of on paper. I keep looking for meaning, knowing I'll lose it as soon as I find it. That's not peace. It's just what I've learned to live with. I keep people at a distance not out of coldness, but because closeness costs more than most can imagine, and I've run out of energy to spend on people who only speak in words.
So I stay where the light doesn't fully arrive, where things are allowed to be unfinished, unnamed. Not everything needs to be carried all the way through. Sometimes it's enough to loosen your grip, to let meaning drift without chasing it. And in that small surrender, something quieter—the same quiet the twilight always offered—finally has room to exist.
#SchizoaffectiveDisorder #Schizophrenia #MentalHealth #mentalillnes #Psychosis #SchizophreniaSpectrumPsychoticDisorders #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorderBPD #BPD

Mighties, one of the biggest challenges I've faced for as long as I can remember has been recognizing when my body is stressed and understanding the best ways to release that stress so I don't end up feeling even more fatigued or anxious.

As I've learned more about my body, I've realized that I tend to hold stress in my shoulders, chest, and lower back. Body scans have been helpful for increasing my awareness, and I've also found it beneficial to intentionally pause, take a breath, and slow down when life feels especially busy or overwhelming.

Where do you tend to feel stress in your body? What techniques, methods, or routines have helped you release it?

Feel free to share your insights and experiences below! 💙

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #DissociativeIdentityDisorder #Anxiety #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn

It's that time of the week again, Mighties! Tell me in the comments below 👇 three things you are thankful for.
#MentalHealth #Anxiety #Agoraphobia #AutismSpectrumDisorder #ADHD #Addiction #AnorexiaNervosa #BulimiaNervosa #BackPain #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BingeEatingDisorder #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #Cancers #CeliacDisease #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #ChildLoss #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Dementia #Depression #Epilepsy #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #EatingDisorders #Fibromyalgia #FoodAllergies #Grief #JointHypermobilitySyndrome #Hemophilia #InterstitialCystitis #Lupus #Migraine #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #PanicAttacks #PanicDisorder #ReactiveAttachmentDisorder #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #SjogrensSyndrome #PTSD #RestlessLegsSyndrome

Family and Friends is a support group for partners, spouses, siblings, adult children, parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, guardians, caregivers, close friends and other family members of individuals with a mental illness or any mental health challenge.

This group provides opportunities to share valuable coping strategies and practical information that helps you support your loved ones experiencing mental health challenges.

💻 If you'd like more information or would like to join, you can find the link here. Virtual groups are every 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 6 to 7:30pm Eastern Standard Time. Closed captioning is available:
naminycmetro.org/programs/family-friends

🗺️ If you are in the New York City area, in person groups are every first Tuesday, 2-3:30pm ET at the NAMI-NYC office. Check the link above for more information. ⬆️

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below!

#Parenting #GeneralParenting #Caregiving #BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn

Black Minds Matter virtual support group is for people who identify as Black and are living with mental illness or any mental health challenge.Develop coping skills, share common experiences, gain self-advocacy skills, and find community.

💻 If you'd like more information or would like to join, you can find the link here. Virtual groups are every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, 6 to 7:30pm Eastern Standard Time. Closed captioning is available:
naminycmetro.org/programs/black-minds-matter

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below!

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn

As an advocate for openly discussing mental health, I feel comfortable sharing honestly about my symptoms and overall experiences. Through personal storytelling and sharing my perspective, I've found it easier to navigate conversations about mental health.

I'm grateful for the spaces and people I've connected with through The Mighty and NAMI-NYC, who have given me opportunities to share openly and confidentially. Those experiences have helped me gain clarity about what recovery, support, and community look like for me.

Who in your life do you feel comfortable talking to about your mental health—or mental health in general? What is it about that person or space that makes you feel safe enough to share?

#BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #Schizophrenia #ADHD #Parenting #ChronicIllness #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Anxiety #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Depression #MentalHealth #Selfcare #EatingDisorders #CheckInWithMe #CheerMeOn