coping
Life presents variables; learning how to cope in order to master, minimize, or tolerate what has come to pass.
I'll Never Ask for Help
I can generally feel the panic attacks coming. I have some indication earlier in the day or I had a dream the night before that will almost certainly set me off, given the right triggers later. I know enough about my trauma and my past to know what "gets me going," as they say. This enlightenment has come from years of therapy and self-reflection, as well as mountains of input from my spouse.
By Erica Hale7 years ago in Psyche
Pain Is a Catalyst for Joy
A few years ago, I found myself in my apartment bedroom crying on the floor. I was looking out of my window, up at the moon and wondering why my life was falling apart. I felt grief and sorrow, as if someone had died, but the truth was that several parts of me were dying that night. That was the week in between me breaking up with my ex-fiancé of three years and me quitting my job which I found to be soul-sucking and very unethical. Yet looking back, there have been several times where I have thought to myself: "That time in my life was one of the best things that could have ever happened to me." I have genuinely felt grateful from the bottom of my heart for having gone through that experience. Even though it was gut wrenching when I lived though it, it was one of the most liberating moments of my life!
By Elyssa Maridueña7 years ago in Psyche
Depression Symptoms That Feed Each Other
My point of view about depression exhaustion, lack of motivation, and anhedonia is not a medical one. I am not a medical professional, so you won’t find a scientific explanation to what I describe, but rather my own experience of living with depression and how these different symptoms seem to interact with each other. Hopefully you’ll find some of the things I do to counteract them useful for you or a loved one.
By Alicia Brunskill7 years ago in Psyche
Live a Little
Sara was the most popular girl in school, the valedictorian, but most of all, my best friend. Sara also liked to party quite a bit and had her fair share of one-night stands before I could even summon up the courage to talk to a boy. In the town that we grew up in, in the middle of nowhere Missouri, we would get in cars with boys that we knew from school and would drive around looking for trouble most nights.
By Christina Hendry7 years ago in Psyche
Daily Habits That Will Help You Manage Your Mental Health
While many of us are very in tune with our physical health and spend time every day to keep our bodies in shape, we don’t necessarily take the same time to manage our mental health. Our mind and body are both equally important. To reduce stress, boost our immune system, and reduce anxiety and depression, we must commit time every day to improving our mental health as well as our physical health. It’s essential to feel good in mind, body, and soul. Starting today, take a pledge to manage your mental health better by using these simple daily habits.
By Morgan E. Westling7 years ago in Psyche
Running to Save My Life
For many years I have battled depression unknowingly, or maybe I knew and just did not understand. I simply believed I was just having a bad day, or a bad week, a bad year. But I realized something was actually wrong when I would be watching TV and start crying while watching any show where someone was succeeding. I remember watching The Voice one time and started crying uncontrollably at someone being eliminated, watching a serious commercial and tears would start to roll. My children would look at me with concern but just joke about it, because I would get so defensive if they questioned me about my tears.
By Christopher Paterson7 years ago in Psyche
Stepping Out of Hurt (Part 2)
I walked out the front door and into a misty rain that wet the ground and steamed in pools of moisture off the hot pavement. It smelled like sadness. The morning was grave and unsettling; Dad drove us to TriStar medical in the hopes that a man with a PhD could have some answers.
By Carly Norman7 years ago in Psyche
Breaking Away
Depression, a very complicated mental disorder nobody understands. The average American shows it through emotion or through actions. Although I suffer from this exhausting, complex issue I try to hide behind smiles and trying to stay strong like nothing bothers me. But on the inside I'm dying. I'm crying out please help me escape this horrific world. Nobody hears it because I'm so quiet and tucked away in my room majority of the time. Last time I spoke my feelings and asked for help I was called sick, childish and was told I need help because something is wrong with me. These words are so hurtful and these complex ppl don't see it because they're so stuck up their own ass. I'm asking and crying for help from you but you bash me and through your hatred towards me. You make me not want to reach out to any other individual for help because I'm afraid of being judged. I run to my room and lock my door and I'm yelled at for abandoning my responsibilities because this disease has taken over my mind and body and you're tearing me to shreds with your negativity. I thought you loved me enough to help save me instead of breaking me down every chance you get. This isn't love. This is what you do. You break me down so that you can walk over me and manipulate my mind so you can get your way. There's no escaping your realm. I'm stuck here until I'm able to get better and pull my life together. Instead of uplifting me, you have made my downfall worse than anything imaginable besides death itself. Where can I go for help from this world I'm living in?! I feel like I'm in another universe suffering from a lack of oxygen. I'm yelling and screaming but my calls are unanswered, the tears are falling down my face. Please, please I pray asking for it to be taken away. Still no answer. They say patience is a virtue, but I don't think my time will last here much longer. So if someone finds this please help me. I'm drowning... (takes a deep breath)
By Cierra Smith7 years ago in Psyche
