coping

Life presents variables; learning how to cope in order to master, minimize, or tolerate what has come to pass.

My Exit Strategy for a Mental Illness Downward Spiral
I'd like to start this off by giving my qualifications on the topic. I was diagnosed with depression the day after my 13th birthday. I've been suicidal and am so awesome at not controlling my unhealthy coping skills. Retail therapy is my go-to, sometimes to the detriment of my household's survival. So, I write this piece from the viewpoint of someone that has buried themselves in their own filth and was dug out by my husband. I am in no way writing this from a place of judgement, because I've fucking been there.
By Diane Nivens8 years ago in Psyche
Am I Addicted to Depression?
I realised very recently that I seem to have a subconscious desire for sadness and self-destruction. I am finally at a point in my life where my mental health has little reason to flare up. I know that’s not exactly an appropriate thing to say since depression isn’t always triggered by something; often you can just get sad for no reason. But what I mean is, I recently moved to the other end of the country, to an amazingly unique city that has no personal triggers for me. I moved away from everyone I know and moved in with my partner, who just happens to be very good for my mental health. She is incredibly understanding and supportive. I also got really lucky with a great job that I actually enjoy quite a lot that just happens to pay really well and has allowed me to progress to management in a matter of months. Everything is so different and so much better than it ever has been for me but it’s as if my subconscious isn’t responding well to my newly calm and comfortable life. The thing is, I have never had a comfortable life; there has always been something for me to deal with. As a child in a broken home, a suicidal teen, and a troubled and disappointing young adult, and dealing with forms of abuse during all of those periods, perhaps I can’t handle a comfortable life because I never learned how to; perhaps I won’t let myself be happy because that is not what I’m supposed to be, according to my past. To escape the depression is all I’ve ever wanted to do, or at least I thought it was, but I just can’t seem to allow it to happen.
By D Burton8 years ago in Psyche
Mentally Sensitive
I wish I could say there is a simple answer to mental illness. An answer that would make all the pain, depression, mania, euphoria, loss, bad decisions, regret, positive/negative symptoms associated with it and take it away. But there isn’t. Although if I could tell you one thing or perhaps just one word that may sound so cliche but in fact for me worked it would be, try.
By David laker8 years ago in Psyche
Help Me, I'm Drowning: My Life With GAD
"I can't breathe, dad, I can't breathe." These words were so painful to speak as I cried out to my dad while going through another panic attack. Tears were streaming down my face like a fast river current. My chest was on fire, my throat was raw from crying, and I just felt like I was suffocating and my heart would just explode and give out. I felt like I was dying. My mind was racing with a million thoughts going through my head, but all I remember now is wanting it to stop, for the pain to stop and for me to be able to breathe again. Eventually, I was able to. But like all mental illness, it was trial and error to find what worked and what didn't. That's what I am here to tell you now.
By Sierra George8 years ago in Psyche
3 Ways I Cope with Anxiety
Anxiety. Many define this as, “a feeling of nervousness or extreme worry and unease about an event with an uncertain outcome.” I define anxiety as an interference to living my life normally, and constantly feeling like I’m falling into pavement ground over and over. While I haven't quite found a well-defined way to completely rid this disastrous feeling, I have some methods that help me cope—key word being "cope." These are personalized to me and though it isn't a surefire way to be less anxious, I am sharing this to help someone who may be in the same position as I am. The following are three ways I cope with anxiety.
By Maryam Hassan8 years ago in Psyche
My Personal Coping Techniques for Anxiety
It is important to note that everyone will have an experience with anxiety at some point in their life. Whether you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or you only experience anxiety in certain situations, everyone needs a way to cope. The techniques listed below are a small number of methods I personally use to control my anxiety, rather than it control me. Keep in mind these techniques are not a magical solution that will somehow instantly resolve your anxiety. By continuously practicing coping techniques over time you'll see a gradual decrease in anxiety levels. Not all techniques are suited to each person. In order to figure out which ones work for you, it's important to try as many as possible and not become discouraged if certain ones do not help you. Everyone will have a coping method that works for them and in some cases even multiple.
By Kale8 years ago in Psyche
Dealing with Childhood Sexual Abuse
I was watching Steve Wilkos earlier, even though I know it just upsets me when I do. My little one was down for a nap and I wanted to watch something while I finished wrapping Christmas presents. The story was about child molestation—a common theme in the show.
By Bri Davis8 years ago in Psyche
The Little White Lie...
I can't really pinpoint where it started to fall apart, but I have a general timeline over the last two years. Reflecting on this past year, I've recognized that it's probably been one of the most challenging, boring years I've ever experienced in my 30 years of living. Honestly though, this last year I don't think qualifies for "living" but more like "just making it through another exactly same day."
By Rachel Hill8 years ago in Psyche
The Odd Fact That Reading Save Lives
I was around five years old when I completed my first book. And funnily enough, it made no sense. Not because it was a child's book and they are general nonsense anyhow, but because it was actually a Shakespearean novel that I picked up solely because I liked the cover. The classroom assistants laughed and refused to help me read it, but I did anyway. (And boy, was it confusing.)
By Paige Martin8 years ago in Psyche
How To STOP Depression!
I went through a severe depressed stage in my life, I would't eat, I had no motivation in life, I felt worthless, useless, like I was good for nothing, and I truly thought I had no talent, I felt like this is how it was always going to be, that I'd never find true happiness.
By Who Am I?8 years ago in Psyche
Suicide Awareness
It will be two years on June ninth and I can still remember it like it was yesterday. Sitting on my bed that night when my phone rang. Which was odd considering the time of the night… my mother never called me that late so I knew that it must have been important. I can remember her voice saying that my uncle had chosen to end his life merely an hour before she called. My heart raced as tears filled my eyes. And I remember that all I could say was “No,” over and over again. It was a constant loop that echoed through my lips. You see we all knew that my uncle suffered from depression; there was even a point when he had to go to rehab for drug/alcohol addiction. Which all runs in the family, but nobody said anything or really even tried to help. Not even when he purchased the gun. A week before I had sent him an e-mail trying to reach out, but it went unanswered. Now here I am trying to hopefully raise some awareness about suicide.
By Alyssa Horn8 years ago in Psyche
The Relentless
Everyday, we take so much for granted. Every sunrise, every sunset, every rain drop. Then one day, everything we knew simply ceases to exist. We all think that we have enough time to say, “I love you”, “good morning”, or “goodbye,” but there isn’t enough time. For most of us, we go throughout our lifetimes without losing someone close and dear, there are those who who know the pain of losing the ones who meant the world to them.
By Morgan Short8 years ago in Psyche