What To Do When Your Mental Health Dips

Its got to that point hasn't it. Your suffocating in your mind and your helpers just cannot seem to say the right things. Thus, you're in a vicious circle where you cannot get the help you need.

Hi everyone. This is my first story on here and what better way to start writing, than to focus on a subject that I know an incredible amount about. And no, I do not mean 'I am a researcher and I have a PHD in mental health' blah blah blah. No. I am a survivor of mental health attacks. I have survived myself and I want to help you to do so too.

When I have dipped into my demons I find myself isolating. Pushing away from everyone I care about. Not because I don't want them in my life or because I want to be horrible, but as an attempt to protect them. Sound familiar? Helpers (loved ones, friends, aquaintences, support workers etc) and passers by do not understand how you could be so cutting or blunt or simply why you have pushed them away and the worst part is, you don't know either. You need support and they are doing exactly that, but not in the way your head needs right now.

This, understandably, becomes very frustrating for everyone involved. But what if you could say a word? Just. One. Word. And your helpers know how your feeling? It is a tool that I have used with my personal helpers and has proven to be helpful. Let me delve a little deeper...

When I am in an abyss of my mind, I struggle to move. I struggle to complete daily chores and I struggle to speak. When I say speak, I mean my sentences sound perfectly clear in my head but they come out in a jumble, or I speak in a cutting and angry tone (which pushes people away). It doesnt sound angry in my mind but it comes out that way. This often leads to arguments because I am sounding compleatly out of order, when in hignsight, I have just tried to explain how Im feeling. We then fall down the path of aggrivation, where I cannot say what I am trying to say, and my heart races faster and my chest becomes tighter. All. I. Want. To. Say. Is. A. Simple. Sentence.

Its key, at this point to take a breath, because you can go down a panic attack route which leads to emotional thoughts and these can be prevented if we take a step back.

One Word.

You cannot jumble up one simple word.

My partner and I use the word 'Flubber'. We said this because its a funny word, and when you are feeling distressed it takes the seriousess out of the atmosphere.

Helpers want to help. Thats why I named them this. They want to understand, they want to know how to take away the pain. But a jumble of words becomes confusing. So what if you said 'Flubber'? And they knew that you are close to losing control, you are struggling. My partner knows that when I say our word its time to slow things down. Disect one piece at a time. Hold each other. Count your pulse. Try some anxiety calming strategies. Count your pulse again. When your heart has calmed down. Try explaining again.

This tool is incredibly helpful at the peak of a intense mental health dip. You can go further than this. For example if 'Flubber' is particularly bad on a day. We have calming oils by the side of the bed to lightly massage into my temples, this way my heart is calming down along side the electrical storm inside my head. the pressure relieves and I am calm again.

Things can be so terrible and unfair. You're not selfish. You are strong. But somedays getting up is impossible. This is okay.

Take it a minute at a time.

See you,

Rhe xx

P.S. Below, I will recommend things that seem to help me and that are relevent to the above story. But also, I will suggest a song that is almost mental health medicine, make a playlist if you like.

Recommended Product: Temple Balm from LUSH Cosmetics

Recommended Song: Boardwalks by Little May