mental health
Mental health and psychology are essential in life extension and leading a healthy and happy life.
The Stresses of Life
We all deal with stress pretty much daily in our lives. It can be job, family, or money-related. These are all common factors in our lives. According to a recent study, more than 90% of the American population say they are dealing with stress daily and more than half of the American population say they’re dealing with moderate to severe stress.
By Stacey Owens5 years ago in Longevity
Fibro Fog
When someone has fibromyalgia, they will experience numerous different symptoms. Not just pain & fatigue. One of the issues I find to be most annoying is what's called fibro fog. With fibro fog, you can't think clearly, focussing on tasks is extremely difficult. My brain feels like a scrabble bag. All the letters are jumbled up. Trying to find the right words, phrases, etc, is difficult. It can easily take me a few days just to write one article. When having a conversation with someone, I need to top what I am doing and just focus on that one conversation. It can be daunting. It is so frustrating trying to speak with someone when you know what you want to say but just can't form the words.
By Johnny Six5 years ago in Longevity
FRUSTRATION!
What is frustration? In psychology, frustration is a very common emotional response to the opposition, which is related to anger, annoyance, and even disappointment. The emotion of frustration arises from the perceived resistance to the fulfillment of an individual's will, plan, or goal and increases when a will, plan, or goal is denied, taken away, or blocked. There are two types of frustration: internal frustration and external frustration. What is the difference? Internal frustration arises from challenges and obstacles in fulfilling personal goals, desires, instinctual and physical needs, or dealing when dealing with perceived deficiencies, such as a lack of confidence, fear of social situations, anxiety, self-esteem issues, and depression. Conflicting situations, like when we have competing goals that interfere with each other, can also be an internal frustration or annoyance and can create cognitive dissonance. External causes of frustration involve conditions that are outside our control, such as roadblocks, a challenging task, or the perception of time-wasting. There are many different ways we cope with frustration such as passive-aggressive behavior, anger, or violence, although frustration may also propel positive processes through enhanced effort, passion, and strive. This broad range of potential outcomes makes it difficult to identify the original cause or causes of frustration, and as a response, maybe indirect.
By Stacey Owens5 years ago in Longevity
Some may call it fate
In my previous story, I talked about my first time going to a psychiatric hospital. Looking back on it I have no regrets about the decisions that led me there. On my second day there, after isolating myself all day, I finally got to talk to my roommate. It was bedtime and I was silently crying and my roommate sat next to my bed and asked if I was alright. Being someone who hates to burden others with my emotions, I replied yes I am okay. She however stayed by my side and patiently waited for me to answer her. I finally told her my age and how it was my first time there. She gave me the warmest smile and told me that when she was my age she had her first visit to the hospital as well and that there was no reason for me to be ashamed. We slowly eased into a comfortable conversation where I told her a little bit about myself and how my family is from Guatemala. To my surprise, she told me her husband was half Guatemalan. I was so shocked at that fact because what are the odds of finding a roommate in a psychiatric hospital who has some ties to my background. I admitted that I was also part of the LGBT+ community and she told me she was too. I was so amazed that the universe had placed me in this position. She told me about her experiences and for the first time, I didn’t feel so alone in the world. The universe had many surprises for me during my stay. Previously I had mentioned that I didn’t tell my family about where I was so I was completely alone. I always sat by the puzzles and when visitation hours came I would watch everyone from a distance when friends and family appeared. However, one day a family invited me to play UNO with them. I was hesitant at first but I also craved interaction so I decided to play. The family was so kind to me and also spoke Spanish, it reminded me of my family back home. It had been so long since I had such a warm familiar feeling and I was so thankful to meet such great people. Due to this I slowly started to come out of my shell and talked to a few more of the patients and even attended group! Every visitation hour from that day was filled with joy. The family searched for me every time they came and sometimes brought me snacks. I’m such a pessimistic person I never once believed in humanity as much, choosing to protect myself from the monsters of the world. Although now my perception of the world has changed. My roommate and that family showed me how there can be so much kindness in the world even from a total stranger. They will always have a special place in my heart. Fate is something I didn’t believe in but at that moment it was like everything lined up for me. I may have been in the worst place emotionally and mentally but I was filled with happiness whenever I saw them during my stay. I used to have such a bad perception of psychiatric hospitals but in reality, it was one of my best experiences. There’s such a huge stigma around it due to all of the negative representation in the media but I encourage those of you who need the help to seek it. It does help and there are so many fascinating people you can meet with similar experiences that you won’t feel all alone in this great big world
By Ingrid Xia5 years ago in Longevity
My first suicide attempt
My name is Ingrid and I have depression. It's not easy living in a Hispanic household where mental health isn't really talked about. My whole life I've been hiding my feelings from my parents simply because I thought of myself as a burden. My parents work hard and I never wanted to be in the way of that. I had thought I was just being dramatic, had some silly feelings. That is until I went off to college and was far away from my family. For the first time, I was on my own. No watchful eyes anywhere, completely alone. A month into my college experience I was feeling heavily overwhelmed and that's when I had my first ever suicide attempt which landed me in the psychiatric hospital for a week. One night I decided to down some pills but panicked and called my friend. I talked to someone on the suicide hotline and was told to just eat something. I've had suicidal thoughts through most of middle school and high school, though I've never been alone to actually act on it. That is until college. Even then I didn't tell my parents until like two days into my stay. I've never felt so alone yet so understood until my stay at the hospital. It's eye-opening just how many people there are trying to get help yet are judged for it because of stereotypical portrayals on social media. When I first arrived at the hospital it was around 10 pm and I was terrified of what may lie ahead of me. I was eighteen at the time and was placed in the adult section. Since it was bedtime there were not many people out and about in the facility but what I did notice was that everyone was older than me. I had to go through the paperwork before I was taken to my room. Everything was a safety precaution, no locks on doors, no strings or laces, no phones. At first it al kind of seemed a little much for me because I live on my phone. That first night I cried myself to sleep, feeling as alone as ever in a place that frightened me. The reality was that I knew that I needed help which is why I agreed to go but that didn’t make it any easier. The next day I tried to stay in bed all day but unfortunately, the psychiatrist scolded me because I’m here to grow and get help not to hide away in my assigned room. Reluctantly I stepped out but didn’t socialize with any of the other patients. I am naturally a quiet person and being in a strange place surrounded by strangers did not help me at all. I found myself drawn to an isolated corner of the room by the puzzles. That’s where I spent most of my time for the first few days of my stay. Every day at various times of the day there were groups that people would attend. I didn’t attend but it was a time I looked forward to because everyone else went. I was alone at those times finally relaxing and letting my mind wander to the outside world. I could never fully relax when others were around, I was too self-conscious and felt as if I were being judged all the time. Ironically this was the last place I’d be judged since everyone was here for one reason or another. My mind however did not process it like that. I was the only eighteen year old there and interacting with others seemed like the worst possible scenario for me. However, as time passed I came to find out that others had some interesting stories of things in their lives and how they came to find themselves at the hospital. That’s when I realized that I was no different than any of them. Who better to understand you than the people going through something similar.
By Ingrid Xia5 years ago in Longevity
Dealing with Stress
We've all had a moment of stress right? I can't be the only one. Here lately, stress has been at it's all time high. If something could go wrong, it did. I've lost my job due to Covid. I've struggeled to keep my car and a roof over my head. It's been rough over the past few months. I like to come here and share my story so that other people can see they are not alone.
By Friday Vibes5 years ago in Longevity
How To Sleep Better
Sleep is essential in our lives, both short term, and long term. It plays a critical role in every aspect of our health. Most of us know this and make a conscious effort to sleep every night; however, some of us, like myself, suffer from sleep deprivation without understanding the root causes.
By Dr Mehmet Yildiz5 years ago in Longevity
4 Mental Benefits of Spending Time in the Lap Pool
As a competitive swimmer during my youth and college, I never truly appreciated that benefits that came with swimming. Sure, there were the obvious benefits: being able to eat bottomless bowls of pasta and not gain a pound, the trademark V-shaped back, and the weekend travel.
By Olivier Poirier-Leroy5 years ago in Longevity
Epilepsy
When I was 15, I was in an ATV crash. It was my friend's family reunion. A random road trip, I didn’t know we were taking. I’d told my mom that I was going to her house for the weekend. That wasn’t a lie. I wasn’t aware that a random family vacation would bring me to this point in my life.
By Vicky Wilcox5 years ago in Longevity
According to Experts, Subtle Signs TV May Be Hurting Your Mental Health
After a long tiring day, the best practice to comfort your mind is watching your favorite Tv show. Comfort your back on the couch with snacks in your hands, which often makes Tv shows exciting. Watch the latest episode of your favorite show. These are all best practices that someone should follow to relax his body. But above all, do you think watching TV shows continuously without giving a single pause affects your mental health so badly. You can’t help thinking about that show the whole day. Your mind doesn’t recognize the difference between your work and entertainment. Due to all these effects, experts advise you to break the continuity of Tv shows.
By Kelly Wilson5 years ago in Longevity
Mental Health shouldnt depend on our wallets
Can we talk about mental health, 2020, right! The world is upside down, with COVID its been heartbreaking, death and sickness all around us, but there is so much more to this world than that. There is beauty, and kindness compassion and help. There are places where you can be honest and say I need help. That leads us to ask, who do we believe? our friends? the government, celebrities, the hundreds of online sites that offer help? What about therapists? I think that in times like this we need to trust ourselves first. We have all been in a position where someone has stepped on our feelings, it's terrible isn’t it, in fact it changes your perception of the world around you, and your self worth. All too often we forget to be kind. Someone cuts you off in morning traffic, and you snap at your coworker. Someone said something rude to you and you in turn take that feeling out on someone else. You aren’t a bad person, you're just having a bad moment, we are human. Learning to be mindful of our actions towards others is hard, life sometimes gets in the way, our emotions get the better of us. The most powerful words you can use when you're wrong, are I’m sorry. Be good to others, and yourself. I always say be kind you can't rewind once it's out there, it's there forever and for some it stays with them for a lifetime. No matter how hard things are for you, remember how hard things could be. In Alberta Canada 500 people die a year from suicide. In BC the total was almost 600 people last in 2018. Individuals aged 30 to 59 accounted for just over 50% of those deaths. The highest rate of suicides fall in the age group of 50- 65. Remember the elderly, call them, video chat with them. Keep them in the loop, it happens often that we forget our elderly family members, friends and neighbors, we are all so busy living our lives. Mental illness can happen to anyone, any time and at any age, it can be from child hood trauma, domestic violence, sexual abuse, loss of a loved one, a job, a home, a pet, a physical accident or injury, even a chemical imbalance found in the brain. Healing takes time, therapy, and sometimes medication. Just remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel, we are not alone. To some with mental illness you always feel alone, even in a crowded room or surrounded by family, What can help? friends, support systems, a good counselor that is one of the biggest keys, having someone to talk to. Loneliness kills, and with Covid it's been especially tough for some, those that do not have partners, those that live alone. Check on your friends and family. So often there are no signs, people suffering from mental illness are good at hiding it. You ask them, how are you? and they will smile and tell you great! The look of depression is different for everyone. When someone says they need help, take them seriously. Too often people suffer because there is no help, or they are too afraid to ask for help. The medical systems are overwhelmed, sending people away due to lack of room or beds. Our population soars to greater heights each year in Canada not to mention there is a greater need for funding availability. Western Canada has not caught up with many countries that take mental health far more seriously. Germany, and Switzerland have a far better handle on helping people with depression, and mental health problems, Brazil, and India are close seconds. Money is such a dirty word when it comes to proper Mental Healthcare, this needs to change, money shouldn't matter in these situations, getting help shouldn't be about insurance, and how much money you have. Mental health is not prejudice, it cares nothing about your wallet or bank account. Lack of care isn’t necessarily the fault of our therapists, or counselor’s, there are just more people in need then there are professionals. The average waiting period for help in the USA is 90 days. With technology and the internet there are many affordable solutions, ReGain, Talkspace and BetterHelp offer qualified therapists at affordable prices. Some even offer grants and help for low income families. Suicide hotlines help thousands of people every day. Another problem that mental health patients face is the stigma, we can’t pretend to live in a perfect world, there are good doctors and counselors and sometimes bad ones, never forget you are in charge of your mental health, your therapy and recovery. Mental health advocates are available. If you don’t feel safe or comfortable with the person caring for you.
By MoriaCavandish5 years ago in Longevity
