advice

Advice and tips on managing mental health, maintaining a positive outlook and becoming your happiest self.

I Love You
My heart breaks every time I hear about suicide, especially when it is a teen because I know what it is like to feel alienated by depression and anxiety. My journey started my sophomore year of high school. I started getting panic attacks so bad, my doctor thought they were seizures, since I have a history of them. I spent a lot of time at the nurses or in my counselor’s office, feeling embarrassed and panicky. That continues and my junior year, second semester, I had to be home bound. I finished the semester home bound and started fresh my senior year, only to have my dad pass away 14 days before my birthday. With these things piled up, I have thought about suicide a lot, but, looking back, I'm glad nothing serious happened, because I have a life to live and have this journey to share. I have self-harmed to the point of almost needing stitches. I used to look in embarrassment at my scars. They are ugly and only remind me of bad times. Today, I can't change that. What's done is done and the scars are there to tell a story. Today, I look at my scars and think how far I came. I have been free from self-harm for a couple of years and I am able to see my scars and turn them into positives. Yes, it did happen, I can't change that. What I can do, is to say "Wow, I haven't done that in a long time because today I am happy!" My scars tell the story of the past, my actions and positive thoughts will tell the story of my present and future!
By Maggie Dunn8 years ago in Psyche
Say Goodbye to Antidepressants...
You're feeling low, depressed, in despair and you just can't shake it off so you turn to your GP and the majority of them will offer to put you on anti-anxiety or antidepressant medication. This is what they are trained to do. According to an article in The Guardian, 64.7 million prescription items for antidepressants were prescribed in 2016 to patients which is an increase of 3.7 million issued in 2015. Why is this? It is seen as a way of getting you out of that difficult time that you are having but what if that difficult time is with you for a long time? What if these tiny, white but deadly pills are destined to be your little friend that you have to visit on a daily basis and if you for some reason, forget to visit your trusted friend, then you really do start to wish you had never met your new companion.
By KC8 years ago in Psyche
Frustrations
I like to think I am a laid-back, carefree girl. This is not true. Not. At. All. I have many irritations throughout the day: Being startled awake by knocking at my door; repetition of my alarm; slow people on the road; rude people in general; disrespect to anyone's personal life; constant swearing; disrespect to anyone's religion; singing words wrong. I could make a whole list of the little pet peeves and irritations I have during the day. Everyone has things that annoy them of course, but it's important to not let these things stop us from living our life. If we are too focused on the things that limit us, we will never be able to live up to our full potential. So the solution? Think of all the wonderful things that are in this world. Can't think of any? I'll give you a list.
By Emily Wright8 years ago in Psyche
For 'People Like Me'
So, thanks to the power of social media, huge influencing companies, and celebrities, and of course, brave and strong advocates, the taboo around mental illness is starting to be torn down. In fact, since this movement, there are more and more people continuing to come out about their struggles and diagnoses.
By J B8 years ago in Psyche
Be Aware of Your Thoughts
The first piece I wrote “As Within, So Without” was about realizing that you create your own reality and that everything on the outside reflects what is on the inside. If you have come to a place where you can resonate with that a bit, then the next step is to learn to become aware of your thoughts. Our thoughts are powerful. Thoughts are energy in motion. Thoughts are things.
By Melissa Matheson8 years ago in Psyche
Plans Changing With Borderline Personality Disorder
Those with BPD can be impulsive. We may go out and spend all our money on new clothes. We may gamble it all away. We might suddenly decide to drive down a motorway at 3 o clock in the morning without a seatbelt.
By Shaye Goodenough8 years ago in Psyche
Silence Is Golden
The holiday season is upon us once again, and I find myself plagued with the annual dilemma of how to handle sending my sister a Christmas present. Last year it was easy; I just ordered something off of Amazon, and had it shipped to her with a gift receipt. I figured that was easy enough - how hard could it be to please a seven year-old? The year before that, I had just moved out and money was tight, and sending a heartfelt card seemed sufficient enough to let her know that I love and think about her (without breaking the bank). But this year... this year would be significantly tougher. I know that if I send my sister a present, or even reach out to her in any way, I'd have to deal with a whole new monster -- my mother, who at this point is at the bottom of the list of people I'd like to be in contact with.
By Lea Hodge8 years ago in Psyche
More Cruelty
What do you do when people only ever seem to offer you more cruelty along with that which they've already put into your life? I wish I knew, I really wish I knew. Maybe you turn the other cheek, or simply shrug it off? Maybe you combat cruelty with cruelty, or with love and compassion? I just don't know.
By Tim Lawson8 years ago in Psyche
ADHD and Me
I was diagnosed with ADHD in November 2016 and my life to some extent; that is to say for the most part, has been how it was always supposed to be since.
By Ava Sheridon8 years ago in Psyche
What to Do When Your World Stops
Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you wished the world would stop just so you had time to catch up? Things aren't going your way, people and things are starting to disappoint and hurt you, and you just wish you had a moment to stop and breathe? As sad as it is, this happens a million times to millions of people. Anger, depression, fear, anxiety, stress—we all face it. It's normal to feel these things because we are human and we're all linked to each other by these emotions... but it's not normal to sweep them all under some dusty ass rug.
By DeOndra Davis8 years ago in Psyche
Empathy 101: A Beginner's Guide to Thrive as an Empath
Life for the unknowing Empath can be extremely difficult to maneuver through when you're not educated to what's actually happening right in your own skin.
By Silena Le Beau8 years ago in Psyche
Intentionally Alone
Avoid SAD by being intentionally alone this winter Effectively, that shallow, but still hollow feeling you might get once a year— especially in the cold winter months — very well could be classified as seasonal affective disorder.
By Megan Ehrhardt8 years ago in Psyche