Tag / on the path

by mentallyillinamerica

Taking Care Of Your Mental Health: What Does It Mean?

Nathan from MBNB made a post recently, that got me thinking about taking care of my mental health, and what that looks like “in general.”

What exactly does it mean to take care of my mental health?

Well, for me, it has historically meant different things!

Yesterday, it equated to spending chunks of time with family and friends, as well as, taking my meds and attending appointments.

Today, it means spending the majority of my time with my wife, and making time for only a handful of friends, as well as, taking my meds and attending appointments.

It also means that today, I have better boundaries than I used to, which was a problem yesterday!

In-between, there is a constant struggle with my trying to be consistent.

And, you know what?

I’ve made some strides!

It’s just that there’s not a great deal of consistency with me or them…

So, philosophically speaking (and, in general)… I feel discouraged!

What behaviors are you inconsistent with, that you one day, hope to be more consistent with?

by mentallyillinamerica

11 Things I Want To Be At Peace With

I want to be at peace with having been a loner growing up.

I want to be at peace with having been bullied growing up.

I want to be at peace with being a part of the 1% of people worldwide who hear voices.

I want to be at peace with my weight loss (even though I am not progressing at present).

I want to be at peace with my level of insight, striving for more awareness every day.

I want to be at peace with currently not knowing the answer/best course of action on many things, but making an effort anyhow.

I want to be at peace with life being a marathon, rather than a sprint.

I want to be at peace with the fact that we all have something that we are dealing with (not to minimize any one person’s suffering).

I want to be at peace with my belief in God, not doubting God exists, every time there’s a sign of trouble.

I want to be at peace with the idea 1) that I may not live a long life, 2) that I could become further disabled, 3) that I may suffer quite a bit physically, 4) that I may suffer for a long time before I pass.

And, finally…

I want to be at peace with the notion that I may have a more encouraged life by overcoming my struggle with obesity, and by better managing my mental, physical, and spiritual health.

Are there any things that you’re working on/want to be at peace with?

by mentallyillinamerica

Making A Schedule

I have “finalized” over 100 schedules in the past 20 years—none of which I’ve been able to stick with.

In the past month, I’ve made (and improved upon) my schedule a dozen times—thinking I was done with each carnation, at every interval.

No so!

I have learned, though that I get stubborn regarding this fact, that I have to work hard on everything that I do!

I work harder than what some people have to, just in order to churn out something “basic.”

And, just when I think I am done with something (i.e. schedule), I am usually proven wrong!

But, that’s okay…

I am a perfectionist, and I try to balance perfectionism with the notion, that I will give/get the most value out of something that I put the most work into!

Now, I don’t know if that makes any sense to the person who might be labeling me as a “perfectionist,” but…

That is my goal…

Are any of you perfectionists? In any case, how do YOU handle perfectionism?

by mentallyillinamerica

Blogs That Make Outlandish Claims

A blog (not associated with WordPress) that I’ve been reading as of late, pissed me off today, with the suggestion that we must all be “grateful,” and that that alone will create more “happiness” in our lives!

I say, “bullshit,” and that they obviously don’t understand the way things are today…

Now, I know these blogs are ultimately wanting to be helpful, but it’s sad when someone who professes to have great insight, relies on the notion that, “some people have it worse!”

It’s that kind of “comparison” thinking that a lot of old-timers use, in an attempt to understand and sound relevant.

But, they fail… oh, do they fail!

And, part of their failure has to do with not caring about the challenges that droves of people are facing today (and every day), from all sorts of adverse “life” situations.

As much as I’d like to continue following the outlandish blog, I know that I cannot.

Are you following any blogs (past or present), that make outlandish claims such as this (or something equally offensive)?

by mentallyillinamerica

Focus And Changing Direction (Sooner Rather Than Later)

Talk about making mistakes!

And, just because you spent a long time making one!

This post is about how I am learning to change direction a little sooner than I have in the past (by having better focus).

Lately, I have been thinking about my time in school. From K-12 to 4 years of college.

And, what keeps coming up is how I missed key lessons due to having social and mental health issues.

So, I have learned that my focus (or lack thereof) is what has dictated my success (or failure) within a given period of my education.

I am upset because we shouldn’t live in a world of bullying, mental illness, and home problems.

But, we do.

Dammit we do!

And, it sucks.

What kind of adverse situations did you grow up in?

by mentallyillinamerica

Why I No Longer Advocate Any Kind Of Therapy

Disclaimer: This Site is intended to provide general knowledge, and is not intended to serve as medical advice of any sort.  Changes in mental health treatment should never be made without consulting your health care provider.

I am speaking of the need for therapy for myself only!

Some people benefit greatly from being in therapy, and I don’t want to discourage that at all.

For me, I have stuff pop up every 15-30 minutes, so going one on one with a therapist, for any length of time, is futile.

I know my experience may be different than yours, so again, I don’t want to discourage anyone from getting the help they may need!

I am just extremely philosophical. And, in terms of a therapeutic situation, being as philosophical as I am can and does bite me in the ass.

What are some of your experiences with therapy? The good, the bad, the ugly?

by mentallyillinamerica

Talking It Out (And Doing The Right Thing) Has Helped Me

One day, while browsing around Reddit, I was excited to find this post’s image file. And, both it and some adjustment of “expectations” (where my friends are concerned), have helped me tremendously!

Due to the symptoms of my illness, it has been so very important to both talk it out and do the right thing, each and every time I am having troubles.

For example, I was upset at a friend, who I had upset (due to some of my symptoms and an inability, at the time, to explain my situation any further).

Now, I know I am being vague.

But, what it all boils down to, is that if you value someone, talk it out, do the right thing, and you’ll rest easier at night!

If it seems difficult (it just might be), just know that sometimes these things are difficult, but you and your relationships are the better for your communicating what needs to be communicated.

And, this advice applies, whether you have an illness or not!

by mentallyillinamerica

What Can Stable And Functioning Look Like?

I am getting closer to figuring some things out.

It’s about goals.

And, I do better with one goal at a time.

So, for today, it might mean that I have a degree of happiness. Somewhere on the inside… 🙂

I remain symptomatic, however, and I have both delusions and hallucinations.

With schizoaffective disorder, I often get it from every angle.

But, I did wake up today! And, that is something I am working to cherish/build upon!

It would be nice if there weren’t so much fear in my life…

Still, I am “on the path,” which counts for a whole hell of a lot!

What does stable and functioning look like for you?

by mentallyillinamerica

Doing One’s Best With Severe Mental Illness

I’ve ultimately been living with schizoaffective disorder for over 20 years.

It has totally taken me down, in the sense that I am a fraction of the person I used to be.

Much of my progress has either slowed down or is at a complete halt (depending on the area).

Some people—many people—are unable to handle severe mental illness, due to what it does to them.

There are individuals who succumb to addiction, which makes it even tougher for them to get along.

The only time I engaged in any sort of behavior that one might call “addictive” (aside from eating too much), is when I self-medicated with alcohol, two to three times a week in college.

Those were some pretty challenging days, but all days with this illness are challenging!

I eventually got on a consistent regimen of meds, and gave up alcohol consumption altogether.

It’s hard, and there’s no way around that fact.

All in all, you could say, I am one of the lucky ones!

I am medication compliant, I don’t drink or use street drugs, and I try to have (and live) a better life.

To those close to me especially, they sometimes hear me say that “life sucks.”

And, the fact is… it can and does for many people!

I am self-tasked, though, to do my best—in all things.

Have a great day/night!