Nice concept, in theory, but impractical. People who suffer from anxiety or intrusive thoughts should not make any effort to resist, push away, or neutralize "negative" thoughts because they only get stronger. Mindfulness is the key. Acknowledge your anxiety and accept the thoughts without judgment.
I think it depends on the thoughts. I work with both approaches, depending on the client or the situation. People benefit from more than just one tool in the toolbox. I like mindfulness and utilize it a lot but it is only one tool. Cognitive coping and reframing are other powerful tools.
Of course, there are different techniques. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy would be my other choice, though I've also practiced mindfulness-based CBT. I was responding specifically to reacting mentally with Not True, Stop Thinking, etc. because then one would be pushing away or arguing with the intrusive thoughts. Exposure therapy is recommended to OCD sufferers (contamination, sexual orientation, pedophilia, harm, relationship, scrupulosity, et al) or those with specific phobias to desensitize them from the object of anxiety or fear. To me, thinking "I'm not a psychopath/gay/straight/blasphemer" is a form of self-reassurance, which itself is a compulsion. It is even recommended that when such thoughts creep up, say for scrupulosity OCD, it would be better to respond by thinking something like, "Oh, yes. I really really hate God. I'm a terrible Christian. I'm going to party in hell with Satan!" I've done written exercises that proved to be cathartic and therapeutic.
[I hope this is the right place to post this.] This week there was a convention for people with mental illnesses in Talladega, Alabama--the Alabama Institute for Recovery. I was fortunate enough to attend this 3-day event, as did people from all over Alabama. We had nice, hotel-like rooms at a facility usually used for religious retreats, and meals were furnished. There were mental health workshops as well as social events (a dance, a talent contest, etc.) There was also a sci-fi social for fans of Star Trek, Star Wars, other sci-fi, and fantasy. We answered trivia questions (I got all the Star Trek questions correct) and there were door prizes given away. Finally we watched an episode of TOS ("Amok Time") and the 2009 Kelvin movie. I loved being at the conference because I was able to get away from the many stressors of my life, if only for a few days. I hope to go again next year.
Between my doc adding Abilify and my going back to the gym, I'm doing A LOT better. I hope you all are doing well too!
About 6 weeks ago I went back "home" for a funeral and then walked into a mess that triggered my PTSD pretty badly. Since then my sleep has been shit. The last two weeks I've been doing video conferences all day every day training a new hire so my activity level dropped off a cliff, not being able to get up 5 min every hour to stretch and walk quickly. Also all the life changes in working on - house hunting, vehicle, etc. Eating into activity time. So my steps this week are about half what they were 3 weeks ago. And my sleep, instead of improving, is at the worst it's been in a year as, for some reason, I've been having trauma dreams every night. And I've gained 8lbs between the activity drop and eating more as I've been using my new BBQ & also lots of junk food thanks to the dreams. So I'm feeling pretty shitty. I'm still trying to move everything forward now that COVID is "over", planning trips, the aforementioned life changes, lots of purchases to replace loses from a fire that burned down my house, but the nightmares and lack of sleep have been devastating. I really need the dreams to go away again. I kinda wonder if all the changes are what's triggering them - instead of the healthy routine I'd worked hard to get into everything is out of whack and memories are being dredged up. Until they stop I don't see my sleep or eating improving.
I am a member of NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness), and yesterday I completed training to be a presenter for NAMI In Our Own Voice, in which adults recovering from a mental illness present a video on mental illness and tell their own recovery stories to audiences wishing to know more about mental illness. I had to complete several online modules and then go through a training session yesterday via Zoom. It was originally supposed to last from 8 am to 5 pm, but we wrapped up a little after 4. I was extremely tired when it was all over, but I think it was worth it. I have to send in a couple of forms to NAMI Alabama in Montgomery, and then when they are processed, I will be a bona fide IOOV presenter. I am honored to be a small part of this organization.
I’m feeling borderline hopeless at the moment. Since my family went to Mexico, I’m feeling as if (though my rational self tells me this isn’t true) I am slowly being erased. The last two years, my dad has left updates about me out of the Christmas letter. And last night, he omitted to my great-aunt about me not going to Mexico and didn’t say a word about me. They had a good time without me. I feel like I don’t belong anymore…
Sorry to hear that. The pandemic has made many people feel disconnected from others, and it doesn't help that family and other relationship issues add to the problem. I'm continuing to meditate every night using the Calm app. There are several tracks that I repeatedly listen to. In addition to practicing mindfulness, there are various meditations on gratitude, building resilience, setting boundaries, self-nurturing, individuality, and solitude. "Loneliness is the absence of the other. Aloneness is the presence of oneself." -- Osho
I understand because my parents have had BBQs and my bro and sis are there with all the kids in tow and the first I hear about it is when photos are posted online. When I ask why it's because I lived 100 miles away so they didn't think I would visit and they are right but it would still be nice to be asked and be given the option. When was the last time you went out with your dad to have a good long chat?
We live in the same house, Malicia. If I lived further away, it'd be different. But I live in the same house with Dad. As for a long chat... too much of me feels like there's no point to it. I know my mental state isn't great presently, and one factor is that time of the month. That's when the darker voices in my head are much stronger. And part of me tires of fighting those darker voices.
It sounds like you would be much happier in your own space. No-one should feel borderline hopeless but I know what you mean from the relationship I have with my parents. They are incredibly supportive but at the same time can make me feel like I am useless at everything.
Have you considered writing your own Christmas letter? I'm sure your extended family would love to hear from you.
my parents were party people --- I was not a good kid when they partied and after a while they would always have me locked into a closet that they put a outside lock on just for this, to lock me in... (I remember that lock) this was repeated at holidays and parties over and over being traumatized like this. I have been in therapy since I was a teenager after I was away from them when mom had died and dad was in the hospital -- and I am still in therapy at 58 years old- thanks mom and dad,.. --- the voices in my head and the visions in my eyes... / mind / are endless,.. dr's have nothing I can take to stop them,.. - I have learned to ignore them--- but the other day, there was a critical voice going on that was quite annoying,.. So out of the blue I spoke to this voice and it stopped? --- usually the voices don't back down and kinda take over if I give them attention, of any kind... I am having less voices today, but I am ok and feel good today, better than that other day- the hope is that these problems in my life are really my advantages to living life well and happy ,.. my hallucinations are inspirations for art and music- my voices go away when I make music --- sometimes I create the visuals I see and make the sounds I hallucinate for others to know what I hear/see -- without help from any instrument or visualizer -
I wish my profession allowed it. Let's just say that being a teacher in a rich area is not conductive to living on your own. I love my dad, but I am certainly frustrated with him. I'm considering it. It's just that the omission is really bothering me. Am I not good enough? And now, I'm having to deal with my boss effectively dismissing my view in a situation involving parents and students. I'm in a position where I'm going to have to tell her I've been offended by her words. I'm not sure how it's going to go down, but I cannot just let this pass.
Take some time to think about what to do and what the proper channels are. When it's something you feel strongly about you should follow it up or you will always regret it but be tactical about it. Bear in mind that your boss can be rude or dismissive and you have to take it on the chin so it all comes down to exactly what happened and if it breaches any rules. My sister is a teacher and used to work a school with a head teacher that was very popular with the faculty and he and his husband would socialise with them but when he moved on and a replacement head teacher started the dynamic changed. Not sure what my point is so I'll just let it trail off there and attempt to appear inconspicuous.
It's cool, Malicia. I've been in education in some form since I was a baby (Dad is a teacher). I know about office politics, and I also have learned a certain degree of tact. This is a very small school, so I really have no choice but to tell her how I feel about this. I actually have found myself chatting with my younger selves, ages 5-7. They were all triggered by what she said...
**HUGS** I found myself feeling really down recently. I think COVID triggered it - made me feel like I'd never be out of the house again. Plus, I had to miss our local Con, which I'd really been looking forward to. As I'm recovering, my mental health is getting better too.