Mental health! Who wants to scream about it?

[Càitjet]

Good morning beautiful humans! So, mental health is really important to me, myself I struggle everyday. Joining gag was a way of maybe finding myself 🤷🏽‍♀️ who knows.

To those who are diagnosed/undiagnosed what is your best way of managing/finding some release and making it through those harder days?

[love_conquers_lust]

The best way is to focus on something else. Metacognition is not something you want to conduct on yourself when you’re feeling like shit. I find it makes it worse. Distract yourself with something productive, not necessarily pleasurable as this can lead to addiction. Reading a good book NOT about mental health, sports that require focus, homework, building something, troubleshooting something. Video games, porn, and masterbating should be avoided in my opinion. Social media that inflames envy should be avoided. Leaving my phone inside while sitting outside on a bench surrounded by nature just staring off helps, try and blank your mind when you do so. Healthy foods and water. Maintain hygiene and a clean living space. You won’t be happy if you wake up from your fog with a tooth cavity, 10 lbs of weight gained, bad BO, a bunch of chores, or bills unpaid.

None of these things will cure you of your symptoms. It’s meant to hold you over until the storm passes and disciplining yourself to maintain order when your mood says to do other wise. A coping mechanism.

[vald9inches]

Well for me when i was going through tough times i drank a lot and tried to have a lot of sex and hookups. It definitely did help especially the sex because it gave me a goal and something to look forward to and plan it out. But after that i really tried to enjoy the little things i always enjoyed in life ever since i was a kid like playing video games for example or watching anime

[Càitjet]

That's really good if playing video games helps! If life was simple as child can imagine finding some peace in those memories helps.

[vald9inches]

Tbh its probably why i played video games so much when i was a kid because it was my escape from a really horrible environment and from all my problems at school and at home

[Càitjet]

Heard this a lot. So many people with tough childhoods having that reflect in them as adults. Stay strong you're inspiration to someone 💪

[ChrisMaster69]

I joined GaG back in February 2021 as was in a fairly bad place mentally.

it sort of helped, however my mental health is a bit of a rollercoaster.

At present there train is totally off the tracks and crashed down a deep dark well.

i find running, mountain biking help, on here used to help a bit (although closing account at weekend).

Hanging with friends also helps.

[Càitjet]

Oh wow you ok?

Exercise does help a lot, it's a way to burn off emotion I suppose

[ChrisMaster69]

@Càitjet nah I’m fairly shit lol

[Càitjet]

Have you seeked someone to talk too? I'm all ears but fairly shit myself 😆

[ChrisMaster69]

Yeah I had a great chat to these bottles of Islay Malt

I’m fine, main thing is I know I’m fucked, that way I don’t take myself seriously

[Càitjet]

What advise did the bottom of a whisky bottle give you?

What makes you think your so fucked?

[ChrisMaster69]

I’ve had depression and PTSD for eons and worked in Counselling for a number of years.

The positive note is I am not adding to my collection of physical scars.

The cheeky bottle suggested this rather cheeky Caol Ila bottle

[Càitjet]

Have depression and PTDS too. And currently working in the support side of a charity.
That's really good! Know how easy it is to crave it almost.
So you actually finished a whole bottle? Surprised your still standing lol

[ChrisMaster69]

Oh I did a few lol
The beginning of the week sort of blended lol

[Càitjet]

Well be careful!
Really hope you start feeling better soon! And if you ever want to chat even if it's to debate how Ballentines is better then islay malt lol

[ChrisMaster69]

@Càitjet lol thank you for the offer.

You really should try malts over blends lol

Admittedly I only had one day of drugs lol

I felt I needed a break from liquids

[Càitjet]

Guess that was a terrible whisky joke then lol
Oh god lol OK stick to the whisky 😆

[Anonymous]

As someone who struggles a lot with my mental health... I just let everything build up. Last time I spoke out to friends / family it just made everything a lot worse hence why I just let emotions & frustrations build up.

For the days that I do try manage it, Usually taking showers / baths help, Listening to music or going for long drives. Basically things I enjoy doing help me but there are many ways to manage it, Reading a book, Meditation etc

[Càitjet]

Relatable with friends and family, they don't really understand.

[Anonymous]

To be honest I hate a lot of the talk about mental health because to me it seems that he way most people, including mental health experts, speak and think about it doesn’t help people at all. I think that it only ensures that they continue to struggle.

[Shy_Steve]

Usually the only thing I can do to cope is talk to someone, Usually Family and maybe watch a movie or TV Shows, If you can think of anything else I'm all ears.

[Càitjet]

Wish I knew 😪 a good film can help loads

[EaterPeter]

I have no idea. I most likely take it out on someone I care about.

[Càitjet]

We do that don't we, hopefully they understand you didn't mean it.

[EaterPeter]

Unfortunately we do, it's not fair to them. Thanks for like!

[EnglishEuropean]

I'm done screaming. In my experience it doesn't even help.

[Càitjet]

Touché 🙄

[EnglishEuropean]

That's just where I am on my journey. At your age I was probably still screaming.

[Càitjet]

Have been for years, and it's only getting harder.

Hope you've found something that makes you 🙏happy

[Lonestarryzky]

I watch movies/series to distract myself. Also I like to spend some time out in the nature.

[h3ll02u]

that is what most of us do. Except that, sites like this help

[Lonestarryzky]

@h3ll02u Sites like this do help, but GAG is likely to give you more stress than relief 😂

[h3ll02u]

reminds of old song "you are the pain, you are the cure...". So, I agree as hell