Lived Experience Forum

[Dogman]

Hi, I am a surviver of chronic complex PTSD, and I also have mixed Bipola. 

Exercise

Diet

Psychiatrist

Psychologist

Meditation

Keeping in the here & now/The present

What problems I have I will always have, how I deal with those problems is the key. ( I could look upon my condition as a chemical embalance, and my task is to work out how to best treat & manage that. It's never easy & does take time, patience is the key.

[Fancy_Pants]

Hi @Dogman

I admire your realism around it taking time to heal and commitment to improving your mental health and creating a life that you want. It wouldn't have been easy to hear these diagnoses and both accept help and do what is needed. 

I am wondering though, of those things listed and other things you may have done what has been most useful for you in helping you heal and helping you keep going on your path?

[Dogman]

Hi Fancy Pants,

First, Did I want to live?, Then I found that finding the right Psychiatrist & Pshchologist for me was hard, But I know that their must be some sort of structure I could find (routine) that could help me back from where I was.I found my self in a mental health facility and soar and heard how a structured routine worked, talking about what my fears are and learning how to deal with them and even trying to feel comfortable with them in my head so I could let the anxiety subside. I found being completely honest with my self and admitting to my self I needed help to get control of my mental health. The hardest part was find some to help me, I mean really help me. CBT, working on my major triggers, first working out what they were and then how I can manage then and then emprove my standard of living. 

Dealing with my fears, not sort of, not skirting around the edges, really dealing with them! It was easy for me to work out what was the most emportant thing to me ( which was my health) I can get my material things back again, but if I don't get my health under control I would lose everything and in the end maybe lose my life; my willingness to be alive. So gaining my health is up there and then working out how to get it back. I had everything, I travelled the world with my job and had a lovely family, the house the car everything. But what happened to me was that i never dealt with my past and it fested away for over forty years. I had to work out what was emportant to me, then seek out the right help for me, I never toke no for an answer, I got rid of all my bills, etc. I just knew that the most emportant things was to gain my health back. Once I worked that out and found a good Psych. I set about trying to understand my self and how I can get a routine going and then, working on no matter how hard it seems everyday when I get up, my heart is beating and my lungs are breathing so I have another chance.I lived day today and all the time I found I just had to be honest with my self and understand I had to learn to love and respect my self and if I could do that and keep beinging honest with my self that I might have a chance of 1. beinging a better version of my self and 2. that others out there just might like me for who I am.

Their isn't one thing, but being honest with my own assessment and for me researching as much as I can on trying to get my self better, and learning to take that time out to take a breath and learn how I can control my day and injoy it. And work on getting back out in the world ( at some level ) and being patient.

Their is so much I have done and I get quite emotional about it, in a good way, on how hard I have worked to get my self on the right track. And I am still working on it evryday.

Talk soon,

Dogman

[Bimby2]

Like what you have said Dogman, and yes
we may not be fully recovered from MI but keep working on the positive attributes we are all blessed with. Thanks for your story. Bimby2

[RG01]

I'm trying to break it down into pinpoints -
BE BALLANCED
EXERCISE & REST & DIET
ROUTINE /responsibilities
MEDITATION/spirituality
Professional Support
Hobbie/recreation
Socialising
- POSITIVE THINKING & Affirmations and self talk
-regular self evaluation

[Dogman]

Hi RG01,

The most emportant this is to make sure you are feeling ok, them move on with getting into your day, I started with a simple routine in getting up and moving. I started with a coffee and tried to go for a walk, or go on my stationery bike if I didn't feel up to going out. Have something to eat afterwards, try and make it healthy. the try finding things that will distract your self and keep you in the hear & now ( you can talk to your Psychologist/ Psychaitrist about that ( they can help with whats good for you) I don't really have any hobbies so I looked to house work, washing, mowing the yard, cleaning the house etc. Most emportant thing for me was to do everything in moderation and it will take time to sort out a routine, and I worked on trying to be kind on my self.

Exercise a little, done put to much pressure on your self

Rest, mix it up and sit out side in the sun/walk slowly in the backyard

Diet, I found that If I eat greens and some protein, and tried to keep healthy made my tummy feel better.

Routine, it takes time and things will changes as you sort it out , but I found doing things I enjoyed makes it easier. wether it be exercise or diet or rest.

responsibilities, I found that I am responsable for my health and well being and it was up to me to find out as much as I could about how things can help me with my illness, try getting your family/friend etc to buy into you and your routine and this I found also helped me.

Proffessional support, I have found a good Psychiatrist that bulk bills and I see this person every week for the first year and now see this person every 2-3 weeks. I also see my Psychcologist up to 10 times throughout the year and see my doctor when ever I need to. I found it very emportant that they were their and it really help me with getting my routine sorted out.

Hobbies/recreation, to start with I never went out I found just going to the doc's/Psych a bigger enough day.  as time went on and I had more support from my family and had really got into my routine I found I could get out a little more. I would go to the local shopping centre for a few mins and just get use to working out that people in general aren't there to hurt me and went from their.

Socialising, If and when I could, I found I first had to be comfortable with my self before socialising, it toke me some time.

Positive thinking, I went on every website I couls find with pictures of positive thought and sayings and even worked up a contract with my self that i would everyday get out of bed and move, then take it from their, you have to stand, like and love your self.

Regular self evaluation, for was only best used when i was totally honest with my self at all times and really knowing my limitations, patiences and time, you live with self 24/7 so you must like & love your self & make your self the best versation of your self you can.

Regardless of what happened in the past, you are a wonderful person and you must always give your self a real & great chance.

@Dogman

[HellonWheels]

Hi
Socialising is hard as the main person I get to talk to is the barista and chemist
How do other ppl meet ppl to talk with?
I got NDIS funding and went out for coffee with a support worker. Man, was that weird