The Simple Question a Crisis Worker Asked Me That Helped Calm My Panic Attack
My thoughts come at me too quickly, too loudly — it’s as if my mind is shouting. At the same time, my heart is racing and I find it difficult to breathe. I grip onto the kitchen counter to stop myself from falling over.I am no stranger to panic attacks, so I know what is happening, but this time, it feels different. I cannot see an end in sight, which is what prompts me to remember that I need help.
Read MoreHow 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' Proves the Power of Connection in Healing Trauma.
This whole writing is basically a massive spoiler for all things “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and “Star Wars” in general.
…Understanding that Obi-Wan likely has PTSD is helpful because it portrays what I believe is an important lesson. I have some theories to share, and I promise it all links up. It’s my opinion that when it comes to trauma, a part of what causes so much pain is that it disconnects us from ourselves and others…
Read MoreI Tried rTMS and This is What Happened
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or rTMS for short, has been around for quite a while. It is a mental health treatment that was developed in 1985. It hasn’t entered into mainstream practice in a lot of places just yet, but it is gaining popularity. Up until 2 years ago, I hadn’t heard of it either.
Read MoreIt Turns Out Mind-Body Connection Isn't All Just Nonsense.
I have lived most of my life thinking that deep breathing (and all its cousins) were something people had, collectively agreed to B.S. about. Not because they were being malicious, but due to some sort of worldwide agreed-upon fiction.
Read MoreThis is Me, I Am Triggered
Time stops.
My mind is now its’ own universe, everything else is foggy and distant. I feel too many emotions at once. They jumble around, bouncing off each other, competing for the top spot. I’m angry, sad, frightened, ashamed, and confused. I am in the danger of the past. My breathing is slow, almost imperceptible. My chest is tight and I’m running out of air. I feel trapped in place, unable to move. All reminiscent of back then.
Read MoreThis Different Way of Seeing My C-PTSD Flight Response Blew My Mind
I opened my eyes and the first thought that popped in my head was: “I do not want to get out of bed.” The classic morning refrain for us countless many. After 40 minutes of arguing with myself, I pushed my way toward my coffee pot. I then dragged out my yoga gear and propped open my computer. “Time for Zoom class,” I dutifully told myself, as I then clicked “join meeting.”
Read MoreHow This ‘Ted Lasso’ Theme Relates to My Complex PTSD Healing Journey
“Ted Lasso” is not a TV show that I would have chosen to watch on my own. In fact, until it was recommended to me, I somehow hadn’t even heard of it. It’s the stuff of delicious irony that I know myself well enough to recognize that even if I had come across this series, I can guess that I would have seen what looks like a goofy sports comedy and said, “pass.” I would have missed out. You see, “Ted Lasso” isn’t really about sports and while it’s certainly silly at times, it’s equally thoughtful.
Read MoreWhat It Actually Means When Someone Has Been ‘Triggered’.
Long ago, I was having a lighthearted argument with my roommate and another friend. Eventually, I found myself feeling fed up, and I moved toward the front door in a semi-annoyed attempt to exit the apartment. By the time I’d gotten there, the two of them had stood up and were jokingly blocking me from leaving.
Read MoreThis Complex PTSD Symptom Makes Trusting New People Hard
No matter who you are or what your situation is, making the choice to trust someone new can be a tricky part of life. It’s worth noting that trust does come easier for some, and for others it can be much harder. I personally fall into the second category and I certainly have my reasons as to why trust is difficult for me.
Read MoreThe C-PTSD Symptom You May Not Have Heard Of.
You likely have heard of the term “flashback” before. In reference to mental illness, it generally involves a person having an intense re-experiencing of a past trauma, as though it were presently occurring. In C-PTSD flashbacks may differ in that they do not focus on one particular event or memory…
Read MoreThe Difference Between PTSD and C-PTSD (and Why It Matters)
C-PTSD is similar in some regards compared to PTSD, but there are also some pretty big distinctions. These differences matter a lot for a variety of reasons, and I’d like to spend some time with you walking through why these differences matter…
Read More3 Common Mental Health Phrases We Should Have Retired Long Ago.
I am a mental health advocate, who does a lot of presentations. Often my conversations touch on the topic of stigma toward mental illness. I regularly refer to the language we use when talking about it, and how when compared to other illnesses it is regularly treated shamefully.
Read More6 Reasons 'Star Wars' Is Key to My Mental Health
I’m a mega “Star Wars” nerd. I have major depressive disorder. And the two are positively linked together in my mind.
Read More6 Signs Your Job Is Toxic for Your Mental Health
Everyone has bad days at work — a customer is rude, you need to rush to finish a project, you have to skip lunch or some other annoying thing. If this is now and then, only 10 percent of the time, I’d say that is probably OK. Nothing is perfect. However, if you face daily major stresses, you constantly feel devalued and begin and end your day dreading your job, you may be in a toxic situation.
Read MoreThe 2-Minute Rule I Use When I'm Too Depressed to Clean the Kitchen
Keeping things orderly is not my strong suit, especially when I’m dealing with depression. While all areas of my home suffer, no area suffers more than my kitchen. Dishes pile up, clutter is not organized and surfaces are not wiped down. Of course over time it only becomes worse, making it all the harder to find the motivation to get into cleaning it. I recently discovered a method that helps me to slowly get things into shape.
Read MoreThe Symptom of Depression We Need to Start Talking About.
There are certain familiar symptoms of depression we often hear about, such as sadness, oversleeping or isolation. There are other symptoms though, that aren’t as out in the open, and I struggle with one of them.
Read More7 ways to beat the winter blues.
Winter makes things that I already find difficult even harder. Getting out of bed is already a hard; doing it in the dark only makes it worse. Getting outdoors to exercise is not an easy task, add those freezing temperatures and my motivation goes out the window. At times I struggle with isolation, when everyone seems to be hibernating this becomes a little more acceptable. As you can see there is no shortage of reasons why depression can either arrive or worsen during these winter months.
Read MoreSharing About Suicide Prevention
World Suicide Prevention Day is being marked Sept. 10 and mental health advocate Heidi Fischer is hoping the day will be used as an opportunity to shed some light on suicide. Going through her own experiences of suicide and helping those who have had similar situations, Fischer said, “The word suicide in and of itself remains highly stigmatized and hush-hush. People worry that by speaking it
Read More10 Apps that can help your mental health.
It’s no secret I find technology helpful to my mental health. I’ve written about this in some of my articles, and then of course there is this website and my Instagram. I would like to take some time to tell you about another aspect of technology I find helpful, apps.
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