Categories
mental health and well-being

Navigating mental illness is never easy, but manageable

Maybe I am the last person to say the above, but I think mental illness is manageable – whether that is through medication ( which is the usual route) or through therapy (another usual route) or even prayer and meditation. Whatever works best for you. I have done all of the above, quite honestly. I feel right now I should be back in therapy if nothing else to have someone else listen without judgment and yes, perhaps validate my feelings and thoughts. My issue is recurring and intrusive thoughts, something I have been plagued with all my life. I just feel that over the last several years it has gotten worse. I am currently off any medications. Perhaps I should be back on them, too.

I have been practicing what I consider to be a “mind over matter” technique, which consists of deep breathing and being as mindful as possible. Mindfulness is a new technique that I have picked up and been using for the past several months now. I feel that it does help me. I try to look at intrusive thoughts as “balloons” or water like a flowing river. I don’t engage with them. I simply notice them and keep on about my business. As they say, “fighting” with the thoughts or what I do is downright argue with them by thinking or even verbalizing – “this isn’t true!” “No, I don’t want to do that!” or what have you – fighting with them makes it worse. And that is true. It is tough, but I can do it. And so can you.

This is just short note on this subject for today. I will continue to speak more on this issue. Feel free to leave any comments about what works best for you. All the best!!