Category: depression

Mental Illness Struggles by Decade

mental health

In my twenties, after getting over the years of low self-esteem in my adolescence, which came about through parenting and realizing what really matters in life, I noticed changes first in college seeking my Associate’s degree. I began thinking someone followed me throughout my days and into the night. Paranoia also set in big time. The voices and hallucinations started slowly and, at that time, were indecipherable. Did I know something was wrong? Yes. However, I knew I couldn’t remain married to an alcoholic any longer and filed for divorce while my four children were preschool age. With that came worries about custody, so I kept my illness to myself.

The thirties brought security in my relationship in the form of Robert. I knew I’d met the love of my life and didn’t want to lose him. My jealousy turned into hallucinations, which I felt a subsequent loss of control with as days progressed. This brought about disagreements and strife. Custody issues permeated my thoughts. So I kept my illness to myself. I’d returned to college for drafting, as well as the goal of a Bachelor’s degree.

During my forties, I was deep in hallucinations. Any anxiety brought about a deeper delve into madness. This also was the start of social anxiety disorder. I think that came roughly due to the fear of being found out. I started taking more online classes for the generals. I only stepped foot in a classroom if it was through the U of M’s Center for Spirituality and Healing, such as yoga, MBSR, or other overall wellness-related topics.

Alas, the start of the fifties. Am I really this old? I don’t feel it. This time is pretty much entrenched upon the adage: Life begins at the edge of one’s comfort zone. I don’t know where I heard that, but it rings true.

For this reason, I push myself to remain part of society, and not hide away in my writing cave, in hopes of attaining real enjoyment despite discomfort to achieve such new experiences. Coming to grips with my intuition, which in turn configures new perspectives, thereby helps me conquers fears. Although it’s easier said than done…

Remaining Calm

Buddha

Remaining calm is a constant endeavor of mine. I think it’s because of my mental health diagnosis for the most part in that I’ve experienced how easy it is to have a psychotic episode. For that reason, I’ve learned my triggers and the quickest way to chaos for me is nervous energy.

So, I took classes at the UMN’s Center for Spirituality and Healing in just about every course offering they had. Whether it was Optimal Healing Environments to Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction to Spirituality and Resilience or The Art of Healing. The common theme throughout was living in the moment and experiential journeys focused on calm centeredness.

So my workdays are filled with yoga stretches, artistic diversions, meditations, thumbing through positive quotes on Instagram, and bringing it all back to the moment. I can’t fix yesterdays, can’t control tomorrows, and so I focus on today, specifically this moment. And everything about it is geared toward serenity. I need it to stay sane. I need it to remain positive. I need it to move forward. Breathe.

Convincing Myself That a Truly Headache Inducing Client isn’t Worth It

headache

We often push our limits even though we realize it may not be for the better. I think some clients are reacting to the dysfunction that is in all our lives during this time of the pandemic and rushing workloads to accomplish all we/they can before a possible worse scenario hits in the latter part of this year.

I’ve had clients that demand nearly all of my attention on a project of theirs that is so small in comparison to other massive works that aren’t so insistent on occupying all my focus regardless of the detail necessary in making it a success. Those larger clients don’t hover over me. I realize that everyone’s project is important to them but maniacal moments don’t help either of us. Condescension won’t get them anywhere either.

Whether the client is paying us a lot of money or is giving us a tremendous workload or if someone is paying too little with unrealistic demands we are going to end up burned out and possibly even missing other deadlines or getting frustrated down the road. Simply put, these clients are not worth it. If you’ve ever heard of the Pareto principle which states that 80% of our business will come from 20% of our clients. We just need to focus on developing that core 20% who always give us a good experience; thereby maintaining positive mental health.

Why phone calls can be incredibly difficult for people with social anxiety.

a phone call

Phone calls are unpredictable. When you answer the phone, you have no idea what the other person is wanting to discuss. There is no time to prepare as if someone asked you to come to their office for a chat or to call at a specific time. This is anxiety-provoking.

It changes the expected plan. I like to know what I am doing and when. If I have planned to spend the next half an hour doing a specific task, to have that suddenly interrupted can be overwhelming, because now I have to replan my time.

It takes time to transition my focus from one thing to another. Phone calls are instant. You have less than 10 seconds to answer. In that time, I have to force myself to transition my thoughts and energy to what my brain is now forced to focus on. This takes a lot of energy.

Phone calls interrupt what I am doing. If I am deeply engrossed in the task, especially if it is related to my particular interest, when I answer the phone, it may be impossible for me to focus on what it is they are saying. As a result, my replies may not be as coherent or valid.

It can take us longer to process certain things on the phone. I can’t see your body language. It is even harder than usual for me to interpret what you mean, especially when you refuse to say precisely what you mean and instead confound your speech with metaphors and sarcasm.

Many of us rely on lip-reading. Lip-reading helps to process what is being said quicker. I don’t know why, but my processing ability seems to be at a slower speed than many neurotypicals. Lip reading is hugely beneficial with this, and obviously, this isn’t present on the phone.

a phone call

It is even harder than average to gauge social cues. Knowing when it is my turn to speak in conversation is even harder on the phone. I have to be super careful not to interrupt by accident, speak for the acceptable length of time, and ensure my words are appropriate and articulate.

On phone calls, there is no time to prepare responses. Often I need longer to process what you’ve said and formulated a response. Face to face, this is easier for the other person to understand. On the phone, I may feel rushed, so say things I don’t mean, or not explain adequately.

As a result of not being able to think things through, I may feel pressured into saying ‘yes’ to everything asked of me, due to a desire to please. Afterward, I may realize this is not something I can cope with and then panic because I have already agreed to it.

Phone calls can be more intense. Many find silence less comfortable on the phone. There are no typical environmental distractions that may provide a few moments of relief. If there are distractions, the other person can’t see/hear them, so we have to focus even harder.

And worst of all, for those with deeper mental issues like schizophrenia, there may be a cacophony of voices present on the phone call. Imagine listening to ten radio stations simultaneously. Would you be able to make out one distinct voice and respond appropriately?

These are just a few of the reasons why many people with social anxiety struggle with phone calls. Some things that can be helpful are asking when is a good time to call, preparing the other person as to what the topic is, and planning time in advance.

Additionally, offer other means of communication that the person may find more comfortable, such as emails. Some may find video calls easier. Or even simple adjustments like discussing on the phone but having time afterward to think and then emailing decisions later on.

3 Books About Mental Illness That I Recommend

Living with mental illness, I sometimes get asked which are the really good books to increase compassion and on what it’s truly like to struggle day-to-day. My favorite three are as follows:

madness marya hornbacher

Madness by Marya Hornbacher pulls no punches in giving you a ringside seat into the devastating illness that is bipolar disorder. The most serious form is when psychotic episodes appear which I found similar to schizophrenia. The major plus for this read is that mental distress particularly during her hospitalizations spills from the page so effortlessly.

the center cannot hold elyn saks

I found Elyn Saks’ The Center Cannot Hold after watching the author’s TED talk, which is fascinating and very informative. I have the utmost admiration for the writer who, although clearly affected by the symptoms of her illness, didn’t allow it to define her or stop her from doing what she wanted to do with her life. It’s a truly honest, heart-wrenching account.

kay redfield jamison an unquiet mind

Kay Redfield Jamison’s An Unquiet Mind is another book about bipolar and not schizophrenia but the turbulence is similar and the fact that she fought meds for so long until she finally succumbed to the realization that they are indeed truly necessary and lifechanging so that sufferers can now fully function with their assistance in our lives. Jamison is a psychologist so she writes the scientific aspects in an easy to understand, charming witty and all too human way.

Positive vs. Negative Symptoms for Me

strengthThe positive symptoms (in addition to reality) of schizophrenia are: hallucinations (see and hear things), delusions (false beliefs that defy reasoning), paranoia, disorganized thinking,and grandiosity (believing that I have supernatural powers),

And the negative symptoms (lacking from normally considered behavior) are: lack of emotion, slow speaking, poor hygiene, impaired memory, poor concentration or decision making skills, limited social functioning, lacking motivation, and inability to experience enjoyment in things I once found pleasurable.

I’ve highlighted the ones that I experienced. In addition to those, I experienced sleeplessness, OCD, depression, and high anxiety. All of my symptoms have been treatable. I do still experience hallucinations when the stresses in my life are too great. Things haven’t gotten easier for me; instead, with the aid of medication, psychotherapy and my support structure, I’ve learned what is and isn’t real. I can control my emotions but I still have trouble relating to other people because I fear that my symptoms may arise in their presence. But the key is that I am in control and feel empowered.

Contrary to myths, as a person with schizophrenia, I don’t have developmental disabilities, violent tendencies, or a split personality. Not being in contact with my birth family, I don’t if genetic susceptibility or environmental factors (nature or nurture) played a role. I was diagnosed with PTSD years back due to physical and emotional trauma as a child; but I believe those are irrelevant at this point in my life as I’ve gotten over and forgiven all responsible. I truly hope they are as happy as they can be in their own part of this world.

At this point, the medication works but isn’t without side effects. The worst of all is the tremors. However, restlessness comes in a close second. All in all, I prognosticate that I will be in full remission (symptom free), with the aid of medication, within six months time.

Suicidal Tendencies

Hi, my name is Angie Grey and I attempted suicide at the age of seventeen while I was pregnant. It was within six months after being released from the psychiatric ward. I jumped off a train bridge in Bismarck, North Dakota and was rescued by a boater in the water beneath me. I didn’t realize how lucky I was for him to be there that late at night because I didn’t know how to swim and was sure to die. For a long while, I was okay with living up until May of 2009. At that point, I had a suicide date in mind. Fortunately for me, I found Pathways Health Crisis Center in Minneapolis. At that time, my next door neighbor, Angela had committed suicide and I was in full blown delusion. For years, the dead woman living in my home urged me to take my life just as she did my neighbor. My grandiosity was that I could see through walls to the adjacent townhome. I saw my neighbor laying in her bathtub, with pill bottles and a bottle of wine in hand. All the while, the dead woman who lives inside my home was telling me that life wasn’t worth living. Most recently, during my psychotic break, the dead woman said my new neighbor is planning on taking his life too; but this time it will be with a gun and due to the constant hip pain he is experiencing. She (the dead woman) continued to tell me and show me how obvious it is that life isn’t worth living. Look at all the suffering. Thanks to my medicine, I see this isn’t real. Fortunately for me, I have a strong support network and Pathways as well. I feel bad for the others that don’t!

Resilience throughout Recovery: A Memoir of My Journey through Mental Illness by Angela Grey

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Distraction can be a good thing up until the point of denial. Regarding my delusional disorder, I figured that if I wrote it off as something else (social anxiety, PTSD, or chronic depression) then I’d be more normal. Plus, my denial protected my immediate family (custody of children); but at what cost. My partition delusion and both auditory and visual hallucinations weren’t simply the result of past abuse or cultural idiosyncrasies: misconceptions by my immediate family which delayed the diagnosis for years. However, I appreciate that time I had with some of my hallucinations for they comforted me in ways that I will try to relay. In the end, it was cognition, memory, and confusion problems which led to psychosis that took me down and brought me to the emergency room, where we sat riverside trying to figure out where it all began and what was or wasn’t a cause.