The darker months are drawing in and many people will suffer with depression, with this in mind I thought I would share this article I wrote some time ago: A Positive Mental Attitude Helps Us Along The Road To Recovery, But How Can We Help Ourselves When We Are Unable To Think Positively At All? Alongside the correct treatment and many other self-help techniques having a positive mental attitude has helped me through my recovery process. However I understand all to well that sometimes when we are faced with a traumatic situation, or are feeling unwell we can feel as if this is impossible to do. When I used to hear others go on and on about how people who live with a mental health disorder need to be more positive, and I was unable to think positively at all, it used to make me feel as if I were a weak person which used to trigger me further. I knew I had to start thinking positively to recover but was unable to do so. I became trapped. I wrote the following 2 years ago, when I was unable to have a positive mental attitude, I also have written below how I learnt to break free, which led to my recovery. The guilt and tears set in this morning and everything looked pointless. The birds were singing their usual songs, but their tunes were not the same. The sun was warm on my skin, but all I noticed were the dark clouds in the sky. So I try and look on the bright side. You know, like the others out there, the people who like to call themselves normal :p say we need to do. So I try and focus on something positive, but thats just it, my mind seems to be functioning so slow through tiredness, I cant concentrate on anything positive at all, and my heart is filled with sadness. I become frustrated then my emotions become extreme, I start to feel excessive guilt and lack of self worth, I become trapped and do not know how to break free. Over a period of time I have learnt not to force myself to think positively when I am unable to be positive at all, as this puts added pressure on me something which only drags me down in to the depths of despair. And lets face it when we are going through profound stress due to this crazy little thing we call life it is not always possible to see the positive side. Instead I remind myself of this: I am not very well at the moment, what I am feeling right now is very real, however I am only thinking and feeling these extreme emotions because I am not well. Depression and anxiety is consuming my soul, and my mind is playing tricks on me which is making me feel as if there is no hope. At times I have struggled to believe this also, my emotions can be so strong and I can become lost in my mood. In these times I remind myself of all the things I have achieved, rather than the things I think I havent. I try and think back to the good times, I may not be able to remember what it feels like but it does make me realise that there were good times, what I am feeling right now is just a phase and it will pass. I hold onto these thoughts, I try and occupy myself with small things, I take each day minute by minute and hour by hour. I congratulate myself when I have achieved something, some days it may be just getting out of bed, or reading a book to my children. I surround myself with people who do not put me down as in these times I can do this very well all by myself and do not need reminding of negative events, I fill my heart with positive people, these may be family or close friends and sometimes I need to seek professional help as I need to talk through my emotions, or I may need my medication adjusting to give me a helping hand. Then slowly but surely, step by step I lift myself out of the darkness into the light. It really helps to write your feelings, thoughts and emotions down, not just when we are unwell, but when stable too. Writing has helped me to remember the good times when I am lost in my mood. By doing this it helps us to remind ourselves of the happy times when reading it back. Once we have remembered some of the good times, and what life is like when stable and/or not facing trauma, it is easier to let go of the excessive feelings of lack of self worth, guilt and depression. I do not allow myself to feel excessive guilt, I tell myself this. It is NOT my fault that I have bipolar disorder, it is a chemical imbalance in the brain. I am not weak nor pathetic. I have NOT chosen to live this way, bipolar disorder has chosen me, I did NOT choose it. BUT I do have the choice how I feel about myself, I will not consume myself with self hate, excessive guilt, lack of self worth and depression, I will not punish myself for having bipolar. We must remind ourselves that we will feel happiness and be able to think positively again. How we feel right now will pass and life will get better. It is our state of mind that is making us think and feel this way, and there really is HOPE. If your feelings of hopelessness persist or become worse, please ask for help, do not suffer in silence, you are not alone. With the right treatment, education, knowledge and care it is possible to step out of the darkness into recovery and lead a happy, healthy, productive life. globalmentalhealthawareness/cassies-blog/a-positive-mental-attitude-helps-us-along-the-road-to-recovery-but-how-can-we-help-ourselves-when-we-are-unable-to-think-positively-at-all-
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 20:01:53 +0000