That’s the truth of it. Not everyone who has PTSD has PTSD because of abuse, specifically, but every single one of us that has mental health issues knows what it’s like to live with Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD.
Many of us wonder what life would be like without, and if I’m being honest, I’ve gotten comfortable with being anxious. I’m so used to it, that it really doesn’t bother me anymore unless I’m triggered by actually having to see or speak to one of my abusers.
My triggers are heavy, but they don’t drag me down every single day anymore, and that was a process that I didn’t fully understand until I saw this.
Not EVERYONE has been traumatized by ABUSE specifically. But All of Us With Mental Health issues are going to have to get COMFORTABLE, with being UNCOMFORTABLE until we find our BALANCE again. That’s JUST the way it is! – Devon J Hall
No matter where you are in your healing journey, it’s going to take time to find balance again after acknowledging that you experience mental health issues.
Whatever the diagnosis, it’s not going to be cured overnight, and the reason for that is that Mental Health as a science is so brand new. We only started studying the brain in an emotional capacity a few years ago and so we don’t have all the answers yet when it comes to how to heal from issues like bipolar, anger management, manic depressive disorder, OCD, etc.
There are so many different kinds of mental health issues, and people react to so many different treatments in so many different ways that it’s hard to find a “one path fits everyone” mold for healing.
What works for me, is absolutely not going to work for a Soldier whose been in a war zone and come back changed. Although some of their solutions for sound pollution may help me, curling up and hugging a John Cena shirt when they sleep is probably not going to be very effective for them.
The danger with mental health science is that everyone wants a cure, and wherever there are people in need, there are people willing to take advantage of us, and that’s part of the frustrating part because it means that we have to work twice as hard to find things that work for us while ignoring the bullshit.
I know that you want a solution, and I know you want to feel better, I do too, but I came to the realization a while ago that I’m not going to get better overnight, it’s going to take a lot of work, and the easy solution is more often than not a scam that will inevitably cause more harm than good.
There are people who see me online, or even off, and they think I have it figured out, but the truth is that I’m taking it one day at a time and using every ounce of patience I’ve ever learned to deal with the fact that I’m not an award-winning blogger or writer yet. I’m working at it, just like you.
Be Patient With Yourself
There will always be people telling you how to heal, but the biggest lesson that I’ve learned is that I know my body. I know when I am feeling good, and I know when I feel like crap and can’t be arsed to do anything. As long as I’m not too busy bothering my neighbors or my mom I’m okay with the lack of mobility that I have right now, but I also recognize that I have to force myself some days to do the shit that I don’t want to do just so it gets done.
Challenge Yourself As Slowly As You Need To
Five minutes a day, five seconds a day, if that’s what you can manage, is still progress. It’s slower than some people would like, but it’s not about them, it’s about you, it’s about your journey and you’re healing, so wherever you are on the spectrum, be patient. Get comfortable with your “new normal,” which may not feel normal until you start coming up with anti-triggers to help with your anxiety.
Set Up Anti-Triggers
If you know that spending time with people who drain you, is draining, then stop doing it. Stop doing the things that take from your heart and your soul, just so that you can present the appearance of being normal. Normal is fucking boring, if people wanted to be “normal” they wouldn’t drink, have sex, or smoke weed.
Genuinely Think About Cannabis
I don’t talk about this often but cannabis changed my life. It allows me to deal with my depression and anxiety and gives me the time I need to heal while helping me get more connected to myself. I find myself much more productive when I’m just slightly stoned than when I’m 100% sober. 99% of all the posts written here have been written when I was stoned.
I’ve also met some really wonderful people in the cannabis industry who understand and talk openly about similar mental health issues to mine in a way that has helped me release the stigma that comes with PTSD and depression.
Center Yourself
Sit down for a little while and think about what it is you need. What it is you want, and how the two intersect when you discover what it is you want to become, you’ll find ways to make it happen. Every single day is a day of learning and growth, and I promise you if you start catering to your own needs first, everything else will fall into place.
I hope this helped.
Sending all my love,
Devon J Hall
Loud Mouth Brown Girl 