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How do you deal with formication?
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First, I know it has an unfortunate name.
I almost always feel like theres bugs crawling on me, or hair being dragged against my skin, tiny pokes, itches, uncomfortable tickles. All day, every day. I try to relax but cant stop twitching and swatting at the bad spots or rubbing them to try and get different sensory input in that spot, but its so exhausting. Its been getting worse lately and I dont know how to cope.
I see a psychiatrist on monday and I am absolutely going to mention it because I dont know if its one of my meds, or if meds can help, but Im getting so frustrated.
Im just trying to find ways to cope. Ive tried putting on different clothes, not wearing clothes, laying under blankets, having the air in my room completely still, having a fan pointed on me. The only relief I ever seem to get is while Im showering, but I cant do that all the time.
Its so incredibly exhausting.
I just want to be able to relax.
Any ideas/suggestions or support appreciated.
| 1 |
How do I stop resenting my parents?
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I grew up in a Vietnamese household, I have an older sister. Growing up things were fine to me until it was not so fine, my parents did quite some traumatic punishments to me like compare me to my sister who did well academically which caused me to hate her so much when I was growing up I felt so bad for my sister now that she suffered the hate which was supposed to be directed toward my parents instead of her, beat me, verbally abused, or worth stripped me half naked and kick me out of the house in the middle of the night in then winter when I was 7 and then took me back inside (this was back home in Vietnam, nobody care and there was no CPS)
On another occasion I remember clearly when I was 12 my dad saw a school report I gave him, he got mad and told me "from today, you will leave this house and go begging on the street" and then attempted to gave me a bag of clothes and kick me out of the house again (somehow I was able to come back home that day). After this traumatize experienced I cannot feel the same about my parents, I got into some more traumatic experienced with my mom and dad later on during my teenager years which made me anxious a lot of the time as well as a lot of suicide thoughts with many other issues.
Fast forward I went to college, I was lucky to be able to go to the US for higher education, they agree to help finance my college funding, and then after that they was little amounts of money were sent over and my sister has to take over everything and raised me 4 years of college I was also lucky enough to has on campus jobs as well as internships to cover tuition and cost of living.
Now my mom got in a shit ton of debt and asked my sister for help and she agreed, I hate it so much after all of these years in college she barely help, and then asked for help or apologize about what she has done to me.
I know my parents love me and I have love for them too but I cannot stop resenting them, I know they have their own issues but I cannot get pass this resentment feeling, hate and guilty that I have to hate them.
| 2 |
Extremely depressed
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I’m genuinely extremely depressed , I don’t really have friends , im 19 about to be a father . I have nobody really to talk to about this . I was just released from depart of child services at 18 , I have a shitty job , 1 parent home . I know my mom cares but she’s struggling and got her own relationship issues . Older brother who I am close with but he’s figuring life out to on his own . I’m about to be a father and I have to actually man up but I don’t know , I think my heads fucked up or something . I don’t do drugs or drink. I don’t know what else to say . I pray alot . I’m not suicidal but damn .
| 1 |
how to get the help i need?
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i'm based in england and their mental health support is abysmal if you aren't actively going to kill yourself. i have been begging and begging my doctor to get me a psychiatrist or a therapist whom will do a 1 on 1 with me that isn't generalised and specifically for me / my needs and they just will not. i explained to my doctor my symptoms and they suggested i could have a personality disorder but still nothing. what do i have to do to get help? be a major harm to myself and just top myself? i cannot stand this impending doom, emptiness and overall dissatisfaction of my life.
| 1 |
I just need a counselor or therapist or something bro someone who can connect wit me and give me guidance
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I’m tired of feeling like I’m a fuck up in life…. Idk if this post will get taken down but if it doesn’t someone please help me out just talk to me
| 3 |
Why am i here
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I don’t know who i am anymore i hate myself i feel like everyone hates me i have no good qualities about me anymore im fake and I don’t like to do things anymore i have no respect for myself im a mistake and a disappointment it’s to late to fix anything i wish i could go back in time and never meet the “friends” i met and never talk to that one girl i wish i just stuck with 1 friend group, i wish I wasn’t so nice and caring before even when no one cared about me
| 1 |
Convorsation
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Looking for someone (preferably my age) to help eachother cope with anxious thoughts or just to talk to.
| 1 |
Why do I feel like I fake feeling depressed?
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I've been in a depressive state for a couple of weeks now, but I'll probably get out of it in a week or so and be as good as new. I'll look back on this and think that I was being dramatic, that I was just overthinking and just feeling sorry for myself.
But then I'll be back in this same position, maybe even worse, in maybe a month and this feeling will feel as real as ever. My heart will ache at the thought of really killing myself. I'll think about suicide every minute of every day for the next few weeks. I won't eat, or I'll eat too much. I'll sleep too much, or I won't sleep at all. I'll have no energy to even leave my bed. I'll cry in front of my mum and just say it's my hormones, even though I'm crying because I can't control my thoughts and the fact that I'm always thinking of overdosing...
But then a few weeks will pass and this state will slowly fade away and I'll be back to where I was before. I'll be content for a week or two, and I'll blame all of what I felt in my past state on my period or my hormones, or the fact that I'm dramatic. I'll almost laugh at myself and cringe at how silly I am...
And this cycle repeats itself and it has done for years, so I've never been brave enough to get help because I've always thought it's so stupid until I'm actually in it, and by that point I'm not strong enough to get out of bed and get help.
What is this? Why do I do this? Does anyone else experience this? Have I ever truly been depressed or have I just faked this feeling and dragged on my teenage hormones for too long?
| 3 |
Book Recommendations
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Hello guys, I hope you are great!
Can anyone recommend a mental health or a psychology book which talks about anxiety and panic attacks, why they happen, how they happen, and how to deal with them?
Thanks in advance.
| 2 |
How do you stop being defensive
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I caught myself being defensive in almost everything i don’t like it when people think i don’t know something I hate it I hate it please show me a thought process that can get me out of my current
| 8 |
Is it bad or selfish that I just randomly want to stop talking for long periods of time?
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I really dont know why this happens but I feel like if i really had to i could force myself to speak but i really just dont want to for some reason. I wish I knew why this happens.
For context I have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression and ocd. Would that maybe cause it? Honestly just any insight into the situation would be helpful
| 1 |
How can you tell when things are a problem?
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How do you distinguish between problems and non-problems? I feel like at any moment I could convince myself I'm absolutely fine with no issues or convince myself I have serve mental health issues. It's kind of frustrating not knowing, I genuinely have no idea which it is. When I read books about mental health it's always "this person was struggling with xyz so they when to..." Am I struggling? Is there an xyz I'm dealing with?
Advice I read online feels like it just can't fit me. I know it can and it should but it doesn't feel applicable to me somehow. So how can you tell when things are an issue and when things aren't?
| 4 |
I think I’m on a verge of mental breakdown
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For the past 3-4 months I’ve been experiencing huge amount of anxiety. It escalated to panic attacks, one of them landed me in the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. I’m 37 and healthy. All labs normal. I feel like I am on a verge of being disconnected from reality. I don’t know how else to explain it. I feel like something is going to snap. Brain fog to a point I can’t focus on anything. Just static in my brain. I have been under extreme amount of stress between a job that has huge amount of responsibility, having adhd myself and adhd kid (6 and 16 so also a teenager issues ), father across the world diagnosed with dementia who I don’t know what to do with (bringing him to the US could be an option but I don’t think I can handle it) , mother with mental illness who is absolutely draining (being an only child to deal with both parents ) , history of trauma and ptsd, depression.
During my panic attacks I feel like I’m going crazy, I feel like I’m about to die and it’s terrifying, I feel like I’m disconnected from reality and I’m afraid it will get worse and I’ll stay like that. I am at the same time totally numb. I was away for two weeks to care for my father. I came back and it’s like something in me died. I look at my kids and I love them so much but I just feel numb and tired. I am oscillating between anxious, sad and numb. I feel all the sensations of panic attacks like tingling , can’t breathe, hot , cold, shivering, feeling like passing out. I don’t even have the energy or desire to seek help. I just want to lay in bed and cry or stare at the wall.
I know I have to keep fighting if not for me than for my kids who need me but it’s so hard. I feel like I can’t handle all the stress much longer but don’t know what to do about it. Can a person actually have a “nervous breakdown”? What happens ? Do you end up in a mental hospital ? I’m not suicidal but I’m so overwhelmed I don’t know how to live and how to proceed. I can’t imagine going back to work on Monday dealing with all the responsibility and stress, I want to throw up.
| 13 |
Is this what schizophrenia is like?
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So, I’ve done my fair share of mental health research while preparing for a potential future career as a therapist which means I’m usually fairly aware of how different mental health disorders can present and I can usually differentiate the common ones. However, I’ve been slightly concerned as of late with some symptoms I’m having.
I know that people with schizophrenia talk about how they see things and hear things that others don’t. But do they really see them?
For me, my recent symptoms have been getting mental images of different figures in my environment or sometimes different physical feelings on my person from time to time. I also notice sometimes I hear things that sometimes seem very real at first but afterwards I’m usually able to go “oh that was just in my head” I don’t really know if this is schizophrenia.
Additionally, I used to heavily abuse marijuana (I was basically high 24/7). I did so for about 1-1.5 years. 2 months and 13 days ago I became sober and have continued to stay sober since. At first I just ignored the “visions” and sounds because they were disconnected from reality and because I knew sometimes marijuana can cause symptoms like these. But with the amount of time that it’s been, I’m concerned that this is still present.
I don’t really “see” these visions. It moreso feels like I imagine them and then imagine them being in the environment. They aren’t there and I know it’s just in my head. And the sounds aren’t voices or anything like I often hear about. Sometimes it’s music or a bell or some other noise I know wouldn’t be in my environment.
I’ll probably go in to see someone about this because it’s worrying me, but in the meantime does this sound like the start of schizophrenia? Does anyone have any resources about what I can do to cope with this until I can see someone about it?
| 4 |
My indecisiveness is ruining everything
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I (23M) am a freelance digital artist. I've always had a hard time choosing between things (what to eat, what to wear, to do something or not, etc), but it's getting worse.
Whenever I'm working on a project and come up with a few ideas, I get stuck in deciding which one to go for. Even if I manage to pick one, I start doubting myself and go back to square one. I tried asking friends to take decisions for me, but started doubting those too. This process keeps repeating till I get frustrated and either go lie down, or start scrolling on social media.
90% of my time goes in deciding, and only 10% in actual working. This means I have to rush at the end to meet deadlines, which results in sleepless nights and a messed up routine. I feel like my work is incomplete or "half- assed" because I didn't spend enough time on it. I've become insecure and keep comparing myself to others. I always feel like I'm just wasting my time, I'm not talented enough, I'm a fake, and I would get replaced by other artists etc.
I made a to-do list of personal projects (for my portfolio) in January, with around 20-25 concepts. It's already July and I've completed just one. Half of them are stuck at various stages just because I can't pick one idea and STICK to it.
Here's another example: my cousin is on a trip to Europe (I'm from I ndia) and I asked him if he can bring me some model cars. It took me 6 HOURS just to pick which cars to get.
This was followed by a feeling of regret, thinking "I should have picked something else". This is becoming my entire life and I don't know what to do. Can anyone please help?
| 1 |
The Samitarians SMS isn't working- what do I do?
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Hi, I am a person who has been dealing with suicidal thoughts for a while now and I have finally had enough, so I decided to message the helpline to see if they could help, as that is what they are for.
I am too awkward to call them, and I do not want my parents overhearring as they would make a big deal out of it.
As I am mostly unavailable whenever any of the other helplines are avaliable, I figured the 24hour helpline Samitarians would be able to help.
I messaged 'SHOUT' like you are supposed to (to get a professional on the chat with you) but the message is not sending through.I have tried multiple times. I have counselling but my counsellor is not confidential outside of our sessions.
I have no one else to go to.
What do I do?
| 2 |
Fuck everything and everyone
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I'm tired of living like this in this shitty world I hate it and I hate everyone I want to be alone I want to dissappear anything to get away from this place and everyone I want to be left alone quiet and alone forever I don't want to be here anymore
| 3 |
How do I know if I'm depressed or just a teenager?
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even when i was a kid i used to get super dramatic and thinking about kms becuz i thought i was ungrateful and a horrible person. i’ve thought about doing that a lot, but like i’ve never had a serious plan to go through with it, more just fantasizing about it. for the past 2 years since we moved i’ve been worse, even tho my life has been good. i have such little energy, i cry a lot recently, everything just annoys me- like tv, celebrities, things i see, i get mad at myself for being stuck on the past, the way i get insane delusions of grandeur. i get annoyed by everything and by myself. i just have a generally horrible mood, where nothing really makes me feel happy and most of the time i just feel really negative when i think about the world or my life now. i criticze everything and judge so much. even if i have a good day doing things i still wind up living in my head and feeling awful. i get random bursts of anger, and even though i hide it i used to like secretly break things and i’ll get super pissed at people for no reason. i though i was good at hiding how i feel but everyone keeps asking me if i’m ok cuz i look sad. my friends almost got me baker-acted in eighth grade cuz they wanted to get adults to intervene cuz they thought i was depressed.i have a good life, good parents, i play sports and get good grades, i have friends and nothing traumatic has happened in my life, but i always feel horrible. on my dad’s side of the family there’s ocd and relatives who commited suicide so idk if its a genetic thing, or if i’m fine and once i’m an adult and mature up then ill be good.
| 1 |
so mad i couldn’t think straight and felt like i was gonna pass out???
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is this normal? i got extremely upset i couldn’t even think straight. i couldn’t talk bcs i could barely form a sentence correctly. and then suddenly i started to feel like i was about to pass out? i used to be so filled with rage when i was younger like angry 80% of the time but i’ve never experienced this before? could it be due to me not sleeping enough last night?
| 1 |
Going back on Zoloft short term
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I was on Zoloft for five years after a depressive episode. My mental health improved greatly but it took a while to come off them just because I a) wanted to be in a stable situation in my life and b) wanted to come off super slowly to reduce side effects (hate brain zaps!). Came off them just over six months ago and felt like me again! I liked feeling good again.
Suddenly find my life in a phase of instability, out of work, living with my parents away from a support network and am struggling with all that, and feeling myself wading into another depressive bout. Hard to get out of bed in the morning, low self worth, loneliness etc. I know this is the situation causing these feelings and that things will change so I am so reluctant to go back on Zoloft and go through that whole journey again. (Nb. I don’t have a therapist anymore and can’t afford one.)
Has anyone else been in this scenario? Would love to hear if you have. Thank you.
| 3 |
New but here to stay
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I never knew a mental health Reddit existed. I believe if I would have known them at times I wouldn’t have felt so lonely. When I stumbled across this part I felt a mixture of happiness and I became angry. I was angry because for all the mental health initiatives and “resources” this community still often find themselves lonely and without support. I have bipolar 2, anxiety, and PTSD. I am part of this community and I’ve decided to let our voices be heard. I found that there is a need to bring more awareness surrounding mental health so I Tchillvibezz have decided to do so and I hope that by doing so I let others know they are not alone.
| 2 |
What exactly is this problem? A form of perfectionism? I have need everything to be perfect or I am extremely unsatisfied.
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Ill do my best to describe this but its kind of hard to pinpoint, but I know its ruining my life. I think of perfectionism as the need to be perfect at everything, this isn't that. I need everything around me to be perfect, exactly to my liking and expectation or I am deeply unsatisfied.
An example: We took a small 3 day vacation recently and I looked for hotels and restaurants every night for probably 3 weeks straight prior to the trip. I needed the perfect location, price, rooms, amenities, everything, and turns out such a place didn't even exist. I did the same with restaurants, looking at menus for days before we went looking for the perfect places to eat based on price, health, dishes, ambiance, everything. I ended up being extremely disappointed with the vacation due to the expectations of what I thought was the perfect hotel and itinerary.
There are many more instances of this in my every day life, nearly everything I do I measure to the expectations I set for it in my head before, and if they do not meet those it really disturbs me. I even attempt to control almost everything in my environment to increase the chances of things being perfect. It consumes me almost 24/7. Can anyone tell me what this is and how to cope with it?
| 1 |
should i consult my GP/seek support?
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hello, im looking for some advice on my current mental state and what steps i should take to improve this as it is having a notable impact on my outlook and enjoyment of life as a whole. for context i am a 19 year old guy. i believe i may be struggling with some form of depression and/or anxiety but am having doubts as to whether im just being dramatic/immature and it’s driving me crazy. i would really appreciate any advice or help! i am going to list some of my experiences, and would just like to know if any of this indicates that i should contact a GP or mental health support.
-general apathy towards life. this isn’t necessarily permanent, as there are occasionally things i look forward to. however these tend to be material things like video game updates, and very rarely life events like birthdays, new opportunities, summer etc. i just feel utter hopelessness sometimes; life is going to be lonely, unfulfilling, boring and simply not worth living. there have been times where i have had s******* thoughts. i have not acted on these nor caused any lasting self-harm, but sometimes i will hit myself or dig my nails into my skin out of frustration when it is really unbearable. i find it is often caused by a ‘trigger’ like an obstacle in life that causes me to spiral. however sometimes it just hits me out of nowhere and i can’t always explain why this feeling hits me so suddenly. this is why i feel it is not just a general low mood but possibly an indicator of depression because it feels like it’s always there, yet rises in immensity at random times.
-anxiety about the future. i am constantly worried about finances despite my situation not being the worst it could be in the grand scheme of things. as im becoming an adult, all the responsibilities are hitting me hard and fast and im struggling to keep up/cope in the way that many of my peers seem to be doing. right now i am typing this the day before i have my second day at my new job as a barista. my stomach has felt awful all day and ive had a general horrid mood because i can’t stop ruminating about what could go wrong; messing up orders, social interactions, boredom and aggression from coworkers and customers alike. this typically happens in new scenarios but can also be day-to-day stuff like going to the supermarket or walking down the street to attend a lecture.
-a heightened sense of self when engaging in social interactions. this one has basically been since i was very young. when speaking to new people, or indeed people im acquainted with, i cannot maintain eye contact. i feel like i am putting on a performance. i feel my personality is not reflected through those engagements but rather i am trying to present myself in such a way that cannot offend or instigate judgement (as this is my biggest fear). this is the symptom that i would say is most prominent and causes the most anxiety within me, as it has meant that i do not have many friends or much of a support system. particularly it has made my first year of university pretty horrible, as i have had no social life and actively avoided opportunities to try and create one due to fear and nerves.
-general insecurity; i know many people have insecurities, but sometimes i feel like mine are a bit extreme. sometimes i look into the mirror and give up all hope for the day. nope im not going outside, not going to shower because who cares i will look awful anyways. this often leads to neglecting hygiene for a couple of days.
-hygiene: when i am in a lull, which can last for 1 day to 1 week+, i will not brush my teeth, shower, wash my face take my multivitamins. i will skip meals and typically only have 1 because my parents sort the later meal in the day out. i will not drink enough water. i used to drink energy drinks in replacement, but i have cut these out of my diet because of health/dependency concerns. however it does mean i drink less on the whole.
so yeah that’s all i can think of right now. im writing this because i feel like an imposter and don’t know if i can trust my own evaluation of myself. my parents don’t seem interested in helping me so im taking this as a step to try and help myself by seeing if this is serious enough for me to consult someone. thank you if you have took the time to read this or left a comment, i appreciate it. i hope you have a nice day 🙂
| 2 |
Things are getting weird?
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I guess this is just to vent, but also if anyone else has experienced this stuff please feel free to share/give advice/anything.
I've had a rough go this past year or so. My mom died which sent my into a 4 month long manic episode in which I lost one of my best friends. I also was diagnosed with Autism and PTSD. On top of this I have an antibiotic resistant ear infection, some godawful stomach problem, and according to my chiropractor my spine looks like a drunk snake. I'm slowly working my way to being healthy-ish again, but it's doctors appointment after doctors appointment and very rarely any answers. The cherry on top is that my father, destroyed by my mother's passing, has lost his leg up to the knee and is currently suffering from renal failure and congestive heart failure.
Anyway; on to the weirdness.
Lately I've suddenly realized I'm at the grocery store or another public place with no memory of traveling to it. Like, I'll be on my couch and then suddenly I'm looking at produce. I've dressed myself in socially acceptable attire (I live in my pj's) and have my headphones on (I can't be in public without them for panic attack reasons) which means I must have put some thought into it, but I don't remember it. I do live within five minutes of these destinations and don't drive, so it's not too long.
I'm also having these hours-long confused states where I can't understand anything. Tv shows don't make sense, I can't separate ads from content, etc. They seem to be concurrent with my migraines, but only started recently. I talked to my doctor about it, and due to my mother's history of Transient Ischemic Attacks when she was my age, I was referred to a neurologist, who I will see in January.
There was more, but I actually forgot what it was. My memory has also been really bad lately. Like, can't remember earlier in the day bad. I guess I'll edit if I remember. Thanks for reading!
| 1 |
I finally got a therapist that’s good at her job and now I am livid.
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Alright, I got a story for y’all.
I had an eye opening therapy session yesterday, and I just wanna share about how I never realized things that happen to us as a child can have such lasting subconscious impacts on us for the rest of our lives.
Ima bout to get real with y’all, and share an experience that happened to me.
This is something I have a suppressed memory about it, and because of the way adults have portrayed it to me growing up, I always told it as a haha funny story. These fvckers spoke about it as if it were a joke and now I’m angry.
Something about me, is if I ever feel as though I’m in trouble I shut down. I go non verbal, and it’s hard to come out of. Therapist asked about it, and when I first felt that as a child. I first said something about being put in the corner as a child and if i talked I had to stay longer. But then it hit me.
As a child, I had pretty bad adhd (still do) and would never stop talking. Got on a lot of people’s nerves. So, one night a relative was babysitting me. I was younger than 5. (Likely around 3/4) I wouldn’t stop talking and bothering her.
So what does this relative do? Duck tapes my hands and feet to a bed and put tape over my mouth, and left me in a room until my mom came back to get me.
My mom was livid. Unfortunately she’s passed since so I can’t ask her about it.
After that, adults, my father included would ride around with duck tape on the dash of their cars and threaten me with it if I misbehaved.
Every time that story was brought up by the people in my life, it was told as a funny story, so that became my association with it. To this day, it’s brought up as a funny memory.
I just never made the connection before about it.
But now, having my own kids and thinking about someone doing that to my toddler, nah I’d be in jail right now.
That’s not even the worst of what’s happened to me as a child, but now I just want to call my father and tell him with as much disrespect as I can give, Fvck you.
I have never wanted to cry in a therapy session before.
| 201 |
A safe place?
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I don't want to go home and I don't want to go to any family members home. It's almost 1:30am in the UK. I'm currently parked at McDonald's.
I got a strawberry milkshake. I always wanted this to be the last thing I had.
| 1 |
I can't remember so much of my childhood that my own mum feels like someone I hardly know
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So I'm 18 and hardly remember anything from birth till around turning 18. The things I do remember are more like facts than memories if that makes sense. For example I know I was neglected by my dad after my parents split up when I was 12, I began self harming when I was I think 14 and first attempted suicide that year too (I think). Thing is the stuff I remember aren't bad enough for me to do that to myself. All I really remember was the house being messy and having to constantly ask for dinner at gone 10pm on a school night until I'd get yelled at for annoying my dad. I've been told some other stuff by my family that's apparently happened but I remember none of it, and I feel like a lot more happened behind closed doors but I have no memories to justify it other than my dad making me feel uncomfortable a lot of the time for unknown reasons, and I hardly remember anything of my mum besides her never leaving the couch before she left my dad.
My friends will also often talk about when we were at school and I can't contribute anything to these conversations other than asking when this happened or is that true. I think I can only remember like 20% of my life up until recently. Its affected my life a lot, for example I get attached to people way too easily because I feel like I've known them a lot longer than I have, like my ex who I dated for about 4 months, I felt I'd known him for most of my life, because in a way I have, and it just made everything hurt a lot more than it should've.
My mental health's really messed up but I hardly know why, and sometimes it makes me feel like I'm just overdramatic or too weak to deal with anything negative because I have next to no idea what's happened to me.
I'm just wondering if these memories will ever come back to me and if I'll ever figure out why I am the way I am.
| 3 |
tw sa idk if my story is actually sa
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when it happened i was 13 and the attacker was my dad. one day i was really sick and didnt want to go to school because of this he immediately tried to take my pants off while i kicked,screamed,cried and begged. i kept saying no. idk if im normal because i still love my dad
| 1 |
Struggling to process everything
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I think I really just want to vent. I’m having a really hard time dealing with loss. This is supposed to be the best time of my life. I just graduated college in May. My relationship with my girlfriend was amazing and I thought we were going to make it work post grad. A few days after graduation she dumped me. Two weeks after that my grandfather passed away. A few days after my grandfather’s passing I found out my ex is already seeing someone else. And now today we just put my dog of 14 years down. I have no idea to process what’s going on. It feels like there’s hurdle after hurdle right now. I’m struggling to process what is happening. I’m trying to grieve my grandfather. I’m trying to grieve my relationship ending with my ex seeing a new guy so fast and now I am trying to process the fact that my dog is gone now too.
| 1 |
How do I stop hating myself?
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16M here, honestly I’ve hated myself since I was 14 years old. I don’t know why, Im just not happy with where I am, my gpa, the people I’m around kinda. I just progressively hate myself, more and more. Does it end? And when?
| 0 |
I want to commit suicide because I can't and never have been able to avoid stress and manage stress
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I am not someone who can avoid stress. I can't manage stress. I can't avoid stress and or manage stress triggers because tv, social media and etcetera never allows me to. I recently took a stress test and I hurt myself in order to prevent myself from having to revisit the doctor who told me that I had to accomplish specific stuff because of my age but also told me that I could stop and tell them about any pain I felt. I didn't tell them that I felt pain and struggled with the test because I felt pressure due to the fact that I was expected to do certain stuff at a certain level based on my age and I thought that if I didn't that I would have to stress myself out and hurt myself with more visits which I feel uncomfortable about. I don't want to seem unhealthy for my age so I hurt myself in order to meet all stress test expectations. I know that I could've admitted that I was in pain but I didn't want to have to return to the doctor just because I was in pain and felt fatigued in the middle of the test that I had to meet certain expectations or else I would have to return to the doctor because I would be considered unhealthy for my age and unusual for my age. I don't want to live with stress and I don't want to try to manage stress. Also there are various cliches that are only in the world to make me be stupid in a rush in order to prevent missing out on quote on quote living life to the fullest and when I see them and get reminded of them I become suicidal because I feel convinced that slowing down and being thoughtful and careful and smart is wrongfully living life.
| 1 |
I'm a lazy, procrastinating, unskilled individual
|
20M. I'm lazy, I can't seem to get ANYTHING done on time. I'm slow at every job I've ever worked, I only eat once a day (if that). I suck at personal hygiene, I wait literal days to even brush my teeth or wash my clothes. I can't seem to gain a modicum of skill in any of my interests.
On top of all that, I have severe social anxiety. I had to drop out of college because I can't make phone calls to save my life, I sleep 12 hours a day. I also have court ordered community service which I've been procrastinating on (for some reason I don't even know why I do it).
it's really taking a toll on me. I have been diagnosed with depression while I was in college, but I've been like this my entire life. what the fuck is wrong with me??? I'm starting to relapse suicidal thoughts because of my lack of any motive.
edit: I forgot some other things. I'm a yes man, I can't stand up for myself, I fear conflicts, and I generally have no self esteem. if someone yells at me, I'll break down crying. I also have a tendency to be unintentionally rude to people if I'm not a yes man.
tried getting on antidepressants and anxiety meds which didn't work for me. mostly because I end up forgetting to take them every day and they aren't effective (which is another issue of mine, can't stay on a routine).
| 5 |
Can’t tell if I have body dysmorphia or eating disorder
|
I already have ocd and have recently had fears about gaining weight and being fat. I can’t tell whether it is an eating disorder or whether it is body dysmorphia.
| 1 |
Im scared of growing up and my parents dying
|
Everyday when it gets dark i start having an existential crisis about the thought that im growing up, and i will have to move out and say bye to my parents, i also am very scared about the thought that they one day will die, i just hate the fact im gonna be no longer a teen or a kid, im 14.
| 2 |
Bipolar Disorder
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I dont know if I have bipolar disorder or not. I do have been suffering from depression and have episodes of headaches for short amount of time. Sometimes I get really sad and suddenly I am laughing. This symptoms do line up with bipolar disorder but I dont think I have manic depression or something.( which google suggests people must have if they are diagnosed with bipolar).
| 1 |
Antibiotic depression?
|
I started some antibiotics yesterday and i’m feeling very depressed in a way I haven’t felt in a long time. Apparently antibiotics can cause changes in mood because it gets rid of serotonin in the gut or something like that (idk i’m not a doctor) but had anyone else gone through something like this? I need advice on how to feel better because I have a big week and I really don’t want to feel this shitty until I finish them.
| 1 |
I think antipsychotics ruined me
|
I had a brief psychotic episode that was treated with antipsychotics.
These terrible meds ruined my metabolism (easy to gain weight) and ruined my dopamine receptors.
Im afraid of eating now and I dont enjoy anything anymore.
I only took them for 7 months and stopped yesterday.
Is there any hope for recovery?
Have you recovered from antipsychotics?
| 11 |
Girlfriend experiencing severe hallucinations
|
So this is not me asking for y’all to diagnose her, I’m just looking for pointers in the right direction so i can support her until we find a medical professional she’d be happy to work with
So according to her these have been happening for about a year and mostly consists of vivid auditory, sensory and visual hallucinations. (For added context she has a history of Depression, Anxiety and overall very irritable)
Within her hallucinations she sees numerous recurring visions. She has names for them
So I will refer to them by name:
Jack- a shadow figure of a man with a hat (no she doesnt take benadryl and never has). He is about 7ft and is not 2d but has depth.
The Hangman- a pale lifeless hanging man she sees in the corners of her room, and can interact with on some occasions
Tom- mostly just a pair of hands or eyes, not much known but is seen leaning over her roof or windowsill.
Mirror thing- another pale figure that stands behind her when she looks in the mirror, a meter behind her
Smiley man- [unconfirmed] I say unconfirmed as I do not know if the smiley man is the mirror man or if they’re separate. It’s simple- just a man with a distorted smile. If I could draw any theories on his look I’d say it’s like those Mandela catalogue things but IDFK im not into that
She says the sees these people on a regular basis and that they have touched her (especially Tom) and in an attempt to stop them has started scratching herself to stop the feeling for a moment. As well she has started to see my face as distorted when she has an episode and does not recognize photos of me anymore.
I’m just looking for a roundabout thing about what’s wrong with her. I only wish to Help her as I’m worried she will go down a steep decline in health and will end up doing some awful shit.
Thank you
| 1 |
AOE center their life off a feeling
|
apology for vague title. i dont know how to explain this in good terms but ill give examples. basically a lot of what i do is based on feelings, specifically if something feels off.
ex:
need to rewash the dishes because they feel off
the universe feels off, search for signs to tell me whats wrong
feel off, am being haunted/followed
i cant remember many more examples but i find that this basis dictates most of my behavior but i cant shake the original feeling. its not anxiety because im not *anxious*
| 1 |
A new level of bad
|
I’ve never been this depressed ever before, been battling depression all my life. It’s honestly mind blowing how many levels there are to this shit. Nothing matters anymore. Life feels so different and superficial. Still want to do a lot of things. Still wanna live a full life and build something good. No energy though. The only thing I can imagine reinvigorating me right now is spending time with animals. Like I just want to befriend a horse or a red panda somewhere and just care for them and chill with them all day. The loneliness I experience goes deeper than anything else I’ve felt. Humans feels so detached from this world somehow. I’m longing for a real, deep and genuine connection with someone. Don’t want to be alone. The summer of 2023 will forever bring me memories and feelings of how bad life can feel. I’m in debt, can’t control my ADD, my sleeping habits are not healthy and I spend most days in apathy just laying down wishing for a new day.
Time is running out and soon I’ll have no money, no job, no energy, no home.
I think my friends are tired of me being in this state of mind, they don’t want to spend time with me and I’m isolating instead of working on my relationships. Feels like I’m going to snap.
I do really need help and I’ve started talking to a therapist. It’s slow and way too long between our meetings. I need some serious help that speeds things up for me. I’m honestly a little scared of how numb I have become. I should probably be more worried and alert of my situation. Shit. Too fatigued to have anxiety. It’s like a slow panic is growing in me. I wish I could cry more.
| 1 |
Mentally ill mentally ill mentally ill
|
I've felt lonely all my life, noone ever tried to help or tried to understand me.
I want to make this disgusting world a much better place, I want to be great and get our world one step closer to paradise.
Want to do it for other people, but I'm seething because nobody has ever done anything for me.
I take everything too seriously, but I want to for some reason.
Can these people just let me be me, try to respect who I am, and let me save their dumb asses.
I can't handle this anymore, I want to be nice but I got too much anger.
| 0 |
Brain fog or Derealization?
|
I’m wondering what the hell is happening with me. I’ve been feeling spaced out and almost detached from reality. I’ve been sitting in my car all day without any really idea what to do as I don’t have any interest to do anything other than what I’ve had to do (chores). I’ve also felt very lightheaded (as though my heads a balloon) and get the sensation that I’ll pass out any moment, which has never ever happened to me.
Can someone help navigate me with this? Will it subside naturally? Am I giving it too much attention? Thanks.
| 0 |
Weird feeling I get
|
So whenever I’m in deep thought or very focus. Sometimes I would stare for a good 5 minutes feeling as if my soul is looking through a hollowed out body. Like a mask. For instance I was watching something and was looking at my hand and thinking to myself how am I real? Why was my soul placed in this body? It’s as if my soul and body are not one with each other. And I I am looking through my hollowed body. It doesn’t really affect me except from me overthinking of the same questions. I want to know what this is because I feel it pretty often.
And I’d like to know if people get this as well.
| 0 |
skin picking
|
hey guys,
ive always had an issue with skin picking mainly my lips and thumb, my thumb is horrible now because ive been picking at my skin since i was around 4 and have been doing it every day since then, i am now 19
i even have scabs inside my ear which i continuously pick at and i refuse to stop until im satisfied which is strange, sometimes when im trying to sleep i cant because im still picking at my skin, i wonder if any mental health issues is linked to it.
i know i should get it checked up but want to see if anyone has the same issue, my family and friends have tried to stop me many times but i get angry or aggressive when told to stop.
once i asked for help about my mental health i had an appointment but never showed up, i can go from feeling depressed and hopeless and genuinely seeking help to not caring anymore and feel like it was temporary but itll always come back.
​
thanks for the help or any advice.
| 2 |
Im extremly shy and contantly think what Someone is thinking of me when speaking to them is that a mental health disorder?
|
What helps with that or where is the solution as medication or therapy what can help me thank you?
| 0 |
Dating and making friends
|
I wish there was a dating app for people with mental health challenges. I know there are people who would take advantage of that in a bad way. I just am at a point where I don't want to have to explain or live in fear of my every reaction to things. I dont want to feel like i have to mask 24/7. I just want to find people who are in similar places in their lives as I am. For me it's so hard to socialize and the fear of when they find out I'm damaged how will they react.
| 4 |
Therapy is stupid
|
I've been in therapy every two weeks or so for about two years and I can honestly say i've seen very little benefit, if any. I only go for something to do and my therapist is somewhat "bearable" and decent compared to ones I've had in the past.
I find the whole "industry" of therapy kind of stupid and laughable. I have respect for my therapist as a person but I mean I have had deep trauma basically from birth and there's really no helping me. I have come to this conclusion. I occasionally have to go to my local hospital to ask for a benzodiazepine or two when I'm truly in a horrible state and everytime I do so I have to talk to the mental health nurse (basically a therapist) and I feel like I'm confessing my sins to a priest or something.
I'd actually go so far as to say therapy makes me feel worse, usually as it just brings up all of my trauma and repressed memories that I don't want to talk about or remember. It's kind of demoralizing and embarassing. Especially when I have to go to hospital due to my diagnosed Boderline Personality Disorder and I know from years of "experience" that I literally just need a benzodiazepine to calm down but first I have to talk to a therapist for like 45 mins and it feels exhausting and unnessary. It's like I literally know what works for me and what helps and it's never been therapy, at all.
Any other chronic condition- a person at hospital would simply have to do a 5 or 10 minute chat with a doctor. Anyone else hate or dislike therapy and find it doesn't help them?
| 1 |
why do I have massive mood swings? I just randomly feel really angry sometimes and its normally by myself
|
title
| 0 |
The Absolute Beginner's Guide to the Gym
| null | 470 |
This Guardian article has lots of information about EOOD. It's a great place to start learning about EOOD.
| null | 119 |
What is the best intensity to exercise at?
|
I’m 19 and run from 140-155bmp for about 45 minutes is that good or should I up the intensity
| 2 |
Quick motivation loss?
|
Good Mornin everyone, I just want to preface this by saying that I was diagnosed with severe depressive disorder around 17, I just turned 23. About a year ago I quit cold Turkey therapy/medication because I thought I had a handle of my situation,but recently I started noticing a pattern that I’d wake up, have a boost of motivation to get what I need to done, and 30 minutes in I’ll just lose interest and have to “fight” to finish the errand. It can be cleaning out my room, the gym, or even running important errands. For others that struggle with anything similar, please share what you tell yourself or think to yourself that helps you push through.
| 6 |
Strength Training while on a calorie deficit to loose weight
|
I have been strength training while on a calorie deficit to loose weight. This is generally a very good idea because the strength training makes it more likely that one looses fat rather than muscle mass.
From a mental health perspective I get to feel accomplished both for loosing weight and for gaining strength, so that is a big boost for me. When I returned to strength training after having not done it for one and a half years, I was surprised by how good it felt right away: I had forgotten how much satisfaction I can get out of strength training. And I had not lost a lot of muscle strength since the previous time I trained even though I am already at an age where you loose muscles if you do not use them, but I guess this is less fast than I expected. Overall I feel good about this.
And I have almost reached my weight loss goal, so soon I will get to switch to eating in maintenance. I expect that will help with strength training. :)
| 10 |
When do you start to feel good when you start to exercise?
|
I have ADHD which causes me apathy and I’m trying to reduce it. When one starts exercising how fast does it take before you notice a big improvement in your mood? Is it after the first workout? Does it take 1 week? Thanks.
| 12 |
Workout Thursday
|
Which workouts are you currently focusing on? What have you done to EOOD this week??
| 5 |
I have been trying to write this post for some time - experiencing mental health issues can be the only response to events in your life.
|
We all have times in our lives where we come under enormous pressure. Breakups, Divorces, Death of a Loved One, Marriages, Financial Troubles, Moving House, Losing your Job are generally seen as the big ones. It is *natural* to be stressed and anxious about moving house. The death of someone close to you is depressing as is losing your job. Divorce is often devastating. Sometimes a "happy" even like the birth of a child can have negative mental health effect. Post partum depression and even psychosis is a very real and dangerous thing, for men too.
No reasonable person would expect anyone to behave as "normal" if they are going through any of these events. Most good employers make allowances for their employees if they are going through something bad. When my father was first taken ill my then employer told me to take all the time I needed to look after him and my family. When he finally died in February my current employer was very generous and helpful too.
However it seems that our lives are increasingly well shitty in the 21st century. I won't go over the stresses we all face. Its too depressing (joke, I think). Medics now have a term for it all, [Shit Life Syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shit_life_syndrome). I know medics are known for their very dark sense of humour and have been making "jokes" like this for a long time, see [Normal for Bridgwater](https://www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/14094965.were-breaking-down-outdated-perceptions-about-bridgwater-people-and-building-a-better-sydenham/) which has been around since the 1990s near where I am from.
As with most jokes there is a grain of truth in it. If your life is shit then experiencing mental health issues is part and parcel of your shit life. Its a never ending downwards spiral of doom. I have seen a meme a few times where apparently drugs manufacturers see this as proof that we need more medication and new forms of medication.
Why should we put up with a shit life that makes us unwell, physically and mentally. We all deserve better. We need help but better lives have got to be better than more medication to help us accept that the 21st century is a bit shit most of the time.
| 23 |
Tracking Fitness Apps
|
Hey guys, thinking of tracking wellness metrics such as sleep water intake etc to a dashboard/app to monitor progress. The main tools I have found are [Exist.io](http://exist.io/), [Gyrosco.pe](http://gyrosco.pe/), and [conjure.so](http://conjure.so/). For those of you who have tried them I would love to know what are the pros and cons with each one? Or if you have any better ones any help is greatly appreciated!
| 7 |
Everywhere you look you see things about getting shredded and ripped. Its an unobtainable goal for many people. Plus what sports / jobs etc really require lots of muscle and strength?
|
We all know how it goes. Open instagram or any "fitness" site and there are people selling gimmicky exercise routines, exercise machines and all the rest.
The thing is we don't need bulging muscles and a six pack. No one does. Trying to get a body like an influencer can be next to impossible, even before the lighting, filters and photoshop come out to play.
Of course some jobs require a degree of physical strength. Construction work, livestock farmers and others. I used to deliver beer to pubs 30 years ago and while it helped to be strong it was more important to learn how *not* to lift a 50kg keg of beer than to lift it and hurt yourself. Kegs are round for a reason, they roll.
Most sports don't require a lot of strength. Weight and powerlifting, rugby, USian football, all the Olympic throwing events, sprint track cycling, some but by no means all martial arts are pretty much all I can't think of.
Also big bulging muscles don't equate well with functional strength. Try arm wrestling a jockey and you will find out how a little guy who weighs half your bodyweight but is way stronger than he looks to find out about functional strength, ask me how I know...
So why does the big pecs, big arms and six pack look for men and a far more muscly and lean look for women dominate. I can't work out why.
| 2 |
What's working Wednesday
|
Have you tried something new that has helped you?
It doesn't have to be exercise related at all. Books, music, podcasts, tv, websites, organisations all help. Or it could be something someone said in passing that helped you and they have probably forgotten all about.
| 3 |
Check In Tuesday
|
Taking the overall pulse here. How are you? If not well, think whether there are any positives to share as well to balance negatives. But of course, if you need to vent, know we are here to listen.
| 8 |
Severe Brain Fog and Fatigue Despite Progressing in My Workouts
|
Hey everyone,
​
I've been working out consistently for the past three months and have encountered a frustrating issue: severe brain fog and fatigue, particularly after my workouts. I've been making great progress in terms of strength gains, adding 1-2 pounds to my compound lifts every week. My technique is solid, I experience no joint pain, and I find that the same number of reps per set feels easier than before, even managing to squeeze in a couple of extra reps while still leaving 2 reps in reserve.
​
To give you some context, my diet is well-structured, and I track it diligently using Mike Israetel's RP Diet app. I consume four meals each day, and here's a breakdown of what they consist of:
​
1. 1st meal @ 00:00: 40g protein, 20g fat, 60g carbs
Bedtime @ 1:30am
2. 2nd meal @ 10:30am: 40g protein, 15g fat, 55g carbs
Workout @ 12:30pm
3. 3rd meal: 40g protein, 15g fat, 95g carbs
4. 4th meal @ 19:00: 40g protein, 20g fat, 55g carbs
​
I prioritize sleep and ensure I get a minimum of 7.5 hours of sleep each night. I rely on a sleep calculator that factors in sleep cycles, so on average, I sleep either 7.5 hours or 9 hours.
​
My workout routine consists of four sessions per week. On Tuesdays, I focus on my back with two exercises:
1. Row movement: 4 sets of 8-15 reps
2. Pull-up movement: 4 sets of 8-15 reps
​
Additionally, I perform two exercises for my chest:
1. Bench press: 4 sets of 8-12 reps
2. 45-degree bench dumbbell press: 4 sets of 8-12 reps
​
For biceps, I do the following on a 45-degree angled bench:
1. Biceps exercise: 4-5 sets of 10-15 reps
2. Hammer biceps exercise: 3-4 sets of 10-15 reps
​
On Wednesdays, it's lower body day, focusing on my legs:
1. Front squat: 4 sets of 6-10 reps
2. Leg press: 4 sets of 8-15 reps
3. Leg curls for hamstrings: 4 sets of 8-15 reps
​
I take Thursdays as a rest day, and on Fridays and Saturdays, I repeat the same regimen as Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
​
During my workouts, I am usually able to maintain focus. However, when I struggle to concentrate, typically during the last set of an exercise or towards the end of the workout, I push myself to refocus. If I find it impossible to regain focus, I move on to the next exercise. In rare instances where this lack of focus persists, I simply walk home. This has occurred only once or twice within the three-month period, usually due to factors like a poor diet the day before, alcohol consumption, or inadequate sleep.
​
It's worth mentioning that I intentionally leave at least one rep in reserve during every set of all my workouts, and on average, I aim to leave two reps in reserve. I have already completed one deload week during this three-month period.
​
Despite all these efforts, I find myself lacking energy and motivation, feeling like a lifeless zombie. This has taken a toll on my mental health, and my depression has worsened due to the constant lack of energy.
​
I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights you might have. I'm at a loss as to what might be causing this issue since I don't believe I'm overtraining or neglecting my diet, sleep, or recovery.
​
Also, it's worth mentioning I'm currently running a maintenance diet, not deficit.
​
Thank you in advance for your help!
| 19 |
Mindfullness and Nutrition Monday
|
Have you been mindful lately? Made any useful observations that have helped you and could help others? Share any efforts especially ones that change your mind or attitude, meditation efforts, positive thinking, and gratitudes.
In addition or alternatively, have you had any successes in improving what you eat? Any good recipes to share?
| 4 |
Just got a treadmill and I'm gonna speed walk my way to fitness.
|
What say you? Any advice?
| 16 |
I feel more accomplished when I start my day early, so I've changed my sleep schedule so that most mornings I set my alarm for just after the the ass crack of dawn and walk 2+ miles and then climb 8 stories of stairs back to my apartment instead of taking the elevator.
|
It's not much, but it gets me outside and active on the daily, which is hard because I work from home.
I'm a reformed night owl, thanks to the pandemic ironically, and it helps to get naturally tired at a not-so-crazy-late time of the night.
| 50 |
Today was my first day at the gym. I’m still scared of it, but I hope to have the courage to win this battle
|
Just wanted to share this small victory. I’m an adult and I’ve always been scared of going to the gym. I’m probably the most sedentary person I know, and always had self esteem problems. The last two weeks have been in a way I wish it wasn’t. Maybe I can I say I hit the rock bottom in terms of anxiety and depression. Couldn’t sleep, was not eating well, unable to focus on work, and the thing that affected me the most: Im scared to lose the person I love.
I just hope to have the courage to continue and maybe see some results some day. I just don’t want to be sad anymore and have an objetive in life.
| 91 |
Success and Selfie Sunday
|
Care to share your successes of this week, whether exercise or others? What went well, what is promising, what do you feel good about? If you have any selfies and progress pics to share, now is your chance
| 3 |
Social Saturday
|
Socializing can help depression, as can thinking of others, community service, caring for loved ones. Care to share any social activities that you have participated in this week or are planning to?
| 2 |
Wildfires and Smoke Are Harming People's Mental Health. Here's How to Cope - from Scientific American
| null | 12 |
Rest and creativity Friday
|
How have you unwound this week? Any creative projects you would like to share?
| 3 |
Did antidepressants help you to begin exercising?
|
I’m a 5’7” male weighing nearly 300lbs. I have no energy/drive/desire to do anything active. My psychologist keeps encouraging me to try medication, but I’m very hesitant/reluctant to do so because I hear about how they can numb you out or make you gain weight, which is obviously counterproductive to my goal. I’m curious what others’ experience with this has been?
| 16 |
Touching grass is important
|
Ok I live in a particularly nice party of Southern England but even seeing a plant growing in the cracks in the pavement it's good
| 57 |
Hiking out of depression with pelicans at the beach
| null | 60 |
Afraid of going to the gym
|
I'm a 24f with depression and extremely antisocial.
I have been a mess since I was a kid but I'm getting older and my depression is going to kill me.
I'm fat, I don't have energy to do anything.
I'm afraid of going to the gym since I already tried once years ago and didn't have a good experience so I drop it.
I'm highly, HIGHLY antisocial but I'm more afraid to die and I'm feeling disgusted with my body.
Give me some light on where to start, I need to feel better and to lose some pounds.
| 9 |
Anyone else here have a Quest VR headset?
|
Bought the Meta Quest 2 headset and I am already obsessed. After a depressive slump that's lasted weeks where I've barely left the house (and on some days, barely made it out of bed) I had a lightbulb moment. Thankfully the Quest 2 is cheaper than I remember it being. Still expensive, but worth it if it keeps me moving.
I'm really enjoying the table tennis and also Les Mills Body Combat. I've yet to explore a few others like Beat Sabre and Thrill of the Fight. In the last two days I've probably done more moving than in the last two weeks. I've also tried the game Onward which is amazing so far.
Just being in those virtual environments has made me feel more alive than I can remember feeling in far too long. I'd like to connect with a few others facing similar struggles if I can so we can all help motivate each other.
| 7 |
Yin yoga as a healthy alternative to self harm
|
For those of us who have at some point in our lives practiced some form of self harm: I don’t know about you, but I found that it did have some benefit in transferring the emotional and mental pain into more physical pain that I could handle better - alas it was not really worth it because I also knew that what I was doing was harming myself, and thus the guilt outweighed the perceived benefits.
Yin yoga is a type of yoga where one gets into a challenging stretch, to the limit of one’s flexibility, and then holds it for a slow sustained hold of 3-5 minutes, and then switches to another challenging posture like that and holds that for 3-5 minutes etc. It is definitely uncomfortable, and maybe even a bit painful though one should carefully assess to only stretch to the limit of one’s abilities and not further. It has the advantages of transferring one’s focus to the here and now and to the physical, and thus can shift that focus away from the mental and emotional. However, unlike with self harm there is no guilt because it is not harmful but rather is healthy for one’s connective tissue / ligaments / joints. Over time one becomes more flexible, can stretch further and thus it provides a sense of accomplishment.
I highly recommend yin yoga as a way of coping with anxiety and stress. Although I realize that it is not for everyone of course, and your experience may vary.
| 24 |
Will running damage your knees? TL;DR if you are careful probably not - from The Guardian
| null | 18 |
Hiking out of depression
| null | 65 |
Being active when you have depression and anxiety 🚴🏽🏋🏼♀️
| null | 34 |
Best exercise for depression?
|
What do you think is the best exercise for depression? I really like running and biking because they are very intense and very relaxing when done.Need some more exercise make me feel like that.
| 6 |
How do I help a bipolar person with no friends nearby - in urgent need of assistance?
|
Hey reddit,
So there’s this guy I know from a summer school that we went to last summer. It was a small engineering gig for recent college graduates. The guy in question was one of those people who would sit silently during all of the socializing events that the school used to organize for us. He seemed super nice and kind, but always seemed to want to avoid contact with people, and wasn’t very talkative even when approached directly. During one of our engineering exercises that we used to do there, he got placed into our team, and it turned out that he is freakishly smart and super capable. Very impressive dude. Once he got into our team we started hanging out during dinner and we sorta established to just keep on talking online from there. He’s two states away from me, and we still chat from time to time, but it’s mostly tech stuff that we’re both hooked on.
Something changed two months ago, when I got slightly tipsy and felt talkative, so I did what I never usually do and called him up to ask how life is (I was feeling quite lonely at the time too tbh). It was a Friday night, so I asked him if he’s drinking anything himself that day, and that’s when he told me about the meds he’s taking for his bipolar disorder. It was the first time we actually properly talked, and he opened up stuff about his past and present. Turns out the guy is extremely depressed, and his mood swings are wreaking havoc on his life. He told me of this conscious decision of his to just plain and simply avoid talking to people, because he never knows when the moment clicks and he’d just wish to die.
The problem is, it turns out that I’m his only friend now. And to be very frank, when I first heard the “friend” title being given to me, it was quite scary. It felt like a huge responsibility is falling on me. I realize thinking this way is selfish, and the guy is really cool, really smart, much smarter than anyone my age that I’ve met, and I really want to be of health. I try to be there for him as much as possible, and have suggested to try something like [mentalhealthhotline.org](https://mentalhealthhotline.org/), but I can’t help but feel like more is being demanded. (or it could just be that the idea of being his friend still subconsciously overwhelms me).
I’ve never been a good talker to people really, and I kinda suck at cheering others up (as engineers do). Now though, I am looking for ways that could make me a more helpful participant.
Please help me out with this. I see so many inspiring stories on this subreddit, would be incredibly helpful to have your inputs here.
Cheers.
| 27 |
New depression type discovered and medication can't treat it - from the NYTimes. - oh great, thats just what we need
| null | 45 |
Making sport fun again, especially for children. I am sure many of us had negative experiences of PE at school and will welcome this. It applies to adults too.
| null | 25 |
Survey for study on exercise and depression
|
Hello everyone!
My name is John and I am a current medical student in New Jersey. I am doing a research project on exercise and depression to attempt to prove that exercising consistently leads to less symptoms of depression. I am super passionate about exercise and am convinced that it is the one thing I do every day that keeps me mentally strong. Mental health is an incredibly important topic that affects so many people, which is why I came up with this idea. The link to the survey will be posted below and contains all of the directions and information regarding the study. The results of the study could be very helpful to those who struggle with depression on a daily basis by encouraging an alternate form of treatment to alleviate symptoms and increase mood. Thank you very much for your time, I would truly appreciate your participation!
Link to survey:
[https://rowan.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV\_dhx91KHZ4LTGYiW](https://rowan.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dhx91KHZ4LTGYiW)
​
https://preview.redd.it/hqeqoa06lf8b1.png?width=250&format=png&auto=webp&s=6d423caa472b9f4c45a18dedde33e3fa3a607fcd
| 0 |
Outside Online on the mental health benefits of exercise and how they compare to other mental health treatments. (The article is better than the clickbait title.)
| null | 18 |
You don't need a big gym full of equipment to exercise. - from Slate
| null | 11 |
Joined the gym, saw gains, struggling with consistency due to mental health issues.
|
Hi everyone! This is my first post here. I'm a slightly overweight 26 year old male from India. I just finished B school in April 2023, and will start a new job in July for which I'll have to move cities. Just a day before I graduated, something major happened which spiralled me into depression. However, I tried to remain positive and joined the gym as soon as I returned to my hometown after the break. I saw good gains in the first month, and it should ideally motivate me to be consistent, but there are days when I just can't muster the motivation to go to the gym. All I want to do instead is lie in my bed and watch Netflix and have my comfort food. I haven't quit, and I plan to resume once I move cities for work, which would be in a couple of weeks, but I don't know what I can do to push myself to go to the gym regularly, especially on the day when depression strikes brutally. Those who've been in a similar situation, what do you do?
| 16 |
Lost it
|
Seeing old footage of myself at the start of my journey has been a huge motivation to stay consistent
| 46 |
There Is Crying in Muay Thai - An excellent article on how exercise can bring out emotions that we don't expect.
| null | 17 |
Meditating can help mental health but.... its really hard work. An excellent toot by Will Allen.
| null | 14 |
Mindapps.org is a site that evaluated mental health apps properly. Its got to be better than guessing by star ratings in an app store.
| null | 3 |
I’ve been consistently working out or doing some form of exercise the past year almost daily. Took it easy the past week & definitely could feel the negative mental effects coming back, though not near as bad as before being consistent.
|
It’s been two years since I started Orangetheory classes. I decided to try them out when I hit one of the lowest points in my life. Then a year ago I rejoined a regular gym and have been going nearly everyday. I began to ease off Orangetheory as I regained my confidence to workout solo. Orangetheory taught me a lot and inspired and motivated me. I still go on occasion but am no longer on the monthly plan.
Recently I’ve been dealing with some golfers elbow the past couple months, so have had to take it easy on the lifting and progressive overload. Lighter weights, more reps for now. Kind of a bummer, but it’s important to listen to your body. I’m still able do HIIT style cardio running, rowing, assault bike, bike indoors and out, trail run. Alternate run days to give legs less impact.
This past couple weeks as I decided to give myself a little break by not working out daily and doing less intense workouts, I could feel the mental challenges coming back on. But they didn’t last and I was able to overcome the sometimes crippling anxiety and depression and go on with my day.
What I’ve learned the past two years is to stay consistent with some form of exercise and movement, regardless of what you choose. Make it habitual and it simply becomes part of who you are. Natural medicine for the body, mind, spirit and soul.
I cannot live without exercise now. It’s a huge part of who I am.
| 37 |
How will I begin my exercise when I don't have the energy to do it?
|
I am suffering from depression / anxiety and having a VERY hard time to do things. Gosh my mental illness is really making me ugly.
| 24 |
I hate exercise, what can I do?
|
I specifically hate resistance training, cardio I can bear but I want something fun and functional to do. I desperately need to lose some weight and lost a little with cico and being active at my job, but I don’t know what exercises can help me build some strength and cardiovascular endurance. Any suggestions?
| 13 |
Has anyone else noticed that when professional sportsmen and sportswomen and especially coaches use the language of mental health and therapy a lot?
|
I was listening to an interview about the Ashes cricket yesterday. They were interviewing two former captains, one from England and one from Australia. The interviewer was a former coach too.
It struck me how they were using phrases like "concentrate on what we can control", "Look for positives", "Focus on our strengths", "Analyse the opposition", "Resilient under pressure" and many many more.
Cricket puts the players under a great deal of mental stress, especially the captains. Its not a coincidence that one of the best English captains of all time, Mike Brearley, was also a highly regarded therapist when he retired from playing cricket.
I see the same language being used in other sports from football to tennis and athletics. Its interesting that enabling an athlete to perform at their peak is just as much a mental challenge as it is physical.
| 32 |
Started 3 years ago at home & now I got keys to the gym.
|
Not much better than training outside of opening hours with my playlist blasting.
Thankful for this journey out of depression.
| 71 |
Nobody I’ve ever been locked up with in a psychiatric hospital felt ‘proud’ of their illnesses - from The Guardian - This article makes a very good point in my opinion.
| null | 33 |
I lost 10 pounds in the last 30 days
|
268 now vs 280
I find that my long walks and brief jogs are the only thing that makes me feel good.
I have started cooking vegetarian and vegetable focused meals.
Maybe it is possible that I can one day have some self respect.
| 30 |
Your first months at the gym Starter Pack
| null | 125 |
Self-harm scars at the gym
|
I'm not sure if it's better etiquette I guess to just stick with the clothing that will keep them covered which is long pants and long sleeves. I don't want to deal with any encounters about them or more importantly, make people uncomfortable.
Everything's healed obviously. But red discolouration, raised and cover my thighs knees up. As well as arm to shoulders elbows up, covering majority of the space there. I'm pale, I feel as though it just makes them look even more abruptly 'out there'.
Im wondering how people feel if they've seen, or haven't seen people with them before at the gym. or alternatively have them, and have gone to the gym where they've been visible.
edit: the replies are rlly appreciated, it's comforting hearing from both sides and how it isn't that big of a deal in the gym. I've sorta carried this irate fear of someone coming up 2 me and telling me to cover up, as my scars are inappropriate or something.
I'll def be rereading all the replies when i go to the gym with shorts or short sleeves to keep cool
| 16 |
Had the opportunity to try something different in terms of exercise today
|
I got my wife to drop me off in the next small town over so I could get my head shaved and beard trimmed. I was going to walk home along some footpaths.
Well I had walked about a mile and there was a big lump of flint on the side of the path that a plough must have turned up. It was the roughly the same size and shape of a rugby ball. I picked it up. It weights about 12/15lbs at a guess.
I carried it home, a distance of about 4 or 5 miles. I could carry it in one hand with it resting against my hip *fairly* easily. There were a few irregularities that meant I could turn it around as I swapped hands to ease the various muscles in my hands and forearms. I even carried in the kettlebell rack position and resting on my shoulders.
It sound silly but its a really good way of getting some different exercise. Walking carrying a weight is always good. People put bricks in backpacks sometimes or have military style plate carriers and weighted vests to do that.
Carrying an unbalanced weight even if it's not a big weight is trickier. It throws everything out, even the way your walk. It makes everything that bit harder. Thats a good thing in my book.
I have wanted to do that for ages. I never had a largish rock present itself though.
| 17 |
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