[tecomsin]

So we've all learned about ourselves and our illness and, in retrospect, would be able to give our newly diagnosed selves, good advise, like what medicines would work or not work and what strategies are effective vs. not effective, but
if you could have whispered one thing from the future to the past, what would you tell yourself, when first diagnosed

I would tell myself to stay away from cannabis for good.

[taybaby]

I would tell myself to stay away from cannabis and definitely stay away from all other drugs. My first major depressive episode started on a come down from Molly.

I could just hit myself for ever doing drugs. I would also teach myself breathing techniques.

[wildflowerchild25]

I would tell myself that chasing mania is not worth the pain it causes to others and myself.

[Aliceiw]

I would have told myself that it does get better and I wasn't always going to be a train wreck destined to repeat all of my old problems in cycles. There have been times in my past that I felt like I'd never get better, I'd never be normal, I'd never do anything of anything. I'd like to give my old self a little hope, maybe I would have been kinder to myself and not done stupid things because I didn't think I deserved more.

[rwwff]

pst pst... younger self, you know those bell sounds that you're hearing but have reality tested to prove they aren't real; that's an actual symptom of something. Go talk to a psychiatrist; and relax, they aren't out to capture and torture you.

Whether younger me would take that advice is kinda doubtful.

[Guiness187055]

I would have gotten on medication as a teen and never started using drugs and alcohol.

[tecomsin]

Originally Posted by rwwff

pst pst... younger self, you know those bell sounds that you're hearing but have reality tested to prove they aren't real; that's an actual symptom of something. Go talk to a psychiatrist; and relax, they aren't out to capture and torture you.

Whether younger me would take that advice is kinda doubtful.

during my first psychotic break I also heard bell sounds. I haven't heard them since. I also doubt I would have taken the advise, sadly.

[tecomsin]

Originally Posted by Aliceiw

I would have told myself that it does get better and I wasn't always going to be a train wreck destined to repeat all of my old problems in cycles. There have been times in my past that I felt like I'd never get better, I'd never be normal, I'd never do anything of anything. I'd like to give my old self a little hope, maybe I would have been kinder to myself and not done stupid things because I didn't think I deserved more.

This is where I am right now... feeling that I'll never get better. I'll never have a normal social life. I'll always be alone, depressed and fearful of the future.

[Victoria'smom]

You need an anti psychotic to get rid of "Anna", "Mia" isn't protecting you. By the way they have disolvable medications and long term shots to make life not as scary.

[~Christina]

Not everyone has a racing mind ( I thought everyone had this) Talk to someone and life will improve.

I'd have to convince my old self that I truly knew what the future would (not could) be if I continued to drink even in moderation. That my upcoming two med quitting stunts would seriously exacerbate my illness to a point I would seriously regret for years. That my now (2017) med cocktail was a great one to try because the others either didn't work well and/or gave me totally unacceptable side effects. And I mean totally (hypothyroidism, kidney damage, pituitary microadenoma and hyperprolactinemia, sometimes way too excessive weight gain and related health problems, etc.)

If I took the advice above it may have spared me many hospitalizations, having to get ECT, losing probably over one hundred thousand dollars, and perhaps losing my job. It would have also spared my poor husband extreme amounts of stress, and made it easier for us both to retire at a reasonable age with security and extras. Because my life is as it is my husband and I might need to move abroad even though both of us would like to remain in the US.

[UpDownAround]

Accept the diagnosis and take the damn medicine! Denial will only cause strife for you and those close to you. Long term denial may do irreparable harm to relationships.

You aren't ever going to be able to drink responsibly. Quit starting back when you think you have it under control. You don't.