[bpcyclist]

I use distraction a lot as a coping skill and movies and books are part of that. I was wondering which of these generes you find most helpful to you, if you also distract with these kinds of things. I like comedies a lot, but I have a hard time laughing on my lithium, so, usually do not even try. When my mood is a bit lifted, then, I can watch them and really enjoy it. Otherwise, I do prefer thrillers to escape.

Thanks for replying, if you care to share!!!

[Sometimes psychotic]

When I’m really sick I like anything Disney....anything else is too harsh on certain aspects of my mind....I just find myself very sensitive.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Sometimes psychotic

When I’m really sick I like anything Disney....anything else is too harsh on certain aspects of my mind....I just find myself very sensitive.

What's a good Disney one, Sometiems?

[unaluna]

Mysteries, or a REALLY good novel - something the nytimes recommends! Like the italian girl novels a few years ago by elena ferrante.

Comedy is definitely my #1. I usually watch some kind of comedy show every single day, mostly late night shows, but I also like standup, particularly Dave Chappelle. One of my greatest coping skills is humor. I try hard, daily, to entertain myself and my husband with humor. I miss my pet parrot because he was a really funny guy. My husband is also quite funny, which is something I love about him.Sometimes it's dark humor, but we employ all types.

Beyond comedy, I do like a good dramatic romance. You can't imagine how many times I have watched the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice.

[Skeezyks]

I don't know what I would do without my BBC mysteries...

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

Comedy is definitely my #1. I usually watch some kind of comedy show every single day, mostly late night shows, but I also like standup. One of my greatest coping skills is humor. I try hard, daily, to entertain myself and my husband with humor. I miss my pet parrot because he was a really funny guy. My husband is also quite funny, which is something I love about him.Sometimes it's dark humor, but we employ all types.

Does your illness or do your meds ever make it hard to laugh, BirdDancer?

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

I don't know what I would do without my BBC mysteries...

Oh, yeah, I can get some of those on my Xfinity sometimes. They are super good!

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

Does your illness or do your meds ever make it hard to laugh, BirdDancer?

Right now, I have no problem. I do think, in the past, depression has curbed my humor, especially if it's a paralyzed type depression. But even then, perhaps not all of the time. Sometimes the type of humor changes according to my mood.

Medications as a cause for reduced humor? I think that can definitely be so. Some medications (like Depakote) made me depressed, which therefore reduced my humor. I do remember being plenty jolly (and manic) at times on Lithium, but Lithium could also be like a dark cloud overhead or fog. In fact, as I gradually went off of Lithium, I felt such a cloud clear. That didn't mean depression lifted (there might not have been any), but sort of the feeling one gets on a crisp spring or fall morning, at a tent camp, when you can really BREATHE and the air is particularly clean and fills your lungs more. Like as if a tight belt is figuratively loosened around the brain and chest. Do you know what I mean?

I think there have been times when I mistook either sedation or cognitive dulling for a mild form of depression. Sure, mood elevation can help temporarily clear that, but so can medication reductions, sometimes. I can't count how many times my Seroquel XR dose has gone up and down, up and down, trying to find the perfect balance. Sometimes I find it and maintain it for a while, and do a the happy dance, but then the balance is lost again...and either up or down, or around. I do the Hokey Pokey and I turn myself around. That's what it's all about! YEAH!

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

What's a good Disney one, Sometiems?

I really liked Bolt...it’s basically about a delusional dog 🐶

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

Right now, I have no problem. I do think, in the past, depression has curbed my humor, especially if it's a paralyzed type depression. But even then, perhaps not all of the time. Sometimes the type of humor changes according to my mood.

Medications as a cause for reduced humor? I think that can definitely be so. Some medications (like Depakote) made me depressed, which therefore reduced my humor. I do remember being plenty jolly (and manic) at times on Lithium, but Lithium could also be like a dark cloud overhead or fog. In fact, as I gradually went off of Lithium, I felt such a cloud clear. That didn't mean depression lifted (there might not have been any), but sort of the feeling one gets on a crisp spring or fall morning, at a tent camp, when you can really BREATHE and the air is particularly clean and fills your lungs more. Like as if a tight belt is figuratively loosened around the brain and chest. Do you know what I mean?

I think there have been times when I mistook either sedation or cognitive dulling for a mild form of depression. Sure, mood elevation can help temporarily clear that, but so can medication reductions, sometimes. I can't count how many times my Seroquel XR dose has gone up and down, up and down, trying to find the perfect balance. Sometimes I find it and maintain it for a while, and do a the happy dance, but then the balance is lost again...and either up or down, or around. I do the Hokey Pokey and I turn myself around. That's what it's all about! YEAH!

Yeah, it is kind of a contantly shifting target, isn't it?

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Sometimes psychotic

I really liked Bolt...it’s basically about a delusional dog 🐶

Never heard of it--cool!

I’m the kind of person who doesn't do well with most types of distractions during depressive and mixed states. I basically think too much about distractions being distractions that I tell myself, "Why am I doing this? Oh, that's right... i am doing this because I am depressed as f*** and I feel like s***." (Not sure if that makes sense.)

If you want some funny stuff, I highly recommend watching Rick & Morty. Also, "Dude, where's my car?" is hilarious because it is such a stupid movie. I mean, the whole plot is stupid as hell, and the main characters are extremely stupid themselves, but it makes me laugh BECAUSE it's so stupid. In fact, I think it has a lot of negative ratings, but that's because you have these fancyass "critics" from New York Times, Rotten Tomatoes, etc. who are judging the movie by its plot and trying to find the next Grammy winner or Golden Globes winner, when the whole point of the movie is to BE stupid. Here are some reviews: Reviews: Dude, Where's My Car? - IMDb

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

I’m the kind of person who doesn't do well with most types of distractions during depressive and mixed states. I basically think too much about distractions being distractions that I tell myself, "Why am I doing this? Oh, that's right... i am doing this because I am depressed as f*** and I feel like s***." (Not sure if that makes sense.)

If you want some funny stuff, I highly recommend watching Rick & Morty. Also, "Dude, where's my car?" is hilarious because it is such a stupid movie. I mean, the whole plot is stupid as hell, and the main characters are extremely stupid themselves, but it makes me laugh BECAUSE it's so stupid. In fact, I think it has a lot of negative ratings, but that's because you have these fancyass "critics" from New York Times, Rotten Tomatoes, etc. who are judging the movie by its plot and trying to find the next Grammy winner or Golden Globes winner, when the whole point of the movie is to BE stupid. Here are some reviews: Reviews: Dude, Where's My Car? - IMDb

Thanks, blue. Never seen those. I will check those out.

[*Beth*]

Well written novels, movies, music. Drama genre, definitely not horror or even mystery. Those genres are a sure guarantee to the land of psychosis.


Comedy is okay in short doses.

[Nammu]

I've got a list of movies that I watch over and over when I'm having a hard time otherwise I'm pretty much open to everything except horror and gore. Sci fi has a special spot tho. Most of the shows on my funk list are fantasy. Definitely love Fantasy when I need distractions

[xRavenx]

Thrillers are a great escape for me. They help get me out of my head. When my mind is too racy, I have a hard time sitting through a movie, unless it's one of my favorites. I find comfort in re-watching my favorite movies. Some people don't really understand why I could watch certain movies about 100 times, but I guess that's just me. I get obsessive. I like comedies, but I noticed when I am on a higher dose of antipsychotics, my mind is so dull that I can't find it as funny. Sometimes for fun, I will watch movies that are really dumb on purpose since it makes me laugh.

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

I use distraction a lot as a coping skill and movies and books are part of that. I was wondering which of these generes you find most helpful to you, if you also distract with these kinds of things. I like comedies a lot, but I have a hard time laughing on my lithium, so, usually do not even try. When my mood is a bit lifted, then, I can watch them and really enjoy it. Otherwise, I do prefer thrillers to escape.

Thanks for replying, if you care to share!!!

comedies. I love a good laugh

[Fuzzybear]

All of the above, especially dramas and comedies.

Comedies first, followed by dramas.

Originally Posted by spikes

Comedies first, followed by dramas.

Same. I watch shows and stand up, not so much movies, although sometimes. Dramas I watch are often of the crime solving variety. I don't entirely understand what the term thrillers refer to (despite having it explained to me before (!)) LOL.

And like Raven, I can watch my favorite things over and over and over.

[swimmingly]

Mysteries fiction are my go to. Particularly Spenser Mysteries by Robert B. Parker (or his contemporaries who have continued his many series). I've read all of his series at least 8 times over.

I think I'm done with my bipolar reading for a bit and will start reading fiction again.