[seesaw]

So the question is: can where you live make you mentally ill? I really mean this about me.

So, I was very healthy when I lived in LA almost a decade ago. Mentally strong, had some PTSD but it was under control, and totally physically healthy. I moved to Montana, and my mental health and physical health started to go downhill. My lifestyle changed dramatically. Upon leaving Montana for Florida, my health deteriorated even further.

Now, while still in Florida, I am gaining ground again. My mental health is much better after a lot of work, and my physical health, I'm working on...But I'm in LA right now on a business trip, and this morning, walking to a diner for breakfast, I felt like my old self. The smell in the air, the weather, the bustle of the city, it felt like being home. I was totally comfortable. I should be super anxious right now about my client meetings, etc., but I feel totally at ease. I don't feel this way any where else.

I wonder what it is about my lifestyle in LA that was so different than the past 8 years in other places. And how those moves to Montana and Florida contributed to my poor mental and physical health?

Has anyone else experienced a phenomena like this?

Seesaw

[*Laurie*]

Definitely. I think it has to do with environmental stress, whatever each individual perceives that to be. For example, to me heavy traffic is extremely stressful. That stress wears on me until my mental state isn't so good, plus I feel exhausted.

[MickeyCheeky]

Yes, I totally think the environment can change how we feel. I believe there are some scientific studies, as well.

I've never moved to a different state, but moving out of my parents house (the house I grew up in) was the best thing I ever did for myself. My mental health has improved dramatically. I also started taking medication that helps. Both those things help.

[Aviza]

I dabble in astrology and there definitely is something to what you are saying. We belong in certain places more than others. I was born in the south and raised in the north. I long to be in the south, my daughter born in the north wouldn't do well in the south according to her astro chart. Found on Horoscope and Astrology - Homepage - Astrodienst I would like to retire to the southeast someday. But i had kids here so I'm basically stuck to be near family.

[Dog on a Tree]

I've not experienced the same thing. But I do think a place can make one's mental health worse or better.

Yes, your city/state totally impacts your mental and physical health.

You should move back to L.A. when you can. Start saving money for a trip back there, and line up a good roommate situation. There is no reason for you to stay in Florida if you are unhappy there.

I have experienced this myself, having lived in other states and countries. I know which places resonate with me and which places you couldn't pay me to move to.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by cielpur

Yes, your city/state totally impacts your mental and physical health.

You should move back to L.A. when you can. Start saving money for a trip back there, and line up a good roommate situation. There is no reason for you to stay in Florida if you are unhappy there.

I have experienced this myself, having lived in other states and countries. I know which places resonate with me and which places you couldn't pay me to move to.

Well, I have a loose plan in place, but I don't need a roommate.

[Llama_Llama44]

I find this interesting, too. I definitely agree with the others that it depends on your living situation and immediate surroundings. I have heard others say that they are just really happy in one region or another. I don't think thats true of myself. It just depends on my living situation.

I believe it can.

There's elevation level, pollution level, barometric pressure, degree of sunlight, humidity, to name a few. People, level of congestion, stress, quality of life, cost, and more.

In your case, I would think LA (as in Los Angeles) would have negative pollution effects, but there are so many factors. Or are referring to Louisiana? I do know of people who say the humidity really affects them. Where I live affects me a great deal too; but although I am aware of some reasons, it all doesn't fit--I haven't figured out exactly why.

[FallDuskTrain]

Yes, I believe that external environment is a very big factor. I lived in major cities including Istanbul, NYC and LA and I know that it is not for me.
I am miserable in big places with bunch of people on top of each other; horns, traffic, speed, expenses, competition...My anxiety was worse, I was eating purely, not exercising and needless to say, I was annoyed with breathing dirty city air.
I love where I live now. It is very quite, life is very slow and people are just laid back and chilling. Nature is amazing and healing. I didn’t have any of this while living in cities.
In fact, i have to drive into the city twice a week and I hate it. It is a lot on my nerves.

I think there is something comforting about the places we grew up in. My whole life I associated the mountains out West with beauty and peace. In elementary school and college I lived in the city but these cities were surrounded by mountains. My parents took me to their cabin in the mountains every weekend and I spent all my time connected to nature. During middleschool, we permanently moved to that cabin.

In college, when we rode our bikes West of campus, the road quickly became one with hilly terrain and scenic views. That city had an elevation of about 2,000 feet and if we drove up the mountain North of that city, we were at an elevation of 8,000 after only a 45 minute drive. If it is a hot day, you could really escape the heat by driving into the mountains.

When the military transferred me overseas to a place with no mountains--everytime I landed in the airplane, seeing the mountains made me feel like I was at home. When we got out of the military, we moved to a place out East with no mountains. For years and years, it felt weird to land in a place without mountains--it just didn't feel like home somehow. Also, the suntrises and sunsets look different out where I live now compared to where I grew up. Even recently, when I visited my father out West, when I was driving or walking at sunrise or sunset, the beauty of it made me long to live there again. So there are some things about the places we grew up in that we become hooked on.

So if LA feels like home--you should really find a way to go home.

[bunnyhabit]

i noticed my second alter took control more often when i was in usa than in taiwan. here my female default is in control most of the time

it's quite possible, I suppose.

when I lived with my parents for example, and got abused on a daily bases, my mental health really suffered- not just because of the abuse, but because I had no one to listen to me or understand me, and I felt trapped

then I lived in several more abusive situations, and it stayed the same

where I am now (where I moved after I got evicted) is a lot better, and they don't control me as they did in previous places

it's a lot to get used too, and sometimes it's quite unwelcome (because I expect and deserve abuse), but as a result, my health is improving slightly

someone here is even trying to encourage me to lodge a complaint with my former abusers. I don't know if I'm going to do it (it's a lot to think about), but like they said though it might give me closure and peace, and that's what I need

[Agent Misty]

I can say I am dealing with this right now. I recently moved to a new state and I miss everything about my old towns environment and it affects me every day. I moved to different homes in my old state without this feeling, but moving out of the state has been tough.

You would think I would like it here more. I live right by the mountains, and the weather is milder. Meaning the cold doesnt get as cold, and the heat not as hot in my home state. And much less humidity. The house I'm living in now is nicer than the house I lived in before. There are more things to do here. But.. idk. I am moving back to my home state soon. Yay

[seesaw]

Thanks for the responses. I guess it does make sense. For me it's not big city versus small city or mountains versus ocean, it has to do with the culture of the city and different facilities/amenities being available, and accessibility, and some other things. I think it also had to do with the work available in the city that I live in. If there are no jobs related to my field (while there are elsewhere), that's going to have a big effect on me too. Also, what my connection to the community is, do I have a friend-base that I can hang out with, and also, are there like-minded people for me to hang out with.

Montana wasn't as bad as Florida because I had a good group of friends. In Florida, it's just a completely different culture that I can't get behind. Maybe it's because of the city I'm in, maybe things would be different if I was back in Tampa or Miami...I don't know. But I think this trip has definitely helped guide me as to what I need to do. I knew I didn't want to stay where I was permanently, so I need to start thinking and planning and figuring out when and how I will make the change that I need. I'm not absolutely miserable; I've done a lot of self-care and made myself a nice place, but I know I could have a higher quality of life, so I need to make a plan and decide exactly where I want to move.

Thanks for all the input. I would definitely be interested in hearing more stories about how a change in scenery affected your disorder. I mean like if it specifically created more episodes or less episodes and why you think that is...

Thanks!
Seesaw

[Anonymous37919]

Well, for me, having inadequate levels of social interaction and anxiety issues saddens me. At the same time, I gave up on a lot of aspects of socializing because I kept being mistreated or misunderstood by people over and over again, to the point where I eventually felt I probably prefer being on my own when help isn't required. So for me, I'm in a lose-lose situation, because while I have my own flat and I get peace in it, life feels rather uneventful with nobody around, and also lonely, but then not having any support workers (or trustworthy support workers) to do things with, means I cannot do much on my own.

[cool09]

Where I went to college was always cloudy and grey and rainy all the time. It definitely effected my mood.

Yes.. isn't it directly related to sun and vitamin D? Vitamin D can assist with depression.

Frankly I know for a fact I do much better in the heat. I have stopped dieting in the winter because I know it is pointless. From March until October I can diet. I believe this is due to the warmth, vitamin D, AND sunlight.

I plan on moving to the south in retirement and I am hopeful it will really increase the quality of life.

[divine1966]

Of course. The weather, the layout, elevation, remoteness, access to things etc play major role in how we feel

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by Emily Fox Seaton

Yes.. isn't it directly related to sun and vitamin D? Vitamin D can assist with depression.

Frankly I know for a fact I do much better in the heat. I have stopped dieting in the winter because I know it is pointless. From March until October I can diet. I believe this is due to the warmth, vitamin D, AND sunlight.

I plan on moving to the south in retirement and I am hopeful it will really increase the quality of life.

Oh, that's interesting..I'm miserable in the heat.