[SophiaG]

I think I've found something that is fantastic.

For so long I thought of my problems. Such as "I have Depression. I have ADD. I am mentally ill."

Now, I am beginning to realize that focusing on how I want to be, and focusing on self-improvement makes the wall of Mental Illness become walk-throughable. lol, that's not even a word, but I don't care.

I also focus on what my disordered behaviors were and am striving to do the opposite of them.

Developing a better Hygiene routine.
Becoming more out-going.
Making myself get out more.

I'm sure I'll add to that list as I go along.

I feel so optimistic and positive. I feel like I am finally working through my problems.

Hopefully this helps someone.

You are on to something, SophiaG. Good luck.

[madisgram]

works/worked for me, sophia. you're growing healthier as we speak! i believe that is good not to let our MI define who we are or become. i'm happy for you!

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by SophiaG

I think I've found something that is fantastic.

For so long I thought of my problems. Such as "I have Depression. I have ADD. I am mentally ill."

Now, I am beginning to realize that focusing on how I want to be, and focusing on self-improvement makes the wall of Mental Illness become walk-throughable. lol, that's not even a word, but I don't care.

I also focus on what my disordered behaviors were and am striving to do the opposite of them.

Developing a better Hygiene routine.
Becoming more out-going.
Making myself get out more.

I'm sure I'll add to that list as I go along.

I feel so optimistic and positive. I feel like I am finally working through my problems.

Hopefully this helps someone.

Thanks for this thread

[sundog]

That's wonderful!! Thanks for sharing (((((Sophia))))) Good for you!!

[lonegael]

I find I did more of that earlier when I first was diagnosed. Now I find it matters mostly when i have to talk to my Pdoc or when I am having problems with a cycle or my son is preventing me from doing what I need to in order to keep on blance, like sleep. Otherwise, It is just like my aching shoulder or my vertically challenged body build; part of me that can be a pain but is part of me: like rings in a tree, it colors and brings certain things into relief, and sure, I'd like to be without it, but i can still use it. Being short has it's uses, but I'd rather be taller My shoulder is a pain in another part of the anatomy, but I have it because I've lived life; would I rather have been protected so much I'd never stood on skiis? climbed trees? Tarred a roof? Worked a building site? Climbed a mountain? I have fallen in all of those contexts.
I think it is normal to get over involved with something like a chronic mental illness in the beginning when you have to fit it into the story of who you are. The trick is not getting stuck in it. Here on this site, I can play it up because I feel free to do so. When not, it's importance fades rapidly. HUGGS all and many more.

[venusss]

It happens to some people and it is not good. Those who know me know what my attitude towards the mental health consensus is... it can defeat you. It can ruin you. You will fall of the self-pity and pursuit of normal and lose yourself in the process.

Labels do not matter. The actual problems are what matters. The solutions and you matter.

I have received treatment most of the time for over forty years. During that time I suppose I have had maybe ten different diagnoses, included two recent ones. Diagnoses are curiosities for me. Call me whatever you want as long as it helps me get better.

One thing I am certain of. What may work for one may not work for another. I refuse to be defined by the perception of others, especially here where support is the guiding star.

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((( SophiaG ))))))))))))))

[anna342]

The way I see my diagnoses are for the professionals to describe an overview of my problems in a shortened way and to get my treatment right. That is it.

I consider myself as a person with emotional difficulties, and that's about as far as it goes.

It seems to me like some people want certain diagnoses to validate their problems, I don't really understand this, as the problem doesn't change regardless of a label.

I think also some people use their diagnosis as an answer to confrontation, and I don't think that's useful for anyone. I know that due to the problems people may do something, but it doesn't make it any less their responsibility to deal the fall out from it. For example, hurting someone else cannot be dealt with by just saying 'my mental health problems make me do that'.

I've gone off on a tangent a little, sorry!

[lavieenrose]

I've always felt that the validity of some diagnoses was questionable (speaking for myself only). There's so much overlap among depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADD. There were a few possible brain traumas as well. I'll probably never know what's what in my brain. I know it has a default setting of sad/anxious/poor memory and concentration. I've wasted a lot of time feeling bad about feeling bad, and comparing myself to others' "normal" lives. I'm trying to break with my learned negative habits of thinking and reacting, regardless of diagnosis, and adopt a more problem-solving approach. It ain't easy! I'm hoping for that "plasticity" of the brain I keep hearing about.

[venusss]

Originally Posted by anna342

...

It seems to me like some people want certain diagnoses to validate their problems, I don't really understand this, as the problem doesn't change regardless of a label.

I think also some people use their diagnosis as an answer to confrontation, and I don't think that's useful for anyone. I know that due to the problems people may do something, but it doesn't make it any less their responsibility to deal the fall out from it. For example, hurting someone else cannot be dealt with by just saying 'my mental health problems make me do that'.

...

Oh, I agree. There are too many people who use it as excuse. People DO have control over their actions, like it or not. Absolute majority does. And how you wanna reduced the stigma when you are saying people with MI issues are like home made bombs than can go off in any moment?

Hello, SophiaG. I hope the optimism remains.

[SophiaG]

Originally Posted by TheByzantine

Hello, SophiaG. I hope the optimism remains.

Yes. It does.

I still have my ups and downs, but I remain focused on what I want, which is self-improvement.

[schitzoaffective]

Originally Posted by SophiaG

I think I've found something that is fantastic.

For so long I thought of my problems. Such as "I have Depression. I have ADD. I am mentally ill."

Now, I am beginning to realize that focusing on how I want to be, and focusing on self-improvement makes the wall of Mental Illness become walk-throughable. lol, that's not even a word, but I don't care.

I also focus on what my disordered behaviors were and am striving to do the opposite of them.

Developing a better Hygiene routine.
Becoming more out-going.
Making myself get out more.

I'm sure I'll add to that list as I go along.

I feel so optimistic and positive. I feel like I am finally working through my problems.

Hopefully this helps someone.

good for you I can only hope to go though the healing you are experiencing!