I fear I am losing my self.

I fear I am losing my self amongst new conditions I have acquired over the past 3 months. All the things I used to love, seem to cause triggers for me.

I am just wondering if there is anyone out here who has gotten their life back and what can help in the mean time (until I am able to get into some real therapy)?

So you know, I'm not taking medications and I would like to keep it that way if at all possible.

I'd appreciate any positive and simple (maybe even easy) help as well... just to get the ball rolling.

HFDJ, welcome to PC. Being newly diagnosed can be overwhelming. This sounds trite, but how about taking things one step at a time?

Oh I've been on that ball for a while now. lol

I just miss the person I was 2 years ago, and I want to have that mentality again. I felt human and free.

Thank you for your reply lizardlady (cute photo too btw).

If you like the person you were two years ago, write down the things you liked about 2 years ago. these will be your goals. then you will have to determine the steps you will have to take to reach those goals to bring those qualites back into your life again. make sure the steps are reasonable so that you are able to reach them so that you do not become discouraged as you work toward reaching your final goal.

take a good look at your triggers. what feelings cause them. then you can learn how to overcome them.
the dealing with emotions forum here may help you too. here's a site that discusses ways you can help yourself-

Grounding techniques may help too: http://forums.psychcentral.com/showt...t=16719&page=2

I wish I could remember who I was before all this fell on me. I used to be different (better?), but now I can't recall who I was. And without who I was, how can I tell who I am?

only an egg,
-Christopher-

I felt I lost myself a while back. I didn't get my old life back. But I got a new one. Some things are better, and some things I miss. But I do think there is hope. And in most ways I have more of a life, because in reality I had been dealing with the illness longer than I care to admit.

I hope you can find healing, and a sense of self back.

Hi HFDJ - I think others have given you some great tips to use right now. All I can offer is that I did lose myself ... for a good 15+ years. It took a diagnosis of a serious illness (which I overcame) to wake myself up again. I got down to normal weight (lost 60 pounds), and the weight loss and exercise made me feel better physically. Then an emotional event happened that turned my life upside down, and I realized I couldn't deal with it by myself. I went into therapy and am now working on becoming the person I used to be ... only better. (It's not like I was perfect before I lost myself ) So there is hope, it can be done! Good luck, and let us know how it goes if you want to share.

Welcome to PC! You are who you are. You are not your conditions or diagnosis. I am working on getting treatment myself and I found that this web site and the people here have help so much. I am so thankful for this site. Take it a moment at a time!

welcome to pc ! this is a great websight you can loose your thoughts raeding alot of these storys & it helps to know that your not the onely one who has these issues & your not alone,there are alot of people that are willing to give you sapport right here till you find a T to help you,i was never one for taking meds not even a asprin,now i have bipolor & i have to take meds i still have issues taking them after 7 yrs but i have no choice it is what it is & i do what i have to just to get to the next day,i have been extreemly depressed for a year almost to the month i left my job a year ago & now sence my depression is in remission is what i call it i might be abel to go back if i can maintain it with a positive attitude & keep on schedual ,i stopt listening to muisc a year ago it use to be a big trigger for me i havent tryed that yet but i will in due time soon that is ! i wish you the best good luck to you & we will always be hear for you ! come back & see us we ll be hear for ya !
moonbeam2!

You could try focusing on one problem, ignoring the others, and trying deal with that, so you don't get overwhelmed.

Perhaps you could find new things to love until you can handle those?

Anyroad, I wish you luck on your recovery!

i would also like to add that there is a mood chart that would be very helpfull for you at the top right corner ,you may wanna track your moods & take notes on how you feel ,its a great tool ! good luck !
moonbeam2!

(((((HFDJ))))))

Welcome to PC, when I came to PC in March of this year I was feeling much like you do now. It took me a while to find the right therapist and as I was searching I used PC alot.

You don't have much on your about me page, cant blame you if you are not sure why you feel this way. Many people have been triggered into feeling very vulnerable due to our economy here in the states even in other parts of the world. So your not alone in feeling lost in that respect

One of the things to check on first if you are a female and are approaching late thirties early forties and later is that you may be experiencing the change of life and your hormones can be at low levels. And that is a big deal for women emotionally.
Unfortunately there is often no real sign that pops up saying, um your friend is thinking about leaving you, you know that anoying one that visits when you don't have the time or patience for it? LOL

I strongly recommend making an appointment with your gyno and talk about how you have been feeling lately and there are blood tests to check on your hormone levels.
You should also make an appointment with your GP as many women, even men can have thyroid problems develope as they get older and thyroid problems can cause you to feel depressed and not yourself as well. Those are the things to check on first, that way you can rule out health issues before you see a therapist. You don't want to treat something you may not have.

You have not lost you, your still in there and there are reasons that your not feeling yourself so stay calm and take the steps to find out why you are not yourself and how to fix it. It may be something simple so don't assume the worst.

You have some good advice here to give you some places to start. And also here is a big hug from all of us here including meand just know you now have a place to come and talk as you are taking the steps to getting back on track with your life.

Open Eyes

((((((christonel))))) I don't want to forget you, I see you. Do you have a therapist you are working with? It is very important that you make sure that you make attempts to keep on track with the right medications that can help you feel better as well as a good therapist that can help you find the you that you have seemed to lost touch with. Though you might have used to be different, your still you and everyone changes a bit as he/she progresses through experiencing different stages of life.

Your still there don't you worry, make sure you get the guidance you need with a good therapist.

And here is a big hug for you too.

Open Eyes

I sometimes feel the same way; one thing that has helped me beyond any therapy or meds is reading the book: The Betrayal Bonds, by Carnes. Not sure what your issues are, but I couldn't put this book down. One exercise that was very enlightening, is to write your life story in the third person (gives you wonderful compassion for yourself!!) Also daily journaling of my thoughts, dreams, worries, and happiness level each day is helpful -- locked and out of reach of others. FYI: When I write down a negative thought, I re-frame it in a positive manner underneath (so I don' focus just on negative thoughts). Hang in there.