Hi 27/2017,
Thanks for all the comments. I’m ok to support a robust dialogue as part of moving the conversation forward but a lot of what you’ve said could be taken as offensive in context of what I’ve been willing to share so I haven’t responded.
In particular, not understanding MIA’s mission statement before making these sort of comments is problematic. Specifically the part of the mission about education in context of
“de-emphasizes the use of psychiatric medications, particularly over the long-term.” which is central to this story.
Not to mention working with psychiatrists who support MIA’s mission as being the key to reshaping mental health care – something also highlighted in this story.
I sense a lot of frustration in your comments which I 100% empathize with but I ask you don’t direct that frustration at me or others who have shared in the comments.
Otherwise I’ll ask the MIA moderator to review the discussion which could be counterproductive if certain comments need to be removed since open dialogue is key.
Thanks for sharing! 5 meds is impressive to come out of especially 20 years ago.
Just one was almost enough to beat me even with access to more progressive support and thinking.
High fever as a child is not something I’ve associated with psychosis but it’s an interesting question especially in context of the trauma lens.
I guess my follow up question would be if you’ve ever done any therapeutic work around the possible trauma of that experience as a child?
Something i didn’t go into above was the possible broader role of childhood trauma (no matter how big or small) in context of “bi-polar” tendencies.
Bottom line, I think we should all be re-parenting through therapy, even if we’ve never had a mental health issue in our lives.
Great question. I don’t have all the background on training etc but I explain the exercises as guided meditations that first ground you, get you in touch with your body, and then allow you hunt for where emotions/trauma may be trapped so that those feelings can be processed during the exercise.
Yes! And can we please starting talking, in partnership with patients and care givers, about meds in context of how we understand they actually work; not what we THINK they SHOULD do.
“Anti-psychotics” being my favorite.
Explaining to patients that they are being given a strong sedative or dopamine “regulator”, and why, would completely change how patients and their loved ones navigate this scary world of care.
Thank you so much for sharing and for the positive feedback.
I’ve found paranoia, especially the type you’ve described, very linked to self acceptance and my inner child creating narratives (exactly as scary as the ones you mentioned) to explain love or acceptance that I’m not ready to understand.
An exercise I was taught was to try and think in a long time horizon about those loved ones you are scared of and if they’ve ever done anything bad to you. This should reengage your adult brain/self and break the narrative.
You can also teach your loved ones how to speak to you when in crisis and ensure they are caring but firm and use logic to engage your adult self; pet names or anything you might say to a child are off limits.
And yes, once I crawl out of the paranoia using this exercise, it’s time to get some high quality sleep.
Thank you for the comment.
There has not been a single person I’ve shared my story with who has not been impacted by mental health and yet it’s never a topic of conversation that comes up naturally.
Community and openness is the key to understanding and healing; especially for the amazing people caring for loved ones.
Thank you so much so sharing. Hearing other people’s stories and knowing our stories can help each other is one of the keys to moving mental health forward.
Thank you for sharing. Murky is a great word to describe what you are feeling. I remember the same feeling so well, including that sense of complete hopelessness.
In my experience the more you talk and share about how you’re feelings the easier the journey becomes – even if that means calling a crisis line or similar.
There were days when I would just call anyone that would listen which on reflection probably helped me keep “me” front an center during the toughest times.
Hi 27/2017,
Thanks for all the comments. I’m ok to support a robust dialogue as part of moving the conversation forward but a lot of what you’ve said could be taken as offensive in context of what I’ve been willing to share so I haven’t responded.
In particular, not understanding MIA’s mission statement before making these sort of comments is problematic. Specifically the part of the mission about education in context of
“de-emphasizes the use of psychiatric medications, particularly over the long-term.” which is central to this story.
Not to mention working with psychiatrists who support MIA’s mission as being the key to reshaping mental health care – something also highlighted in this story.
I sense a lot of frustration in your comments which I 100% empathize with but I ask you don’t direct that frustration at me or others who have shared in the comments.
Otherwise I’ll ask the MIA moderator to review the discussion which could be counterproductive if certain comments need to be removed since open dialogue is key.
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Thanks, M!
While publishing this story has been powerfully cathartic, that came with an emotional heavy lift.
Your kind of comment makes it all worthwhile.
Hope you find some relief and direction.
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Thanks for sharing! 5 meds is impressive to come out of especially 20 years ago.
Just one was almost enough to beat me even with access to more progressive support and thinking.
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Here is my therapists website since lots of people have asked for it; http://www.cariewinchell.com/
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Thank you for sharing.
I hope you’ve found an alternative either through therapy or otherwise and are doing ok.
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Thanks for sharing and the positive feedback.
High fever as a child is not something I’ve associated with psychosis but it’s an interesting question especially in context of the trauma lens.
I guess my follow up question would be if you’ve ever done any therapeutic work around the possible trauma of that experience as a child?
Something i didn’t go into above was the possible broader role of childhood trauma (no matter how big or small) in context of “bi-polar” tendencies.
Bottom line, I think we should all be re-parenting through therapy, even if we’ve never had a mental health issue in our lives.
Report comment
Great question. I don’t have all the background on training etc but I explain the exercises as guided meditations that first ground you, get you in touch with your body, and then allow you hunt for where emotions/trauma may be trapped so that those feelings can be processed during the exercise.
Report comment
Yes! And can we please starting talking, in partnership with patients and care givers, about meds in context of how we understand they actually work; not what we THINK they SHOULD do.
“Anti-psychotics” being my favorite.
Explaining to patients that they are being given a strong sedative or dopamine “regulator”, and why, would completely change how patients and their loved ones navigate this scary world of care.
Report comment
Thank you so much for sharing and for the positive feedback.
I’ve found paranoia, especially the type you’ve described, very linked to self acceptance and my inner child creating narratives (exactly as scary as the ones you mentioned) to explain love or acceptance that I’m not ready to understand.
An exercise I was taught was to try and think in a long time horizon about those loved ones you are scared of and if they’ve ever done anything bad to you. This should reengage your adult brain/self and break the narrative.
You can also teach your loved ones how to speak to you when in crisis and ensure they are caring but firm and use logic to engage your adult self; pet names or anything you might say to a child are off limits.
And yes, once I crawl out of the paranoia using this exercise, it’s time to get some high quality sleep.
Report comment
I’m now 100% med free (with an emergency supply of olanzapine if we see early warning signs of mania or psychosis).
Outside of two manic episodes in my life I’ve always been super stable. Not a luxury I know most people diagnosed with “bi-polar” have.
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Thank you for the comment.
There has not been a single person I’ve shared my story with who has not been impacted by mental health and yet it’s never a topic of conversation that comes up naturally.
Community and openness is the key to understanding and healing; especially for the amazing people caring for loved ones.
Report comment
Thank you so much for sharing. So glad to hear you’re in a good place.
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Thank you so much so sharing. Hearing other people’s stories and knowing our stories can help each other is one of the keys to moving mental health forward.
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Let me check with them if ok to share on here and get back to you
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Thank you for sharing.
Finding the right kind of therapy was key for me so I’m glad you’re exploring that avenue.
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Thank you for sharing. Murky is a great word to describe what you are feeling. I remember the same feeling so well, including that sense of complete hopelessness.
In my experience the more you talk and share about how you’re feelings the easier the journey becomes – even if that means calling a crisis line or similar.
There were days when I would just call anyone that would listen which on reflection probably helped me keep “me” front an center during the toughest times.
Never give up hope
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