You are what you eat

You are what you eat

 

You are (literally, made of) what you eat. Sure you have bones and muscle and blood, but the quality and integrity of each atomic particle that makes up your entire body consists of chemical compounds different than those of other people. Due to the following chemicals being injected into animals, a person who eats a large amount of meat, dairy and eggs is going to have higher levels of antibiotics, steroids, or growth hormones in their system. A vegan, who doesn’t eat those animal products at all, will have a lower level, although there are chemicals they need to be watchful for based on a plant diet. http://www.livescience.com/26278-risks-raw-vegan-diet.html

This is NOT a ‘Be a Vegan Pledge’, not that it's a bad way of eating at all. It's called Eat Real Food. This is a ‘Pay attention to what you put in your body’ plea.

 

They do have free-range; non-anything-injected cows and chickens, which is at least a good way to start. The down side is that the animal is still slaughtered, and the manner in which it is killed can be just as alarming. They dump a lot of emotions and stress into their circulation system as they’re dying.     We are eating pain and fear.

        And then all that meat tastes even better deep fried, with deep fried appetizers, and deep friend ice cream for dessert. An excessive amount of flour, oil and chemical laden foods should be something of concern if it’s consumed often. GMO’s and pesticides are causing a vast amount of damage to your system too! That’s a novel itself.

It’s all about the quality of life

 

        The better the quality of your food is, the better the quality of you as a whole in body, mind and spirit. Do not underestimate your body's need for water and green vegetables.

        The poorer the quality of food, the harder your body has to work to process that artificial junk, and then it’s those chemicals and smells and secretions that our body then emits.

It has to come get out somehow.

 

 

 Fruit, vegetables, seeds, nuts, beans and grains don’t need instruction manuals. Those are things called “FOOD”. The most simplest definition:  GROWS FROM GROUND

 

 

Other than having a different kind of chemical imbalance, possibly, what do you smell like when you sweat?  Is it an unusually high amount of foul odor?  Does it smell like McDonalds? Do you eat like shit? Does all your food have microwavable directions?

You know what a vegans sweat smells like? Fucking coconut water. ;)

 

Let’s talk about down south. Dark urine, orange or neon green, would generally suggest that you are dehydrated or need to lay off the Mountain Dew.
Do your farts smell like they could choke a donkey? That would be the aroma of greasy, sugary, artificially incrusted shit coated in a vast amount of junk and processed slime.

 

 

                          If YOU don’t know what it is, your body doesn’t either!  

 

        Do the ingredients on the pre-packaged foods you impulsively eat out of habit, stress, trauma, or addiction contain several words you can’t even pronounce except for FLOUR, SUGAR, OIL, ARTIFICIAL COLORS, ARTIFICAL FLAVORS, etc?

 

Back to the animal injections

Question anything the Food and Drug Administration tells you is safe.
https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/ProductSafetyInformation/ucm055435.htm

 

Why do the animals need to be injected with so many antibiotics? Is the meat constantly getting infected?! The regular intake of antibiotics causes our bodies to be immune over time in harmony with prescribed antibiotics, and later when it’s a serious illness it necessitates a higher dosage to be effective.

Then you have steroids. What the hell do animals need steroids for?! Are they trying out for the NFL or something?!

Let’s say you run a chicken farm. You got baby chickens that won’t be big enough, to sell to the butcher or start laying eggs, for another 6 to 7 months. So you give those babies RED BULL because Red Bull gives you wings, chicken wings. Yes, steroids will have that baby chicken big enough to slaughter in half the time. You just doubled your profits. And the eggs you get from these steroid chickens, well, they are sold at a higher price due to being Extra-Extra-Large.

        And ah, last but not least, the lovely Growth hormones. The kinds of growth hormones that will have you go bra and feminine pad shopping and have the period talk with your 8 year old daughter. These are the kind of hormones that can increase the growth of tumors as well. The kinds of growth hormones make other things grow faster in your body!

 

You know your body better than anyone. Listen to it.

Back up 3 years ago

My doctor had informed me during my annual blood work that my cholesterol was skyrocketing. I was pretty sure that cholesterol was directly related to the amount of oil you consumed so I didn’t understand why. I told him that on average I consumed very little oil.  After looking up my meds, it was obvious that it was a side effect from the medications I was already on and then he wanted to give me a pill to lower my cholesterol. Ummm, but it’s high because of a pill. What side effect will I have after that new pill?

http://www.webmd.com/drug-medication/news/20150508/most-prescribed-top-selling-drugs

It was time to make some radical changes.

I started researching several of my autoimmune diagnosis’ such as Fibromyalgia, Endometriosis, Degenerative Disk Disease, Muscular Connective Tissue Disorder, etc, and physical symptoms of fatigue, chronic pain, foggy memory, grogginess, anxiety, panic and mood swings and couldn’t put my finger on why they were so bad, especially when I was obviously on psychiatric medications for all the mood swings and bouts of anger and panic attacks! I had no idea how to help with the physical part, but apparently the psych meds were useless.
 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/basics/definition/CON-20019243

        Why do I still feel sick? What am I taking this med for when I’m now in different situation in life, that I was prior to, but still have severe mood swings!? I’m in a different relationship, with more peaceful surroundings, less toxic people, less stress, less life problems, more positive personal growth, well being, less physical work, more focus on my health….it has all led me to stopping my medications, and changing my diet.

 

It was time to be proactive and research for myself because something’s got to give.

 When I read an article discussing the Top 10 signs of Gluten Intolerance a light went on. I slumped back in chair staring at the screen, and what I saw was,

 “This is why you’re sick and take medication”. It was an epiphany. And the doctors agreed.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7482/10-signs-youre-gluten-intolerant.html

 

I had made a food journal. I was determined to find out the cause for sure. I also suffered from bad allergies. I was so utterly exhausted and fatigued daily that by lunch time, I was going down for a 3-5 hour nap. I was completely spent. I had already filed for disability due to chronic pain and multiple surgeries from failing health. It just kept getting worse, and decades of full time work while raising kids on top of being sick was only wearing me down faster.

I dove in head first with stopping gluten just to see if that was it. Within 48 hours I realized that too much flour made me tired, and sugar made my muscles hurt and burn. 

Boom. No questions asked. No complaints. I knew it would be hard, and I had no idea how much I was going to have to relearn to eat, but snap, just like that, I was convinced, and felt the change 10 fold.

I stopped all wheat flour, and about 90 % sugar.

My fatigue reduced by 75%. I reduced my medications all by an average of 75%. (I completely cut 3, and reduced the other 3 by half) I wasn’t horribly tired any more. I didn’t hurt as much. I had more energy. I felt better. I went GLUTEN FREE. I lost weight and felt like a brand new woman!

I also stopped getting sick. I haven’t had the flu and only 1 cold in 3 years. Not one times have I needed antibiotics. (For the record, we’ve been homeschooling the kids for almost 3 years too, so they are not around so many sick kids as much as public schools) I use natural medicine, herbs, oils, and extra medicinal green herbs. I have numerous autoimmune diseases and I don’t get sick! So many mental and physical things changed. The sugar made my injuries burn. The flour instantly made me grouchy and fatigued, and the crash of excess sugar made me angry and jittery. WTF

 I didn’t need psychiatric medications to regulate my moods!!
 I needed a changed in DIET!!

        I am shocked, still to this day 3 years later that by completely cutting gluten, cutting sugar way back, eating far less artificial foods, and way more real food made a whole world of difference.

        I can’t stop the progression of anything. It has gotten worse and I still get tired and the pain is unbearable at times. I’m still disabled. I still have injuries caused by my joints falling apart. But if I hadn’t made that change, my quality of life could be dangerously close to giving up.

 

I made a change to myself that a pill couldn’t touch.

 

If you or a loved one is suffering from ANY autoimmune disease, I highly suggest you help them research the benefits and discomforts of each food or medicine that they intake.

FEMESPLAINING TO MEN: I changed the gasoline to the highest level of octane and the performance is phenomenally better.

Leaving an abuser - Domestic Violence

Leaving An Abuser - Domestic Violence Help

If you made it this far, then you already know what types of abuse there are, and know you need to get out.

       I've been there. I've been in the bowels of darkness, covered in blood, wishing I could just die. I was there, riddled with depression, anxiety and pain. I was there in the days before cool touch screen phones with Google at your fingertips was available. I was there after the Internet was created, but not allowed to be on it. I was there when the sight of me at a borrowed home computer gave the impression that a man was going to suddenly jump out of it and start having sex with me right then and there, because obviously I was online to talk to men. Obviously I was trying to figure out how to get away. (I used computers at work, but apparently that didn't bother him since I was bringing home money).

Random Link Away From This Page --- Funny cat videos https://youtu.be/yCUXErWDGss

He was always aware of my desire to escape. The Mental abuse was more challenging. That is exactly what the psychological warfare was all about. Brainwashing.     

https://psychcentral.com/blog/brainwashing-in-abusive-relationships/

 

Never let on what you're doing. - It's important to not deviate from your routine. Any help you receive, or plans you make has to be something you do quickly while on a shopping errand, groceries, anywhere that you're allowed to be out of his (OR HER) sight.

Always act casual, or whatever his version of normal is. - Acting different, or smug, or like you got something up your sleeve is a dead giveaway. Don't be cocky and think that he doesn't know what you're doing. Don't act overly nice or accommodating either. Just be how you are, and not be anxious or dart your eyes around too much while quietly in deep thought. These are telling signs that you're up to something.

Make copies of all important documents. - Marriage license, birth certificates, social security cards, income verification, Health and Social Services documents, doctor papers, pictures of bruises or injuries, car titles, leases, utility bills, anything that can prove who you are, and where you've been, and have the necessary papers for where you want to go. There are places that will help you get some of things back, but if you can get away with making copies here and there, do it.

Make copies of keys too, garage, storage, locks, house and car.

 

 

Find A Domestic Violence Shelter Near You ---

https://www.domesticshelters.org/search#?page=1

Hide a stash of clothes for you and kids, nickel and dime your way to any extra money you ever get or can get away with. Put it somewhere you know they won't find it but don't assume that they aren't always looking for stuff you may hide. Keep it at work or with a very trusted neighbor, just anywhere that he won't have access to.

Know your way out, where to go, when to call for help, when and how to leave. Practice your escape route if you can, but at a normal pace. Don't expect that it will all happen in 2 minutes, when it will really take 10 because you're being casual about it.

Write down all phone numbers you'll ever need and put them in your hiding spot. Keep track of what you have hidden there, and keep the phone numbers, addresses, websites, emails and any pertinent information about your abuser up to date. Write down his information also, such as date of birth, social security number, detail physical description and the type of abuse too. His work information, mom, dad, cousin, everyone you know that is affiliated with him.... write it down.

 

 

Leaving is the scariest and most dangerous time.

They are anticipating it. It was at these times when I experienced the most pain and destruction and realized the true meaning of "sleeping with the enemy". I would quickly change gears and pretend like nothing was wrong if I got the whiff of him knowing. Even though I was in the midst of abuse, I was alive. BUT I WAS NOT LIVING. I was merely existing. Knowing when to leave, run or literally flee for your life is all about timing.

https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/domestic-violence/leaving-abusive-relationship

 

YOU CAN DO THIS!

 

THEY TOO LIVE IN FEAR.....FEAR THAT THEY'LL GET CAUGHT.

THAT GUILTY FEAR IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM.

THEY WILL DO IT AGAIN!  

Random Link Away From This Page --- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/

Plan your escape. The time to go is when they LEAST expect it. They expect it right after hurting you and all the way up until right after the beginning of the Honeymoon Phase when the "I'm Sorry" and Gift-Giving starts again. They'll second guess whether you're accepting of their apology before relaxing and getting comfortable with you being complacent once more. Don't act differently or let on that This Is It. This is the last time.

 

Things will be less tense during now and before it's too long... ''you'll do something, it'll be your fault, look what you made him/her do". You'll know.

 

The Cycle Of Abuse 

http://domesticviolence.org/cycle-of-violence/

     Before the cycle starts again is when their guard is down, or if you happen to have all your stuff together somewhere and you're free to run, but it's when they least expect it, do it. When they are confident they've roped you in one more time, so as long as you don't act odd or give warning or nervous and tip them off.... RUN!


     I endured it from someone the size of a doorway and could physically stop me. It's knowing why to go as well, not just when. Believing that its undeserving. You DO NOT deserve this! It can change the way you think about things and cause you to question your judgment and reality.

Their mission is to get in your head and control you.

I feared (and will still at various times due to PTSD) contact, retaliation, physical harm or danger to me or my kids, cyber bullying, stalking, psychological torture such as brainwashing, man this guy was a real winner. The kind of guy that never gets in trouble for anything either.

They can be smooth talkers and make you look crazy, gaslighting you, while telling the cops that you are the real problem and they are just the loving wonderful man that they see before them who is just trying to have a nice family time. This is what they are good at....HIDING A SECRET.

Sadly, some police officers are just not trained enough to recognize these signs.

http://ptsdtreatmenthelp.com/domestic-violence-and-ptsd/

I'm going on more than 8 years DV free while struggling through the stages of Early Survival to Successful Happiness and mentoring. I didn't even know what DV was while I was in the midst of it. I left and got a Restraining Order, although he has never stayed in one place long enough to be found and served. Maybe I should have pressed charges and sent him to jail. Maybe I'm just better off away from it all. Maybe he tried to abuse someone else, and they'll be stronger than I was and send him to prison. Maybe......

If I stay hidden and not talk about it, he wins. And yet the fear is enough to stay anonymous. It's just enough to get as far as I've gotten now, and hopefully you'll be even more successful than me.

I have made many life changes but revealing my name and location isn't one of them.

Random Link Away From This Page --- http://www.tvguide.com/

 

 

I can't promise that the depression, anxiety and pain will completely go away.

But you will be a SURVIVOR of Domestic Abuse,

not a VICTIM.

 

When there aren't enough spoons

There isn't really a short simple title that says....

I'm a Stay at home mom SAHM
I'm Disabled
We travel full time by RV (most of the year, hibernate in winter)
I home school twin boys.

I am a stay-at-home, disabled, full-time traveling, twin boy road-schooling mom. I wonder if that would fit on a business card.

I used to say "I'm an accountant". Life can throw a nasty curve ball called "I bet you thought everything was going great. Now watch this". Enter severely bad health and multiple surgeries along with a lot of DV.
(This is a good site. If you are NOT SAFE AND IN FEAR, PLEASE GO TO THIS WEBSITE AND LEAVE QUICKLY http://domesticviolence.org/)

The Spoon Theory

 https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/

The idea behind this is that you have so many spoons for the day or week. These spoons are your energy. Some days it takes all my spoons to get out of bed. Other days I hope to still have a spoon left for sex. If my husband helps with things during the day, which he does if he can, I have spoons left for that night.
Sometimes I start the day with negative spoons, which means I can't do anything and just hope that tomorrow I wake up with one.

There are 168 hours in a week 

I'm going to average this since there are many things that only happen once a week, or once a month.

Average week: 

Sleeping = 42 hours (if I'm lucky) If I slept 8 hours a night, I would have zero time left after everything else. The less hours of sleep I get, the less spoons I wake up with. The more sleep I get, the more spoons I have, but the less time I have to do anything.
This, is the chronic pain conundrum.

Teaching home school = 25 hours (not including PE, arts n crafts, science experiments, museums, field trips, etc AND cleaning it up. 

Preparing/cooking and serving 3 meals a day = 7-10 hours (sometimes we eat out, or hub helps)

Dishes/scrubbing/sweeping/mopping and general cleaning = 10 hours weekly average at least

Laundry/grocery shopping/errands = 10 hours easy 

Traveling assistant; making 20 phone calls to campgrounds, Rv parks, motels/hotels, any place to stay, car or truck rental, mapping the route, or co-pilot, assistanting in all aspects of traveling, mapping every location along the way and places we'll need once there, finding gas stations, places to eat, laundromats, checking prices, numerous online searches, research, contracts, hiring, etc (since this doesn't happen every week, I'll say the average is) 5-10 hours 

Doctor appts = 1 hour average (unless I have to drive or fly from our job site, then its several hours, if not a day or two)

Bathing/primping/manicuring = 5 hours 

Traveling is not every week, but on average, driving time is = 5-10 (average a few days a month)

Referring, playing with and entertaining fighting twins, taking care of pets = 10 hours 

Due to chronic pain, it takes at least an hour every morning to get out of bed, take my pills, drink coffee, and pray for a good day = 10 hours, at least. If not at least an hour, I'll start throwing those 'spoons'.

 

Making necessary phone calls, paying bills, helping everyone do everything else = 2 hours 

So apparently I have a few hours a day to myself where much needed rest and recouperation is greatly needed. And in that space, we try to have quality time for us. 

Mind you, I am mentally (Ptsd and anxiety) and physically disabled (endo, fibro, mctd) for life, have a permanently dislocated unusable shoulder (that needs a state of the art surgery), suffer from severe chronic pain and migraines, and can not function normally on a daily basis.
 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/home/ovc-20308548
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosis
http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/default.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/mixed_connective_tissue_disease/article.htm
 

It's still not always good enough. If I'm not on top of things daily, I appear lazy. 

When full blown fibro flares kick in, I am down for days at a time. Whatever my man can't help with, since he works, is all still waiting for me when I'm better. I don't have a team of helpers to do my job for me when I can't.

I just hope it's good enough.
 

The Coping Pill

THE COPING PILL

       The coping pill. It's most commonly known as 'Psych Meds'. Thousands of variations of scientific chemicals meant to re balance organic chemicals in your brain.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression                                                                     

 

       Most people suffering from Anxiety or panic attacks take specific anti-anxiety medications. There are a tremendous amount of stressors in a persons life which may hinder the production of those chemicals in your brain, making medication necessary. Some take Mood Stabilizers for their Bipolar.

 

The downside to this, other than the numerous side effects such as suicide and weight gain, is that Bipolar means 2 sides, Down Depression and Up Depression.
 

       That very downside behind what's being prescribed to you, is based primarily on the varying degrees for both types of depression. There is no rhyme or reason to why certain meds work for some, and why they don't work for others.
It is likened to perfume. The formula itself can not be patented, since the base of each person's chemistry is different, therefore rendering numerous outcomes from each person.

 

Down; low demeanor, sleepiness, excessive crying and sadness, low tolerance to stress and triggering memories, is generally called Clinical Depression.

Up;  elated euphoria, excitedly talkative with a lot of energy, less need for sleep, and heightened desire for risk. This is Manic Depression.

http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/what-is-bipolar-disorder

       A large amount of questioning, evaluating, mood tracking and observation will determine how much of each Depression you suffer from, how often they cycle, how long they last, and if you experience both at the same time. The plethora of medications that require the 'Trial and Error' process, (that we all went through, until the right combination fits) can make the sanest person want to pull their hair out, which by the way is called Trichotillomania. It also includes picking at the skin. It's a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OCD. A sister to Anxiety.

http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/homeless-veterans-statistics/2017/02/03/id/651049/
      
       Sadly, a large population of homeless individuals are not only in need of general well being, but their mental health goes untreated, uncared for and undeserved. Many are veterans, youth, disabled and/or suffering from a terminal illness.

http://www.air.org/center/national-center-family-homelessness


       On the other side, the amount of people on medication for mental health is flippantly on the rise.  Tests to ensure that other situations or conditions are responsible are not given. In most cases, medication is prescribed, although many times it's the coping mechanisms that are not working for that individual. Non-medical options should be taught in conjunction to prescribed pills, while continuing to access the patients environmental stressors.
Many medications are blatantly over prescribed.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db76.htm

This is not for anyone to decide on their own right now to suddenly stop taking your meds. Just talk to your doctor about the absolute necessity of each one, and if there is anything else that can help you.
 

Do NOT jump off your meds!

One of the top non psychiatric meds prescribed is for high cholesterol. That, combined with so many prescribed for Anxiety, means that there are a lot of 'Nervous Greasy People' running around. That's my new band name. :)
 

 

        Before you go to psychiatric medication for the first time, or are reevaluating them now, think about what is making you feel this way. If you are suffering from an addiction, and are using to ease the pain of depression, YOU ARE NOT GOING FORWARD.  The depression pills may absolutely help you out of a dark place so that you have the energy and will power to quit the addiction, but don't use it as a crutch to ensure that problems in your life will never arise again, requiring you to cope with them.
Analyze your environment before taking any Chemical Cocktail that alters the chemistry in your brain. 

If there is no chemical imbalance then you will do more damage than good. 

There are many causes of environmental depression:
http://www.stresstips.com/the-role-of-environmental-stress-in-your-mood/

• marriage 

• work

• children/parent 

• home environment

• neighborhood

• home repairs

• health

• accidents/hospital stays

• safety concerns

• vehicle repairs

• money

• addictions 

• friends/family

• school

Including many endless possibilities such as:
overuse of electronics
the ending of a TV series
returning from vacation

        The list goes on, but these are the main stressors in a persons life. Dealing with, or rather COPING with any of them is most certainly anxiety inducing. The proper medication would be something that helps you COPE, not repair non defunct misfirings in your brain.
Just one, let alone many of these stressors can depress you so directly, that you do not enjoy the every day little things that give you most joy.
You're not happy at all any more, and unfortunately you may not be able to decipher whether it's coming from your diagnosed depression, or from your medications not working. Both require time and patience.

 

COPING SKILLS
http://www.haveigotaproblem.com/download/191/How-To-Improve-Coping-Skills

 

Something is making you unhappy. Work on identifying what that something is, and diligently try to change it, or learn how to cope with it. There is NO magic pill. 

 

If you are miserable because your marriage is miserable, a pill won't fix it. It can make you forget it, but that won't fix it.

 

If your job is stressful, and your boss is a jerk, there is no pill that will undo that.

         However, this doesn't always mean that you need a pill to alter your brain, when your brain had nothing to do with the cause of the depression I.e. The job, the house repairs, the bad relationship with your spouse....

 

You must learn to cope with things when there is not an imbalance causing the sadness and anxiety. Taking a pill won't make it go away, you must tackle it head on.

 

        Your job will not get better. Your spouse will not get sweeter. And your not going to suddenly drop pounds, look like a model and be the latest hot thing.

No magic pill for that either. It takes work. 

 

       There are many that are in need of them due to those imbalances that cause many of the same symptoms of depression or mania. Same goes for anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and several others who suffer from mental illness. Please, take these as needed and practice on your coping skills. 

 

As far as environmental depression, a pill will only make it worse on top of side effects. 

http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-depression#1
 

Learn to cope. Learn coping skills. Practice coping skills. Try mindful techniques designed for you to process it. Work on things. Make goals. Move. Change jobs. Suffer the interim. Learn. To. Cope. 

Cut the toxic negativity out of your life and find the coping skills that work for you

FUKITOL

Anxiety ~ Help for you or your loved one

Here is a wrap up of my Anxiety posts from my page, here at https://www.facebook.com/Imcrazygetoveryourself?ref=hl

~~~~~~~~~~

Anxiety brings a multitude of symptoms from everywhere:

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to danger, an automatic alarm that goes off when you feel threatened, under pressure, or are facing a stressful situation.

Emotional symptoms of anxiety

In addition to the primary symptoms of irrational and excessive fear and worry, other common emotional symptoms of anxiety include:

◾Feelings of apprehension or dread
◾ Trouble concentrating
◾ Feeling tense and jumpy
◾ Anticipating the worst
◾ Irritability
◾ Restlessness
◾ Watching for signs of danger
◾ Feeling like your mind’s gone blank

Common physical symptoms of anxiety include:

◾Pounding heart
◾ Sweating
◾ Stomach upset or dizziness
◾ Frequent urination or diarrhea
◾ Shortness of breath
◾ Tremors and twitches
◾ Muscle tension
◾ Headaches
◾ Fatigue
◾ Insomnia

Symptoms of anxiety attacks include:

◾Surge of overwhelming panic
◾Feeling of losing control or going crazy
◾Feeling like you’re going to pass out
◾Hyperventilation
◾Hot flashes or chills
◾Feeling detached or unreal

 

~~~~~~~~

 

There are six major types of anxiety disorders, each with their own distinct symptom profile:

generalized anxiety disorder,
obsessive-compulsive disorder,
panic disorder (anxiety attacks),
phobia,
post-traumatic stress disorder,
and social anxiety disorder.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

Self-help for anxiety attacks and anxiety disorders #1:
Challenge negative thoughts

◾Write down your worries. Keep a pad and pencil on you, or type on a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. When you experience anxiety, write down your worries. Writing down is harder work than simply thinking them, so your negative thoughts are likely to disappear sooner.
◾Create an anxiety worry period. Choose one or ...two 10 minute “worry periods” each day, time you can devote to anxiety. During your worry period, focus only on negative, anxious thoughts without trying to correct them. The rest of the day, however, is to be designated free of anxiety. When anxious thoughts come into your head during the day, write them down and “postpone” them to your worry period.
◾Accept uncertainty. Unfortunately, worrying about all the things that could go wrong doesn’t make life any more predictable—it only keeps you from enjoying the good things happening in the present. Learn to accept uncertainty and not require immediate solutions to life’s problems.

Self-help for anxiety attacks and anxiety disorders #2:
Take care of yourself

◾Practice relaxation techniques. When practiced regularly, relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing can reduce anxiety symptoms and increase feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being.
◾Adopt healthy eating habits. Start the day right with breakfast, and continue with frequent small meals throughout the day. Going too long without eating leads to low blood sugar, which can make you feel more anxious.
◾Reduce alcohol and nicotine. They lead to more anxiety, not less.
◾Exercise regularly. Exercise is a natural stress buster and anxiety reliever. To achieve the maximum benefit, aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise on most days.
◾Get enough sleep. A lack of sleep can exacerbate anxious thoughts and feelings, so try to get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep a night.

 

~~~~~~~~

 

HOW TO TALK TO AND TREAT SOMEONE WHO SUFFERS FROM ANXIETY.

It's important to realize that while anxiety is not a physical condition, it's also not something that can be cured through logic or reasoning. Like a disease, anxiety is something that needs special treatment.
It's much more complex, much less controllable, and something that can force changes on you that make it harder to cure.

DO'S AN...D DON'TS

DO let this person know that they can talk to you about it openly, without any fear of judgment.
DO spend time with them as much as possible.
DO tell them to call you anytime, anywhere.
DO be forgiving.
DO exciting activities. Try to be outdoors.
DO be proud of them when they improve.
DO be yourself.

DON'T get frustrated.
DON'T bring up the anxiety often.
DON'T let anxiety affect you as well.
DON'T expect massive, immediate turnarounds.
DON'T guilt trip.
DON'T give up hope.

Be predictable and reliable. If you say that you'll be somewhere at a certain time, make sure that you are.

•Let the person you care for set the pace of their recovery. Don’t push them to do too much too soon, but encourage them to keep moving forwards.

•Try to get the person you care for to remain positive throughout the recovery process. Encourage and praise them, and don't focus on the things they can’t do.

 

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What to Do When Someone You Love Is Anxious

Knowledge - Learn as much as you can about anxiety and its symptoms, causes and treatments.

Criticism - Fair criticism directed at specific behaviors may actually work better than unconditional acceptance.

Accommodating. In fact, too much acceptance can often inadvertently lead to a poorer prognosis through accommodating behaviors and reassurance. I...t is not too late to make a change and set some limits.

Limit setting. This is a simple concept but surprisingly hard to implement because setting limits requires patience, strength and consistency. It doesn’t hurt to have a supportive, alternative statement prepared for when tough situations come up—something along the lines of “I love you, so I refuse to participate in this behavior because we know it is harmful to you in the long-run.”

Coaching. If your relationship is a good one and you feel you can manage it, work with your loved one to coach them in their battle with anxiety.

Contracting. Clearly outlining--in writing--the goals and the plan to reach them can help to organize and commit to the purpose. This would ideally include vows on both sides—what each of you will do to improve the situation.

Self-care. Perhaps the most important point, remember to take care of you.

 

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety

 

http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-anxiety-disorders

 

http://www.adaa.org/

 

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/anxiety/

 

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml

 

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm

 

 

Are you normal?

What is normal? Do you know normal people? Normal people work, have families, go grocery shopping, run errands, clean, cook, help their kids with homework and talk to other normal people right?
I do those things, but I don't feel normal.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, some of the definitions for normal are:
conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern

a : of, relating to, or characterized by average intelligence or development

b : free from mental disorder : sane.

How ironic. To be normal means to have average intelligence and not be crazy. Aren't most crazy people of higher intelligence? I am not sane, neither am I insane. Nor will I conform. So I guess that's my answer. I am not normal. I am better than normal. I'm unique. I'm eccentric. I'm extraordinary.

Antonyms

abnormal, exceptional, extraordinary, odd, out-of-the-way, strange, unusual

Definition of abnormal:

: deviating from the normal or average : unusual, 

Synonyms

 exceptional, exceeding, extraordinaire, extraordinary, phenomenal, rare, singular, uncommon, uncustomary, unique, unusual,

I will take exceptional, rare, unique and strange any day of the week.
I don't have to be normal to do normal things. I am me. I can be whatever I want. It's my life, and I only get one. You do you, and I'll do me.

I don't have to fit in. I don't have to be like you, talk like you, dress, shop, drive, walk like anyone else. That's what makes us so special. None of us are the same, even identical twins. They may have the same DNA, but that's all. They still have different thoughts, personalities, interests, and fingerprints. The fact that they came from the same egg and sperm does not make them the same.

I suddenly feel more empowered. I have always skipped to a different beat, and I think that's why some people have gravitated towards me, and some run. Fine, run away. Go to the other sheep. The ones that want to be near me want to know why I smile, and laugh, and not care about certain things. Because I don't. I don't care whether you like it or not. It's the mental illness that steps in and sometimes takes over with anxiety and self doubt. But that's not 'me', that's my disease.

Anything I do, is my normal. How I dress, talk or act is my normal. If I'm depressed and stay home all day, day after day, that's my normal. If I'm suddenly manic and want to go shopping and clean the house until 3 am, that's my normal. It doesn't mean that everything I do, when I do it is healthy, but it's my normal. It may not be your version of it, but then again, you don't walk in my shoes, and think my thoughts.

The next time someone says something to the effect of you not being or acting normal, you just tell them:

"Hell no, I'm fucking phenomenal."

Guest blog for Screw Depression

I've been blogging for almost 6 months now, and it seems so natural. I can't figure out why I didn't start this earlier. Oh yeah, my mom read my diary, and I was terrified anyone would know my inner most thoughts and feelings. Which all in of itself is ironic, since I had always planned on writing about just that.

I became disabled a few years back when, after a nervous breakdown, and complete loss of thinking capabilities led me to further destroy everything around me, that hadn't been destroyed already.

My Fibro got worse. My Endo required surgeries. I was getting garnished way to much money at work from my first ex husband (the one who has 50/50 custody of my older boys, that he won't let me see, because he is still obsessed with punishing me for leaving him.) All the stress was causing me to fail school, which I had started, again, in hopes of getting out of the rut of being a single mom and barely getting by.

After 18 months of being successful, and then failing (as I see it) I went back to him. The Abuser. The second ex-husband. I spent 10 years in a marriage where I wore the pants in the family, and he couldn't say boo unless I told him to. That's not my idea of a marriage. Some women like control. Some women don't like raising a husband.
So the next guy was the complete opposite. His evil slowly came out after I got pregnant (quickly).
It got even worse after I married him. That didn't last long, thank goodness.

There are so many painful memories from my childhood. I know for a fact that there are a lot of good ones too, but I can't remember too many of those. Those are the ones that fade away. The evil that was done, is what creeps up on me when I lay down, when I see something that reminds me of my past, when I hear something, and even when I smell something. There is that 'smack in the face' flashback that keeps ripping, little by little, the last fragment of hope and happiness that you carry around.


I'm on the road to recovery. It's a slow, painful process, but it's still a forward process. I have Bipolar 2 rapid cycling. That means I can change moods quickly, and without warning, and I am a prisoner to it. A prisoner. I'm a prisoner in my own body and am always arguing with the warden. Sometimes I get put in the hole. Sometimes I'm let out in general public, with a warning.

It's frustrating, having other moods, an almost unknown entity, make your decisions, carry out plans, and talk to people when it doesn't even feel like 'you'. The real you stays at home, cries, is miserable, depressed, bored, lonely, battling so much in your head. The other 'you' is the one that goes out in public, talks to people, goes grocery shopping, runs errands, pays bills, goes to meetings at the kid's school, talks to acquaintances, and acts 'normal'. When shit hits the fan, the real you comes out and no one recognizes. Now you seem different and fake. If they only knew you were out of your comfort zone and a stronger version of you stepped in until you can go back home and fall apart. It's so much work.

Anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, mania, chronic pain, surgeries, relationships, bills,..it all seems to come crashing down on me at once. I have to fight to dig thru each one, one at a time before more comes down. PTSD, the wonderful life of having flashbacks, not just memories, but full on visual and mental experiences, like you're right there. Someone may raise their hand to give you a high five, and you're ducking because you think you're going to get hit. People don't like that, now you're weird, and omg how could you think I was going to hit you? calm down jeez. If I had control of my memories, I would have done wiped out the bad ones long ago.

No, I don't like the bad thoughts, and I try to re-group and focus on the now as soon as I can. I don't go around telling people everything that's wrong with me, but I am opening up a lot more now. People are interested, they ask questions, they're curious. Hmm, you don't seem super crazy, maybe you're a cool person after all. Educate. De-stigma.

Have you ever had an open conversation with someone who came right out and said, 'I am bipolar. I am OCD, I'm on anti-psychotic medication and there is nothing I can do about it for the rest of my life'? Probably not. But that cool chick you were talking to at the park, the lady in front of you at the register, the kid's mom next to you at the school parking lot, the guy playing ball with his kids, the teenager who dresses wierd, the neighbor you sometimes wave to? I bet they have some mental issues, and you'd never know.

So the next time you see someone who seems a little strange, give them a smile, say hi, you might just brighten up their whole week, because you noticed them. You acknowledged their presense.

I'm a stocker

or am I really just an organized hoarder?

Hoarding or Stocking

          Hoarders are people who have a need to hang on to things because those things provide comfort. It is a form of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) which is associated with bad memories, trust, emotional pain, grief, abandonment or loss, etc. Each of these can trigger hoarding, and before you realize what's happening, you've bought so much stuff that you now have a plethora of piñatas.

         Stuff doesn't leave you. Stuff doesn't make you cry. Stuff doesn't yell at you. Stuff doesn't call you names. Stuff doesn't die. Stuff makes you happy. Stuff fills the void. Stuff is fun. Stuff is a security blanket. Stuff is the wall that pain can't get through.

 

'Stuff' is the wall that traps the pain in.       

       Many hoarders do have a common trait in the desire for donating. They collect, with the intention of giving and helping others, but will still experience anxiety having to part with it. The money spent, on top of the room it takes up, may not be worth storing it at all and could eventually become a headache. Money can be spent on better types of supplies and prepping that doesn't involve saving trash or leaving valuables to rot from weather and exposure. Spend wisely! 

   

Become homeless and watch how fast you're not a hoarder any more.

 

 

Preppers and Homesteaders used to be called 'everybody' not too long ago.

https://homesteading.com/homestead-definition/
http://preppers.org/


You should go through everything you own at least once a year. Do I need it? Is it worth the price and space it requires? Is it valuable?
Have I used it in the last 6 months? Well, if I knew where it was I would have! Ha!

Stocking Up, aka Prepping

        I'm a 'stocker', or Prepper, which is a person who stocks up on supplies such as food, basic first aid, medicine, water and ways to purify water, personal hygiene, survival items and common essentials needed in case of emergency, or the next election. ;)
The type that real Preppers would say is an inspiring noob to mid level but definitely knowledgable and headed in the right direction.
I also need to step up the amount of food storage and learn much more survival information, including every type of edible plant indigenous to my home.

To a non-prepper, we all look paranoid. But that doesn't mean that something bad won't happen. It just means that we'll be more ready and prepared for an emergency.

         Let me ask you the following... Do you have copies of your home's deed or lease, car titles, birth certificates, shot records, marriage license, photos, emergency cash and any and all important paperwork and valuables in a waterproof, fireproof safe? How about a portable one in case you need to leave home? Do you keep emergency bags in each vehicle, and a very detailed one at home by the ready, with everything in it needed to survive in case all you had in life was that damn backpack?!



If you're a single mom, check out this site http://thesurvivalmom.com/

25 Must have foods to stock up on. And if you only have these 2, you're on a good start > BEANS AND RICE
http://www.offthegridnews.com/extreme-survival/25-must-have-foods-for-an-emergency-stockpile/

What's a Bug Out Bag, and what should I put in it?

https://bugoutbagacademy.com/free-bug-out-bag-list/

 

 

 



Don't forget to include all members of your family in this. Everyone in the household should know where the supplies are, what to do and where to go in case of emergency, where to meet up in case you are separated, who is responsible for what, and how much skills and supplies each person possesses. Make a plan!

 

http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/be-red-cross-ready/make-a-plan

Get your kids involved and teach them, on top of learning as a family.
http://www.survivopedia.com/teaching-children-survival/

Disclaimer: I am not responsible if you go online shopping and spend too much money and become addicted to Prepping.