What are your ideas for staying psychologically healthy?

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Weedhound is right in that it's impossible to "just look on the bright side" when you're in a deep depression. That's because of a neurochemical problem, a seratonin and/or dopamine deficiency and the such. It's at that time that I hold on to the one liferaft I have: logic. I know, logically, that there is a happy perception that I cannot picture right now, but I have experienced it and I will at some point. Then I do what it takes to get my seratonin back up... today that was taking an extra dose of painkillers (which was originally intended to treat an extra large dose of physical pain), but surely enough it skyrocketed my seratonin levels (I've checked up on this, these meds inhibit seratonin reuptake and cause mass production) and I was full of energy and possitivity.

A healthy neurochemistry is essential, but I also strongly believe that we have the ability to directly affect our neurochemistry by understanding the methods to change ones perception. Our own will is never enough, but depending on your skill, it can do a lot. Who knows, maybe an incredibly skilled mind can completely control ones neurochemistry, I certainly believe attaining total enlightenment in the Buddhist sense would enable you to do as such, as it is total liberation from suffering.


Oh on a side note, eating is definately a strong impulse of mine as well. I eat and eat and eat all day long, sometimes huge quantities of protein and carbs, but usually fruits. Thankfully, I seem to be incapable of getting fat at all

Gandalf_The_Grey Reviewed by Gandalf_The_Grey on 11-18-2007. What are your ideas for staying psychologically healthy? I'm sure a lot of people here have the same problem I do; always working to keep depression (or anxiety) at bay. Lets face it, the world is in a rather unhealthy state right now, society is becoming shallow and trains us to seek indulgent gratification for satisfaction. Of course this only leads to more suffering, more misery. It rattles us out of our state of homeostasis. There are many other factors to be had of course, including simple neurochemical imbalance (though there are many causes we Rating: 5

[Weedhound]

Gandalf I agree totally....whether or not you are depressed...or want a drink or WHATEVER the deal is.....you are responsible for your actions. You can use that responsibility either to help youself or to drag yourself down. Really....what power we DO have in our life decisions is what its all about and how we choose to use it (or not)

[rebgirl420]

Stay Busy! I have bipolar disorder pretty bad and take quite a lot of meds (And i'm fine with that) so my mind races a lot and that tends to get me into trouble. However, when I keep myself busy with something (reading, writing, screwing around online, whatever) it helps a lot.

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

I totally agree with you Rebgirl, the point is to keep away from those self destructive thoughts. I've really realized lately that when those thoughts come that start to justify my mistery, I have to push them away no matter how convincing they seem. If no productivity comes of them, they need not be considered.

[Weedhound]

The trick is in knowing which part of your mind you can trust. That' ALWAYS been what scares me the most......not being able to trust my own thoughts and judgements. The realization that my MIND would turn against me and cause me to harm myself.

I'm not talking about the normal stuff here.....(hey I think I'll hit the rush hour traffic on the freeway at 100mph...i'm sure it'll be fine) but the very ability of MY OWN MIND to think with such disregard to its own health and safety. Almost like a computer or something.....a bizarre ability of the mind to act in direct opposition of self preservation without seeming to know or realize how destructive that thinking is. THAT's the most frightening thing that occurs to me about mental issues.

I knew someone with a long history of mental illness...in and out of hospitals etc....multiple suicide attempts. She told me once that she could be walking along.....perfectly fine.....and see perhaps....an oleander bush (very toxic plant) and all of a sudden....without warning the thought would come into her head....."eat that plant" or "run in front of that car" and it took EVERYTHING she had to fight those thoughts....and sometimes she couldn't......therefore...multiple hospital visits.

That's probably the best example I can offer of not being able to trust your own thoughts and judgements. Not being able to trust yourself.

It's terrifying.

[cm8883]

I also have bipolar disorder, I think good coping skills and positive thinking helps just as much as therapy/meds, for me, anyway. Though it tooks YEARS of training myself to cope and think positively. And I have definitely known true clinical depression, more than once. It was a hell on earth for me; I truly feel terribly for people who have no relief from it.

Great thread!

[beachguy in thongs]

I keep in a good mood by coming to cannabis.com. Other than that, I entertain myself, somehow.

A sound mind is a strong body, or, vice-versa, or whatever. Breathing techniques help me, in many ways. Something as simple as "in through the nose, and, out through the mouth" can be calming, and reset your diaphragm.

[psychocat]

I kind of enjoy being a bit of a sociopath.

[rebgirl420]

^ Me too. I think that my bipolar gives me an edge.

[Weedhound]

^ Me too. I think that my bipolar gives me an edge.

I've heard this from several people....the superquick thinking part. Its one of the reasons people with manic depression don't like to take meds....they feel it slows down the thought process that make them unique. That's their choice in my opinion. (did you ever see "A Beautiful Mind?") as long as they are willing to accept and deal with the consequences.

I don't get that part of the disease of depression.....only the down side. Taking medication for depression not only saved my life it GAVE me life.

Again....if you haven't been there please DONT tell others how to "cure" their disease or treat it or how if they just "pick themselves up ", "look on the bright side" or WHATEVER the cute little cliche of the day is. Those views are EXTREMELY harmful in my opinion to those who REALLY NEED good and correct information to be able to help themselves. I also stand by this same view 100% in regards to addiction as well.