One year, one month - surviving mental health problems
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 245
One year, one month - surviving mental health problems
Hey everyone,
Long due post. I am quite proud of having accomplished the one year mark.
However, in terms of my mental health I am in a place I never thought I would be. I never thought that the medications that were supposed to be the solution to my OCD will put my life into such a rollercoaster.
Although, it's not all about the meds. I have been numbing my feelings and not facing my fears with alcohol and benzodiazepines for such a long time. Needless to say, I am just starting to get the tools to face something like this pandemic (I have OCD, which does not help a lot).
I guess I wanted to vent a little bit without going into details. I have been on and off psychiatric units for months. Have more Emergency Room visits in 6 months than in my 31 years of life. But I'm hanging in there. One day at a time. Maybe one day it will get better.
Hope
Long due post. I am quite proud of having accomplished the one year mark.
However, in terms of my mental health I am in a place I never thought I would be. I never thought that the medications that were supposed to be the solution to my OCD will put my life into such a rollercoaster.
Although, it's not all about the meds. I have been numbing my feelings and not facing my fears with alcohol and benzodiazepines for such a long time. Needless to say, I am just starting to get the tools to face something like this pandemic (I have OCD, which does not help a lot).
I guess I wanted to vent a little bit without going into details. I have been on and off psychiatric units for months. Have more Emergency Room visits in 6 months than in my 31 years of life. But I'm hanging in there. One day at a time. Maybe one day it will get better.
Hope
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Sonoran Desert & Southeast Asia
Posts: 6,561
Hi Hope1989. Glad you posted and congrats on one year - that's a fantastic accomplishment! And it will get better.
I'm sorry you're struggling in this time, many of us are. I have OCD and generalized anxiety but do not take meds as I didn't like them and I can get by without them, most of the time. However, as you say, it can be really rough for us right now, with this virus. My heart goes out to you in your struggles.
hang in there and keep posting!
<edit> I would add that aerobic exercise really helps me with my anxiety, when it is starting to spiral out of control.
I'm sorry you're struggling in this time, many of us are. I have OCD and generalized anxiety but do not take meds as I didn't like them and I can get by without them, most of the time. However, as you say, it can be really rough for us right now, with this virus. My heart goes out to you in your struggles.
hang in there and keep posting!
<edit> I would add that aerobic exercise really helps me with my anxiety, when it is starting to spiral out of control.
EndGame
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 4,677
You're very courageous, Hope. I'm happy that you're proud about staying sober for a year.
I know that OCD can be and is very painful. It's good that you reached out for help. We're not built to work through these kinds of things on our own.
I know that OCD can be and is very painful. It's good that you reached out for help. We're not built to work through these kinds of things on our own.
Forum Leader
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
Congrats on a year sober Hope, that is quite an accomplishment. I had unaddressed mental health issues that carried well into year 2 of my sobriety before I sought the needed help, so I do understand the frustration. I did indeed seek help and it allowed things to get much better, I wish you the same.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,100
Way to go on one year, hope. Keep doing what you’re doing. At least with sobriety you get work on the underlying issues without that alcoholic demonic dark cloud hanging over your head. That is something to be grateful for, hey?
I fully believe that anyone who continues to push forward will arrive at their destination.
Sending calming vibes your way
I fully believe that anyone who continues to push forward will arrive at their destination.
Sending calming vibes your way
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NSW - Australia
Posts: 14,579
Congratulations, Hope. The 1 year milestone is an important one. I felt proud too. Fourteen months in a couple days.
I hope you resolve the problem with your medication. It can fraught, I know.
So very happy for you Hope. Becoming sober is the best thing we could have done for ourselves irrespective of anything.
I hope you resolve the problem with your medication. It can fraught, I know.
So very happy for you Hope. Becoming sober is the best thing we could have done for ourselves irrespective of anything.
Blue Belt
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Soberville, USA
Posts: 4,174
Prayers amigo.
Your situation is different than mine but we both have a year sober and that is a huge accomplishment.
Nobody knows what a person is really feeling.
No advice here. Just love.
Know that we here all care and trying to communicate that and trying to help you in any way we can, helps us.
Good begets good. Success begets success. Love begets love. etc.
Thanks.
Your situation is different than mine but we both have a year sober and that is a huge accomplishment.
Nobody knows what a person is really feeling.
No advice here. Just love.
Know that we here all care and trying to communicate that and trying to help you in any way we can, helps us.
Good begets good. Success begets success. Love begets love. etc.
Thanks.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 175
Hey there thank you for the post and congrats on one year. Mental issues are tough and especially dealing with them without a numbing agent. I exacerbated my issues for a long time while drinking and drugging, learning the coping tools is tough! Trust the process, no matter what sobriety is going to bring a much more nourishing life!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
well done! I remember my one year mark.... that was just about the time I began going to therapy in earnest and really trying to dig into my SOBER mental health....
it was almost two years later I decided with a doctor that a low-dose antidpressant would be worth a shot and that helped a lot - in concert with therapy and AA and journaling and exercise.
Now, 7+ years on.... I am returning to therapy, I am still on the low-dose antidepressant, I am walking away from having self-medicated for over a year with marijuana and I'm picking up recovery tools actively again.
My point in all this? I guess my point is to keep doing the work, keep being gentle with yourself, have faith and know that you're not alone. Mental health is a challenge for almost everyone in this modern world, it seems. One day at a time, progress, not perfection..... keep actively working at it. Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your sober time!!!
it was almost two years later I decided with a doctor that a low-dose antidpressant would be worth a shot and that helped a lot - in concert with therapy and AA and journaling and exercise.
Now, 7+ years on.... I am returning to therapy, I am still on the low-dose antidepressant, I am walking away from having self-medicated for over a year with marijuana and I'm picking up recovery tools actively again.
My point in all this? I guess my point is to keep doing the work, keep being gentle with yourself, have faith and know that you're not alone. Mental health is a challenge for almost everyone in this modern world, it seems. One day at a time, progress, not perfection..... keep actively working at it. Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your sober time!!!
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