#mental health community

[selfcarereminder]

hey if ur reading this and ur in a bad spot mentally or anything i hope u feel better soon and have a good day

[creelarke]

Feminism is never and has never been about hating men by the way.

Don’t call yourself a feminist if you dismiss victims of SA or abuse just because they’re men whose abusers are women.

[psychotic-tbh]

Does anyone with an anxiety disorder or paranoid symptoms happen to be impacted by the way the internet promotes taking pictures/videos of people without permission?

Like, does this make anyone more nervous in public places in a way that wouldn’t happen without this aspect of online spaces?

[neuroticboyfriend]

some disabled & neurodivergent side of tumblr safety & etiquette:

dont: dump negativity on positivity posts. if you dont relate to a post, it's either not aimed at you, or you're not ready for its message (and thats ok!)

do: make your own posts expressing how you feel; your feelings still matter and your blog is just the place to express them.

dont: speak over people with different experiences than yours, or speak on things you don't know about.

do: have an open mind and educate yourself on things you don't know much about - uplift the voices of people with direct experience.

dont: send unprompted vent or advice asks to blogs that dont have that as a stated purpose.

do: check out a blog to see if they take vent/advice asks; if you dont see anything, ask if you can vent/seek advice first - or add a disclaimer at the start of your asks, with TW.

dont: engage with triggering content. dont post your triggers publicly either, my lord.

do: engage with content that helps you express, process, and cope with your health. take breaks when you need them, too.

dont: treat bloggers like celebrities or like they owe you a response.

do: treat bloggers like regular people; respect boundaries.

dont: demonize ANY condition. including paraphilic disorders, sexual/moral OCD, personality disorders, addiction, or factitious disorders

remember: we're all dealing with our own stuff, and we're all in this together. if anyone acts as if this isnt true, they're probably not in a good place themself.

(feel free to add on!)

[borderlinedolly]

Things I Rarely See Talked About

Level 2/Medium Support Need Autistics

Level 3/High Support Need Autistics

Deaf and/or Blind Autistics

BIPOC Autistics

Nonverbal Autistics

Semiverbal Autistics

The Downsides of Getting a Diagnosis

Older People (30+) With Disorders Like DID, ASPD, BPD, Autism, Etc

[barbthebuilder]

Dear mutuals, followers, and random strangers: I have something to ask from you

18th to 25th February 2024 there will be a global strike for Palestine.

I understand things have been extremly depressing and you feel hopeless and so do I. But we cannot stop. I will not be silent and neither should you. Please, fight. Fight for our fellow human beings in need.

How do you support the stirke?

1. No purchasing of any kind. Online, irl, local shops, supermarkets - nothing. Make sure to gather necessities before the strike like food or higene products.

2. Don't go to work/school.

3. Speak up about Palestine and for the following week talk ONLY about it. Use your voice to support palestine people, artists, journalists etc. Don't engage in any other content and use social media only to talk about Palestine.

4. Educate yourself on palestine culture, make food and art related to palestine and post it online. Don't let Palestine die.

5. Donate. This is incredibly important.

6. Call/send letters/email your representatives about the Palestine.

7. Educate others. Organise meeting in your local library or school to talk about palestine culture.

8. Put up flyers that will inform others about situation in Palestine and encourage others to fight.

9. Go to a protest (make sure to read throughly how to do it proprly)

10. Stay safe. Don't do anything that will put you in a dangerous situation. You are important too. Take care of yourself.

11. Reblog this post. The more people know, the more can help.

There are probably more I am missing. You can do something. Please consider joining us.

[msbutterfly5294]

< Ms. Butterfly’s Creative Process - Released >

Today is Creative Flight Day ! :D

What is Creative Flight Day ( aka CFD or CF ) ? Creative Flight Day is scheduled days of the month that I dedicate to my creative endeavors . I have a self meeting on the first Thursday of every month to create and look over my accomplishments or needing - improvements in my creative things ; and every two weeks ( on Mondays ) I have a day where I work all of the day ( or majority of the day ) on said creative things . Every month the tasks + goals change ; but I can re-work on them where I see fit . Creating the name : Creative Flight Day .

My leisure months where I can relax and not do creative things ( but is encouraged ) are June ( my birth month ) and December .

What are the guidelines of Creative Flight [ Days ] ?

Firstly , there are things called Objectives ( or CFO ) that I work on during the month .

Objective A ( aka A or AO ) is for written things , like stories , character bios / info / timelines , scenes in the stories , plot and general story timelines etc etc .

Objective B ( aka B or BO ) is for art things , like learning to draw a different art style , clothing and accessories , character designs , etc etc .

Objective X ( aka X or XO ) is for both written and art purposes but accepts anything related to creativity , examples are learning how to *insert strong emotion or mental illness* accepts people , learning how to write more confidently and not passively , how to fill your sketchbook , where to look in stories where ( x , y , z ) happened , etc etc .

Under those main objectives , are sub-topics to work on . I have ADHD ( inattentive type ) so having multiple mini tasks to work on during the CFD’s and the month as a whole helps push my creative endeavors along . They go through all objectives in order from ( one ) to ( six ) . I use this to help me focus , however I also have a co - creator on my creative journey and I include him on my objectives therefore there are two mini objectives .

I’m a weirdo so I like labeling my personal stuff like it’s code sometimes , so when I work on a CFO I write it like this : XO-06 , AO-01 , BO-04 , etc. . . It can be written as simply as : X-05 / X-5 .

Objective ( X )’s main category can be titled but I leave it unwritten .

And. . Yeah , every month I go with this process and I’ve noticed it has helped me creatively and spiritually even 😊💜

TLDR / In Conclusion :

The Creative Flight Template Here :

This is what I call Creative Flight ( CF ) or Creative Flight Days ( CFD ) . It is a personal creative process where I work on three main Objectives ( aka CFO ) which includes two sub - objectives under each main category ( nine objectives in total ) during the month . It is a way for me to keep track of efforts , or lack thereof , in my creative endeavors and set goals for it .

On the first Thursday of the month , I have a meeting with myself ( occasionally my co - creator ) to look over everything I have done during the month . I have a check list of questions for myself and a list as a whole that keeps track of each objective . I can choose to re-work on objectives in later months if I see fit . During this meeting , I create new objectives to work on for the new month .

Every two weeks during that month , I work on the new objectives . This is the guideline I use :

Objective ( A ) , also known as A or AO , is for written things .

Objective ( B ) , also known as B or BO , is for art things .

Objective ( X ) , also known as X or XO , is for both written and art purposes but encourages growth in general creative processes . ( I leave this main category untitled but if you want to try this process and you title it , go for it :3 )

The sub - objectives are more specific tasks to focus on and create more diversity in what is being achieved during CF . Instead of focusing on one task for a whole month , create small efforts in many things . Because I have a co - creator , I include him + his insights on my objective list thus the two sub - categories .

Anywaysss , happy writing yall ! And have an excellent Creative Flight Day today ! 🦋💜🦋

[poetic-echoes]

One small crack does not mean that you are broken. It means that you were put to the test and you didn't fall apart.

Linda Poindexter

[starsaroundmyscarsblog]

So quick little update.

Just had my first session for OCD. Well, it wasn't a session more of an introduction to what therapy is like and assessment. I feel like I can finally breathe now, and it almost feels like I'm starting to see it a bit more like a condition I have than everything being my fault. I struggle really hard sometimes with knowing what's real and what isn't, so this has added a little to my perception level. If anyone else has ocd and just wants a safe space to talk/connect. My dms are always open. If anyone has any tips to dealing with intrusive thoughts, please comment or share with people who do. Repost this if you like.

Maybe I'll write a diary about my progress and therapy sessions.

P.S. please share as u see fit. ☺️

[sleeplessv0id]

I just waited two. fucking. hours. getting a single one of my prescriptions refilled (Mood stabilizer). After having placed the request days in advance. I genuinely fucking hate this pharmacy.

They didn't even put my number on the screen when it was done!

[selfcarereminder]

hey if ur reading this and ur in a bad spot mentally or anything i hope u feel better soon and have a good day

[forbidden-salt]

Breaking the Silence; My Mental Health Story for Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day

By ForbiddenSalt

9/10/2024

Trigger Warning: This blog post discusses suicidal ideation, depression, and mental health struggles. If you are in a vulnerable state, please read with caution, and know that support is available through resources like 988, friends, and loved ones.

Resources and helpful tools for self and loved ones provided below the fold.

My Story:

Suicide Awareness Day holds a deeply personal meaning for me. For years, I struggled silently with suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety, unsure of how to ask for help or whether I deserved it. Sharing my story now is not just about raising awareness, but about offering hope to anyone who feels the same weight I once carried.

At the age of 13, I began to experience something many people are hesitant to talk about—suicidal ideation. But it wasn’t until I was in college that I truly realized how dangerous those thoughts had become.

I remember one day when I was walking across campus from class to my dorm, lost in thought, and accidentally stepped off the curb without looking. A car was coming toward me. Instinctively, I jumped back, avoiding an accident. But what happened next startled me more than the near-miss. As I stood on the sidewalk, tears welled up, not because I was relieved, not because I was scared—I was upset that my instincts had saved me. I realized I wasn’t crying because I had narrowly avoided getting hit by a car; I was crying because, in that moment, I wanted to be hit. It would have been an "accident"—a way out without me having to act intentionally.

It dawned on me that this was something much more serious than I had admitted to myself.

This wasn’t the first time I had experienced suicidal thoughts, but it was one of the most shocking moments. I knew I needed help. I sought out a counselor at the campus health center and, for a time, tried therapy. When I went home for a break, I spoke to my doctor, and she prescribed me an SSRI. I confided in my family and was met with mixed reactions—some were supportive, while others expressed concerns about the medication, urging me to stop taking it as quickly as possible. This set up an internal battle for me; I began starting and stopping my medication over the next few months, caught between fear and shame; and eventually quit all together.

Suicidal ideation lingered in the back of my mind for years. I wished for a pause button, a way to make the world stop so I could catch my breath and somehow not fall behind. I dreamed of getting hurt or sick enough to be hospitalized, just so I could take a break from life’s demands. But I never let myself act on those thoughts.

It wasn’t until my mid-20s that things got so bad I returned to therapy. This time, it was different. My new therapist helped me understand that I wasn’t “crazy”—I was carrying the weight of childhood trauma and years of struggling to survive. She diagnosed me with complex PTSD, and for the first time, I felt understood. Her support gave me the strength to make significant changes in my life, including moving to a new state.

There, I found another therapist who continued to guide me through the ups and downs. I started back on an SSRI and have stayed on it ever since. Through this process, I realized that what I had been dealing with wasn’t just emotional—it was also biological. My body wasn’t producing enough serotonin, and my chronic illnesses, were compounding these mental health struggles by denying my body the tools to make its own serotonin and through the weight of the symptoms. Especially for a while before there was any answer or treatment plan in sight.

I went through EMDR therapy, talk therapy, and put in the hard work to heal. I focused on my physical and mental health, fighting for answers and for my life. Slowly, I began to reclaim control. I started to recognize the warning signs of passive suicidal ideation and created an action plan for when those thoughts creep in. I don’t go to therapy as often now, but I still have touch-base appointments in case something changes.

Through this journey, I’ve learned so much about myself and the nature of mental illness. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD were not signs that I was lazy or difficult, though I was often labeled as such. They were symptoms of a much deeper issue. I wish people could see that depression isn’t a mindset or mood and suicidal thoughts are not selfish—they are the final, fatal symptom of a disease.

It took a long time for me to accept that what I went through wasn’t my fault. I wasn’t to blame for the trauma I endured or the way my brain and body responded to it. And if you’re reading this and find yourself in a dark place, I want you to know you are not alone. I know what it’s like to stand in the darkness for so long that it starts to feel like home. But I also know that it is possible to fight back, to heal, and to find hope again.

If you can’t fight for yourself right now, I encourage you to reach out to someone—anyone—who can sit with you in your pain. Let them help you find a therapist, a doctor, or simply help with daily tasks. It might not be the person you expect. For me, one if my company leaders had noticed my depression and helped me find a therapist. I had a best friend who sat with me over the phone while I sobbed broken hearted, encouraging me to seek help if I needed it. That going to the hospital if I needed it wasn’t shameful or weak but brave and admirable. It was my grandmother, who spoke to me daily, reminding me of my faith and offering love when I couldn’t love myself and felt those I loved most didn’t love me.

Faith also played a huge role in my healing. I’ve had my share of questions and anger, but my belief that God could handle my questions and my rage helped me through some of the darkest times. I questioned why my life was going the way it was, why I was feeling the way I did, if He knows everything before it happens, if he’s all powerful why didn’t he step in to change the course of my life away from this. My questions turned to anger and I had to keep reminding myself that God had shoulders big enough for my anger, my tears, my pain. That I could toss all of it at him and he’d still see me still, love me. I never doubted his existence, and honestly to this day I still don’t have all the answers but I’m sure one day I’ll understand and I’ve realized I was still loved even when I couldn’t see it.

My family eventually came around too. Even my dad, who I had thought didn’t believe me, recently admitted how scared he had been for me after he had kept his fears hidden for years since it had gotten bad. We were able to talk and he listened, shared his point of view, and made the effort to understand. He allowed me to assure him I was safe now, I was doing better, and it’s changed our relationship for the better. While I had found my way to stability without knowing if my family believed or supported me, learning my family did care enough to worry, cared enough to learn, and loved me enough to listen even if what I said was hard to hear meant the world to me.

If you’re struggling, know that there is help out there. Call 988 for support, reach out to friends, hug your dog or cat, cling to your faith—whatever gets you through the next moment. Each day is a step, and that’s enough. It doesn’t have to be a leap—it just has to be forward.

Resources for support below:

Here are some coping strategies:

1. Box Breathing: This simple technique can help reduce anxiety. Breathe in for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four, and pause for four. Repeat until your heart rate slows and you feel more grounded. You can do this while on a video call too just let your eyes glide along the edges of the screen while you hold and breathe.

2. Straw Breathing: Another great calming tool—take a deep breath in, and then slowly exhale like you’re blowing through a straw. It mimics the relaxing response of the parasympathetic nervous system and helps you focus.

3. Journaling: I started journaling, reminding myself it didn’t have to be perfect. It was just for me. I stopped feeling guilty if I skipped days or weeks and let the words flow when I needed them. If you struggle with journaling, try creating an anonymous blog where you can rant and vent without worrying about dates or continuity. I have a separate Tumblr just for this—a void I can yell into when I need to.

4. Bilateral Stimulation: Butterfly taps—crossing your arms and tapping on opposite shoulders—helped calm me during moments of stress. This was especially useful during EMDR therapy, which became one of my strongest tools.

5. Creating a Routine: I used to go to the gym to cope before my chronic illness made it harder, so I shifted to art as a form of expression. Creating anything—whether it’s a routine or a creative outlet—can make a difference.

6. Boundaries and Emotions: Learning boundaries and reconnecting with my emotions was vital. One book that really changed my perspective was Rage Becomes Her by Soraya Chemaly, which helped me embrace my anger as a valid emotion. Learn how to advocate for yourself and establish boundaries. This takes time, but it’s one of the most empowering things you can do for your mental health.

7. Prioritize Yourself: Make time for what you need—therapy, the gym, a bath, or a doctor’s appointment. And allow yourself to rest. Your mind and body will force you to stop if you keep ignoring the warning signs.

8. Taking Shortcuts: Too tired to make a proper meal? That’s okay. Eat food however it comes—deconstructed meals are all the rage anyway. I’ve had moments where lunch was just handfuls of cheese and lunch meat. The goal is to nourish yourself, and sometimes that means being kind to yourself about how you do it.

10. Create Safety Nets: If you're heading somewhere that could be triggering, plan for it. What’s your exit strategy? Can you bring a comfort item, like a fidget toy, a blanket, or a stuffed animal? Having a plan can give you a sense of control.

11. Redirecting Negative Thoughts: When I get caught in negative thoughts, I ask myself if these thoughts are helping me process emotions or if they're just hurting me. If I’m not ready to process them, I work on redirecting my focus to something more helpful.

13. Emotional Support Animals: If you can, get an emotional support animal. My mini schnauzer has helped me through so much, even though she doesn’t know it.

How can I help a loved one:

1. Listen First: Before jumping to solutions, take time to listen. Validate the person's feelings, and let them process before suggesting how to fix things. Most of the time, they already know the solution; they just need space to work through it.

2. Stop Shaming Mental Health: Be mindful of how you talk about mental health. I’ve overheard loved ones shaming people for being "selfish" or "foolish" for being depressed, anxious, suicidal and even those that did commit suicide not knowing how often it was on my mind. Those words made it even harder to speak up and ask for help.

3. Fear and Guilt Are Not Helpful Tools: Fear and guilt are not effective motivators when it comes to mental health. I once told someone close to me that I didn’t believe people who commit suicide go to hell. Just as someone who passes from cancer doesn’t go to hell for how they died, I believe the same for depression—it’s an illness. They responded that they hoped fear of hell would keep me from acting on those thoughts. I explained that, by the time someone is ready to act, they likely don’t care anymore. The weight of the pain is overwhelming, and fear or guilt won’t pull them back.

4. Recognize the Signs: Suicidal ideation, passive suicidal ideation, and suicidal plans are all dangerous and need treatment and support. It may begin with passive thoughts like, “I wouldn’t mind if I didn’t wake up tomorrow,” but those can shift into active planning if left unchecked. Just because someone hasn’t acted on it doesn’t mean they don’t need help. Depression doesn't always look the same for everyone. It could be messy rooms, low energy, or a lack of interest in things that once brought joy. It could also look like reckless behavior, withdrawing, or joking about death. These subtle signs shouldn’t be brushed off—they’re as important as overt cries for help and worth a check as little as “hey you keep making these jokes, I just want to make sure you really are okay?” If someone is talking about feeling hopeless, giving away possessions, withdrawing from loved ones, or engaging in risky behavior, these are red flags.

5. Offer practical support: Whether it’s helping with daily tasks, providing a ride to a therapy appointment, or just sitting quietly with them, practical support can be a lifeline.

6: Encourage professional help: Gently suggest therapy, medical care, or other professional help if the person hasn’t already sought it. Be patient and compassionate, understanding that reaching out can be terrifying for them.

7. Be present: Sometimes the best thing you can do is just be there. Your physical and emotional presence can provide comfort, even when there are no words.

If you have a loved one who you worry is going through something, or has confided in you and you are worried for them. Don’t wait. Speak to them. Ask them how you can help, what’s going on, listen. If you’re afraid for them, even after they have gotten to the other side, don’t let your fears tear at you for months, tell them then listen and trust that when they say they are good, have come out the other side have an action plan for when they notice the signs - belive them. If you can’t let it go still, seek your own support. The fear of loosing someone you care about is worthy of attention. If you’re reading this because someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, thank you for caring. Supporting someone with suicidal ideation can be incredibly difficult, but your presence matters more than you might realize.

If you or someone you love is struggling, find Resources for Support:

1. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988 for immediate help in the U.S. Available 24/7.

2. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

3. The Trevor Project: Focused on supporting LGBTQ+ youth, The Trevor Project offers crisis intervention and suicide prevention services. Text START to 678678 or visit their website.

4. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): NAMI provides free, confidential support for mental health concerns. Call the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI or text NAMI to 741741.

5. The Jed Foundation: Focused on mental health support for teens and young adults, the Jed Foundation works to protect emotional health and prevent suicide. Visit jedfoundation.org for more information.

6. The Veterans Crisis Line: Veterans and their loved ones can call 988 and press 1 or text 838255 for confidential support. Available 24/7.

Suggestions for Keeping Yourself Safe:

1. Create a safety plan: Write down a plan for when suicidal thoughts occur. This could include calling a trusted friend, therapist, family, distracting yourself with an activity you enjoy, or going to a safe place where you can feel grounded and making an appointment with your doctor.

2. Reach out to a support network: Whether it’s friends, family, or a therapist, let someone know how you’re feeling. It’s important not to isolate yourself when you’re struggling.

3. Remove means: If you’re feeling unsafe, remove items that could be harmful or ask someone you trust to hold onto them temporarily. There is no shame in this ever.

4. Practice grounding techniques: When suicidal thoughts take over, try grounding yourself with techniques like deep breathing, focusing on your senses, or engaging in mindfulness exercises. These can help bring you back to the present moment. Call on your faith if you need to to get by, play with your pet anything to help you get grounded and move through the feeling

5. Remember that feelings pass: In the heat of the moment, it can feel like the pain will last forever. But emotions are temporary, and feelings—even the darkest ones—eventually pass. That feelings are normal and natural and have no moral judgement, feel it, acknowledge it, and let it move through knowing another feeling will come your way take its place.

Recovery isn’t pretty, and life isn’t perfect; but you are worth fighting for.

[psychotic-tbh]

Do any other social folks on the schizophrenia spectrum also feel like they don’t know how to “people” after an episode?

It’s so strange to look back on how social I was when my symptoms were less severe and how (almost) outgoing I was

Now I’m not even sure how to talk to close friends and am just awkward. I lost my conversation skills :(

[fallandfloat]

I had a mildly unoriginal not-shower, shower thought:

If you are mentally ill and also queer

You’re a fruit and nut💀

[borderlinedolly]

Dismantling Stereotypes at the Expense of Creating New Ones

This happens in most mental health communities, including the autism, PD, and OSDDID communities. People are so often preoccupied with dispelling stereotypes that they exclude people who fit those stereotypes and create new ones, further enforcing people into boxes.

I don't think I need to tell you why that isn't helpful, but I will anyway. You wouldn't like to be alienated from your own community, would you? Well, by perpetrating further stereotypes, you're alienating and excluding others from their communities no matter how many other people you're including. The mental health community and its subgroups are meant to be a safe and inclusive space to all struggling with certain disorders. It's not fair to only include those who fit your narrative of what people with X disorder are "actually" like.

Some examples of stereotypes the MH community has dispelled by creating new ones:

"Autistic people/People with BPD don't feel empathy" > "Autistic people/People with BPD feel hyperempathy"

"People with NPD/ASPD don't feel any type of empathy" > "People with NPD/ASPD still feel compassion/sympathy"

"People with ASPD/NPD don't feel love/emotions" > "People with ASPD/NPD feel love and emotions the same as other people"

There's more examples, but I'm only listing these.

By perpatrating these new stereotypes, you're excluding and even demonizing those that do not fit into those stereotypes. I have autism, BPD, NPD, and ASPD, I do not feel any kind of empathy nor compassion and sympathy, I do not feel love of any kind, and I have very little emotions/emotional range. I do not fit the stereotypes, and it makes me feel excluded from communities meant to be welcome for people like me. Something needs to change. Not all stereotypes need to be completely demolished. Some people still fit those stereotypes, and they deserve to feel included.