Survivors?

@randallshields56 Rungotelldat. From Martin Lawrence who's mom used to say that meaning we are still here Run! and Go Tell That!

@shmerdloff
Thank You.
Kind of needed that for this day. made me smile. Every day i try to make some person smile. least once, it is catching and can spread to others, beware of the side effects ( lips curving, teeth or gums whatever you currently have showing, possible cheeks turning a slightly reddish tone and an all to feeling nice sensations )

Certainly relate to what you're saying here. It is a battle & when it's not improving with the passage of time, yah ... ugh. That's a sign we need to Switch Gears & find a time out escape.

The ones that we can immediately implement & that are safest to reach for are obviously preferred.

Even small efforts can help. Think of what's worked in the past. What has someone else said helps them? Try a known or new one. Music, comedy, going outside, a call to a friend etc. breathing exercises are also very helpful. The Navy Seal Blue Dot 4 second ie slow inhale, 4 rest, 4 exhale, 4 rest while looking at that blue dot doing exactly that size/timewise is amazing. Science says even one round reduces heart rate.

It is important that we keep diverting ourselves from the overload we experience usually daily. I'm glad you posted what you experience here. Also appreciate your very honest description.

You know yourself best as to what helps you. I hope some of the people here replying reassures you that at least you're not alone. We never know when how one person describes something causes a shift in ourselves. The good kind. Feel for ya. ♡☆♡ !!!

@depressedbutnotdead
Thank you. This is a very kind and thoughtful response. Stigma around mental illness is still a very real issue even though it’s gotten better. The “invisible” disease, but yes, so hard to endure and so complex to treat. And yes! We still understand SO LITTLE about the brain because it’s so complex. My last psychiatrist actually said that if he’d wanted a more straightforward career, he would’ve been a cardiologist. So many unknowns and complexities!
I started the Lamotrigine today and honestly already feel a positive difference for myself. Feeling carefully hopeful. Are you just on the Lamotrigine at this point or on a med combo? I’ve been reading it’s common to end up titrating down on SSRIs if you start experiencing hypomania/mania as you increase the Lamotrigine. Of course, I’ll speak to my dr about this but just wondered what your experience was. Thanks again for your encouragement, understanding, and support!