# Oh Mental Illness, How You Suck **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 19, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157 "2014-06-19T18:18:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157/21 "2014-06-20T00:36:53Z")
I’ll second the walking suggestion. It just makes me feel better. I listen to music usually, but sometimes I just listen to my rural neighborhood. Plus it’s good for your heart. I’m sending good thoughts your way. I hope you feel better soon. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157/22 "2014-06-20T00:44:54Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > . . . “silver lining may at least be refundable aluminum.” Ha! I love that. Your sense of humor certainly has staying power. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157/23 "2014-06-20T01:22:07Z")
Good vibes and positive thoughts coming your way, Faithfool! I’ve spaced them out, so they don’t all hit you at once! ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157/24 "2014-06-20T01:41:08Z")
Sorry for the multiple posts again, but that seems easiest. > [@DingoelGringo](#): > > I always fall asleep while trying to meditate. This is cracking me up too. So much for eastern practices, huh? > [@jayrey](#): > > My therapist taught me a technique called “heart center tapping,” that I use when I’m feeling overwhelmed or unfocused (when I really need to be focused) or all agitated and wound up inside. Using the tips of my middle and ring fingers on my right hand, I tap gently, repeatedly on the center of my chest, about the middle of the sternum. Focus your thoughts lightly on the problem while you tap: “I’m feeling overwhelmed here,” or “I’m afraid I’m getting” worse. Tap for two or three minutes. Usually what happens to me is I’ll start to yawn as the bottled up energy releases and then I’ll gradually realize I’m more focused or less fearful. Keep tapping for a few more seconds until you feel the tension/fear ease completely. You may have to do a few times a day on a really bad day, but it’s better than drinking or drugs. (No need to ask me how I know this.) Yes, I know it all sounds very woo-woo and I feel like I’m taking a risk sharing to this group, but I hope it can be helpful to you. > > I’m sending you hugs and good thoughts. This sounds so interesting. And I learned long ago; whatever works is a godsend. I’ll definitely be adding this to my arsenal of tricks to ward off all the bad stuff. Thank you for sharing, **jayrey**! ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157/25 "2014-06-20T01:44:49Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Yeah, it does suck. Sorry about things. My only advice is keep trying new therapies. Sometimes I still feel like shit, but there are times when I feel almost totally cured from my PTSD and traumatic memories because in the last year I’ve kept researching my condition, learning new therapies and trying new things. > > Its the age of science, maybe someone is inventing a therapy that will make things somewhat better and you have to go find it. That is what is important, just look for those small improvements and hope they add up. Ya know, I undoubtedly discount this more than I should. I’ve been battling this shit since '96 and I’ve seen many an advancement in the field. So, you are so right and every day there’s bound to be more help around the corner. I appreciate the insight, **Wesley**. Thank you. > [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > I’ll second the walking suggestion. It just makes me feel better. I listen to music usually, but sometimes I just listen to my rural neighborhood. Plus it’s good for your heart. > > I’m sending good thoughts your way. I hope you feel better soon. Too true. I’d gotten up to almost three miles of walking daily, but I’ve somewhat back slid these days because I have a tendency to isolate when I’m depressed and the like. Thanks, **nwyd** (and others) for reminding me not to give that up. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157/26 "2014-06-20T01:47:24Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Ha! I love that. Your sense of humor certainly has staying power. Heh. If you can’t beat 'em, kill 'me with laughter. > [@bobot](#): > > Good vibes and positive thoughts coming your way, Faithfool! I’ve spaced them out, so they don’t all hit you at once! Thank you, **bobot**. Those are the best kind. And to everyone that’s been there, done that… I can’t tell y’all how much I’m grateful for you taking the time to offer me support and advice. I always say the Dope is one of the best places out there. You guys just prove it. Over and over and over again. I’m feeling better already. Of course, some of that may be due to pooper-scooping all afternoon. But still. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157/27 "2014-06-20T02:24:53Z")
There are lots of free or cheap (99 cents) meditation apps. I like meditation oasis’s “take a break.” ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157/28 "2014-06-20T02:37:32Z")
Duh. I had no idea, **Brynda** , so thanks. Off to the app store. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157/29 "2014-06-20T07:24:19Z")
> [@DingoelGringo](#): > > I always fall asleep while trying to meditate. This is actually very common, it’s a muscle memory thing. To your body, relaxing muscles = sleep. The point of meditation is relaxing muscles while remaining alert. This is quite useful for various things, both physical and mental. Now if you don’t feel you need meditation then of course it doesn’t matter at all. But it is quite interesting to note that your body refuses to separate relaxation and sleep, don’t you think? Everything that happens is stored in our bodies’ muscles. This can create all kinds of tension, some people get tension head aches, some people just frown a lot. It can be useful to study being able to let that tension go whenever you decide. OTOH, it’s also pretty useful to know a really good way of falling asleep! 🙂 (Apologies for the little meditation sidebar.) ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157/30 "2014-06-20T07:45:38Z")
> [@Blue\_Mood](#): > > I have a dear sister who has experienced similar improvements and setbacks. People compare it to a roller coaster, but that’s not right because a roller coaster is supposed to be fun. I know someone who described his own mental problems as “being terrified of heights and getting dragged onto the rollercoaster”. He was very good at keeping doctor schedules and so forth because when his meds worked he felt “on the ground”. Meditation isn’t “an eastern practice”, it’s been done in the West for milennia as well, both active and passive modes. I’d send chocolate but it doesn’t fit in the cable. Sorry ☹ ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157/31 "2014-06-20T22:46:14Z")
My mom’s been feeling overwhelmed, dealing with my dad, so I sent her two coloring books, colored pencils, and a big book of word puzzles and games. She got it today and declared she would spend time coloring. I have always found that crayons make things better. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157/32 "2014-06-20T23:04:12Z")
> [@phouka](#): > > My mom’s been feeling overwhelmed, dealing with my dad, so I sent her two coloring books, colored pencils, and a big book of word puzzles and games. She got it today and declared she would spend time coloring. > > I have always found that crayons make things better. This is where I wish the SDMB had a drop-box for sending care packages. I suspect crayons and coloring books would cheer up a lot of people, not just your mom. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157/33 "2014-06-21T00:13:10Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > I know someone who described his own mental problems as “being terrified of heights and getting dragged onto the rollercoaster”. He was very good at keeping doctor schedules and so forth because when his meds worked he felt “on the ground”. > > Meditation isn’t “an eastern practice”, it’s been done in the West for milennia as well, both active and passive modes. > > I’d send chocolate but it doesn’t fit in the cable. Sorry ☹ Awww, thanks, **Nava**. And yeah, meditation has definitely spread worldwide, I was just talking origins and attempting to be amusing. Obviously, I had a fail. 😛 > [@phouka](#): > > My mom’s been feeling overwhelmed, dealing with my dad, so I sent her two coloring books, colored pencils, and a big book of word puzzles and games. She got it today and declared she would spend time coloring. > > I have always found that crayons make things better. **phouka** , this is awesome. I’m so glad you did that for your mom. I know I’d love something like that, mostly because I’m a 4 year old at heart. > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > This is where I wish the SDMB had a drop-box for sending care packages. I suspect crayons and coloring books would cheer up a lot of people, not just your mom. 🙂 Totally agree, **Maserschmidt**. Dopers have helped me so much, I’d be thrilled to give back in such a way. Perhaps we should organize something? \< nods \> Thanks again, all, for the great ideas and kindness. As I’ve said so many times before, the Teeming Millions are the absolute best. \<3 \<3 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-mental-illness-how-you-suck/691157.md?page=1)