Mental health. Tips and coping mechanisms

[|tera|]

Hi everyone.

This is something close to my heart as many of you may know here.

I am manic depressive (Bipolar).
The mood swings and ups and downs cause a lot of embarrassment and the depression is deadly, to be exact.

I've overdosed many times, had a few hospital stays and even weeks in ICU and High Care.

So, that's the basic format which I'm working from in this thread, my own experiences, and I encourage anyone responding to do the same. Approach it from your personal experience.

I've been on meds for 15 years. I'm 36, turning 37 early next year.

This thread is created for informational purposes. For people not to be mocked and shunned, but for people that really have no recourse other than seeking assistance and coping mechanisms with their mental health issues.

I was very close to a suicide attempt yesterday again and by following simple steps and advice which my Psychiatrists and Psychologists gave me years ago, I was able to push through.

So here's my steps:
Talk to anyone you trust as soon as possible. Before ending your life.
If you trust nobody, as I do, talk online, phone a hotline, which you can do anonymously or go to a hospital for immediate assistance.

I do have someone that I trust. An old friend that has been there for me since my journey with mental health issues started. The issue is, I can't and don't always contact this person due to the person's own issues in life and I don't want to compound it.

Eat food and add salt to it. Not too much and not too little. Be generous with the salt without spoiling the food.
Within seconds of consuming the salt and food your brain will equalise and your brain will exit the massive suicidal depressive state. I've done this many times and it works for me every time.
The problem here is when your brain and body decides it's the end, you have to remember this, which I forget at times.

Never sit and wait to feel better. You won't. Not in a suicidal state. It won't get better automatically. It doesn't, no matter how long you wait, pray or plead. You need to apply action to the situation.

Pamper yourself. This step may sound a bit strange, but it works flawlessly.
Use shower oil (Nivea has a great range), use products like Baby Powder. Sprinkle it on your bed and pillows and gently rub it in with a towel or cloth. You can use various bath products if you bath as well. Just find something that smells good to you and relaxes you.

Do this every day if possible.
Don't stop pampering yourself.
If you know of any products that eases and relaxes you, be sure to use it.
I try to do it on a daily basis, but sometimes I can't afford to buy said products.

Use your meds. Don't skip it. Don't drink alcohol if possible. Don't smoke green when you feel bad. Don't do drugs. Get some sunlight, but don't melt.

Many people suggest exercise. On a personal level this is a failure on my part. I hardly exercise.

I am not always correct.
I am trying to offer practical and solid advice to cope with mental health issues. If you receive more tips or know of more coping mechanisms, please share.

I believe it's important to have this discussion. With lockdown, loss of life, jobs and finances, many people will develop mental health problems. It's unfortunate, but true.

Thanks

 

[lexor]

This must have taken some guts to write.

I salute you for posting this in order to support others in similar positions.

I had depression once ( only for a few days) - but wow ,those were some DARK days I dont wish on my worst enemy.

Very interesting about the salt !!!

Keep strong & stay safe

 

[|tera|]

This must have taken some guts to write.

I salute you for posting this in order to support others in similar positions.

I had depression once ( only for a few days) - but wow ,those were some DARK days I dont wish on my worst enemy.

Very interesting about the salt !!!

Keep strong & stay safe

Thanks lexor, I appreciate the kind words.
As you said, it's mainly to give advice and guidance for someone in a similar position.
We can take steps to manage mental health matters. It's a long road and all the support a person can get is good.

Thanks again.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Eat food and add salt to it. Not too much and not too little. Be generous with the salt without spoiling the food.
Within seconds of consuming the salt and food your brain will equalise and your brain will exit the massive suicidal depressive state. I've done this many times and it works for me every time.

This is interesting. Do you know what mechanisms are at play?

Many people suggest exercise. On a personal level this is a failure on my part. I hardly exercise.

I can't speak for depression myself, but I imagine the effectiveness of exercise has a lot to do with the type of self-talk going on and also what you're looking to get out of exercise. There's a reasonably active subreddit on the topic.

For me, mental health and exercise is directly related - my ups and downs maps perfectly on my gym compliance. I don't know how much of this is a direct result though. Regular exercise means I sleep better, and sleep, as we all know, is important for everything. My guess is it's probably a mix.

 

[|tera|]

This is interesting. Do you know what mechanisms are at play?

Salt: a natural antidepressant?

“A taste for salt can keep you feeling chipper,” reads the headline in the Daily Mail. The newspaper said that researchers suggest that salt may act as a “natural

www.nhs.uk

What does the NHS Knowledge Service make of this study?​

This review was not systematic, which means it may not have included all relevant studies. Therefore, some studies may exist that do not support the authors’ hypotheses. The review looked at the biological reasons why we might continue to eat more salt than our bodies require, which can be harmful in the long term.

It is important to note that none of the studies cited directly suggest that salt deprivation causes clinical depression, or that people with clinical depression could improve their symptoms by eating more salt.

The review does not suggest that salt is an antidepressant. High salt intake over an extended period can lead to high blood pressure and a greater risk of heart problems. Accordingly, people should continue to keep their salt intake below the recommended levels. As the review itself notes, most people who eat a modern Western diet consume more than the amount needed to avoid a sodium deficiency.

Various ideas around it and many studies have confirmed it.

The section I quoted is everything combined. It's a long read it seems.
Personally I hardly ever eat salty foods.
I know excessive use effects the heart and causes high blood pressure.

I attempt to balance it, but sometimes I become really depressed and chow something with salt. It's an instant reaction.

Very cool.

I can't speak for depression myself, but I imagine the effectiveness of exercise has a lot to do with the type of self-talk going on and also what you're looking to get out of exercise. There's a reasonably active subreddit on the topic.

For me, mental health and exercise is directly related - my ups and downs maps perfectly on my gym compliance. I don't know how much of this is a direct result though. Regular exercise means I sleep better, and sleep, as we all know, is important for everything. My guess is it's probably a mix.

I've got excessive lung damage and I'm a smoker. So exercising is beyond my pain level. Rather, excessive exercise.
I enjoy walking (not far and constantly), just chill and seeing everything around me.

I can't sleep without meds though.
Klapped a 3 day insomia trip last month due to meds issues.

Please note. The salt suggestion is from my personal experience.
I use it when I'm severely depressed and for an instant relief to avoid committing suicide.

Use of salt in good balance is what should be done. I will get there.

 

[Thugscub]

Hold on there Tera, I am thinking of you.
You will pull through. It's tough.
Strongs.

 

[randomcat]

Exercise, nutrition, and faith. I stopped taking meds because it makes me feel numb. Wet and dry cupping is also a great for stress and anxiety. It helped me a lot.

 

[|tera|]

Exercise, nutrition, and faith. I stopped taking meds because it makes me feel numb. Wet and dry cupping is also a great for stress and anxiety. It helped me a lot.

I've left the meds a few times during all the time I've used it.
It always ended up destroying my life when I left it. It was a tough lesson to learn.

Hold on there Tera, I am thinking of you.
You will pull through. It's tough.
Strongs.

Thanks Thugscub. I appreciate it.
This thread is more for 'anyone' experiencing the same problem and mental health issues.

Discussion about it is good. Since it gives information for folks experiencing the same.

 

[randomcat]

I've left the meds a few times during all the time I've used it.
It always ended up destroying my life when I left it. It was a tough lesson to learn.

Thanks Thugscub. I appreciate it.
This thread is more for 'anyone' experiencing the same problem and mental health issues.

Discussion about it is good. Since it gives information for folks experiencing the same.

Meds work for some and don't for others. I did not taper and it ****ed me for a few weeks after. Cold showers also helped with depression. There is just something about your balls getting frozen that brings you back to reality.

 

[|tera|]

Meds work for some and don't for others. I did not taper and it ****ed me for a few weeks after. Cold showers also helped with depression. There is just something about your balls getting frozen that brings you back to reality.

Good one.
TBH I take many cold showers due to the heat level where I live.
It doesn't effect my reality though
I've also tapered in the past with various natural solutions.
Spent almost a year without meds and lost my entire life and livelihood during that period. I'm a pro at getting knocked down and getting up again.
Suicidal depression has won many times though as per the OP.

 

[Thugscub]

I've left the meds a few times during all the time I've used it.
It always ended up destroying my life when I left it. It was a tough lesson to learn.

Thanks Thugscub. I appreciate it.
This thread is more for 'anyone' experiencing the same problem and mental health issues.

Discussion about it is good. Since it gives information for folks experiencing the same.

I went through a very bad patch 8 years ago, ended up in an asylum.
I found as I get older things get a lot better. I'm not chasing the wind anymore and not on any meds.
It took a lot out of me at the time
Meditation also helped a lot and eating properly.
Depression is ugly.
Fight it be strong.
You will come through it. But Fk me it was a hard road.

 

[Binary_Bark]

Going through this myself, has been a difficult few years from being retrenched, losing a lot and having to re-build to now where I have to really restrain myself from stabbing someone in the throat.

You are brave posting what you did post. For some like me, it is a lot more difficult to do so. I am an extremely private person and tend to keep things to myself.
Things that happen in my existence are for me to deal with alone, not the best way of going about things I know.

With everything that has happened this year and two attempts I really hope next year would be a lot better

 

[|tera|]

I went through a very bad patch 8 years ago, ended up in an asylum.
I found as I get older things get a lot better. I'm not chasing the wind anymore and not on any meds.
It took a lot out of me at the time
Meditation also helped a lot and eating properly.
Depression is ugly.
Fight it be strong.
You will come through it. But Fk me it was a hard road.

Yep, close to 15 years for me continually.
I was in a mental health section of a hospital for about 3 weeks when I was diagnosed. It's basically the same as an asylum. Some of the toughest weeks I've had. I won't share the gruesome details now, since it won't have a positive impact in this thread.

Depression in my capacity is somewhat different. There's no fighting it. Just managing it properly.

I suffer from sleep apnea too and a brilliant Psychiatrist I had narrowed it down that lack of sleep and oxygen plays a huge role in my mental health state.
I've got a CPAP machine and sleep with it when I'm completely stuffed and when the headaches are unbearable.

Going through this myself, has been a difficult few years from being retrenched, losing a lot and having to re-build to now where I have to really restrain myself from stabbing someone in the throat.

You are brave posting what you did post. For some like me, it is a lot more difficult to do so. I am an extremely private person and tend to keep things to myself.
Things that happen in my existence are for me to deal with alone, not the best way of going about things I know.

With everything that has happened this year and two attempts I really hope next year would be a lot better

Believe it or not. I'm the same.
My privacy is very important to me.
I don't share all these details with people I know. Generally people don't understand mental health issues and their advice is to get over it. If only it was that easy.

Pm me anytime if you need to talk or vent.

There's a few great people here that always take the time to contact me when I'm at my end. Great folks on this site that have helped me multiple times.
Saving my life isn't an understatement.

 

[Binary_Bark]

Believe it or not. I'm the same.
My privacy is very important to me.
I don't share all these details with people I know. Generally people don't understand mental health issues and their advice is to get over it. If only it was that easy.

Pm me anytime if you need to talk or vent.

There's a few great people here that always take the time to contact me when I'm at my end. Great to folks on this site that have helped me multiple times
Saving my life isn't an understatement.

Thanks.

It will take a lot before I would actually do so.
Self-medication with a Whiskey bottle or something else usually helps me talk but that is a completely different thing that has passed now.

The thing where people say "Oh, it's nothing get over it" is a real thing. Most think it's like the common cold where you can just shake it off

 

[|tera|]

Thanks.

It will take a lot before I would actually do so.
Self-medication with a Whiskey bottle or something else usually helps me talk but that is a completely different thing that has passed now.

The thing where people say "Oh, it's nothing get over it" is a real thing. Most think it's like the common cold where you can just shake it off

QFT.

You already took a step to discuss it here. So don't knock yourself.
Also, forgive those that harmed you. Then forgive yourself.

It won't change your health, but it will impact your mental state.

Listen to some music too if possible.
Music is my number 1 natural therapeutic.

 

[Binary_Bark]

QFT.

You already took a step to discuss it here. So don't knock yourself.
Also, forgive those that harmed you. Then forgive yourself.

It won't change your health, but it will impact your mental state.

Listen to some music too if possible.
Music is my number 1 natural therapeutic.

Listen to lots of music and podcasts.
Don't have many people to forgive as I generally despise people and those that have I am not at speaking terms with them, most are family members.
It's easy for me to just cut someone out or ignore them even if they are family.
Am not a sentimental person at all

 

[ToxicBunny]

This took a huge amount of courage to post @|tera| , and I applaud you for it.

Have struggled with depression in varying forms for many years, and have largely let it fester rather than dealing with it properly, so this year has not been kind to me on that front so I am having to deal with it properly now. It is not an easy journey and like you say its not easy to share with people when their standard response is "Just get over it" in a nutshell.

Depression is dark, its ugly, and people who haven't been through it have almost no idea of the state it puts your mind in. I count myself very lucky to be in a relationship with someone who is trying her best to be understanding in as much as she can, but even she says she struggles to understand what I am and have been going through.

The meds part is also very easy to at times "forget" about, or to just dismiss because sometimes it feels like they aren't actually doing anything, but hells bells do you realise they are doing things when you miss a day or two, and things spiral out of control.

For me, I have found a myriad of minor coping mechanisms. Listening to the right type of music to try lift my frame of mind. Going for walks to just experience the world outside of the 4 walls of the house where it is incredibly easy to sink into and not leave. Hell even just getting in the car and going to the shop to "browse" as a means of distraction at times works.

 

[|tera|]

Listen to lots of music and podcasts.
Don't have many people to forgive as I generally despise people and those that have I am not at speaking terms with them, most are family members.
It's easy for me to just cut someone out or ignore them even if they are family.
Am not a sentimental person at all

My mom has a great definition about this. Because I'm exactly like you regarding cut off and ignore.

She compares me with a cat.
The cat does its own thing.
It approaches for affection and requires nothing else than the basics.

I always tell her that's a basic analogy.
There's more to me/us.
She doesn't say it to cause offence, but rather to motivate me that everyone are themselves.

My parents raised me well.
They always motivated us to be ourselves and choose our own path in life.

Personally speaking. I don't cut out anyone, except when they are abusive.

Family is important and your family should support you no matter the effort or cost. I love my family. Not due the material contributions, but because I know they love me.

It's the opposite in my life.
Some family members ignore and possibly hate me.
So whilst I'm not shunning anyone, I am shunned by most. Not fun, but makes your hide strong.

The post reads a bit contradictory, I'm losing a bit of articulation today

This took a huge amount of courage to post @|tera| , and I applaud you for it.

Have struggled with depression in varying forms for many years, and have largely let it fester rather than dealing with it properly, so this year has not been kind to me on that front so I am having to deal with it properly now. It is not an easy journey and like you say its not easy to share with people when their standard response is "Just get over it" in a nutshell.

Depression is dark, its ugly, and people who haven't been through it have almost no idea of the state it puts your mind in. I count myself very lucky to be in a relationship with someone who is trying her best to be understanding in as much as she can, but even she says she struggles to understand what I am and have been going through.

The meds part is also very easy to at times "forget" about, or to just dismiss because sometimes it feels like they aren't actually doing anything, but hells bells do you realise they are doing things when you miss a day or two, and things spiral out of control.

For me, I have found a myriad of minor coping mechanisms. Listening to the right type of music to try lift my frame of mind. Going for walks to just experience the world outside of the 4 walls of the house where it is incredibly easy to sink into and not leave. Hell even just getting in the car and going to the shop to "browse" as a means of distraction at times works.

Thanks ToxicBunny.
I applaud everyone here for speaking about this too. Mental health problems are more prevalent than most people know.

It's awesome that your GF supports you.
That's probably the greatest gift anyone could give. Taking time for someone to uplift or just listening to them is one of the most important aspects in helping people with mental illness.

As for doing something and leaving the cage is also great advice to give.
The mere sight of seeing things that you haven't for a long time is a mind reward on its own.

Thanks for all the responses. You guys are awesome

 

[Binary_Bark]

My mom has a great definition about this. Because I'm exactly like you regarding cut off and ignore.

She compares me with a cat.
The cat does its own thing.
It approaches for affection and requires nothing else than the basics.

I always tell her that's a basic analogy.
There's more to me/us.
She doesn't say it to cause offence, but rather to motivate me that everyone are themselves.

My parents raised me well.
They always motivated us to be ourselves and choose our own path in life.

Personally speaking. I don't cut out anyone, except when they are abusive.

Family is important and your family should support you no matter the effort or cost. I love my family. Not due the material contributions, but because I know they love me.

It's the opposite in my life.
Some family members ignore and possibly hate me.
So whilst I'm not shunning anyone, I am shunned by most. Not fun, but makes your hide strong.

The post reads a bit contradictory, I'm losing a bit of articulation today

Don't exactly have the best family history, a bunch of self-serving cunts that can go die, and would not give a crap about it. Some have died, my reaction was good riddance and don't expect me to show up at the funeral and stop asking for money because now they are worm food, and you need something, all of a sudden you want to talk to me, go **** yourself

 

[|tera|]

Don't exactly have the best family history, a bunch of self-serving cunts that can go die, and would not give a crap about it. Some have died, my reaction was good riddance and don't expect me to show up at the funeral and stop asking for money because now they are worm food, and you need something, all of a sudden you want to talk to me, go **** yourself

Thats when we become Men and not men.

Once you know you stand alone you realise that the past is gone. From there you choose the new road with the strength of a Man.

I spent the last 10 years rebuilding a life that was broken due to stupid decisions of leaving my medication.

As ToxicBunny said. Once the meds feel they aren't doing anything, it actually means that it is working as it should.

Independence in my life is a gift from God (I'm a Christian, no offence intended).
Even if I'm not financially independent I am independent in my own daily life.

Look after yourself. Don't let the fknuts in life spoil your journey. We've only started.