THOUGHTS BITE. I took a deep breath, steadied myself. I counted to ten, and then stared at my phone again. Then I reached out my hand and picked it up slowly. I always did this whenever my phone rang, in the hope that if I stalled long enough, the caller would get discouraged and go away. Sometimes I wondered, did this happen to anyone else too? Do other people plan “impromptu” outings for three days just to hang out for a few hours? Do other people turn their knuckles into a weird sort of stress ball, cracking and cracking until they hurt? Without looking at the phone in my hand,…

Selfcare Sunday Do you find yourself struggling to get things done? Has your to-do list become more of a “to-don’t” list? Has motivation pretty much gone out the window?   I hear you.  I have lived with depression for almost 25 years, and there are days when it is all I can do to put on actual clothes. (As opposed to changing into different pajamas.  Even that seems like a victory some times!)   It seems impossible at times, but you can get through the day.  You can get things done.  You can have a normal day.  Well, more normal than it would be.  No day is really a “normal”…

If you have a qualifying mental condition and your pet helps you cope with the symptoms, they may qualify as an emotional support animal. Emotional support animals are a great tool for those with certain psychological disorders. They naturally help reduce stress and anxiety, which is beneficial for many conditions. Find out everything you need to know about emotional support animals. What is an ESA An emotional support animal is a pet that provides therapeutic benefit to their owner who has a qualifying mental condition like anxiety or depression. Emotional support animals improve the mental health and well being of their owners. Legally an animal can become an emotional support animal,…

Selfcare Sunday It is very hard to explain to people who have never known serious depression or anxiety the sheer continuous intensity of it. There is no off switch.’ – Matt Haig Anxiety is the name I give to the cruel, restricting grasp over me.  From a young age, it’s been there; haunting me. The symptoms of anxiety have followed me through life – the ‘butterflies’, heart palpitations, recurrent thoughts, panic attacks and more. From primary school, the signs were there. I was very reluctant to make friends and often unwilling to attempt communication. I would much rather spend time alone, either reading or studying, than face my anxiety head…

Selfcare Sunday Mood Swing otherwise called mood (affective) disorders, is a gathering of conditions where an aggravation in the individual’s disposition is the principle fundamental component. It is a state of mind issue may likewise be substance incited or happen because of an ailment. In the event that you have a mood disorder, your general tempestuous state or mood is mutilated or conflicting with your conditions and meddles with your capacity to work. You might be very dismal, unfilled or bad-tempered (discouraged), or you may have times of melancholy exchanging with being exorbitantly cheerful (mania). Symptoms of mood disorders include: Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells. Significant changes in appetite…

  Self care Sunday I have been told time and time again, “It is always darkest just before the dawn.”  In past years, I would just roll my eyes, annoyed at the cliché. I have never been much for clichés.  During those moments, I could never have known how relevant this saying would become to my life. Humans are a lot like animals.  We find comfort in the light of day.  Things have a certain predictability. Resources for survival are easier to come by, such as food, human interaction, warmth, and the like.  For some people, smiles and sunshine come as naturally as the breath they take. Most of my…