We try not to use the word "normal" as its relative and completely personality driven..."conforming to the standard or the common type" well who decides what the standard or common type is and who wants to conform?

People without Mental Illness do have it somewhat easier when it comes to processing emotions and dealing with things like stress and anxiety...sometimes. Men on the other hand tend to bottle it up and have heart attacks....not so great at dealing.

Anxiety can be dealt with by using Coping Skills and Behavioral Therapies that you can learn. They aren't difficult, they do take some practice and you do have to train your brain to use them because they are "Learned Behaviors" that you put in place to take over the negative "Learned Behaviors" your brain is currently using to not deal with things. These Therapies and Skills also go very well with the proper meds to help manage the Depression and Anxiety.

Do you see a Pdoc (Psychiatrist) or Therapist? If not, that would probably be a good first step in managing your Mental Health more successfully so you can get back to enjoying life. If you do you can talk to your Therapist about learning Coping Skills to help you manage your Anxiety so that its dealt with before it gets to the point of Depression.

Its up to you, these are all things you have to "want" to do in order for them to help you cope with your Mental Health issues in a more healthy and successful way.

Take care,
Kat

Thank you for the thoughtful response Kat. It’s nice to know someone cares enough to offer feedback.

Who doesn't have a mental illness? Who is 'normal'?

WanderingVet I know many people who function better than I do in life. I’m not saying they’re normal, but they somehow cope with stressors and maintain a level of positivity. Right now, I feel like driving off the road into a solid tree at 80 miles per hour. I don’t know of any other people in my life who think like this on a regular basis.

Lately i’ve been trying to only think about the immediate tasks ahead. If I think about the commitments I have in the days ahead, I get that dreaded sinking feeling. So I just concentrate on today. I’m sure you’ve heard this before but it’s working for me. Because if I look at what’s stretching ahead of me, it looks quite bleak and lonely. But if I get through my tasks, then reflect on the day that’s just passed, I feel some sense of satisfaction.
Hope things improve for you soon.

Breaking your day down into small manageable chunks of time is a great Coping Skill. Managing 15 minutes or 30 minutes or an hour seems much more easy to do as opposed to trying to figure out how to deal with a whole day or multiple days or a whole damn week.

In the worst of my BiPolar Depression days, I literally did everything in 15 minute chunks of time, because if I tried to go over that, my brain shut down, my ability to see my reality and use my intellect stopped, my survival instincts shut off, and the only mode left in my mind was....Die, its too hard, its not worth it, just Die. The thing with most Mood Disorder Mental Illnesses are that they are Chemical Imbalances in the Brain and when the chemicals are out of whack they greatly affect constructive reasoning, deductive reasoning, reality, cognitive behavior and Logic. And when those things are gone, its very hard to make your mind understand that things can get better, that things will get better, that there is help in the form of Mental Health Dr.'s, medications and Coping Skills that can help you get better.

Thank you all for your supportive and kind words. OlderCper I’m going to try the 15 minute increments. That sounds like it may actually help.

Here's my two cents: When you feel chronic dread towards your life, your life isn't what you want it to be. I am all for quitting your job and moving to Australia or something, to really free yourself of these chains that you think are holding you back. Seriously, do it. Why not? What do you have to lose? Be free. I dare you.

@redpopsicle8: There's a big difference between being 'unhappy with your life" and dealing with Mental Illness that affects your life. Unfortunately picking up, quitting your job and moving to Australia isn't a proven Treatment for Mental Illness.

You might try not to be so flip in your response or so dangerous in your response to someone who's having a hard time or crisis due to a Mental Illness issue.

Questions like, "What do you have to lose?" to someone who suffers from depression can have answers like...Your Life! Statements like, "Be Free, I Dare You" can cause Anxiety Episodes to sky rocket.

You might take care and be aware of what Support Board your posting on.

It’s ok OlderCper, I think redpopsicle8 had good intentions, but obviously has a lack of understanding about mental illness. I would love to just eliminate all the stressors in my life and move to an island or something, but that’s not a solution. I would then feel anxiety and depression about other things I’m facing. I don’t think we can escape our own mind as much as we want to. Today is another terrible experience at work, and I’m just trying to make it to the weekend at this point.

Don't forget that stress causes us who have mental health to spin out of control to either depression, anxiety or even mania. I know that Therapy Light Box each day before you go to work does help Depression. As far as stress goes, maybe try frequent breaks and take your walks during that time might help?? Just some thought. Ofcourse you might know that talking to your Doctor about the Anxiety might help. Meds only help us so much though. Anxiety meds help but just take the edge off. They have that app on your phone that you can look up that you just take time to breath and it does help calm you down. It is a form of meditation. Maybe other suggestions seeing your therapist a few times a week just to unload and talk about things and see what they think about ways to reduce your stress. Do you have options about reducing your work hours???? part time????

Hey there @Restful. Glad you are here reaching out. Not everyone gets how mental health issues can affect someone. I mean, life can be rough when you aren't diagnosed with something!! :)

I am sorry you're struggling. Truly. I tend to think we didn't sign on for coming on this planet as a human to struggle. Yet, many do.

I wish I could wave a magic want and make it all better.

I am assuming you're working with a therapist? That can be helpful, but also taking this tough spot and maybe viewing it from the perspective that life is calling you to do some more "inner healing work". Another layer maybe. Or try a healing or spiritual path you've not tried yet... All sorts of paths and tools to help us get to a better place... Not saying it's the "cure all"... but better, more maneageable.

At the same time, give yourself permission to feel it... for the moment. Don't beat yourself up... Do what you can (ease the stress load)... and create a strategy for baby steps toward being the best version of you... that will be uniquely YOU... (normal is overrated lol)

I hope this helps. I find walking a spiritual path and connecting with others who are likeminded helps me. a support network so-to-speak. But that's just me.

I'm rooting for you... and some of us are here to encourage and hold space for you as you navigate this part of your journey.

Sending big love your way.

dominica applegate

Hi RealHeart and Dominica. I am very grateful for your supportive responses. It’s always helpful to get different points of view, because I haven’t even considered trying some of those things. I do see my therapist next Tuesday, so I’m hopeful about that. I’m also very thankful that the weekend is here and I get a short break from all the stress. I also reached out to my best friend yesterday and found out she was experiencing very similar feelings at work. It helped to talk to her about it.

Yay! Glad you are feeling a bit better!! And, glad the weekend is here. woohoo! nurture yourself..... however you do that. I tend to like being in nature, even if it's just to smell and listen ;) or working with wood...or creating something...or a bubble bath! :)

Happy Friday!

So we glad we all helped!!!!!you deserve peace in your life while trying to work and support yourself!!!! Hugs!!!!