When I feel bad times (especially mania, but also any kind of psychosis) coming on, I leave myself notes that just say things that I hope will calm my future self down (and alarms that I hope will remind me to read them). I am convinced that this practice saved me from hospitalization about 5 years ago.
I do different things: leave written sticky-notes; set an alarm on my phone with a 'to do' task (which might just say something like "pause, take a deep breath; think about what you are doing"). Stuff like that.
I don’t know much, Mat, but I do believe that line from your memoir is a key to thriving. Of course, there are care teams, and then there are care teams. I can only dream my son gains half as much awareness as you possess. Blessings to you and yours.
Music is powerful. I just finished a book: "What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing Hardcover" – April 27, 2021 by Oprah Winfrey (Author), Bruce D. Perry (Author). Dr. Perry said rhythm is an important part of tribal healing. That is, through sound they help heal people and the tribe.
I've heard of the book but haven't read it. Even patients who have had severe strokes or suffer from dementia respond to music. It really is restorative.
In my layman’s opinion, Mat, you can’t transfer knowledge of the “good times” over to periods of manifested illness because once the mania, depression or other aspects of symptomatic behavior take control of your cognitive processes it is by then too late. Your rationale for staying on top of your mental health sounds grounded in hard experiences. The pity is that many (like my son) wallow seemingly endlessly in their past experience always seeking to deceive and mislead their treatment professionals- minimizing real instances that point to problems with their thinking and behavior. I pray for your continued good health and may God send you the strength required to carry on.
You may be right. I may be reaching for something that is beyond my arm's length. It might not be fully possible for me to save myself when I'm past a certain point. I may need to rely on my care team. I just wish there was some way to reverse course. I had a friend point out a line to me in my memoir that I had forgotten. I had written that honesty with my care team is probably the single best way to stay healthy and out of trouble. It takes the onus off of me (which I really can't handle when I'm getting sick).
When I feel bad times (especially mania, but also any kind of psychosis) coming on, I leave myself notes that just say things that I hope will calm my future self down (and alarms that I hope will remind me to read them). I am convinced that this practice saved me from hospitalization about 5 years ago.
Music is also super helpful.
Do you place them on your calendar with a future date? Or I could email myself and snooze it until a future date. Thank you for the suggestion.
I do different things: leave written sticky-notes; set an alarm on my phone with a 'to do' task (which might just say something like "pause, take a deep breath; think about what you are doing"). Stuff like that.
I don’t know much, Mat, but I do believe that line from your memoir is a key to thriving. Of course, there are care teams, and then there are care teams. I can only dream my son gains half as much awareness as you possess. Blessings to you and yours.
Thank you for sharing about your son. I sometimes wonder about the connection people have the topic of my blog. Blessing to you and yours, as well.
Interesting how hearing a song can remind you of good times. I think it does that for everyone though. The power of music.
Music is powerful. I just finished a book: "What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing Hardcover" – April 27, 2021 by Oprah Winfrey (Author), Bruce D. Perry (Author). Dr. Perry said rhythm is an important part of tribal healing. That is, through sound they help heal people and the tribe.
I've heard of the book but haven't read it. Even patients who have had severe strokes or suffer from dementia respond to music. It really is restorative.
The Winfrey book is a great read. They ask, "Why do people ask what is wrong with you? When the real question is What happened to you?"
In my layman’s opinion, Mat, you can’t transfer knowledge of the “good times” over to periods of manifested illness because once the mania, depression or other aspects of symptomatic behavior take control of your cognitive processes it is by then too late. Your rationale for staying on top of your mental health sounds grounded in hard experiences. The pity is that many (like my son) wallow seemingly endlessly in their past experience always seeking to deceive and mislead their treatment professionals- minimizing real instances that point to problems with their thinking and behavior. I pray for your continued good health and may God send you the strength required to carry on.
You may be right. I may be reaching for something that is beyond my arm's length. It might not be fully possible for me to save myself when I'm past a certain point. I may need to rely on my care team. I just wish there was some way to reverse course. I had a friend point out a line to me in my memoir that I had forgotten. I had written that honesty with my care team is probably the single best way to stay healthy and out of trouble. It takes the onus off of me (which I really can't handle when I'm getting sick).