[ThoughtOnFire]

Hello DP Community. This is a general post of things I've been saying for years now, with a few new insights thrown in. Consider this my two cents of advice for going forward from here on out.

1. Go easy on yourself.

Most of us know the frustration of people in our lives not understanding our condition. Dissociation is a completely isolating state of mind. That's where this type of platform can give one a place to find recognition and validation. Don't ever downplay your suffering. If anyone you know were to suddenly have DP/DR, then they too would struggle just as much as we do. Also it's a state specific experience, which even here those who recover often report not remembering what it's like to have the core symptomology.

2. Enjoy the simple things.

Even in extreme life situations, one can find silver linings. Moments that bring myself relief are stuff like: Cup of coffee in the morning. Conversations with close friends, (doesn't have to be deep subjects). Favorite songs that I can relate to. And etc.

3. Continuing to live.

This one took my a long time to get on board with. Life isn't going to stop and wait for you to get better. So try your best to hold down a job, or consider going to school, even part time or for a few classes per semester. Keep in touch with your loved ones. When you come out of the fog, you'll be grateful for any attempts to continue living, and the fruits of the labor. Also I'm of the mind that I've actually surpassed my pre-dp self in mental, emotional and even spiritual development, (and for those geared towards exercising, you can even relief a certain amount of stress going to the gym or even walking regularly). I feel that if I were to suddenly snap back to reality in an instant, then I'd find myself much stronger in a sense of self. There's really no "going back" but trust that you can always count on change. I recommend analyzing and reflecting on the past, but don't let yourself get stuck there.

4. Reach out and don't isolate.

Even a perfectly healthy sane person can get cabin fever, (think about it). And I've found in loneliness that if you want people to talk to you, then you have to start the conversation. That's where real relationships with friends, family and loved ones gains momentum, and they'll start talking to you back as well.

5. Healthy lifestyle.

 

[Phantasm]

People are looking for an all-or-nothing solution. It's not like that, it's like this.

 

[forestx5]

It can be difficult to make wise choices for the long term, when you're not sure you will live out the month. I never thought I would see 18, after suffering a severe depressive episode at 17. I would suffer 4 more episodes in my life time, each was an epic struggle for survival. I'll be 68 years old next week. Making exercise a habit that I could maintain has made a difference in the quality of my life.
It won't forgive bad genes, bad diet, or excessive vice, but it can make a positive difference. Don't overdue it. The key is not to exercise at an intensity where you begin to wish to avoid it. Don't make exercise work. Exercise at a level where you actually begin to look forward to it. That's how it becomes a habit Why would you continue to do it, if you don't enjoy it? . On days you don't feel like it, don't feel guilty. But, set that time aside for exercise, even if you don't use it for exercise. Protect that habit. I rode my bicycle to work 1500 miles this summer. It may have saved my life. I've been battling for over 4 months now, and it started with a mysterious swelling in my leg's calf muscle. Dr Google said it might be a DVT. It was. I had pulmonary emboli in both lungs, yet I felt fine. I was hospitalized and consulted with a cardiologist. ( I had been diagnosed with advanced heart disease over 20 years ago. I had 5 bypasses at that time.) Now I am diagnosed with AFIB. Cardio Conversoin failed. (shock heart back into proper rhythm). My nuclear stress test revealed a "moderate anomoly".in my heart. A heart catheterization was ordered. During that catheterization, one of my arteries underwent angioplasty. (ballooning). That's all I needed. No more grafts, no stent. The doctor showed me where my coronary arteries had grown new branches. That's what moderate exercise did for me. This morning, I had an ablation procedure to correct the heart arrhythmia. I was under anesthesia for over 3 hours. That cardiologist remarked that he was surprised my heart was so strong, because he and my managing cardiologist have surmised I have been in "Afib" for a very long time, as evidenced by a severely enlarged left atrium. They give me a 65% chance of having corrected that Afib! My coronary arteries are clear. My blood pressure is under control, my heart is in the correct rhythm. Now exercise and diet are going to help reverse things, without any serious damage having been done to my heart. At the rate I'm going, I could live to 78. I was told the AFIB typically makes one feel poorly. I'm so used to feeling poorly, how would I even know? Tomorrow I may wake up to a new me! (thanks to exercise).

 

[NoDevils]

@forestx5 What type of establishment do you work at?

 

[Samzone]

It can be difficult to make wise choices for the long term, when you're not sure you will live out the month. I never thought I would see 18, after suffering a severe depressive episode at 17. I would suffer 4 more episodes in my life time, each was an epic struggle for survival. I'll be 68 years old next week. Making exercise a habit that I could maintain has made a difference in the quality of my life.
It won't forgive bad genes, bad diet, or excessive vice, but it can make a positive difference. Don't overdue it. The key is not to exercise at an intensity where you begin to wish to avoid it. Don't make exercise work. Exercise at a level where you actually begin to look forward to it. That's how it becomes a habit Why would you continue to do it, if you don't enjoy it? . On days you don't feel like it, don't feel guilty. But, set that time aside for exercise, even if you don't use it for exercise. Protect that habit. I rode my bicycle to work 1500 miles this summer. It may have saved my life. I've been battling for over 4 months now, and it started with a mysterious swelling in my leg's calf muscle. Dr Google said it might be a DVT. It was. I had pulmonary emboli in both lungs, yet I felt fine. I was hospitalized and consulted with a cardiologist. ( I had been diagnosed with advanced heart disease over 20 years ago. I had 5 bypasses at that time.) Now I am diagnosed with AFIB. Cardio Conversoin failed. (shock heart back into proper rhythm). My nuclear stress test revealed a "moderate anomoly".in my heart. A heart catheterization was ordered. During that catheterization, one of my arteries underwent angioplasty. (ballooning). That's all I needed. No more grafts, no stent. The doctor showed me where my coronary arteries had grown new branches. That's what moderate exercise did for me. This morning, I had an ablation procedure to correct the heart arrhythmia. I was under anesthesia for over 3 hours. That cardiologist remarked that he was surprised my heart was so strong, because he and my managing cardiologist have surmised I have been in "Afib" for a very long time, as evidenced by a severely enlarged left atrium. They give me a 65% chance of having corrected that Afib! My coronary arteries are clear. My blood pressure is under control, my heart is in the correct rhythm. Now exercise and diet are going to help reverse things, without any serious damage having been done to my heart. At the rate I'm going, I could live to 78. I was told the AFIB typically makes one feel poorly. I'm so used to feeling poorly, how would I even know? Tomorrow I may wake up to a new me! (thanks to exercise).

First of all, I am so happy for you and your progress. I was almost holding my breath while reading this until I reached the end and the last phrase brought a smile to my face. I'm so glad to see seniors in here. Its so oddly calming and rejuvenating to know that people have gone trough tough times like me and gone on to live a long and (hopefully) gratified life.

I wish to share a little success story from my own life that might appeal to you. My mother had a "widowmaker" blood clot in her heart at 40 and her heart capacity had decreased to 25% of normal function. They didn't tell her at the time, but the prognosis for people who survive this kind of clot is rarely above 10 years. Today, she is going strong, soon to be 56 and she is doing great. Her recent check-up revealed she had somehow regained so much heart capacity that it was at 93% of normal functioning. This is all due to her keeping an active lifestyle. She dosen't have a drivers license and walks/bikes her way to everywhere she wanna go. On average, she would probably get a good 1-2 hours of medium intensity exercise every day.

Please stay optimistic and thank you for being here

 

[forestx5]

@forestx5 What type of establishment do you work at?

It's a military facility. 32 acres. I take care of all maintenance needs within my abilities.. Anything above my pay grade is contraced out. HQs for a light infantry battalion. Snipers and such. Fun people work with.

 

[forestx5]

First of all, I am so happy for you and your progress. I was almost holding my breath while reading this until I reached the end and the last phrase brought a smile to my face. I'm so glad to see seniors in here. Its so oddly calming and rejuvenating to know that people have gone trough tough times like me and gone on to live a long and (hopefully) gratified life.

I wish to share a little success story from my own life that might appeal to you. My mother had a "widowmaker" blood clot in her heart at 40 and her heart capacity had decreased to 25% of normal function. They didn't tell her at the time, but the prognosis for people who survive this kind of clot is rarely above 10 years. Today, she is going strong, soon to be 56 and she is doing great. Her recent check-up revealed she had somehow regained so much heart capacity that it was at 93% of normal functioning. This is all due to her keeping an active lifestyle. She dosen't have a drivers license and walks/bikes her way to everywhere she wanna go. On average, she would probably get a good 1-2 hours of medium intensity exercise every day.

Please stay optimistic and thank you for being here

Thanks for sharing and I'm sure you will make the most of your time together. My folks are gone. At times I regret having been too ill to properly grieve for their loss. I did the best I could, and I know I was loved and I respected my parents throughout my life, which is more than most parents receive.