exploding a few myths. *triggers*
 

I know most people know the truths, but I am pms'ing and I get vocal at these times, and it's probably good for the world out there to have a reminder!

• Depth of cut or number of bruises, or amount of weight lost, or number of times purged each day is not a measure of depth of emotional pain.
• Medication doesn't fix everything. But it can help.
• Emotional abuse can cause deep and lasting damage to your mind, feelings, soul, perception of yourself and others. It is not 'normal' or 'nothing'.
• One doesn't have to have experienced 'sexual abuse' to have wounds to their sexual self and their sexuality.
• One can work and have a mental illness. You'd be surprised how many people with mental health diagnoses actually have a job, and do it well.
• One can have experienced profound trauma, and show symptoms as a result, but somehow still not be diagnosed with PTSD. Their trauma is still valid.
• Bullying is abuse.
• One can have been very ill emotionally, without ever having been hospitalised.
• People with a diagnosis of personality disorder are good people with good hearts and minds. They need help to manage and live with their pain, not marginalisation.
• People who are more sensitive have a right to exist and live alongside others without fear.
• CBT doesn't work for everyone. There are other therapies out there that help a lot of people.
• One can experience psychotic symptoms without necessarily needing to take anti-psychotic medication.
• Recovery from long term depression cannot be a 'quick fix'. It can sometimes take years for change to develop - this doesn't mean that the person's treatment is not working or that they're not trying hard enough.
• PMS is not solely a physical thing with biological causes. It can have deep roots in wounds to the sexual self and gender identity.

That's all for now. :)
Please feel free to add your own, or comment on your personal experience of any of the above.

Very well constructed and expressed. I feel like I should print it out and hand it around!

thank you for this one in particular for me xxx

All valid points, but this point is so very important to me, thank you katie xx

Valid points, yes.
But, Katie, I have noticed something lately; many posts by you trying to get ppl to understand how it is to feel vulnerable, as you do, hell, as many of us do!
They are good posts, I am NOT saying they aren't or don't make them, etc.
What I wanted to highlight was the fact that you seem to be feeling more and more distressed in the last few months, and I wondered if you noticed and if your T has noticed as well??
Before you stopped meds, you seemed stronger, more 'comfortable in your skin'.
It is sad to see you so distressed; you certainly deserve some peace...but it seems to be lost just lately.
It must be a very lonely, frightening, raw place to be back in...
I hope I haven't offended you in any way...just been worried.
xxx

Romp, these past couple of weeks, actually I am so much better. If only you knew! Vulnerable, yes, but in a stronger container. I'm moving forward so much. Gaining, not losing. Holding my sorrows.
Seems like there's some crossed wires somewhere..
What I've been 'fighting' for is more validation. Recognition.

And, this isn't a support thread as such. It's a 'speak my mind' thread on things that apply to many many people, not just me.
I posted it in this forum because it seemed the best place.

Then apologies, Katie!
Good to hear!!
xx

Thanks. :)

I guess that means I should add another one....!

- Sadness and extra sensitivity is not necessarily a sign of emotional illness. It can be a sign that someone is healing.

"Depth of cut or number of bruises, or amount of weight lost, or number of times purged each day is not a measure of depth of emotional pain."

thanks
<3

and agreed with the last one

^^ a good one to add, thank you.
Must say, not often is one happy to have misunderstood!
xx

thanks you-these are what stuck out for me and apply to me. (odd thing is i cant exactly pinpoint whats causing and what is the emotional pain).

MAny of these stike a chord with me
[quote][
People who are more sensitive have a right to exist and live alongside others without fear.
CBT doesn't work for everyone. There are other therapies out there that help a lot of people.
/QUOTE]
A LOT in fact , thanx for posting.

thank you
 

Thank you.

That's why I came back to RYL.

I needed to hear exactly that.

<3 Ren

I'm glad to reach people with this. :)

More.

- No disabled people can work. If you work, you're pretending that you have a disability, just for attention.
- Depression can't be a disability, nor can PTSD. It's not severe enough.

WHAT A LOAD OF TOSH!

Thanks for these. :)

Thank you Katie,

I have had Bipolar with mostly depressive episodes for nearly 20 years. I have tried allsorts of meds and therapies, some helped and some didn't. I have had some periods where i didn't/couldn't work but as you mentioned I usually have a job, which i am good at. It took along time to find the right mix of medication, therapy and attitude to make me be able to say "I feel well" but it did happen, helped along by a course of ECT. In saying that i still have bad days and almost a PTSD effect from all the experiences i have had along my way to wellness. I accept this as part of the healling process.

I just tell my story to show how true these idea are for me. I also acknowledge that this is my story and others have their own stories to tell which are just as significant to them.

Validation and recognition are what we all crave at times.

All the best to everyone:rose:

Thanks for these. I wish more people knew them. Ignorance when it comes to this makes me sad.

- Self-harm is not a suicide attempt, nor is it for attention.
-Eating disorders are not for attention, nor are they vanity related. (Especially when we can't bear to look at ourselves in the mirror)
-Anorexics do actually eat.
-Just because someone isn't underweight doesn't mean they don't have an eating disorder.

I don't understand how people think anorexics don't eat, we have to or we wouldn't survive!
I also know people who have been refused treatment as they didn't look underweight!

This isn't a myth, but when people claim 'I'm so depressed' over something so small and then they're fine after an hour really gets to me. Like 'they didn't have the shoes in my size, I'm so depressed', you obviously have never experienced real depression.

/rant over. Sorry, just gets to me

Thank you so much for this. I'm having real trouble accepting that I have an eating disorder although I'm in therapy and have been diagnosed as having one. These reminded me I do have one.