It’s been a while, so I figured I’d check in. Twix and Richard Murphy6, sending love to you both. It’s such a beautiful sunny day today. Yesterday, my son and I were jumping on the trampoline, and honestly, it was wild. My heart was racing and my head was spinning. When I finally hopped down, the world was spinning so much I could barely walk. Sound familiar? Even so, it felt different this time—I was actually happy. Maybe by summer, I’ll be able to hit the beach without feeling that sudden wave of panic. Maybe things will feel comfortable again?
Just a quick side note here, if you don't mind. I don't know much about schizophrenia, but I do know that psychotherapy can be a lifeline in certain situations. It worked for me, though finding the courage to actually go through with it isn't easy. It’s a tough road. But let's not just write off the whole method or assume every therapist is out of their mind. Isn't it worth having the strength to face your own deepest fears?
There are still plenty of people struggling here. This space was built for those dealing with anxiety and fear, so I honestly don't get why that bothers anyone. We used to have such a huge community active here, but now it feels like it's just Richard Murphy6 hanging out with a few people who think they're being hilarious. It’s hard enough for people with mental health struggles to open up without having to deal with "clever" remarks. This used to be our quiet corner to vent and talk without feeling judged or harassed. I suppose nobody really feels like contributing anymore. I'm pretty sure a lot of people are still reading, though. It used to be such a warm, supportive place where people actually connected and made friends. Why mock things you don't understand?
Here’s the link: http://food.com/veggies/potato.htm
I was actually pretty surprised when I saw a pregnancy book listing potatoes as a source of Vitamin C, so I decided to dig through some nutritional charts myself. When it comes to my sister's situation with fruit, I try to explain that the nutrients our bodies need definitely interact with one another—it's just hard to put into words. For instance, we all know iron absorbs better when you have Vitamin C, but who knows what other synergies science hasn't fully mapped out yet? In my opinion, a diverse diet is still the best way to get the right balance of doses and nutrient interactions. Plus, cooking doesn't necessarily destroy everything; maybe absorption isn't even hit that hard.
I have a quick question for anyone who might know. We’ve been talking about how Vitamin C breaks down so easily, but I was looking at some nutritional charts and noticed potatoes actually pack quite a bit of it. It says they're good even when cooked, not just raw. Does that hold true for fried potatoes too? Is there any truth to that? One more thing—my sister has been struggling with iron levels for a while now, and her nails are constantly splitting. She basically eats everything except fruit. We figured out that might be the culprit; since she started making an effort to eat more fruit, her iron levels have finally stabilized. Could that be why her nails are acting up?
I went through a phase where I wasn't eating any fruits or vegetables, and for a while, I cut out certain types of meat too. It was mostly canned stuff—beans, deli meats, you name it. The list is long and changes constantly; the variety and amount of food I could handle just fluctuates. The reasons behind it are complicated, and honestly, I haven't unraveled all of them yet. Some things I have figured out, but they're deeply personal, involving my relationships with the people closest to me—the ones I love and look up to. We all carry skeletons in our closets, both the ones we know about and the ones lurking in the shadows. Sometimes, trauma just pulls them out of storage. For instance, when my son had those intense febrile seizures, it took a massive psychological toll on me. That wasn't the root cause, though; it was just the event that taught me how to live with fear. There are so many fears, isn't there? You just find a little hope to cling to and hold on tight. I don't want to dwell only on the dark stuff, though. Therapy really does wonders for a person. You make progress and become a much better version of yourself, growing stronger through everything you face.
Here’s my firsthand experience. I was eventually diagnosed with a food phobia. How did I realize there was an issue? Honestly, I just kept pushing off eating certain things. I’d tell myself, "It’s fine, I can eat this, I just don't feel like it right now." That went on for two years. It’s hard to admit to yourself that you’re dealing with mental health struggles. Right now, I’m doing group therapy with a psychoanalyst and I’m not on any medication. I also have a phobia of bugs, especially the flying ones that buzz around, though I haven't really started treating that yet—or maybe I am? If you want more details, just ask. I don't know much about the theory behind it all, but my practical experience has been pretty positive so far.
I’m jumping in to join the well-wishes and those messages set to DM's "HOME." As for non-verbal cues, I always hesitate when it comes to using emojis. I actually prefer staying anonymous. It’s just hard for me to show how I feel, even when I know exactly what I'm sensing. And yeah, every book I pick up or song lyric I read seems to hold a personal message for me. Honestly, it gets a bit exhausting. I dig so deep into everything that I sometimes wish I could just take a break, but life just keeps rolling along. Once you start moving this fast, is it even possible to slow down?