Give me a break 😁, just kidding. Look, my bad if I came on a little too strong with those opinions 😁—I’ve always been a bit blunt when I first wake up 😁—but seriously, don't act more clueless than you already are 😁 😉
We have already settled that point ☕ And if it still isn't clicking for you—well, just stick around the forum. Maybe in a month, or perhaps six months, you'll get bored enough that it might finally make sense; or maybe it won't, and we'll be right back where we started 🙂
Pro tip: If you’re feeling stuck, just find someone else and try to mimic their moves 😁 Just kidding. Honestly, sometimes you have to step away from what you're doing entirely just to realize what actually matters. You need to force yourself to pause—it’s often when you finally slow down, soak in some outside perspective, and detach from the grind that the right idea actually hits you. 😉 I tend to observe things for a bit—and you should too—before deciding how to act. I try to pay attention to how it feels when I spend way too much time scrolling through forums (usually just leaves me feeling empty) versus when I actually accomplish something useful. At the end of the day, anyone can choose to be productive.
mistyscout2 said:Why is it such a struggle for you to get outside, briskgull27? I honestly deal with that same feeling more often than I'd like to admit, though I usually just force myself to get moving anyway... and, well, you really have to. Even on the days when there isn't any obligation, I still try to make an effort to head out somewhere and catch up with friends.
I won't go unless it's essential.😁 Personally, if I feel like I'm chronically lacking Vitamin D, I'll make an effort to step outside for some sunlight—maybe walk instead of driving—just to stay healthy enough to keep working. Since I'm living a bit far from my usual circle, I tend to compensate by spending more time on this forum, 😁 though I know that's not ideal. I've become a bit too reliant on these threads. I'm trying to break the habit by focusing on what actually matters—finding the truth in things. Obviously, I wouldn't cancel plans with a close friend just to browse online, but sometimes I find myself scrolling for way too long when I really should be getting things done.
stormylynx23 said:It's not about having someone write *for* me. My whole goal is just to get as many people involved as possible—whether they're part of an advocacy group, outsiders, healthy folks, patients, or even psychiatrists—all contributing to the conversation on mental health. More voices, more perspectives. Total anarchy, really (think of it like a grassroots assembly). At the end of the day, the point is to actually help people struggling with mental illness.
I’m not exactly the most active member right now, but yeah, I’m building a website (doing everything for free so there's no confusion about money) P.S.: The technical side is still kicking my ass
In that case, this article/interview regarding PTSD would be a perfect fit for you. Once I stumble upon anything else that might be relevant, I'll let you know (and would it be okay if some were in English, so you could translate them yourselves? This one on PTSD is already translated—not sure if you've seen it).
I just don't quite get why it has to be restricted to a single A4 page... PS: If you need help with the website or any tech stuff, feel free to ask around here on the forum; check out the IT or web design sections if you haven't already.
The association's website is actually quite impressive. I found their anti-stigma initiative—or whatever they're calling it these days—to be particularly compelling. It’s genuinely valuable work (Check it out, or join 😠 😁 ) . It might be worth starting a dedicated thread about this topic.
EDIT: fixed a bunch of errors Actually, I was going to ask you what kind of topic might work for an article 😁 Though, writing isn't exactly my forte—I’ve hit a massive writer's block, which doesn't help since I'm swamped with other gigs, like translation work and stuff. There's definitely some pressure to get something written. It's a bit of a bummer because I actually have openings at a few places—both print and online—if I could just... pull myself together a bit 😁
I wanted to ask you that, but I clicked the link first, so now I have a general idea of what's going on. Are you an active member of that organization? Do you maybe handle the website or something like that?
Look, I edit the American translation pages for the Shareholder magazine; there's a great article over there about Black Lives Matter that you could just copy and paste. It’s a really compelling read. (Though, you'd need to cite the source, obviously.) There's another one too, but it focuses more on children—specifically abandoned kids and their psychological struggles and recovery. That Black Lives Matter piece would be a solid choice for you guys to post.
Now that I'm looking closer at what you wrote (sorry if I'm being a bit frantic, I'm rushing to finish something), were you actually looking for someone else to write a text on your behalf? If so, then what I suggested won't work—feel free to shoot me a PM if you want to chat. (It would be wild to list all the combinations we're thinking of here 😬 )
stormylynx23 said:Honestly, it’s tough to pin down specific diagnoses because the symptoms overlap so much. A lot of this stuff is still "fringe science"—psychiatry hasn't quite figured it all out yet. I think I read somewhere that some experts in Britain are actually looking into removing schizophrenia as a standalone diagnosis—it's just too broad a category and covers way too many different things.
For instance, my current psychiatrist refuses to hand out a definitive diagnosis unless there's an official paper trail required.
Well, I wasn't saying it was easy. 😁 Look, I'm definitely not a psychologist or a psychiatrist, but that's just my take on it.
That approach your doctor takes sounds pretty smart to me, actually. 👍
stormylynx23 said:That happens during an episode (psychosis), not during the gaps between attacks when you're in what's called remission.
Exactly. But for those folks who skip their meds, deal with severe schizophrenia, and—to make matters worse—drink heavily, they're basically living in that state almost constantly, aren't they?
briskgull27 said:That’s a fair question, really. But have you ever stopped to consider why life might feel a bit more manageable without schizophrenia? Is it actually possible for me to have her?
How do I actually perceive reality? I'm just not sure? What exactly is reality? The New York Stock Exchange, the war in Iraq, Evo Morales, watching CNN, or maybe just drinking lithium every single day? Which one is it going to be?😎
Well, that's what you said, not me!!!! I never actually stated that things would be easier. Actually, maybe I did imply it—I can't quite say.
But I truly believe you're on the road to recovery, regardless of how long that journey takes; perhaps the fact that your diagnoses are so intertwined plays a part in that.
How am I even perceiving reality??????????????? I don't know ??????? What even is reality???????? The New York Stock Exchange, the war in Iraq, Evo Morales, watching CNN, or taking lithium every single day?????😎
Kevin Mitchell20 said:Hard to say... some level of support definitely wouldn't have hurt. It was just one bad thing after another; PTSD, my brother's suicide, getting hooked on heroin and pills, and then that tragically stupid decision to try and handle everything on his own... leading up to the tragedy, he hadn't slept for about a month... We live in different cities so I didn't know what was going on, and the people who did know felt like it wasn't their place to step in... now they won't even visit him because they think he was being arrogant, thinking he could just control everything himself.
Yeah, I tend to ramble sometimes. It really all ties back to that stigma surrounding mental illness. I actually wrote a piece once about a former colleague of mine who recently took his own life—before that, his brother told me, "Don't tell anyone he has mental health issues" or that he'd been hospitalized. It essentially forces a kind of isolation upon them.
That’s why I keep nudging Out to start her own blog 😁, but she just won't do it.
Does anyone happen to know how to install that WinFax service—or whatever the exact name is—straight from the CD? I mean, I think I know the drill, but it just isn't working for me. Does anyone remember where that specific file is located on the Windows XP disc?
I've attempted the installation a few times myself, but I can never seem to get it to stick. Honestly, I haven't the slightest clue what's going wrong—which is a real shame, as it would be incredibly useful. I recall the last time I tried, I couldn't even locate the fax service on my Windows CD.
A couple of attempts ago (though I can't quite remember if I was running Windows XP at the time), I actually managed to install the fax software, but it just wouldn't send anything—no idea why.
🤔 I suspect the second ingredient was detachment—not that I’d ever suggest playing with fire, per se—but that's my best guess. Do you all actually know what I mean by detachment?
To put it in a somewhat cartoonish way—and bear with me here—attachment is that feeling when you get frustrated because things didn't unfold exactly as you envisioned. It's like when a kid has their favorite toy snatched away; you become tethered to a specific outcome. And honestly, that attachment can be anything—you really have to let your imagination run wild with it—ranging from purely material stuff to abstract concepts, ideas, or even certain traits.
I suppose that’s accurate, though it feels like a rather hollow way to put it. In my view, it is simply human nature to want to "get ahead" and find happiness.
Then again—and this is the tricky part—suffering is just as much a part of being human. That "naturalness" is hard to swallow.
I remember reading something quite fascinating in a book about the components of happiness. It listed maybe two or three key elements—I think there were two—but I can only recall one, and I can't seem to track down the source now. 😢 🙂
Anyway, one of those few ingredients is what I’d call the proper use of one's time throughout the day.
To put it in more modern terms: solid time management. From my own experience, I’ve found that it really is one of the primary pillars of happiness—or perhaps satisfaction; they are practically synonymous when you consider the human psyche, if not entirely. 😬
When you waste your hours on trivialities or completely useless distractions, you don't exactly feel happy. At least, that’s how it works for me.
If only I could remember what that second ingredient was. 🤔 I'll let you know if I find it 🙂 (though I have a sneaking suspicion that won't be happening anytime soon. 🙂)
