Mind-body connection?

dreamer~of~dreams said:I honestly don't think we have a full-blown anxiety disorder, it probably just feels that way because some stressor triggered a massive episode... the key is to jump on it before it spirals out of control, and for me, prayer was a huge help... 🙂

Hang in there

I totally agree

you really need to take action right away—whether it's prayer, seeing a therapist, or even just talking to a counselor... anything at all

you just need someone or something in your corner to help you tackle that fear, because fighting stuff like this all by yourself is the hardest part...

placidjackal97 said:It’s just so much easier to take a pill than to actually deal with yourself... doing the inner work is way slower, it hurts so much more emotionally at first, and it drags up all those old, unprocessed things from the past...

And people really don't want to face that.

Actually, the connection between electricdriver78 and me really sparked because of a thread just like this one...

And I held onto the same belief then that I still hold today—that you don't necessarily need chemicals to heal...

I truly hope to God you never find yourself in the kind of hell I lived through...

You just don't get that fighting a physical illness is so much easier when your mind is clear...

But when it's your psyche, and you're living in a completely different, irrational universe... I didn't have any physical issues, it was purely mental...

You can spend until Judgment Day overthinking everything, but your brain simply stops functioning logically and nothing helps...

Though I don't expect you to understand that...

Thank Bog you haven't been in a situation like that, so you don't know what it feels like to be in a mental prison—where you're breathing and physically fine, but it's like being buried in a glass coffin where you see and hear everything, yet nobody can hear your cries or screams...

You really have no idea what you're talking about...

Just ask anyone struggling with chronic psychological disorders if they can fix everything just by using the power of their thoughts... talk to people dealing with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and see...

Just please don't tell me that people just need to "work on themselves"...

I'm happy for you that you can sort everything out just by "focusing on yourself and enjoying life," but for some of us, our biggest struggle isn't worrying about how much cellulite we have or whether our manicure looks good...

👎

The core difference between our perspectives is pretty simple—I truly believe you can impact mental health without relying solely on medication.

I’m glad you managed to sort everything out just by "having fun with yourself and your own life," but for some people, obsessing over cellulite or whether their pedicure is perfect isn't exactly the biggest struggle in the world.

You know perfectly well what I went through—and honestly, you tend to bring it up in a pretty nasty way in your posts. For those who aren't aware—it was a tumor.

It was at a stage where doctors weren't even sure they wanted to operate. My mom—who's a doctor herself—was completely exhausted, both mentally and physically. It's wild how she could help so many others, yet struggled to help her own child.

See, electricdriver78—when everyone else gives up on you, you turn to "alternative" methods because there's nothing left. And once that alternative saves your life? You don't need any more proof than that.

If it could handle something that massive, it can certainly handle the smaller things.

Actually, worrying about cellulite or getting a pedicure was like therapy for my soul after all that.

There are entire clinics in Germany that specialize in treating mental health through alternative therapies. If they didn't actually work, they wouldn't have been around for decades.

Give yourself a little reality check—it seems like you just can't stomach an opinion that doesn't mirror your own.

We both know we’re never going to see eye-to-eye on this, so I'm surprised you keep trying to pick this fight.

boldeagle3 said:Alright, then go ahead placidjackal97, I'll definitely be part of everyone else who actually wants to read this... I'll start a new thread in the Health section tomorrow or the day after and get everything posted...

As for people making fun of self-treating, you aren't the only one who's gone down that road, though I guess it is pretty rare...

boldeagle3, you bet I'll be interested in reading that too...

I don't have a narrow mind, I'm open to all kinds of solutions, and honestly, I'd love to not have to take pills, so I tried a thousand different things before finally settling on medication...

What really gets to me about placidjackal97 is how she just insists that we're all just emotionally weak for needing treatment—when she doesn't know a single thing about us or our history with this illness...

And then she keeps calling me crazy, claiming I shouldn't stop my therapy because I'm just "irritable," or asking if I "missed a dose"...

So tell me, can someone who claims to be educated and compassionate, and says they're emotionally stable and happy, really say those things to people? Her comments alone show there's so much anger and resentment in her, which makes it feel like she's nowhere near finding any inner peace...

I understand there are people who manage without chemicals, but saying it's *never* necessary... I just can't believe that...

It also makes me wonder why placidjackal97 asks about epidurals during childbirth if she truly believes everything can be overcome through the power of thought alone...

There's no need to exaggerate anything, and we should just let people handle their own problems however they see fit...

Do you guys really think I just pop a pill and it works like magic?

If it were that easy, I wouldn't have been in psychotherapy alongside my meds for nearly two years...

Don't kid yourselves into thinking we're all dealing with mild stress and anxiety...

God forbid you ever have to experience the depth of darkness and misery I went through, having struggled with this illness and the lack of understanding from those around me for years...

That's why I can't just sit idly by while someone like placidjackal97 dismisses the efforts of people who have been through what I've been through, especially when she discourages those who might want help but aren't ready to admit to themselves or others what they're struggling with...

People have no idea how much mental and emotional strength it takes just to admit how bad things have actually gotten...

I'm not saying everyone needs medication, and I expect the same from the advocates of meditation or whatever else—just keep an open mind and don't judge or stone people who chose a different path...

Everyone has their reasons...

placidjackal97 said:The main difference between our perspectives is that I truly believe you can impact mental health without relying on medication...

You know all too well what I went through, and you tend to bring it up quite harshly in your posts... For anyone wondering—it was a tumor.

It was in such a bad spot that doctors were even hesitant to operate... My mom was a physician herself, and by the end, she was completely broken, both mentally and physically. It’s heartbreaking because she helped so many people, yet couldn't help her own child...

See, electricdriver78—when everyone else gives up on you, you turn to "alternative" options because there’s just nothing left... And once those methods actually save your life, you don't need any other proof...

If it could handle something that massive, it can certainly handle anything else...

Focusing on things like skincare and light foot care after all that was honestly such a balm for my soul...

Over in Germany, they have entire clinics dedicated to treating mental health through alternative therapies... If they weren't successful, they wouldn't have been around for decades...

Go ahead and give me the thumbs down if you want—it just seems like you can't handle seeing an opinion that isn't your own...

You know we aren't ever going to see eye to eye on this, so I'm surprised you keep trying to go back and forth...

I'm not really trying to agree or disagree with you...

Just take a look at my post to boldeagle3...

Maybe then you'll understand where I'm coming from...

As for you—just keep focusing on yourself and leave people like me alone...

Let us be to ourselves, and we'll be sure to thank you later... 👍

— she keeps calling me crazy, insisting I shouldn't stop my meds because I'm "just high-strung," then asks if I missed a dose.

Oh, bless her heart...

I’m venting all this at you out of nowhere, and you haven't done a single thing wrong 😁

Now you want to know how I'm going to give birth?

If you spent half as much time focusing on your own life as you do on everyone else's—you might actually make some progress 😉

Look, I'm not belittling you and I'm not even talking *to* you. I have an opinion—one that isn't changing no matter how much you talk trash about it, which I think should be pretty obvious by now.

electricdriver78 said:I’m not actually trying to agree or disagree with you here.

Just go read my post over to boldeagle3

maybe then you'll get where I'm coming from.

As for you—just worry about your own business and leave people like me alone.

Let us "poison" ourselves in peace—you'll thank us later.👍

Look, honey, I'm not even bothering you.🙂

You're the one picking fights with my posts.

I barely have enough time to take off my coat before the internet crashes the second I walk into the office.😁

placidjackal97 said:Look, I’m not even targeting you, honey...🙂

You're actually the one picking fights with my posts...

I barely have enough time to take off my coat before everything starts crashing down online once I get to work...😁

So, that's just who you are...

You don't even know where I am or what I'm doing—you're just shouting into the void...

😁

Go ahead then—if it makes you happy, I really don't mind...😎

placidjackal97 said:Oh, honey...

I’m just sitting here picking on you out of nowhere, even though you haven't done a single thing wrong...😁

Now you're actually curious about how I was born?

If you spent just a little more energy focusing on your own life instead of everyone else, you'd probably be doing a whole lot better...😉

Look, I'm not trying to put you down or anything, I'm just stating my opinion—and honestly, no matter how much you try to argue against it, my mind isn't changing, which I think you already realized...

I truly couldn't care less what someone like you thinks of me...

You seem to have enough on your plate just trying to maintain this fake little online persona of yours, all while making sure you don't trip up too badly...

Poor little Winchi...😢

I’m not sure if you two have actually met, but frankly, it doesn’t even matter—everyone is entitled to their own perspective.
placidjackal97 found her way to healing through her own path, which is great. You’re following the method you believe works best for you, and that’s perfectly fine too.
And why does it matter? Because you both found what actually helped you.
Personally, I’ve always placed more faith in a pill than in sheer willpower—mostly because, let's face it, I don't exactly have much willpower to spare. So, what can I do?
I take a pill, and the headache goes away.
Sure, it could absolutely be a placebo effect, but honestly... I have no interest in overanalyzing that.
As for that list of illnesses and the psychological aspects involved—it’s all well-written and incredibly clear; it helps you understand exactly what went wrong and why things spiraled.
But knowing that hasn't shifted my mindset. It just made me aware that there is a psychological component to these conditions, but that's where it ends. It didn't "heal" me.
It’s not like I haven't tried everything—prayer, sheer force of will, medication, talking it out with family and friends... I really have.
And I’m still searching for answers, because I know I haven't exhausted every single possibility yet.
I’ll keep looking until I find the specific approach that resonates most with me.
What anyone else thinks is the absolute last thing on my mind—at the end of the day, it’s my life and my health on the line.
Besides, I spent way too much of my life worrying about everyone else, which is exactly why everything ended up such a mess in the first place.

boldeagle3 said:I’m not sure if you two actually know each other, but honestly, it doesn't even matter, because everyone knows what works for them...
placidjackal97 found her way through healing using her own method, which is wonderful, and if you've found the path that feels right for you, then that's just great too...
And why does it matter? Because you both finally stumbled upon what actually helps...
Personally, I’ve always leaned more toward taking a pill than relying on sheer willpower, mostly because my willpower isn't exactly my strongest suit, so what can I really do?
I just take the medicine and the headache goes away...
Sure, it could totally be a placebo effect, but I really don't care to overthink that part...
As for that list of illnesses and the psychological side of things, it was all really well put together, very clear, and it helps you understand exactly what kind of demon you're fighting and why it happened in the first place...
But even knowing all that didn't quite shift my mindset... I mean, I became aware that there's a mental component to these issues, but that was about it, it didn't make me feel healed...
It's not like I haven't tried everything from prayer and self-discipline to medication and talking it out with my family and friends, I really have...
And I’m still searching for answers since I know I haven't exhausted every single option yet...
I'll keep looking until I find the one thing that truly resonates with me...
What anyone else thinks is the last thing on my mind, because at the end of the day, it's my life and my health on the line...
I spent way too much time worrying about everyone else anyway, and that's probably why things ended up such a mess in the first place...

👍

we're totally on the same page

electricdriver78 said:Honestly—I couldn't care less what "some people" like you think.

Poor little Winchi—just my luck. 😢

Says the person who’s just sitting there, typing away at their desk—probably while sipping a lukewarm coffee.

Check out my post to boldeagle3.

Maybe you'll finally see where I'm coming from—if you look closely enough.

It’s pretty transparent—once you run out of actual arguments, you just resort to being condescending.

I’ve always been way too concerned with everyone else—which, honestly, is exactly why everything ended up being such a mess.

Well, you hit the nail on the head—you said it all.

Look at the dark side of things—once you accept that, everything eventually turns black anyway.

And vice versa.😉

Personally, I’ll take a pill over "good intentions" any day—mostly because I don't have much willpower left to begin with. What else am I supposed to do?

Fair enough—can't fault the honesty.🙂

placidjackal97 said:That’s rich coming from someone who just repeats whatever was said right before them...

It's so transparent, honestly... once you run out of actual things to say, you just start acting condescending...

Yeah, you pretty much hit the nail on the head there...

Just look at the dark side of things, and eventually, everything will turn dark too...

And vice versa...😉

Poor thing...

It’s just hard for you to wrap your head around the fact that some people don't really matter in your life, no matter how much you try to make them...

👋

When someone lacks actual arguments, they usually resort to cheap insults.

And you’re practically drowning in them.

Honestly, I wish I didn't matter to you so much 😉 maybe then you wouldn't feel the need to drag my name into every single damn thread you jump into.

But hey—by obsessing over me day in and day out, you’re making it pretty clear just how much headspace I occupy.

Go ahead and ask your husband—if you don't believe me.😁

placidjackal97 said:I appreciate the honesty.🙂

Honestly, it’s the bare minimum I can offer—just being upfront.
It’s simply how things are... and there are so many layers to it.
Just think about how our American mothers react whenever we feel even a slight ache: "Take this Advil," or "Grab that Tylenol," or "Try the other brand instead."
And if you actually get sick? It’s always, "Well, your doctor is seeing patients at this time or that time..."
It goes on like that for your whole entire life.
Quite often, I’ll turn down both the medication and the doctor's appointment because, frankly, they aren't even necessary most of the time—but living with someone like that for a lifetime... it leaves its mark on you somehow.
I can't exactly undergo a total personality transplant right now to rewire my consciousness and find "healing," because despite what she might think, I am no longer a child.
I do believe healing can happen through various paths, but you have to strike while the iron is hot.
From here on out, things are going to be much harder.
This is when the real confrontation with reality begins.

placidjackal97 said:Just go ask your boss—since you clearly don't trust my word... 😁

and once again, you've just gotten stuck in the mud of your own small-town mindset...

way to go, Winchi...

you really stay true to yourself... 👍

.Things are about to get a lot tougher.
The real struggle is just starting now.

Hang in there—you’re going to need it. I’d be lying if I said otherwise.

Personally, I’m an extremist when it comes to meds—like, I won't even touch an Advil.

It’s not that I don't feel things; I just take a bath, go to sleep, or head outside for some fresh air (dry, hot air and sitting still too much is usually my trigger)—or if I'm at work, I just take a quick breather.

When my husband and I first met, his family reminded me so much of your mom.

They actually had this dedicated cabinet in their house just for medicine 😲 and everyone thought it was perfectly normal to pop some Voltaren or something similar every single day whenever they had a headache.

Basically, treating the symptom instead of the cause.

I tried to pass along some relaxation methods or alternative techniques to him.

He eventually started practicing autogenic training—it's huge here in the States. Apparently, Germans originally developed it.

I can't even remember the last time he took a pill—though, honestly, if you'd asked him a few years ago, he probably would've had a panic attack if we suddenly ran out of supplies at home.

placidjackal97, if you're totally over it, I'll just drag Margarink over to another thread myself. Sound good?😉

northernfalcon30 said:placidjackal97, if you're totally over this, I can drag the Margarink discussion over to another thread—sound good?😉

honestly, her therapist should probably be sending us an invoice😉

It feels like we're doing half his job for him here. A woman vents, lets it all out, goes off the rails, throws insults... this Forum basically acts as her personal "rage room."

Sure, let's move it to RiD—there's always plenty of drama happening there anyway.😉

But seriously, Maristella—you always manage to crack me up, even with your most basic comments.😉 🙂 ....