Mental Heath Awareness - Tumblr Posts

My mood swings are so bad...I honestly don't feel like posting today...hope y'all understand...

When someone tells me to just live in the moment but I simultaneously worry about what strangers, my friends, me in 2 years and the invisible people watching me, think about what I'm doing right now

one more expert level sudoku. and then everything will be alright💛

MENTAL HEALTH DAY POEM

I controversial but firm opinion of mine based on my experiences. Police should be catching bad guys not abusing an unwell minority.

okay. i know i say this a lot but i think this might actually be my favorite piece

it started with a robot sketch, then a two page poem, then I started getting the full vision for what the illustration would look like. As I did that and figured out how i'd add text, the full idea unraveled.

This takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is extinct and the natural world is finally starting to thrive, although there are issues and crises due to what humanity left behind. if this is well received I might turn it into a series, a way of approaching climate change in an imaginative and whimsical light, also i'm really excited I drew a fox for the first time.

it's a little different to what i usually draw but I'm on a higher dose of meds and a little happier, so while that lasts here's some illustrated whimsy :)

self portrait done during therapy right after a panic attack. no sketch, rawdogged it with scribbling markers

OCD attacks

In the past few years, I’ve seen a wide spread of information about panic attacks and how to handle them and help someone who is suffering from one. I am incredibly happy and grateful for this, yet I also want more people to know about a similar kind of situation that I have gone through countless times.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical expert by any means, I am just a person who has struggled with OCD throughout their life. These are things that would be helpful for more people to know about OCD attacks and that hopefully help them understand it a bit better.

What is an OCD attack?

An OCD attack is similar to a panic attack, except it is brought on due to the obsessive fears of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It can often seem confusing or irrational to a bystander, but you always have to understand that you are not in the afflicted person’s mind, and you don’t know the thoughts that led up to the attack.

An OCD attack may be a combination of knee-jerk reflexes, built-up stress, and genuine fear about a situation. The person might be truly mentally distressed, or it could be mostly a bodily reaction that they can’t control. It is always a terrifying, even debilitating thing to go through.

An example of an OCD attack:

Amy suffers from OCD. For months, she has had an obsessive fear of causing a car accident, and it has been getting worse and worse. She started driving longer routes to avoid passing by other cars in order to avoid an accident, and eventually she stopped driving altogether. But even that didn’t end her obsession. Amy is now afraid of anything related to cars, even anything that reminds her of cars.

One day, Amy is talking to her friend Matt, and the two of them overhear a conversation about a car. Even though it is irrational, Amy’s obsession is so strong that she becomes afraid that just hearing that conversation will cause Matt to crash his car. Terrified, she asks Matt not to drive home, imagining that he’ll get into a car accident if he does. She knows that this doesn’t make sense, which distresses her even more. Matt knows that Amy has OCD, but he doesn’t understand why she’s so afraid of him crashing his car just because she heard a conversation about a car.

Things to remember if you witness someone having an OCD attack:

Their incoming thoughts are not rational, and may even be very illogical, but they probably already know this. Telling them that they aren’t thinking clearly or aren’t making sense is not a surprise to them, and can make them feel like you don’t understand what’s happening or make them feel even more afraid.

Engaging in someone’s compulsions for them might temporarily lessen their panic, but it will cause them more anxiety and panic later. OCD is a vicious cycle. It’s best to just assist the person by being there for them while they calm their body down, instead of trying to perform their compulsions to satisfy their OCD. In order to make progress to recover from OCD, that person has to choose not to engage in their compulsions.

The human body has a very powerful response system to both real and imagined threats. Once it has been triggered, it usually takes five to twenty minutes to calm down, and it can have lasting effects afterward. When someone is in a fight-or-flight (or freeze) response like this, their body will prioritize their strength, speed, and reflexes over their clear thinking. Even if the person is trying their best to calm down and think clearly, it will probably take time.

The slow, deep intake of oxygen has been proven time and time again to encourage the body to go back into its usual calm state. Oxygen flow to the brain also allows for clearer thinking, and slow, deep breathing is an instinct that is easy for a distressed person to focus on.

If you do accidentally something that freaks them out, know that it is not your fault. You probably couldn’t have known that what you did would trigger that person’s OCD, and it is a mistake that could happen to anyone.

Whatever inconvenience the OCD attack is causing YOU as a bystander is probably a lot less inconvenience than it is causing the person. No one in the world would want or choose for this to happen to themselves. Not only is an OCD attack interruptive, it is stressful, exhausting, and can feel embarrassing. Furthermore, their whole day can be thrown off because of the attack, which makes all kinds of inconveniences for them. This should be an unspoken rule, but unfortunately some people don’t forget it: do not make someone feel like they are burdening you because they are suffering, because that is unnecessary and can even make it worse for them.

Things that can help someone who is having an OCD attack:

Telling them that you’re there for them and offering to stay with them for as long as they need.

Telling them that you have faith in them, you know that they will feel better soon,

Asking if there are any therapy strategies that they are supposed to use for an OCD attack, and offering to help them with it.

Telling them that there’s no rush, that they can have all the time they need to feel better. Sometimes, in a state of panic, it can be extremely overwhelming to think that you are stealing someone’s time or ruining your own schedule. Hearing that there isn’t a rush can be a huge relief in and of itself.

Offering to listen if they want to talk about what’s happening to them.

If the person is afraid to do something (eat, touch an object, leave the house…), you can offer to do it together.

Offering to hold their hand, give them a hug, or whatever their preference is.

Offering to help with anything they need after the attack, such as taking them home or handling responsibilities for them. Sometimes a person can feel extremely overwhelmed not just because of the trigger, but because they don’t know how they will keep going after they’ve calmed down. Offering to take some things off their shoulders and help them can also be a huge relief in and of itself.

Providing a distraction like an interesting conversation, a simple task, or a change of scenery. Even if the person doesn’t directly engage in it, it can still be helpful for them to just watch or listen to you.

Taking deep breaths, even if they don’t do it themselves.

Getting them a glass of water.

Getting them a sensory object like an ice cube or ice pack, a fidget toy, a mint or piece of gum, or any other safe substance that can help to reconnect them with the outside world via their senses.

Getting them a grounding tool that they already use for OCD attacks, like a fidget toy or noise blockers. Some people keep items like this in a backpack or purse. There are even apps you can get on your phone that they might already have.

Giving them privacy or helping them go somewhere with more privacy. It can be even more overwhelming to feel embarrassed or stared at when you’re already distressed.

Thank you immensely for reading this post. I hope it is helpful. If you want to suggest any changes or additions, please comment or reblog! Like I said, I am not an expert, but this has information has come from many, many days going through this stuff. And if you need someone to talk to about it, or you have questions, I’ll do my very best to help you.

I am sooooo gonna let go of anything.

I don't care anymore. I'm just gonna let time and the universe guide me through the journey.

I am open to anything.

There's a fine line between giving up and letting go. I am in between.

I surrender.

✨✨✨✨💅💅💅💅🕺🕺💃💃

RSD (rejection sensitive dysphoria)

just found out that i probably have RSD as well as ADHD and fuck. That explains so much. Like why I get anxiety over almost every post I make on here, why I am terrified of public speaking when I used to be fine, why I can't imagine ever asking someone out unless I'm sure they like me back because what if they say no? Why i feel self conscious and weird in front of random strangers i will never see again. So much shit that I thought was rejection trauma or something. I wish I'd known this earlier and I hope more people can learn about it earlier than I did.

take this as a sign.

i never planned on making it past twelve. now, i’ve just turned sixteen. i’ve made it so much farther than i thought i could. looking back at old journal entries, i’m glad i didn’t give up when i did. sure, my life is still shitty, but it’s getting better. i am getting better.

so, for my birthday, do me a favor and take this as a sign. keep going. make it another four years. in the end, it’s worth it.

isn't it insane though how schizophrenic people are viewed as violent and dangerous by the majority of society when in reality schizophrenic people are nearly 14 times more likely to be on the receiving end of violence than to be the perpetrators...

I know I needed to see this and I someone else will too

Don't kill yourself, please.

If you’re suffering from depression and are looking for a sign to not go through with ending your life, this is it. This is the sign. We care.

If you see this on your dash, reblog it. You could save a life.

But what if I can never save myself…?

In case anyone is having a bad night

(The best of this post and its reblogs, but with links that work)

Here is a website where you can scroll down to all the different levels of the ocean 

Here is a website where you can see the future of the universe (can get a bit bleak just a head’s up!)

Here is a website where you can press a ‘make everything okay’ button, over and over, until things really are okay

Here is a website that you can read if you feel like a burden

Here is a website where you can look at strobe illusions (TW strobe/flashing)

Here is a website where you can cut stuff up (TW blood/sh)

Here and here are websites where you can play with sand

Here is a website where you can draw with macaroni and other fun foods

Here is a website where you can paint someone’s nails

Here is a website where you can grow a garden with emojis

Here is a website with hundreds of videos of people hugging you (rightfully dubbed ‘the nicest place on the internet’ because it really is, y’all, it made me cry)

Here is a website that will take you to other useless websites

Here is a website where you can make a tiny cat play bongo drums (and other instruments!)

Here is a website to help give you gentle reminders <3

Here is a website where you can grow a tiny farm

Here is a website where you can take a bunch of scientific personality tests

Here is a website of calm rain noise

Take a breath. It’s going to be okay, I promise.

Mental health problems are first

Sorry i might not post for a couple of days, I’ve really struggled with my mental health, anxiety, school, panic attacks and stress. My bf of 3,5 years cheated on me and i just found out, and my therapist said to do everything 100% slower then usual. I really prioritise mental health since everyone in my non existing family has dealt with it. I’ve really struggled to stay clean the last couple of days. Love you all❤️❤️❤️

i’m too scared to go to the doctor for my mental health because i don’t think i fit into any one box, plus some of my friends brought up that i probably have some kind of autism but it would be too late to get a diagnosis and do anything xx

other than that, amazing!! how are you? <3

It is NEVER too late to get a diagnosis and treatment! Adults are diagnosed so much more these days.

And honey, even if you don’t fit into any one category, you should seek help. It is so incredibly worth it. Even if it seems only a touch better at first, if you stick with searching for answers you’ll get there. Please, please seek help!

Don't you just love when old anxiety triggers return 😅😭

Hello Lovelies!

Duck has not unalived! Just with setting up the Duck Witch Coven discord server, tumblr has fallen behind a little.

But that's hopefully going to change! I have a new segment for you all, that I'm thinking I'll make weekly on my blog, for anyone that may need it!

The Tuesday Check In:

Give yourself a point if you:

□ got out of bed today

□ changed your clothes

□ brushed your teeth

□ took a shower

□ brushed your hair

□ made your bed

□ completed a chore/task

□ did something you enjoyed

Feel free to share how many points you managed today! Don't worry if you didn't manage that many, the important thing is you're still here and you're still fighting and I am so so so so so so proud of you!

Come back next Tuesday for the next check in ❤

Ah how the depression demon hath struck me again