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Not sure what I am ...

Bob1946
Community Member

only recently I self diagnosed my actions over a number of years ..... I was becoming more and more agitated over matters that others didn't worry about .... I threw tantrums and was loud and angry.

      I observed a peer at my club who did this quite often and thought "that's me" and "why?"

Over the past two years I have been on medication and made conscious efforts to control myself and walk away when I identify when I'm becoming unsteady of mind.       I cannot do this every time and over recent month have "exploded" on more than three occasions ..... and feeling damn stupid and sorry afterward.  I know and feel that apologies, although accepted, are not the answer.

Has anyone else had these issues?    What did you do about them?

I feel that I have reached a crossroad that could be my last chance  ..... my home life and social life is in danger.

1 Reply 1

Beltane
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Well firstly, remember that you/ what you are is NOT your illness, or your anger issues. YOU are whoever you want to be- you have flaws and weaknesses- but you also have talents, skills, and unique interesting traits that make you a unique person.

you are not your anger/ mental health issues. They're something that you got stuck with- you didn't choose them nor do you deserve them. Try to practice some compassion to yourself. Beating yourself up endlessly and calling yourself makes or thinking you're horrible is not a kind thing to do to yourself- so try to remember that it's your ILLNESS that's making you act like this, it's not truly who you are.

How do I know? Because you care- there are lots of people who are angry and yell and they don't care- that's who they are and they're not concerned. You are- so much so you're posting on a forum asking for help because you don't want to act like that! Please take some pride in that who you truly are wants to win over the illness!

 

have you accessed your mental health care plan through your dictor, so you can attend therapy for free/ cheap? Have you spoken to your dictir about whether your meds are correct- maybe something different might help?

you may have had bad experiences or not found theraoy useful, but there are tonnes of therapists out there- you may find someone who "gets" you, and whose strategies you find very helpful.

irritability, anger and hostility can certainly be synptoms of a mental illness, Wheh I had bad deoression I was always "snapping" and "expding", then id really be angry at myself for "being a horrible person". Actually that only made me more angry and the cycle got worse. So be forgiving!

Therapy strategies, compassion to myself, and understanding helped me. Eg I learned to watch for early signs that I was getting angry and heading towards an "explosion" and I found many strategies to put that energy somewhere else

i LOVE intense sport (eg crossfit, martial arts) as it channels the frustrations and pent up energy into heakthy exercise- I do it most nights as it releases all the tension of the day so I can sleep well and start a fresh, calm day- it never has a chance to "build" when I get it out like that.

i also love blasting music that helps me express it by singing along loudly. I also learned the drums too!

Instead of trying to "stop"- channel that energy somewhere healthy and you won't snap at people!