A x 3 - B An equation for Mental Health

[AGrace]

Hi Everyone,

While back in hospital the other week a number of the nurses asked me what are my secrets to getting well and staying well? I had to think long and hard about the answer. I came up with an equation. It has worked for me, and I still use it every day, it could be something to consider. A formula sounds really simple, so I'll also share with you a quote that was shared with me when I first sought help. "I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it!"

A x 3:

Awareness: Begin with a thorough and accurate diagnosis, and get a 2nd and 3rd opinion if you feel it's warranted. Find out all you can about your mental illness. Be informed, and inform others as best as you can. Be aware of treatment options. If you don't know, ask. Be aware of your limitations so that you can begin to respect these or push them. Be aware of potential triggers.

Acceptance: Accept that you have a mental illness, if you can't, no one else will. Acceptance is nothing like giving up or surrendering. Acceptance enables you to work with what you have and move forward. Accept your limitations,  only then can you challenge yourself and push them. Accept gentleness, some days you won't get out of bed, but many others you will. Accept that not everyone will be accepting of your condition, and accept that those who refuse to accept it are probably not worth your time, energy, or focus. Accept that now is not forever, and that the only certainty in life is change. Accept help and support, one day the shoe will be on the other foot.

Action: Only once you have awareness and acceptance can you take action. Review the strategies you are using to help you manage your mental wellbeing. If it isn't working change it, if you can't change it work with it, if it is working don't stop.

- B:

Remove the word "Better" from your vocabulary and your goals. Without a comparative context the word better is pretty meaningless. I hear it all the time, "I just want to feel better." or "How do I get better?" If you are going to aim for better then you need to know what better looks like. I never wanted to get better, because it felt so unattainable, instead I decided I wanted an enriched, quality of life despite my mental illness.

AGrace

[angelite]

Hi Agrace

Makes perfect sense, l waste so much energy fighting the symptoms of PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, if l can accept what is going on and work on the techniques to improve my quality of life maybe there is a way forward.

Sincere Thanks

Karen

[HA1]

Thanks AGrace - a very helpful formula.

I guess in my case, I am glad to be able to say that I have embraced Acceptance and Action, but still working on Action.  On-going and very frequent treatment by Psychiatrist and chats with Psychologist, as well as occasional GP visits.  Not entirely sure that I, or the health professionals, have yet got the diagnosis entirely right.  But getting there I think.  May still consider searching out 2nd and 3rd opinions.  Also will need to find a better GP - will search the BB listing, but nothing particularly close to home.

Can see where you are coming from regarding -B.  Better is a very infinite description of a goal for a serious medical condition.  Does not represent anything concrete to strive for.

Take care

K

[white knight]

Hi Amber

A truly practical way of  tackling things. And to spend time in a hospital writing it all down.

Thankyou

[JessF]

My browser crashed! Lucky I hadn't written an essay. 

This is the first time I've found maths to be useful at all in my life, so thank you very much AGrace. "Better" is one of those well meaning words, like "recovery' that is oftentimes not very helpful.

Action is very important. Some days those actions will be big things, major changes, other days it'll be just swinging your legs out of bed and getting your feet to touch the floor. Life is nothing but a series of steps.