In remission...hoping to help others get there too...

ggcatlady · ‎28-11-2015

Hi, I'm a crazy cat lady just wanting to introduce myself to you. I only have one cat these days, my other cat passed away earlier this year (that was a time of a lot of tears). I am 'in remission' when it comes to my depression. I'm hoping that I can help others by sharing what has worked for me. I also have another mental illness that is not very well known, it is called schizoaffective disorder. It has the mood features of bipolar disorder and some features of schizophrenia (such as unwanted thoughts, hallucinations and delusions). Thankfully, I respond well to medication so this mental illness is also in remission at the moment. One of the things that has helped me be in remission is staying compliant with my medication. I usually follow my psychiatrist's advice (except when she says I should exercise more for the endorphins. One day I might catch the exercise bug but so far it hasn't happened.)

I have lots more to share but I think I will leave it for future posts.

Guest_1055 · ‎28-11-2015

Hi ggcatlady

Well cats, I used to own one, she was a very little, sweet and gentle cat, with black fur mainly, with little white patches on her feet. Yeah.... I cried too when my cat passed away, because you can get so attached to them. Well I did, because at one time, she was the only friend I had. I am so sorry about the loss of your cat, earlier this year. It really can be a sad time. What is the name of your other one?

I think that is a good desire that you have, to want to help others. You must have such a loving heart.

About the exercise bug, yes I can relate to that well.

Well anyway, just thought I would say hi to you and give you a welcome hug.

xxx Shelley anne

geoff · ‎28-11-2015

dear Ggcatlady, what a great lady you are determined to try and live a healthy life, even though we can't take away the fact that you have been struggling for such a long

ggcatlady · ‎03-12-2015

Hi Shelley Anne,

Thanks for your kind comments. My cat is called Heidi and she likes to hide when people come over so the name fits! I got both my cats from a shelter and I kept the names the shelter had given them.

Thank you for being so friendly and being the first to greet me.

ggcatlady · ‎03-12-2015

Thank you, Geoff. You are very kind.

One of the things that has helped me is some of the techniques described in the book Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman. He shows you how to change your "explanatory style", that is, change the way you explain to yourself why things happen. I used to always blame myself for things that went wrong in my life but the truth was, it was not always my fault and I just needed to see that. It took practise to change that habit. I also used to see some bad things as permanent but the truth is, things might actually change, they are not necessarily permanent. Again, I needed to practise explaining things to myself that way, it did not come naturally at first. At first, I would say the optimistic explanations to myself, not really believing them, but as I said the explanations to myself more and more often, they gradually seeped into my subconscious.

Guest_1055 · ‎03-12-2015

Hey ggcatlady

That name Heidi does suit the name for your cat, it is pretty cute. I got my kitty cat from the RSPCA, which is like a shelter I think. Her name was Taomi. She was the most smallest and quietest kitten amongst her siblings. The others were noisy and jumping around, but my kitten was way up the back of the cage. She looked lonely all by herself.And I just loved her pretty much instantly.

I have not heard about learned optimism, but I am guessing it is like changing your thoughts.??

Anyway hugs to you ggcatlady

Xxxx shelley

ggcatlady · ‎18-12-2015

Hi Shelley Anne,

Taomi sounds like a darling. Such a good idea to adopt from the RSPCA.

Yes, learned optimism is a way of changing your thoughts.

Sorry to take so long to reply, I have been having internet troubles and have finally resorted to the local library wi-fi.