Paranoia and schizoaffective

Mark07a

Hi all

I go through periods with my mental health, anxious, depressive, high (elevated) and then when everything becomes overwhelming i get paranoid and sometimes delusions.

Im finding this paranoid period particuarly difficult. I think because im also anxious, depressed, isolated, very very unhappy in a job thats oppresive and unsupportive in many ways even though my boss knows my struggles she has been bullying me for a while.

My parents are the closest people to me and they just totally disregard all my mental health struggles. They just act like i dont have anything wrong with me. And then they get angry and sometimes emotionally and verbally abusive.

What i do to stay well.

Exercise. Pray. Read religious text. Eat well. Minimise caffeine. Try and sleep well.

Do you have any other tips?

I think what makes things harder is i have no friends or social support and havent for years even though i really want to connect. I find it really difficult, tiring, draining to socialise most of the time.

I have tried though, i volunteer reguarly, ive joined social groups, been to internet meetups, joined dating sites. Ive even been to some mental health support groups.

Im just afraid things are going to get even harder.

Thanks for reading.

Thx beyond blue for being here.

Mark07a

Is he like a Hindu philosopher or something?

Im thinking of starting some kind of meditation because my mental health has been really bad and just feels like its getting worse, iam so frustrated and annoyed with everything.

I love animals and if my living situation permitted I'd go out and buy a dog, bird or cat tomorrow in no particular order. Probably not a bird because I dont like the idea of keeping one caged when im not home. I think a cat would be best.

I love animals and they do wonders for your health.

My motivation sucks.

I use to go to the gym about 5 times a week. Ive only been about 6 times in the last 2 months which is pretty bad for me.

I find my motivation to do just about anything is not very good, everything is an effort.

I really need some good friends or friend but its hard to make a mean I ngful connection.

white knight

The formula to seek friends never changes- things in common, sports, hobbies, interests. If humans meet a person without one common interest it rarely develops into anything meaningful.

I had a female friend that liked mountain trekking. She joined the Melbourne hiking club (this was 35 years ago) and made strong friendships. It suited as she liked overnight camping, bird watching and campfires. Thats an example.

Maharaji is Indian. He first became famous at 9yo. A town leader died, during the procession in the street, lots of crying, he climbed a fence and preached to them telling them to cellibrate his death. At 13yo he was on TV. He now is about 80yo and flies a Lear jet around the world. He is all about the development of your inner self. In fact ive used his videos during my relaxation periods. Theyre ideal

TonyWK

Mark07a

Guess youre right about the key ingredient to forming a friendship is common interests.

I think i must work out what I really enjoy and then do that.

If you had to summarise what Maharaji has taught you, what are some of the the main things?

white knight

Maharaji has taught me-

To slow down and become calm (in- all is well)
To value life and even one breath )sunset)
To appreciate what life is (appreciate)
To get life in perspective

In the last several years though Ive written a few hundred essays here on the forum that deal with daily coping with mental health issues. Here's a few-

Worry worry worry
Meditation, he helped me for 25 years- maharaji
The frog and the scorpion
Wot- the only answer to torment
The timing of motivation
The financial world if snakes and ladders
Many poems in the thread in poetry corner

TonyWK

Mark07a

Interesting, I'll search for some of your essays and have a read, thx for sharing.

Have you heard of Eckhart Tolle? His talks and books really resonated with me when I was younger, im sure you must of heard of him seeing that you like eastern philosophy and hes very famous nowadays.

white knight

No I haven't. I do tend to cherry pick regardless of location. Eg I like Richard Dawkins. Mark Twain

What's he like?

TonyWK