Coping

[Flyingdon]

I hear this learn to cope stuff, little known fact, I hold a bachelors degree in psychology and i’m bat shit crazy. Why only cope? I’m trying but why? I’m tired of fighting this demon in me, people say I’m tight wound, but my pulse was 49 and BP 104/60 last week at my physical, but I’m dying inside, I don’t want to keep up this charade, I’m miserable in my on skin, I really don’t want to waste everyone’s air.

[Hidden]

I can hear the pain in your words and I am so sorry. It is not helpful to tell a person to cope as that is easier said then done. I am so sorry you are suffering.

[stanislavski66]

I'm a lifelong GAD/OCD sufferer, with depression added to the mix about 12 years ago. Given that I'm 66, that is a pretty long stretch of time. When people say "learn to live with it", they don't know what they're talking about and I would not waste a minute listening to them. But learning coping mechanisms is a different story and as a psych graduate you know that to be true. For me, these mechanisms consist of three things: 1) bibliotherapy (just reading and learning as much as I can, seeing what ways others have found to deal with and live with their condition) 2) therapy (I happen to have a good therapist right now but good ones are not easy to find and they are all expensive 3) medication. You need a psychiatrist or a primary willing to work with you until you find a drug regimen that works. I think that's what's meant by "coping" because unlike an infection, a mood disorder "antibiotic" has not been found yet...and so all we do is cope as best we can. Good luck to you!

[NWGal]

Friend, there is hope. As you can see by the responses here, you have a lot of support. You are not wasting air. People in general are so glad to help if you ask. I got my B.A. in Psychology as well but all the education in the world isn't the remedy we need. We can learn about disorders all day long but it doesn't "fix" us. This is the thing we live with 24/7 and need outside help to make it better - combination of therapy, meds and lifestyle changes if needed. Please, please - continue to reach out here as well as engaging in mental health therapy. We can overcome feelings of doom. Good karma!

[sweetiepye]

What does bat shit crazy look like ? It sounds like it might be preferable to coping . It must be apparent to you that we cannot treat ourselves in an objectionable way. sorry, I mean objective way , but either will work. Being comfortable in your own skin is tricky. I think you have to grow into it , develop trust in yourself, don't beat yourself up. It takes time Let others worry about their air, make sure you get your fair share.Pam