Developed a new bad coping mechanism this week. Yay me.

[ziggypiggy]

Pretty much been frozen up unable to do much besides take care of my basic needs. I Start breaking down imagining doing anything that would be a positive step. Feels like the world is outside my dóor just waiting to pounce on me with numerous requests about things I should be doing and things I've been neglecting. So this week I started sleeping during the day instead of at night. In an unhealthy way it has helped reduce my fear and anxiety. I lock the doors, turn off the phone and put a sleep mask on. When I wake up in the evening the rest of the world is shutting down for the night. No one will bother me, there's no place to go. It feels safer. Not good for me in the long run. But when your in emotional pain you'll do anything for some relief.

[Enigma133]

I feel you. I've been sleeping/trying to sleep from about 9pm to noon, because I dont want to face reality, but I force myself to be up for at least 8 or 9 hours a day just to pretend to give myself a chance to get things done. I am/was very close to making some really positive things happen, but am now sabotaging myself for some reason. 😣

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer]

Don’t beat yourself up for this. Just try to think of it as a temporary adaptation that is ok for the short term but will cause you more pain in the long run.....

[Opportunity]

First of all, I love your name. Is it....Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure?

Second, I think that’s a pretty awesome coping mechanism. Very creative. It makes sense that if the world seems too demanding, you can escape it by sleeping through the world’s requests. Our minds are amazing organisms sometimes. You have implied that you need to change back to day shifts. Must you? What’s good about days? What about a half day half night? (Say, sleeping from noon to 8, but getting the early morning day hours?)

I am all about bucking the norm when possible. I don’t think the norm works, and why aspire to something that doesn’t work? Your post caught my eye for that reason. Plenty of geniuses and night shift people stay up at night-swear by it, in fact.

[ziggypiggy in reply to Opportunity]

Bill and Ted. Yes.

[ziggypiggy in reply to Opportunity]

I've been using that user name for the last 15 years throughout my social media. You win the prize as soon as I figure out what that is.