Ive had a few people message me asking about how I got a hold of my mental health issues. I'll try to keep it short, but there is a fair amount to discuss
Im bipolar with antisocial personality disorder. Ive been in the psych ward 5 times and in jail 5 times. Ive been on paxil and divalproex for 21 years, doc wanted to put me on a benzo for anxiety but I flat out refused because I didnt want to become an addict. In 1999 I went through months of 15 hour a day panic attacks, extreme clinical depression and screaming voices in my head. I had panic attacks up until 2005 and overcame those. Ive now overcome Id say 98% of my anxiety and 98% of my depression. My meds are still the same.
Until 2018/19, I still had anxiety, TONS of anger, violent thoughts, suicidal thoughts and a really bad head space. I was close to ending it but thanks to my mom working with me, I came to realize food was the root of my problems. My food choices directly lead to anger, anxiety, borderline panic, insomnia, fatigue and a generally shitty outlook on life. I also incorporated a steady dose of supplements (pics of them in here) and a lot of self cognitive therapy and talking to my mom. Im not embarrassed to say without her Id easily be dead.
I went from eating A LOT of fast food, chocolate, sugar and processed garbage, along with gallons of pop to where I am now. These days its only chicken, rice, various frozen vegetables, oatmeal (sparingly), blueberries, a shitoad of water, lactose free cheese, ghee, that pink salt. Those are my every day foods (well not the cheese). If I want I will have a couple gluten free waffles here and there, once a week I amy have a pint of lactose free, sugar free ice cream, oh and i have 2 cups of black coffee per day. I could write a thousand times how important food and the impact on my life is and it wouldnt be enough.
Another major issue with food is histamine causing and histamine containing foods. If you google those you will find lots of info. For me, and many people apparently, when the body is overloaded with too much histamine it causes an allergic type reaction which will feel exactly like high level anxiety and in some cases panic. For me I learned that pretty much all of my anxiety was caused by food. Food allergies themselves will cause the exact same symptoms. I have to carry an epi pen around with me now for food allergies--until 45 years old I was allergic to nothing. NOW, these histamine and allergy reactions will also affect the gut which in turn will have a massive effect on the brain, and thus your mental health and thoughts. The connection is absolutey massive.
Because the enteric nervous system relies on the same type of neurons and neurotransmitters that are found in the central nervous system, some medical experts call it our “second brain.” The “second brain” in our gut, in communication with the brain in our head,
As far as self cognitive therapy, my issues were mainly in overcoming anger and low self esteem. It took A LOT to realize how meaningless what other people say about me or to me is. I also realize for what I want in life, I have an exceptionally great life, freedom to do anything I want. Im completely at peace with myself, and with that came the realization that I just dont care what other people say or think, as long as Im happy. With that the anger actually went away quite quickly. Also, I have a very low stress life, no kids, no debt, no payments no boss, just me. This is also a big key to my mental health improvement. If I do have a bit of a stressful situation I have adopted saying to myself "What Makes Sense"--as in what do I do that makes the most sense to deal with this situation, and all the time there is a sensible solution. Everything in my life is built to accomodate how I can best function day to day and stay mentally stable. I recognize where I cant go, who I cant talk to and what I cant do.
For me, this basically sums up how I went from a nutbar angry vindictive toolbox to a calm, just dont care as long as Im happy person.
Anyways, ask absolutely anything if you want. Im very upfront with my answers