#mhared

[mental-health-advice]

Thank you Red for all your advice. Unfortunately my boyfriend broke up with me this week so I will be unable to help him any further or pass on your advice. I have attempted to discuss getting profession counselling with him but unfortunately in the end he was determined to push me away and not listen. It's very difficult now to watch from a distance as he suffers alone. Anyway thank you again, ye are all wonderful people that are doing a wonderful job! <3 kkpaws

Hey hun, i am so very sorry to hear that, with everything that he's going through right now it might be a hard time, and very confusing.I hope that he and you are both ok, and watch out for him if you can! Stay safe my dear :)

- Red <3

[mental-health-advice]

This is for Red. You answered my ask about my boyfriend and I both having bipolar. Thank you so much for your advice. It really helped. He tries to cheer me up when I'm down and I try to cheer him up when he's down, but I think that we are going about doing that the wrong way so I suggested couples therapy to him and was surprised that he agreed. We are going to give it a try and hopefully things will get better between us. Thank you very much for your help <3 - Chippette

Hey dear!That is great! I'm so happy that i was able to help, i truly do hope that it works out!Best of luck beautiful <3

- Red <3

[mental-health-advice]

My family thinks I'm sick.. truth is, my thoughts are dragging me down again. I don't even feel like I'm..here. I feel stuck & disconnected. But hey, letting them think I'm sick isn't completely off. I'm just not sick in the way they think I am. -D

Hey sweetheart,

They can tell thats something wrong and i really think that you should tell them that your thoughts are dragging you down. Just because you can't see this type of sickness doesn't make it any less real. I think that you really should let them know whats going on darling, they'll be able to help you <3

Keeping it all inside can be dangerous, and by letting them know they'll be able to help make you better. They can take you to the doctor and figure out a good treatment plan, or how to fix these thoughts that are bringing you down. you deserve to be happy and get help and escape these thoughts <3

Have you tried to do any hobbys? Fun activities that you like that will take your mind off of these thoughts? Watch your favorite movie, read your favorite book, relax and let your mind wander onto something happy, that will make you laugh and smile. They always say that laughter is the best medicine :)

I know its hard, and a little frightening, but telling your parents would really be worth while. I know that you can do it, stay strong and keep pushing through it, I believe in you!

- Red <3

[mental-health-advice]

I feel fucking nothing. I used to feel everything, I was so in touch with people's feelings and I would feel their pain and happiness and it was so strong but these days I feel literally nothing I can't distinguish any feeling it's like I've died but I'm living. people may say this a lot to you in a metaphorical way or whatever but I genuinely am emotionless. why? [pls tag ptcx] thanks

Hey there darling,

I truly do know what you mean, and i know how terrible these feelings of empty numbness are.I think that you should go see a therapist or counselor about this as soon as you can, these emotions can be very harmful and they can help more than anyone. If you cant go to one of them, i suggest you go to your normal doctor, they can recommend you to go see someone.

Do you have any hobbys? a favorite movie? anything that would make you feel emotion would be helpful, to remind you that yes you are alive, and that you will be ok. Have you seen phantom of the opera? that movie (or the lion king) typically invoke some strong emotions in myself, and a majority of my friends.

If you arnt able to be in touch with your own emotions, you wont be able to feel others like you used to. I suggest that you try some meditation or yoga? Anything that would give you a chance to really focus in on your body, mind, and soul and really focus on your thoughts and what your feeling. Sometimes this will help you find out what your body and mind need at that moment.

I am actually quite worried about you, since i have felt these emotions emotions before and they lead me to do some pretty terrible things that took over my life. So dear, if you could go onto our admins page and click on my name, it will take you to my (pretty empty) admin blog. If you could message me on there just so that i can keep up with you and make sure you dont make the same mistakes that i did, that would be absolutely amazing. http://mental-health-advice.org/admin&blog

I hope that these feelings go away soon, stay strong!

-Red <3

[mental-health-advice]

hi, i want to be properly diagnosed for what i may have, because im incredibly sure that i have anxiety and maybe even depression, but i can't see a doctor. i'm a minor and my mother refuses to take me to a doctor because "they'll put me on poison crazy meds", as she says. i cant ask any further because i'm terrified of making her angry. (she's actually pretty emotionally abusive, so i try to avoid speaking to her...) please help -SF

Hey darlingIm happy that you want to be properly diagnosed and that you are seeking help!im sorry about your mother, is there anyone else in your family that you can talk to? An aunt or uncle? Grandparent? Maybe they can take you to a doctor and you can explain to them whats happening. Also, mental medication is not poison, and does not make you crazy. dont let that get to your head darling. Next time your mom takes you to the doctor for a check up, you could tell the doctor, or even ask your mother to leave the room if you're not comfortable with saying it in front of her.If you have no one in your family that you feel like you can turn to, i think that you should talk to you're friends. You may be able to have a friend (or even a friends mom) take you to the doctor, or they can advise you on what you can do next. Im so very sorry that you have to deal with this, and that your mother isnt being supportive! I cant imagine how hard that must be. I hope that you can talk to someone else in your family and that they agree to help you, in the meantime, you can take a look at this page we have that might be able to helphttp://mental-health-advice.org/calmingplease let me know if you can get the help you need!!! Much love- Red <3

[mental-health-advice]

I don't know what I want to do anymore. I don't want to live, but I'm not keen on dying either. I would prefer not to be born at all, or just stop existing. I'd like to stay in my room forever, but i have to go out but when I do i get these panick attacks -Romy

Hey hun, Trust me i understand. I have that same problem. I think that you should talk to your parents or a therapist. It can be very helpful! they can help you manage these panic attacks. If you cant afford to go see someone, your school should have counselors, or someone in your community.

I know that talking to your parents can be scary, but you never know what they can do for you until you ask. They understand more than we think they do.

In the meantime, i've found that grounding techniques and breathing techniques can be extremely helpful in managing panic attacks! :) Check out these pages for me? They should be able to help you out :)http://mental-health-advice.org/grounding%20http://mental-health-advice.org/calminghttp://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/treatment/breathing-exerciseshttp://eft.mercola.com/

Let me know if any of these work for you dear. Love you, best of luck, i know how hard this can be. I promise you will be ok!<3 Red <3

[mental-health-advice]

Hi there, I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. My triggers are small or crowded spaces and stress. This makes it quite hard for me at school because my panic attacks are usually quite long and severe, so I can't ask to go to the bathroom and stay in there for a whole lesson. I do not feel comfortable letting teachers know, though some of my closest friends do. Can you please give me some options and advice on dealing with panic attacks at school? Thanks, Anon.

Hey there sweetheart

First off I think that you should tell your doctor, or possibly a school consoler? Your doctor will be able to give you medication that you can take during panic attacks or throughout the day that will be able to help, and a therapist should be able to help you get down to the root causes and give you even more advice. Personally, I’ve found that breathing techniques and grounding techniques have helped me the most during panic attacks, they are usually really successful in letting me regain control of my breathing and reminding myself that I am ok! Here is a link for 4 square breathing (my personal favorite) http://www.livestrong.com/article/74944-box-breathing-technique/

Here is a link for belly breathing, and it’s a great self-help website for dealing with anxiety in general http://www.anxietycoach.com/breathingexercise.html

And here is three more breathing techniques http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/treatment/breathing-exercises

There’s also a tension exercise that I use to release anxiety as well as ground myself. First you start at your toes. Curl them in and make them tense, as hard as you can! Now hold them that way for 10 seconds. Now move up to your calves. Flex them as tight as you can! Hold for 10 seconds. Move up to your thighs and…. Flex!! Hold for 10 seconds. Do this while focusing on nice, calm, relaxed breaths or while doing a breathing technique. Move from your toes all the way up to your shoulders! And now relax (PS: this is great right before bed!)

I think it would be a great idea for you to learn these, and find out which work best for you. That way when you get a panic attack, you can use them to help you breath and calm down. Also, here are some grounding techniques that can remind you that you’re ok. Here’s a few simple ones http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10144/6-ways-to-ground-yourself-when-youre-feeling-anxious.html

OK, this one’s a little trickier to learn, but it’s very effective to most people http://eft.mercola.com/

I hope that everything gets better for your darling,

Lots of love!

-Red :)