Hi there,

I'm just seeing this, as I'm not on this site a lot anymore.

One thing I've found helpful is grounding techniques. In Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), there is a distress tolerance skill called TIPP:

T - Temperature

I - Intense Exercise/Imagery (exercise may not be good for you/possible for those with eating disorders or if you have difficulty doing so.

P - Paced Breathing

P - Paired Muscle Relaxation

For me, my temperature of preference is warmth, so I like to quell anxiety with hot showers, heating pads, warm milk, or even just wrapping myself up in a blanket. Some people like cold, so holding an ice cube, throwing ice, or taking cold showers can be helpful! Just remember to use it in moderation and don't hold the ice to the point of self-harm.

For the intense exercise, some jumping jacks, pushups or jogging in place can help because you will essentially wear yourself out. If you want imagery, picture peaceful scenes or your happy place. There are different imagery exercises that you can use, and plenty you can find online!

Paced Breathing is really simple! I tend to do boxed breathing - breathe in through your nose for four seconds, hold for four seconds, out for four, and hold for four. Repeat this again. The idea behind this is help regulate your breathing and heart rate.

Paired Muscle Relaxation can be done in multiple ways. One thing I like to do is squeezing my hands as hard as I can and then releasing. However you can do a body scan to notice, without moving, where your body is in terms of the universe and space. Imagine an energy that starts in your toes and slowly move up your body.

I also find meditations, music, and just finding a place to take space to be helpful. I also utilize distractions like watching a TV show, doing a craft activity or doing a puzzle to be helpful. Of course, I will also recommend therapy if this is accessible to you. I know it is hard finding a therapist, I only just recently found one myself.

Keep your chin up, and don't be afraid to reach out!

I can't believe there are people who just like

Live their lives??

And aren't anxious or depressed?

Like at all?

What the fuck is that shit? I don't believe it exists.

Two new paintings. The first is for my mother as a belated Mother's Day present. The middle is in Circular Gallifreyan, since my mother is a Doctor Who fan (10 points to the person who knows what it says). The second is a portrayal of anxiety. Or at least my anxiety. I'm considering selling it. I don't know. And today, I received my first commission from a co-worker. A 4'x4' abstract piece. I'm hoping I do it some justice. In case you haven't been following - Saturday, I painted for the first time in at least 5 years. I don't have any formal training, only an art class in high school. And I was never proficient with paints.

*Everything falls to shit* Me: No big deal, I'm okay. *A minor inconvenience* Me: I want to fucking die why does everything bad happen to me I am a good person

Anxiety attacks aren’t always hyperventilating and rocking back and forth

Anxiety attacks can take different forms, such as:

Understanding the way our or other’s anxiety works can help to decrease the stigma and help to calm a person faster and get them out of that state. These are just a few, but it gives an idea of the range in which attacks can come.

Life with anxiety is basically

I’m not trying to be offensive here, but trying to educate. A lot of neurotypical people on Tumblr act like depression and anxiety are the only mental disorders that people deal with on a daily basis, but it’s simply not true.

PTSD, OCD, schizophrenia, autism, multiple personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, ADHD, substance abuse disorder, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, dyslexia, and so many more

None of them are treated in the same way as the other, and are all separate disorders, though some can appear together. Mental disorders are not treated by “petting kittens” or “curling up with your favorite book” or “looking at happy pictures and gifs.” Neurotypical people are actually trivializing our problems in this way. We’re not withdrawn, sad little creatures in oversized sweaters and tea cups. We are PEOPLE, and we want to be acknowledged as such. Mental disorders are treated with either medication, therapy, or both. 

And STOP DIAGNOSING EACH OTHER! Unless you are a licensed medical professional (which I’m betting you’re not) you have no right to diagnose another person. They can be recommended to a professional, but you are not a psychiatrist.

Please remember this, and fight the stigma.

fun fact

My mental disorder isn’t my fault. I can’t control it. Stop acting like I can make it stop just because it inconveniences you.

I'm going to write a memoir called, "I Have Too Many Panic Attacks Over the Stupidest Things Ever Like the Fact that We're Running Out of Forks"

Imagine this:

You've had the worst week in a long time. Anxiety attack after anxiety attack. All the pressure is just building up and you feel terrible. You can't sleep, you can hardly eat, you're horribly depressed. You want to cry every second of every day that week, but you know you have to just try to keep strong. And the one person you love more than anything in the world is farther away than you'd like. Then, as you're about to end your worst week, you get a phone call, and your true love, the one you love more than anything in the world, is at your door, hugging you and kissing you and helping to make it better.

This happened to me today. Don't give up hope for the most amazing things to happen in the darkest of times. Your beacon of light may come to you sooner than you think.

I've taken up felting as a way to cope with anxiety and depression.

I made a felt corgi. :)

Can some people send me some kind words or encouragement? I had a horrible day at work today. I actually had such a bad anxiety attack that I had to leave.

I'm still feeling shitty.