Mental Health

[pioneer98]

I wanted to share this because maybe it will help someone. After many years and trying many different types of therapy, I finally landed on a type of therapy called "Internal Family Systems" (IFS). I started this a little over 2 years ago and it has by far been the best for me. It could be worth trying for people with complex PTSD. I want to spread the word about IFS because it's had such a positive impact on me.

The basic gist is that when traumas hit you at various points in your life, you developed coping mechanisms. These coping mechanisms are like a separate identity or persona. Turns out, you can have a conversation with them. They call these personas "parts" in IFS. The parts holding old trauma are called "exiles", and the parts protecting them are "protectors". They are usually stuck in that moment in the past when the trauma hit you. The group of these various parts are your "internal family". The goal is to get to know them and try to get them working together better, to go from a dysfunctional internal family to a functional one. All parts are just trying to help you survive. Maybe their way of helping was the best approach at one time, but that time has passed. Time to try something else.

You may have to get several of these parts to trust you and each other before they will agree to reveal those very old, suppressed traumas so you can finally process them and move on. The "you" that is directing all of this is called "self energy". It is a little like the meditation concept that all these "parts" are like clouds and "you" are the sky.

The person who created this type of therapy is Richard C. Schwartz. If you want to learn more, read his book called "No Bad Parts". He was an "external" family therapist, and realized many of the ideas used to improve relationships between family members could also be applied to improve relationships with different parts of ourselves.

[Mary1966]

My mental health challenge is schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. I have tried many therapists over the years and have never felt like it was helping me. I currently just see a psychiatrist, not a therapist. Do you think this therapy would be helpful for me? I downloaded the audiobook of No Bad Parts (I have 8 credits in Audible that I have already paid for) so I can listen to it.

[IMADreamer]

I wish all of you success on your mental health journeys. I really do need to man up and talk to someone, but not in this tiny ass gossipy town.

[GeddyWrox]

I just saw this post looking for a place to vent about stuff. First, @pioneer98, IFS sounds pretty interesting. I had not heard of it before. Thanks for sharing! Glad it's helping you!

My issue seems rather mild compared to severe PTSD or what Mary is going through, but we all have our battles, right?

I've dealt with depression my whole life. I've had several pretty severe bouts that lasted years. Even when I'm not stuck in that spiral, I just have a constant Eeyore feeling. I am on Desvenlafaxine which really helps smooth things out. But it's like I have a veil between me and my emotions (including the good stuff) most of the time. It's much better than the alternative though.

So anyway, lately, work has really been getting to me. It's more stressful than ever, there's politics that never used to be there, and I am not finding enjoyment in it any longer. And my depressive mood has been much stronger than it has in a long time. I've been contemplating finding a different job, but I've been here 12 years and have a lot of political capital built up. I'm not sure I really want to start over somewhere in my early 50s. And Director/AVP level jobs don't just fall out of the sky. The days are becoming more and more frequent where I just picture becoming a Walmart greeter - or some other such low-stress thing - and starting to draw on my retirement accounts. This repeated day dream seems to be the only thing that makes me feel better anymore. But I'd probably run out of money doing this if I make it past about 75. SIGH

I'm sure this is pretty common for people who are starting to see the retirement finish line but still have years to go. Curious if anyone else here has this problem.

[IMADreamer]

I knew we had a mental health thread and I've thought of reviving it many times but I didn't want to bother anyway. My problems seem so trite compared to others. I feel like such a weak person because I kind of have it all really. Great wife, financially stable, etc, but inside I'm [expletive] up.

I've had severe panic attacks for some time now, but about 8 weeks ago I had a week that I was nonfunctional. I finally got the courage up to actually see someone. It's been helpful. I've been put on some meds and things seems to be improving but not gone. We are currently exploring and avenue with a neurologist that ties it back to neural damage caused by covid. So we will see where this journey takes me.

In the mean time, I wish all of you the best, don't fight this stuff alone.

[GeddyWrox]

I knew we had a mental health thread and I've thought of reviving it many times but I didn't want to bother anyway. My problems seem so trite compared to others. I feel like such a weak person because I kind of have it all really. Great wife, financially stable, etc, but inside I'm [expletive] up.

I've had severe panic attacks for some time now, but about 8 weeks ago I had a week that I was nonfunctional. I finally got the courage up to actually see someone. It's been helpful. I've been put on some meds and things seems to be improving but not gone. We are currently exploring and avenue with a neurologist that ties it back to neural damage caused by covid. So we will see where this journey takes me.

In the mean time, I wish all of you the best, don't fight this stuff alone.

I'm glad you are finally seeing someone. If covid had impacted your lungs, for example, I'm guessing you wouldn't think yourself weak for seeking medical help. Mental health shouldn't be any different.

I think the last 10+ years or so, the stigma is lifting. More people are talking about their issues. It's NOT weakness.