Reacting to a crisis
@Masihi (4413)
Canada
October 7, 2012 2:24pm CST
Ok, most of my friends here on MyLot know I have depression and anxiety disorder and I'm on meds that help me a lot with that. But about a month ago, my family started going through a major crisis, we're still in the middle of it all, and it has affected me so bad that I can't barely function in society, or everyday life. I'm ending up in bed a lot in an anxiety attack, bursting into tears at appoinments and when I'm out, that sort of thing. I'm still waiting for social services to get us in touch with family counseling and all that good brain stuff. I'm on a new medication that helps me in severe bouts of anxiety.
I wish I can tell you what we're going through but it's much too private to post on the Internet, but it does involve my family and social services and another team of workers that are specifically trained to deal with situations like ours. I'm wondering in these types of times what do you do when you're in a moment of stress other than eating food or taking an alcoholic beverage? Like stress-relieving activities. I like to knit, which I have been doing, and been taking walks, and spending as much positive time with my family as I can. Stuff like playground, going to the synogogue, walking, shopping, but I'm going around with this big heavy tightness in my chest, and I only have to take the new meds if I reallyreallyreally need it, I just don't want to pop a pill every time I feel stressed out or have another stressful meeting, I want natural ways to relax...maybe it's too soon, and the crisis has only happened too recently...hoping that time will heal.
2 people like this
8 responses
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
8 Oct 12
I'm sorry to hear that you and your family are going through a crisis, and I hope that it resolves itself soon.
I think the things that you are doing, spending time with family, hobbies, walking, are just the right things to be doing. Being busy with activities which you enjoy will perhaps keep you from dwelling on things more than is necessary. I think exercise is really important, so perhaps you could do more vigorous walking if you are up to it.
Have you tried aromatherapy? Perhaps a few drops of scented oil in your bathwater or pillow would help you relax as well. At the very least it will make you feel pampered!
I hope that things improve for you very soon.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
8 Oct 12
Hi, GreenMoo, nice to see you again! :-) Ya, I really want to get the lavender oil, and I have to go out to a health store which is way out of my way but I want to get some for relaxing and for headaches. As for exercise I'm really considering learning some dance moves I mean when I was a teenager I was into that american country-and-western music and learned a dance called Country Line Dancing, and it was fun. (I guess they called it line dancing because people danced in lines, from what i could see in the videos). Anyway a lot of people in my religion are into hebraic dance, so I want to get into that. I've tried it before and it's quite similar to the line dancing but only you different steps and your arms are raised at times, and you actually dance around the room in a wide circle. You're actually dancing gracefully with your whole body. No crazy stretching and Michael Jackson moves or splits LOL
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
8 Oct 12
I'm sorry to hear you're having a bad time. I hope things will get better in time. You're doing right, doing your hobbies - knitting, walking, going to the synanagogue as they're better than bingeing or drinkin or other addictive activities. When I'm stressed, I go to a really quiet place, one where no one knows me, and cry, pray and meditate. Most times it clears my mind.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
8 Oct 12
LOL who says knitting ISN'T addictive??? 
Well, I just see those as constructive things that I do so far, going into a quiet place is hard unless I have a book with me, then I'll get totally lost in the book haha. But I haven't loaned any books from the library recently, though, it's a good idea, I should get out a good romance :-))))
Even mylotting is therapeutic even though I"m not on here much :-p
Well, I just see those as constructive things that I do so far, going into a quiet place is hard unless I have a book with me, then I'll get totally lost in the book haha. But I haven't loaned any books from the library recently, though, it's a good idea, I should get out a good romance :-))))
Even mylotting is therapeutic even though I"m not on here much :-p@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
9 Oct 12
Well, yeah, but it is a good addiction. It could even be a source of some income for you.
Yeah, reading books is good. When I lost my dad, for about 3 months, my mom immersed herself into reading. I could not believe she read ALL my pocketbooks. But, it helped her cope. When she was into the books, she forgot about her own pain.
Yes, MyLot is also therapeutic (and VERRRY addictive! ) so I come here often and rant.1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 Oct 12
As you know, I knew that last Wednesday was some kind of turning point and I have been praying for you and didn't ask for an update, figured if you wanted to tell me, you would.
There are a couple things I do when I am stressed, and that is grab my book and read, or I turn up my praise music and dance away. One takes me out of this world and into a character's world, the other takes me into His world where He can minister to me. If I am terribly upset, I do both....
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 Oct 12
Oh yeah, Hebraic Dancing is definitely great exercise. This is one the team came up with we call the "Israeli Aerobics" and trust me, you must be in good shape to attempt that one. Then I choreographic one for Passover one year that also can get your heart pumping. I mostly did that because one of my students loved the steps where one's energy was needed to complete..lol
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
8 Oct 12
Ya I really like reading too, I haven't taken out any books from the library recently, though but ya, that's the affect I get when I go into a book, it's like watching a movie inside my head where I see that words but yet I don't see the words, I'm actually watching the movie in my head, lol. I really should try out Hebraic Dance, I really should get into it lol, good exercise :-p
1 person likes this
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
10 Oct 12
Masihi, sorry to hear you and family had gone through serious crisis. Try not to think too much regarding it. Of course popping pills and sleeping, is not a good solution to overcome our problems. Try to listen to some nice music, to overcome your sadness. On the other hand, try to find a good solution to all your problems. Hopefully, you will be able to resolve them one by one.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
10 Oct 12
I am hoping and praying and crossing my fingers and all that good stuff that things will turn out for the best. As Ricki mentioned above, taking a hike with a friend might be a good idea, I absolutley love the woods. I listen to a little music, but not much, but some praise and worship music is nice and soothing. I'm starting to go back to the synogogue and the people there care about me, and I'm excited now even more because I'm now the official challah maker.
But ya, I'm just hoping everything will work out, lots of meetings and paperwork and maybe even court and all that fun stuff.
@marsfire05 (163)
• Philippines
8 Oct 12
HI Masihi, so sad to hear about that. Be optimistic, everything will run out well soon. Keep the faith and pray. You know you could use different ways to relax, like nature viewing, having a pet to take care of, or going to spa to relax plus beautify. Be strong.:)
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
8 Oct 12
I have a 10-year-old cat that's so affectionate and forgiving she'll love anyone. She really does take the edge off things. It's fall so we'll probably be taking nature walks, and this Sunday coming up we'll be going apple picking as a family, then going to see the pumpkin people down in the valley, which is a yearly harvest/halloween tradition. That's always fun, you should see how creative some of the guys get! Anywhere from whole family of pumpkin people having fun to the KISS band playing to archery pumpkins to even one pumpkin person on a wooden airplane suspended in air from a tree.
@steph_MDT (5)
• Philippines
8 Oct 12
Hello Masihi :D i'm not saying that we have the same problem but i can relate. 2 years ago my mom got really sick. We all felt like she was dying. She had a very bad depression coz at that time my family is going through a hard time. The global recession has taken it's toll on us it came to a point that we don't have something to eat. My mom felt terrible about our situation, she broke down. Good thing my family and relatives are there for us giving their moral support. My mom managed to survive and said that she learned a lot from that experience we had. I think above all, the most important thing is to keep our faith to God. Prayer is the best medicine. I'll pray for you and your family, i'm hoping that you surpass this hard times of your life. God bless you :)
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
8 Oct 12
Awww 
that must've been really hard but glad you all pulled through okay. That's one "silver lining" so to speak in most loving families these hard times eventually bring us closer and closer and we learn a lot if we;re teachable type thing. I'm glad to have read your post,and am grateful for G-d's faithfulness. Even King David had such a hard time and he cried out to HaShem in his psalms, they're gut-renching. I can't give specifics to our situation on the Internet, I wish I can but it's too sensitive at the moment.
I also believe laughter is a best medicine too, and so is exercise, and doing charity. But it's very comnforting to have a G-d that I can go to when I'm distressed.
that must've been really hard but glad you all pulled through okay. That's one "silver lining" so to speak in most loving families these hard times eventually bring us closer and closer and we learn a lot if we;re teachable type thing. I'm glad to have read your post,and am grateful for G-d's faithfulness. Even King David had such a hard time and he cried out to HaShem in his psalms, they're gut-renching. I can't give specifics to our situation on the Internet, I wish I can but it's too sensitive at the moment.
I also believe laughter is a best medicine too, and so is exercise, and doing charity. But it's very comnforting to have a G-d that I can go to when I'm distressed.
@GardenGerty (160624)
• United States
7 Oct 12
So sorry you are having a serious crisis. I find aroma therapy type oils to be helpful. Like real lavender. I will put it on my temples when I am stressed. You could also put it in a little dish or dab a spot on your light bulbs in you lap. I have been missing seeing you around.
Herbal teas seem to be calming as well, so perhaps you could try that.
Maybe more vigorous exercise, if you can tolerate it.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
7 Oct 12
Lavender oil! Oy vey I been always meaning to purchase it from the health store but never even get around to doing so, for some strange reason. I've heard a lot about lavender oil, and how it's good for relaxing you and also with headaches. Thank you for reminding me, and as for vigourous exercise I know I should do that, LOL it's a lot better than laying in bed (health-wise, that is).
@marguicha (222878)
• Chile
7 Oct 12
I`m so sorry that you have had problems, friend. If you want to tell me PM, I will read you post and cuddle you as much as we can do that through internet. Take care!
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
8 Oct 12
Thanks, I haven't told anyone online yet as it's quite serious but for now we're in meetings with various workers, and I'll be anticipating a call sometime this week for an update, and possibly another meeting. Right now there's a lot of paper work that has to be done and so this waiting game is really really tough. Thanks for your support it means a lot to me that people do care, I can probably tell you once we get final decisions made.
It's really really rough but I can already see that it's pulling our family more closer together...baruch hashem. Just hangiing in there one day at atime for now.
