Disclaimer: We are not in any way proclaiming that we are experts in mental health. Please seek professional help if you are suffering from a mental illness. We also do not condone the taking or use of illicit drugs.
Because mental health has got such a huge stigma that pervades it, it is of the same importance as any other life-threatening illness. Like heart disease or cancer, it would be better to see a professional rather than to self medicate.
If you are starting to push people away try to go against that urge and if you are trying to help someone please be patient with them. Remember a developing mental health problem means you or they are not in a normal state of mind.
Believing that your state of mind and brain is malleable is crucial. You can change your thoughts and feelings and rather observe them than be becoming them. The best way is to talk to someone that will show you compassion and empathy. The other method is to write it down and with compassion and empathy towards yourself reason it into a positive and kind wording.
The reason is your action changes your brain chemistry, which means to bring about brain chemistry that influences fiscal actions like lethargy, sadness and many more. The greatest brain hack that works for me is to do the exact opposite action to influence and change my brain chemistry to a positive state of mind. Feeling lethargic and low on energy try to jump up and down or exercise. Feeling sad then try to laugh out loud. Believing that you could influence or change that feeling or thought with a little self-discipline to take the needed action is critical and has far-reaching consequences.
Now suppression of thoughts and feelings is detrimental. Give yourself the space to feel and acknowledge your emotions and then move forward by taking the necessary actions or activities. One of my favourite quotes by Tony Robbins is: "Motion creates emotion".
For the supporting partner, friend or family member. Remember that you are the crutch, not the wheelchair. Look after yourself. You cannot control the outcome of the person you are caring for. Their choices and the consequences that follow are their own responsibility. You are only there to assist, love, endure and motivate where possible. If they do harm themselves it remains their choice and you should not for whatever reason resent yourself for that.
Routine is king. Without a meticulously planned routine, things can go south pretty quickly. So from what I've learned, seen and experienced having a well-planned routine is gold. Even if you think that you hate having a routine, your brain needs it.
God loves you and He is with you on this terrible journey of suffering. You are not alone, you are loved and cherished and you will get through this. You have a mental illness and that mental illness distorts our reality to a sort of black goo that sticks to even the best gestures and features of life-sucking out all the joy and ruining relationships.
But there is hope. God is by your side. There is also great medication that helps and new discoveries made to improve wellbeing. And by some unexplained reason or grace and by a willingness to fight, live and to be helped you get through the black goo and life regains colour and brightness. Hope, happiness and love prevail with its normal ups and downs.
If you or your loved one is stuck in a fast downward spiral seek help as quickly as possible. Keep on trying to get better, keep fighting and try everything!
Link to test optimism or pessimism. This is a quiz and not 100% science it's just there to give you an indication.
https://www.seemypersonality.com/Optimism-Test#q1