To the people that would consider themselves once having been crazy and now feel sane again - what was the narrative that helped you sort out your mind?

Hazzia, 9 months ago

So while I do fit the title question criteria, I don’t think my answer will help with your problem.

I recommend looking into the idea of having a fluid sense of self - basically a concept that there really is no such thing as you in a static sense, and that the thing called you can be dependent of internal and external fluctuations, so getting attached to one or multiple can be harmful. People who have a fluid sense of self tend to be more resiliant to things like conflicting narratives running through their head, because they are aware that they’re not actually tied to those narratives. I think it was originally a buddhist concept, so if they’re into stuff like meditation or anything new-agey, they shouldn’t have much trouble opening up to the idea.

It might not solve the trust issues, but maybe it will help them feel more comfortable in their own skin.

Wolf_359, 9 months ago

I don’t know if this is what you’re looking for, but I was so fortunate to find an amazing job where my coworkers treat me like a good person who has value.

I teach middle school, and I am just surrounded by hardworking teachers who treat each other well. We all compliment everyone behind their backs and to their faces. They tell me I’m good at my job and that I’m a nice person. I used to reply jokingly, “sometimes!” because I honestly could not accept that compliment.

This was incredibly hard for me to handle when I started teaching here. Never felt super loved at home as a kid, only person who told me I was unequivocally “good” was my grandmother, so deep down I always doubted it. I had serious imposter syndrome when people would say nice things to and about me. Still do from time to time, but overall I feel so much happier and more confident than ever before. This job is the best thing to ever happen to me. I’ll work there until I retire - found my forever job. But you could do this without the job.

Surround yourself with people who know you’re good. Be as good as you can be. And know that multiple narratives can be true - I know I have stepped on toes and put my foot in my mouth with coworkers who love me. I have kicked myself for it. But I truly believe that it’s only a very small, very human part of the positive narrative we have all decided to focus on at my job. The positivity has bled into my home life too. I catch myself being better.

I guess what I’m saying is that some of this is “fake it til you make it, then realize you weren’t faking it at all.”

31415926535, 9 months ago

Rough time in my life, pushed to breaking point, trauma, etc. Normal sensory processing disorder and highly active imagination got pushed next level. Felt I was starting to hallucinate, visions became intense, maybe someone from another dimension was trying to communicate with me, and they had to break my mind, make me go insane, to make it happen?

Anyhow, late one day, standing in a park, beneath a tree, sunset. Close eyes, sensation shattering, suspended, sunlight thru closed eyelids was amniotic glow.

Moment of fear, was I truly going insane? Thought about this. The reality I found myself in was actually quite pleasant, relaxing. I’d be OK with that.

That eventually led to not living in fear of possible insanity. Being ruled by fear is pointless longterm. Better to face, accept, after which, it can sometimes be enjoyable.

man_in_space, 9 months ago

Seroquel—and even then I still feel crazy a lot of the time.

legios, 9 months ago

Ergh, I have been on seroquel. It did not work for me (and it didn’t help my arsehat psychiatrist just kept upping the dose when I said it wasn’t helping, then would up the antidepressants when I started feeling numb from the seroquel.)

Never again…

spacecowboy, 9 months ago

Don’t ask the internet this. Talk to a real doctor.

Fizz, 9 months ago

Sometimes when I have nothing to do I just destroy my own life. I get bored and burn bridges for almost no reason. I don’t know why but when I’m working towards something or focusing on achieving a goal I don’t do or even think about doing this.

I don’t know if this is at all relevant to your question but it’s something.

Shelena, 9 months ago

Maybe you are distracting yourself from something?

legios, 9 months ago

I occasionally do this too. For me it’s when my internal voice starts turning to the “dark side” and ruminating on stupid shit, I start feeling overwhelmed etc etc.

NENathaniel, 9 months ago

Idk if this is the right fit for your question but, i used to be excessively anxious all the time and it definitely made me feel kinda nutty and it made relationships with others very difficult for them.

Eventually I went on meds and it helped a tonnn, from there I just had to learn how to exist well without excessive anxiety all the time

grabyourmotherskeys, 9 months ago

Losing that constant voice that everything is about to come crashing down is hard. For one thing, you think about how much time you wasted not doing things because they might not work out.

Glad you are doing well.