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Ask HN: Hacking your brain after trauma and mental health crisis?

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Re: Ask HN: Hacking your brain after trauma and mental health crisis?

#11

Post by gremlinsinc »

mmooss wrote: post #4

What an incredible mountain you've climbed this year. Whatever shape you're in, it's amazing you are still finding ways to care for yourself. People who haven't been through hard times don't understand what an incredible task it is. Next year can't possibly have so much trauma. As the spring's trauma recedes a little, and relative stability becomes the norm, I hope the context for everything else in life is not this…

There's no way I'm aware to get inheritance early, but I think we're on the last 'rungs' I hope... anyways. I've filled out the last bit of paperwork and a w9... So, who knows?

I'm having trouble maybe..understanding what people mean by love yourself, or be your own family or support...I'm thinking of my life in terms of buckets where usually I focus like 90% or more on romantic interest... (I was married 18 years, so...it was a big shock being on my own...) ... but instead of being so caught up in finding my next ...person ... I've been trying to think in terms of filling buckets of: work, career, business, hobbies, family (kids), health / mental health / self help books, etc...

I'm not sure how to build compassion for myself, the rebound person I was with left me with huge scars, in fact that was maybe as far as day-to-day pain the most painful, because I'd never felt bonded to someone so strong..and to be cast aside and completely shunned and everything. I feel torn between i deserved it, and no I didn't because I'm human and people don't treat people like that. I took all the blame and made me feel very worthless.

Anyways, I digress.. a lot of this in BPD related stuff ...and DBT therapy i think is helping regulate my emotions better.

One thing I've been doing is learning guitar, everyday an hour per day. Music has saved my life, and given me an ability to meditate, though the better I get the less I have to think about what I'm doing the less meditative properties haha.

Re: Ask HN: Hacking your brain after trauma and mental health crisis?

#12

Post by gremlinsinc »

clickzyn wrote: post #5

Hi Gremlinsinc, First of all, I'm impressed, you're a real fighter . Everyone is different, so it's possible that my approach might not fit perfectly with what you need. Usually, when I want to get through trauma, I stay occupied with activities that I love and give myself time (sometimes several years). I'm introverted, so I recharge my batteries by doing activities like running, learning a new language or skill, co…

I started learning guitar, and can play a bunch of songs.. (1 hour per day)...oddly I've been able to focus on that... everyday since April... It's very therapeutic as it makes me stop thinking so much.

Re: Ask HN: Hacking your brain after trauma and mental health crisis?

#14

Post by peacechance »

I suggest seeking out therapists who work with veterans and do MDMA Assisted Therapy. Search around and ask for them. The MDMA will shut of your amygdala for 7 hours so you can have long talks with the therapists without your body experiencing fear/anxiety. You'll be able to efficiently get through talking about your traumatic experiences and experience a healthy reconnection with the therapists while in a peaceful state full of endorphins and oxytocin. You'll reconnect with the good inside yourself and humanity. I resolved my PTSD diagnosis this way and it gor me back on track.

Re: Ask HN: Hacking your brain after trauma and mental health crisis?

#15

Post by AnimalMuppet »

I've never lived in St. George. But I think it's different from SLC... but not that different. SLC is bigger, less LDS, but still heavily culturally influenced by them. Also, it's a lot colder. That can affect you, especially in the winter months. (Also, it sits in this valley, and the air pollution builds up there.)

I don't know where else would be physically close that would be better, though. Las Vegas is its own bundle of cultural pathologies. Grand Junction? Barstow/Victorville/San Bernardino?

Wherever you go, you're going to need to make some contacts and turn them into friends. Well, you have the starting point - contacts - in St. George. I would carefully think through who you know, even as acquaintances, there in St. George, and think honestly about how hard it would be to replace them, and how much more adrift you'd be without them.

Re: Ask HN: Hacking your brain after trauma and mental health crisis?

#17

Post by caeril »

clickzyn wrote: post #5

Hi Gremlinsinc, First of all, I'm impressed, you're a real fighter . Everyone is different, so it's possible that my approach might not fit perfectly with what you need. Usually, when I want to get through trauma, I stay occupied with activities that I love and give myself time (sometimes several years). I'm introverted, so I recharge my batteries by doing activities like running, learning a new language or skill, co…

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