Welcome to this safe space, where I write about my experiences with Mental Illness, Aphantasia, Medical Cannabis, and other Random Ramblings.
I’ve written many blogs this past year about my struggles late last summer with weeks of acute panic and anxiety that left me traumatized. I attended weekly therapy and worked hard for almost a year to get to a point where I could finally revisit the place where the worst of the trauma occurred, which I did, successfully. With that said, I’m wondering if therapy still makes sense for me. Continue reading on HealthyPlace.com.
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For almost a year, I have been going to therapy to work through the trauma associated with the debilitating episodes of acute panic and anxiety I suffered late summer of 2021. In recent weeks, I have been practicing my anxiety-mitigation strategies and testing my resilience to anxiety triggers in preparation for a return to the location where the apex of the episodes occurred. With extreme gratitude, I’m happy to say that revisiting the place was a tremendous success. Continue reading on HealthyPlace.com.
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Trigger warning: This post involves a frank discussion of suicide and intrusive thoughts.
I’ve considered suicide in the past, several years ago. More recently, I’ve had disturbing intrusive thoughts. Having experienced—and survived—both, I know how intrusive thoughts can easily bleed into thoughts of suicide. Continue reading on HealthyPlace.com.
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On August 10th, 2022, I wrote about how I reached a milestone in my trauma recovery, specifically, how I managed through a potentially high-triggering event without incident. The most significant milestone comes this weekend when I return to where the worst part of the trauma occurred. I’m trying to be proactive in my preparations by taking stock of the panic- and anxiety-mitigation tools I have at my disposal. Continue reading on HealthyPlace.com.
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Almost a year ago to the day, I crashed headlong into weeks of crippling panic and anxiety that left me terrified and traumatized. I sought out and found a trauma therapist who could help me get beyond the trauma so I could be myself and get back to living. I’m delighted to say that last week, I reached a significant milestone in my trauma recovery. Continue reading on HealthyPlace.com.
Feature image taken by me on Bigwind Lake, Ontario.
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It’s been over a year since I said goodbye to my sweet pup, Cannelle, a cocker spaniel. I adopted her when she was 18 months old and was blessed to have her by my side for 13 years. Throughout that time, Cannelle helped me in ways that she, of course, could not comprehend, not the least of which included helping me through bouts of mental illness. Continue reading on HealthyPlace.com.
Feature image of Cannelle taken by me.
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Like most people, when I’m having a hard cry—very emotional, sometimes overwhelming—I do a double intake of breath. It’s like a hiccup, but not. My therapist told me that this is called the physiological sigh and that it helps reduce stress by balancing oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in our bodies. Continue reading on HealthyPlace.com.
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I never really had a hobby, per se. I married young and had three kids. That, plus a full-time job, left little time for me, let alone hobbies. I write—this blog, for instance—and read, but I don’t consider either of these hobbies. As a creative outlet, and with the hope that I could channel my thoughts and energy into something that wasn’t all about my trauma and residual anxieties, I decided to try pottery. Happily, this hobby helps my anxiety. Continue reading on HealthyPlace.com.
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Late last summer, I went through weeks of acute panic and anxiety. I was very sick, and the mental and physical symptoms I endured were traumatic. I am in treatment to address those traumas, including the guilt and shame I felt from being sick and the residuals I feel to this day. Continue reading on HealthyPlace.com.
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“I am innocent of the illness that befell me. I am strong. I am brave. I am worthy of self-compassion”. These are a few of my positive affirmations, said aloud or in silence, to help (re-)train my brain. When I started therapy to treat trauma-induced anxiety and panic, these words were hollow and represented nothing more than wishful thinking. As my treatment progresses, adaptive thoughts, similar to my affirmations, are integrating themselves into what I believe about myself. Continue reading on HealthyPlace.com.
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Cascading Insights 