This post has been contributed by Alex Carter When you’re diagnosed with a mental condition, it can feel like you’re no longer the person you used to know. You might start to feel different from those around you and insecure about who you are. The first thing to realise is that these are normal reactions to being diagnosed with a mental illness. However, they are also unfounded. Having a mental illness doesn’t change who you are or make you different from other people. A diagnosis actually won’t change you at all. It will just help you understand why your mind works the way it does and how to cope with it. This can actually be beneficial. If you have been diagnosed with a mental illness, or you think you might have one, here is my advice. Research The Condition It’s important that you research the condition and learn what you can about it. That way you’ll have a better understanding of what it is and how it affects you. For instance, you might have discovered you have Asperger’s Syndrome. Asperger’s Syndrome is a condition on the Autistic spectrum. The main trait of those suffering from Asperger’s is a difficulty with human interaction. However, understanding that you have this condition can help you cope with this issue and overcome it. Within a couple years, you might find you are a lot more comfortable talking to people and socialising. Putting a label on a problem often makes it easier to deal with. Don’t Rule Out Medication Public Image It’s easy to understand why many people with a mental condition rule out the possibility of taking medication. They might think that the medication will alter who they are. To better understand why this isn’t the case, you should know what medication does. Medication alters the release of chemicals in the brain. It regulates the chemicals in the same way the brains of those who do not have the condition already do. It’s exactly the same as taking a paracetamol for a headache or an injection for the flu. Another reason people often rule out taking medication is the cost. But, a vyvanse discount card will dramatically reduce the amount you’ll need to pay annually for your prescription. Talk To People With The Condition One of the most important things to realise when you are diagnosed with a mental condition is that you are not alone. There are lots of other people just like you with this medical condition. To help you cope, you might find it beneficial to talk to some of them and understand what they’re going through. They may even be able to help you come to terms with your diagnosis. Ignore The Stigma Finally, there is a stigma attached to mental health conditions that you should ignore. The truth is that a mental health issue is no different from being in a wheelchair. It doesn’t make you any less of a person and it shouldn’t stop you living the life you want or reaching for dreams. I hope you have found this advice useful and wish you luck coming to terms with any condition you might have.
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This post has been contributed by Beth Jones Quitting any addiction can be incredibly challenging. It requires a lot of determination, commitment and motivation. Many people who know they have a problem will continue fueling their addiction because quitting can seem like a difficult task. It will be one of the hardest things you ever have to do. But the hard work and effort you put it could significantly change your life for the better. Once you admit and accept that you have a problem you can start working towards overcoming your addiction. Use this guide to inform you of what to do next on your journey to becoming addiction free. Image via Flickr Ask for help After admitting you have an addiction to drugs, gambling or alcohol, you need to seek help and support. Remember asking for help is a smart and courageous thing to do and it does not make you appear weak. Admitting you have a problem is never easy so start by telling somebody you feel comfortable and at ease with. If your addiction has caused you to push people away and made those closest to you distrust you, make an effort to reach out. Letting them know you are serious about dealing with your issues will make them more inclined to help you, even if it is in a small way to begin with. Building up trust will take time so be patient. If they are not ready to help you on your journey, you shouldn’t lose focus. Showing them how determined you are will speak volumes. You can also gain help and support from your doctor, counsellors and support groups online to keep you on track. Consider treatments After talking through your issues, you now need to start the recovery process and consider your options. Your doctor will be able to inform you of suitable treatments in your local area that also meet your budget. Rehab, Outpatient services and counseling sessions are just a few of the options available for addicts to utilize. These treatments and techniques should be able to pinpoint the reasons for your addiction and treat them effectively. You may have issues with your body, grieving the loss of a loved one or experienced a traumatic event. Remember that there is not one treatment for addiction, and it may take time to find the right one for you. You could also consider living in A Fresh Start Sober Living community for additional support and accommodation. Set yourself some goals Throughout your treatment, you will have times when you want to quit. Staying focused will be challenging at times. So making goals and focusing on why you want to overcome your addiction is vital. Write down a list of all the reasons why you want to quit and say it aloud in the mirror each day. Also, make a list of all the things you want to achieve after you finish your treatment. You might want to return to school or find a full-time job. Having these lists will make it easy to set the goals you want to achieve. Just remember to be realistic and don’t set yourself strict deadlines. Throughout the process of becoming clean, remember how far you have come and what you have achieved. Stay focused and you can start looking forward to a brighter future. |