EVERYBODY HURTS - THE SONG REDONE BY THE CORRS

I really love the way the Corrs did this song by REM. Hopefully most of you can relate to it.- 'Everybody Hurts'

INTRODUCE YOURSELF (OPTIONAL)

Welcome to the BAD MOOD CLUB, a place for people with psychological disorders to connect, share, and exchange information with each other. Participation is not mandatory, but the more you put into getting better, the further you will go. Share as much (or as little) information that you'd like. this is a no pressure environment! Above all else, enjoy your vist here. It's an opportunity to learn, laugh, and listen with others while remaining anonymous. Please avoid subjects such as religion or politics as there'll be a broad spectrum of opinions on this forum. However, expressing your ability to rely on a hire power for strength is fine. So.... Introduce yourself   :)

TELL US YOUR SUCCESS STORY

Fighting our mental illness(s) and trying to be a healthier - happier person can be a life long goal and it takes a lot of practice managing our symptoms. More often than not, it'll also require additional help from a doctor and / or councelor. If you've made tremendous progress, share your story here. It may encourage (or show others) how to accomplish their goals as well.

A GROUP IN YOUR AREA?

Would you like to start a group about mental illness in your area? There's so many options and ways to start a group in your area. You can define it by a specific type of mental illness, or welcome all. It can be an indoor sit down type of group, or you can plan various activities such as hiking, bowling, photography, or anything else that people would enjoy. If you plan to work on internal dialog and cognitive behaviors, here's some forms that may help get the group started...

The COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS LIST is a list identifying various distortions and negative thoughts we tend to tell ourselves. 

The GOALS AND OBSTACLES WORKSHEET gives people a way to set long and short to goals to achieve a healthier internal dialog (and hopefully a happier life)

The SUBJECTIVE UNITS OF DISTRESS WORKSHEET (SUDS) is a way for people to measure their own level of anxiety. The SUDS ratings ranges from 1 to 100 and is self defined. These ratings can be used to practice exposure therapy and monitor progress. For people with AVOIDANCE BEHAVIORS, this is a way to practice being in stores, parks, schools, or other public places in order to gradually work their way back into society. NOTE that it's probably best to consult with your doctor or therapist first to see if you're ready to take on the challenge of being in public places or around crowds. Safety first.

The THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS RECORD is an easy way to track your thoughts and how they effect you.

The THOUGHTS RECORD is a little more elaborate and focuses on changing negative dialog into a healthier way of processing your thoughts and emotions.

The THOUGHTS RECORD WITH EVIDENCE is similar to the one above, but also requires you to provide yourself proof regarding negative thoughts or fears. It's a chance to evaluate your thoughts and ask yourself whether or not the thoughts or fears are valid.

Hopefully more will be posted in the near future, but here's a little bit of help getting started with a group about retraining negative self dialog into heathier thoughts.

DO YOU HAVE A FUNNY STORY ABOUT YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS?

We've probably all had a moment where we've actually laughed about our mental illness. Have you done something goofy or silly because of your mental illness? Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. If you can laugh at yourself, you can accept yourself. So do tell!!!

THE TOP TEN THINGS THAT SUCK ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS

Anybody with a mental illness know that MENTAL ILLNESS SUCKS! Here's your change to pipe in with your thoughts / experiences regarding mental illness. You can be funny or serious here, so what do you hate most about mental illness?

SUGGESTED BOOK READING, TEA LEAVES OR PALM READING?

Have you found a book you feel would help a lot of people? If you've had a great read, here's a chance to share the book with others. If possible, try to post the title, author, and ISBN code of the book. (The ISBN is usually in the very front or very back of the book) Good articles, magazines, handouts ect... are welcome as well.

HAVE YOU TRIED GROUP THERAPY?

People seem to have a wide range of experiences with group therapy. For some people, group therapy has been a positive experience and a chance to make friends. Other people have had a negative experience with group therapy. How about you? If you had a negative experience, would you be willing to try group therapy again?

ARE YOU OVERCOME WITH GUILT BECAUSE OF YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS

Are you overcome with guilt because of your mental illness. Sometimes we tend to isolate our selves from friends and family, ever react to conversations, or put our loved ones through difficult times. This is generally the mental illness talking, but we tend to blame ourselves for everything. Have you managed to get past the feelings of guilt and hyper critical thinking? What worked for you?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COGNITIVE DISTORTION?

Being mentally ill, we seem to be hyper critical of ourselves. (and sometimes others) We often only see the bad in certain situations, but overlook the positive aspects of that situation. Some of us are often our own worst enemy and tend to focus on the negative side of things. They are usually in the form of negative self dialog. Have you tried something such as cognitive therapy to redirect these thoughts? Has it helped you?

ARE YOU DISABLED? HOW DO YOU REDIFINE YOUR SELF WORTH?

For many of us, our mental illness has caused up to be disabled. Do you put your self down for not being able to work, go to school, or some other societal expectation? Over emphasis on external accomplishments seems to be a tough issue to work through. Have you managed to find a way to be at peace with yourself? How do you now define yourself? Being a better person, volunteering somewhere, spending more time with loved ones....? Have you had to make adjustments in your core values?

DO YOU HAVE PETS / ANIMAL COMPANIONS?

A lot of people find relief by having a pet. Sometimes the unconditional love of an animal is very helpful in the healing process. Some people even have specially train service dogs to help them with their mental illness. Do you have a pet / animal companion that helps you out?

DO YOU SEE AN END TO THE SYMPTOMS IN YOUR LIFE?

Do you believe your symptoms will go away entirely, or do you think that symptom management will be an ongoing process throughout your life?  Has managing you symptoms become easier over time?

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN HOSPITALIZED?

Hospitalization is sometimes the only option on the table when we are really in a bad place. Have you ever had to be hospitalized? Was it voluntary or were you a 5150? Was you visit to the hospital an overall good experience for you? If so, how did hospitalization help you?

MEDICATE OR MEDITATE?

Most of us seem to have multiple layers of treatment that includes medication, therapy, and relaxation or calming exercises. Have you seen more improvement with meds or with therapy / cognitive therapy? What other things have you tried / done to get better?

SELF HARM PREVENTION

Have you ever hurt yourself because of you mental illness? If so, how have you been able to stop hurting yourself? Do you have a special method or technique that may work for others?

HAS YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS CAUSED YOU TO ATTEMPT SUICIDE?

It seems like when we get in that dark place, it's really hard to pull ourselves out of the vicious circle. What have you done to make sure you don't go down that road again? The stereotypical answers we generally receive from friends and loved  ones seems to be almost generic. Has someone given you a method of preventing this from happening again? If so, this may help a lot of other people looking for a way to stay safe. How did you prevent it?

DO YOU HAVE A CRITICAL PERSON INSIDE YOUR HEAD?

Are you hyper-critical of yourself? Are you often hard on yourself or puting yourself down? Why?

HAVE YOU EVER SUFFERED BIAS DUE TO YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS?

Have you ever suffered bias due to your mental illness? Have you been targeted or made to feel bad because of the negative stigma of mental illness? How did you handle it?

DO YOU AVOID CROWDS OR OTHER SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS?

Do you avoid crowds or other social environments? How come?

ARE YOU A SUPPORTER OF SOMEONE WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS?

Are you here to find out how to help someone with a mental illness? Has this forum been helpful for you in helping / understanding their illness? Is there a specific question you'd like to ask others on this forum? If so, go ahead and post it. Thank you for trying to understand the person you're helping, too  :)

DO YOU HAVE DRUGS / ALCOHOL PROBLEMS?

Do you have drug or alcohol problems? If so, were they caused by your mental illness? Are you currently receiving any kind of help for substance abuse?

HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED NEGATIVE COPING SKILLS TO NEW, POSITIVE ACTIONS?

Have you been able to take disfunctional or inappropriate coping methods and change them into positive actions / methods? Can you give an example?

DO YOU COLLAPSE UNDER STRESS?

Do you easily melt down when in stressful situations? What kind of technique(s) have you tried to manage stressful situations? Did any of these techniques help you?

DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE RUNNING WHEN UPSET?

Do you ever have to make a run for it or bolt when in an uncomfortable circumstance? What kinds of circumstances cause you to run away from the situation? Have you been able to overcome these urges? If so, What worked for you?

DO YOU JOURNAL?

Do you keep a journal since getting ill? What kinds of things do you keep track of / monitor in your journal? Do you ever share your journal with your therapist? How has journaling been helpful for you?

DO YOU LOG YOUR DREAMS?

Do you keep a log of your dreams? Have your dreams changed since you've become ill? How would you interpret you dreams now?

HAS YOU ILLNESS EFFECTED YOUR EMPLOYMENT OR ABILITY TO WORK?

Has your mental illness impacted your employment or ability to work? Are you still able to work or have you become disabled since getting ill? How about school?

DO YOU HAVE A BAD SENSE OF TIME?

Do you have a bad sense of time? Is there certain circumstances that cause your perception of time to change?

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN MISDIAGNOSED?

Have you ever been misdiagnosed or do you have multiple diagnosis's?

ARE YOU MORE DISORGANIZED NOW?

Has your illness caused you to be more disorganized? Are you disorganized with objects, such as things around the house, our is your mind disorganized and jumbled up?

WHICH SYMPTOM DO YOU HATE THE MOST?

Which symptom do you hate the most? Intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, anxiety, depression, startle response ect....

ARE YOU ABLE TO ASK FOR HELP?

When you're really ill, are you able to ask for or seek help? Who do you usually turn to for help when you're really sick or having increased symptoms? Do you have an alternative network of support?

DO YOU HAVE MORE DIFFICULTY HANDLING CONLICT?

Has your illness caused you to have more difficulty handling conflict? Do you try to avoid conflict at all cost?

HAS YOUR ILLNESS CHANGED YOU VIEWS ON RELIGION OR SPIRITUALITY?

Since having a mental illness, has your belief system changed... Religion, spirituality, or other philosophies? How so?

ARE YOU MORE AFFRAID OF CHANGE BECAUSE OF YOUR ILLNESS

Do you find it harder to adjust to changes in your life? Have you found new ways adapt to changes?

DO YOU HAVE PANIC ATTACKS OR HIGH ANXIETY?

Does your illness cause you to have panic attacks or very high anxiety? Are you anxious all the time or only under curtain circumstances? What seems to help you manage panic attacks?

HAS STUBBORNESS EFFECTED YOU ABILITY TO GET BETTER?

Has stubborness prevented you from getting help or therapy? Has it prevented you from getting better? Do you refuse a specific form of treatment? If so, why?

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THERAPY?

How long have you been in therapy? Has it been helpful for you? Do you like one on one therapy or group therapy better?

MARRIAGE AND YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS

Has your mental illness had a significant impact on you marriage or relationship with your significant other? Are they supportive of your illness?

DO YOU HAVE A TWITCH OR RESTLESNESS?

Has your illness caused you to have a new twitch or psycho-motor restlesness? Have you found a way to keep from twitching or moving around constantly? Is it worse under specific circumstances?

DOES THE WEATHER EFFECT YOUR ILLNESS / MOOD?

Does the weather trigger any kind of response or does it make no difference? Do you have Seasonal Affective Disorder? Have you found a way to manage this problem?

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE WORD "CRAZY"?

Does the word "crazy" offend you or do you just laugh it off? Does it depend on who says the word?

DO YOU HAVE NEW, UNEXPECTED PHOBIAS BECAUSE OF YOUR ILLNESS?

Some people have new phobias or fears because of their mental illness. Have you noticed any new phobias that were caused by your illness? What kind of phobias have you gotten?

DO YOU BELIEVE THERE'S A CURE FOR YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS?

For most people, it seems like there's no actual cure, but that with the right medications, cognitive therapy, and symptom management, they have gotten a lot better. How about you? What has helped you the most?

HAVE YOU TRIED ACCUPUNCTURE OR OTHER METHODS?

Have you tried accupuncture, accupressure, meditation, yoga, herbs, or any other unconventional method of treatment for you mental illness. Have any of these methods helped you?

DO YOU HAVE NIGHTMARES OR FLASHBACKS?

Does your mental illness cause you to have nightmares or flashbacks? Have you found a way to manage them or atleast find some relief from these symptoms? How so?

HAS YOUR ILLNESS CHANGED YOU SLEEPING PATTERN?

Do you sleep more, less, or have irratic sleeping patterns? Do you used medications or other methods to regulate your sleep pattern... Have you tried meditation, exercise, music ect...?

DO YOU HAVE EXTREME / OVER REACTIONS

Does you illness cause you over react to situations? Has it effected your relationships? Have you been able to manage these over reactions?

DOES YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS CAUSE YOU TO BE HYPERVIGILANT?

Some people become more concerned about their surroundings and are constantly surveying the area. Do you have to keep your back to the wall, watch your back, or other form of hypervigilance? Have you found a way to ease this problem or manage it?

DO YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY RECOGNISING YOUR EMOTIONS?

Do you have a hard time recognising or your thoughts and feelings? Have you been able to keep from acting out on your feelings? How do you manage / regulate your emotions?

YOUR ABILITY TO HAVE EMPATHY

Has your mental illness had an effect on your ability to have empathy and compassion? How so? Do you have more empathy or less empathy since you've become mentally ill.

DO YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY EXPRESSING YOURSELF?

Do you have a harder time expressing how you feel or what you are thinking? How so?

HAS YOUR TASTE IN MUSIC CHANGE AS A RESULT OF YOUR ILLNESS?

Some people have noticed a change in their taste of music, movies, or other type of entertainment. How has yours changed?

EXERCISE AND YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS

Has exercise helped you with your mental illness? For some people, the release of endorphins is a great way to release tension and help them relax. Does it help you? What kind of exercises do you prefer?

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER MENTALLY ILL PERSON?

Have / do you have a spouse or significant other with a mental illness. Has this made things easier or harder for you? Do they have better insight into your psychological needs?

HAS THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM EVER FAILED YOU?

Have you ever had trouble receiving help, treatment, or other benefits? Have you ever had any negative experiences related to the mental health care system? Was it resolved?

HOW HAS YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS EFFECTED YOUR COGNITIVE ABILITIES?

Have you had problems with focus or paying attention since you've been mentally ill? Has it effected your ability to learn or remember things?

DOES YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS CAUSE YOU TO HALLUCINATE?

Do you experience any sensory hallicinations? Audible, visual, or other? How do you bring yourself back to reality.  Have you managed to differentiate your hallucinations from reality?

HAS YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS EFFECTED YOUR EATING HABITS?

Have you had a change in appetite or diet? How so?

DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A SENSITIVE PERSON?

Some people feel that they are too sensitive or that they have a difficult time managing their emotions. Do you consider yourself a little more sensitive than most people? Has it effected your mental illness?

MENTAL ILLNESS AND IT'S IMPACT ON RELATIONSHIPS

Has you mental illness effected / strained your relationships with friends / family? How so?

DOES YOUR ILLNESS EVER CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS?

Do you experience intrusive thoughts or negative thoughts? Have you found a way to manage the thoughts? How do the thoughts effect you?

NETWORK OF SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS

Does you family / friends support you because of your mental illness?  Who else do you turn to?

CONTACTING YOUR THERAPIST BETWEEN SESSIONS

Do you ever have to contact your therapist between sessions? What form of communication do they prefer? Are they OK with you doing so?

DISPLACED INTERNAL RAGE

Do you have displaced internal rage? How do you manage it? Do you know what triggers it?

HAVE YOU NOTICED A CHANGE IN YOUR PAIN TOLERANCE?

Sometimes people notice a change in their level of pain tolerance. Has your tolerance to physical pain changed? Has you tolerance to psychological pain changed? How so?

HAS YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR CHANGED BECAUSE OF YOUR ILLNESS?

Some people notice a change in their sense of humor after becoming mentally ill. Is your sense of humor more 'off center' because of your illness? No judging, IT'S OK TO BE CRAZY HERE, you're in good company!!!

PTSD VICTIMS, WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF YOUR PTSD?

Was your PTSD caused by a specific event, or by a combination of events? When were you aware that you had PTSD?

HAS YOUR DISORDER EFFECTED YOUR CREATIVE / ARTISTIC ABILITY?

Some people has difficulty with creativity while others have an increase in artistic / creative ability. Piccaso, Van Gogh, and H.R Giger are just a few artists that have had a notable change in their artistic styles as a result of mental illness. Has yours changed?

HAVE YOU REPRESSED / SUPPRESSED TRAUMATIC EVENTS

The minds natural ability to suppress traumatic events is a form of self protections that often happens even though we are unaware. What triggered your memories to return? 

AT WHAT AGE WERE YOU DIAGNOSED WITH YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS?

Depending on your type of illness and the circumstances around it, the age you were diagnosed at can vary significantly. Were you a child or an adult?.... Did you have a specific event or trauma that triggered your illness?

HAS AVOIDANCE BECOME YOUR BEST FRIEND?

Do you avoid family, friends, social events, or places since you've become mentally ill?  Avoidance is very common among some disorders. Have you managed to overcome any situations that you used to avoid? What worked for you?

DO YOUR PARENT(S) HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS?

Sometimes we inherit our mental illness or disorder from our parents, or atleast become more prone to having a similar illness. Sometimes our disorder came as a result of our environments. Sometimes our disorder came from a combination of both.

BELIEF IN PRAYER OR A HIGHER POWER

Do you pray or try to connect with a higher power to help you through tough times? Has spirituality been helpful for you? How so?

HAVE YOU BECOME A KLUTZ AS A RESULT OF YOUR DISORDER?

Psychological disorders can impact us physically as well as mentally. Has your illness cause you to be clumsy or accident prone?  How so?

DO YOU EXPERIENCE SEPARATION ANXIETY AS A RESULT OF DISTANCING YOUSELF?

Often we tend to build walls around us as a form of protection. Sometimes we experience separation anxiety as a result of pushing others away. Do you miss family and friends even though you push them away?

DO YOU HAVE A HARD TIME GIVING OR RECEIVING HUGS?

Some people are a little apprehensive to give / receive hugs or other forms of effection because of their disorder. Has you stance changed? Have you done something to overcome this barrier?

DO YOU USE DISTRACTIONS TO DECREASE ANXIETY WHILE IN PUBLIC?

Some people use their head phones or an internal dialog when doing things like going to the store or being in places with crowds. What do you do to manage social anxiety?

DO YOU AUTOMATICALLY CLENCH / TENSE UP UNDER STRESS?

Many people with psychological disorders quickly tense up under stressfull circumstances. Disorders can often increase the impact of our emotions. How do you manage / decrease anxiety in stressfull situations?