YoThis is likely to happen if you suffer from chronic depression or anxiety. You suddenly have the feeling that you are falling into a downward spiral. You get scared and convince yourself that you are about to plummet into the abyss. “What’s happening to me? Help!”
Imagine really falling into the abyss. Yes, imagine what terrifies you: take things to the extreme. What happens?
Have you been there? For sure yes.
All the elements of the perfect psychological storm merge and the feeling becomes one of utter situational incompetence…and terror.
You think you’re headed to the abyss, or at least to the nearest psychiatric hospital.
those 13 things
Right now, you might be chuckling at the prospect of having to deal with an evolving hell.
But that can change… quickly. And by reading the following and letting it sink in, you’ll be better prepared when things get ugly. Why not save or print the article, just in case?
Ok, first aid for emotional and mental health…
- Allow for at least a 40% margin of error between reality and perception. You are in a difficult situation, I understand. But we cannot forget how good we can be at causing catastrophes and other cognitive distortions.
- With number 1 under your belt, see if you can minimize thoughts about a visit to the mental hospital. But if that’s how it boils down, that’s okay, it may be best for you.
- Assess dashboard warning light issues: stressors, diet, exercise, yoga/meditation, sleep, etc. When you get the results, make any necessary adjustments.
- Accept what is happening. Whether you like it or not, it’s happening. This is not the time for more internal conflicts. Let it evolve and manage it as you can.
- Think about being safely tucked in bed. Everything would be fine, right? So in reality, nothing anatomical or biochemical is happening. It is an overloaded immediate reality. That’s manageable, right?
- Visualize your whole self, from above, as you navigate your world. It will help you see your role in the grand order of things and understand that you do not dominate the whole.
- Think about your place in existence. What do you want to do? Who do you want to be? What is the meaning of life? If you have some answers, turn to them for guidance and resolution. If not, what better time to work on it?
- Don’t worry about having a “psychotic break” or a “nervous breakdown.” Whatever they really are, they are the exception.
- Remember times when your circumstances were the same or similar. And remember that you’re still standing, so other than feeling tragic for now, you’ll be fine.
- Imagine really falling into the abyss. Yes, imagine what terrifies you: take things to the extreme. What happens? Is life as you knew it really over? In the end, don’t you rise above everything?
- Find someone with whom you can share what you are going through. It’s really important to express what you’re enduring: what you think and feel. It is about release, feedback, processing, supporting and maintaining social interaction.
- Reach out to someone who needs it, maybe even someone who is going through the same thing. No matter how bad you feel, you can provide help and support.
- Maintain forward movement. This is not the time to give in to the idea of abandoning your routine. And be careful with isolation and excessive sleeping.
- Bonus #14. Never ever never give up. No matter the pain and hopelessness, you have to try again and again.
Do you think they can work for you? Can you think of more?
“I will try again”
“I’ll try again and again.”
Over the years, I have written hundreds of poems. And most of them are based on my mood and my experience of anxiety.
Maybe this is a good option right now…
I will try again
Every time life is hurt and pain
Vision is blurred by the bitter rain
It seems all hope is surely gone
I say to myself
I must continue
Sometimes I feel such deep despair
The burden is more than I can bear
I can’t see beyond another day
But I still have to prepare the way
In times of doubt and faint heart.
When from this world I would choose to part
I don’t know what the answers are
I must believe
They are not too far away
Whenever life has defeated me
Before accepting the great defeat
I will rise once again in the middle of the rain
And swear by everyone
I will try again
You know what to do
Well, it’s bound to happen sooner or later: that terrifying feeling of falling into a downward spiral. Maybe you are experiencing it right now.
Understand that as abysmal as it may feel, this is not over, far from it. You will recover.
Come on, take the time to read and digest our 14 first aid articles for emotional and mental health. Heck, print or save the article and have it handy, just in case.
“What’s happening to me? Help!” You know what to do.
This is an update of a previous article by Chipur. Be sure to check out the comments.
Lots more emotional and mental health information and inspirational articles here on Chipur. Hit the titles.
