Under Construction - MHWA Retreat

What is the best and worst advice you've received regarding your mental health? What advice would you give to a friend struggling with the same issues as you? Is it even a good idea for a layman to give advice on mental health issues, or should that be left to the professionals?


Well, since I am fat from my illness, I'd say that's been my biggest issue regarding advice. I especially love to be told what new diet craze works for some stranger I've never met but who feels compelled to tell me about at drs appts especially. I just grin, cause telling them I got this way from being blown up on skyscraper amounts of steroids would just make them feel like overeaters, I guess? I dunno. But seriously, can't they see me limping around with my bad hip? Like hello? Nah. I know, they can't. It's not their fault anyway, they're trying to be helpful. But I still hate it. As much as I hate eating in public because I'm fat! Regardless of the food. Not my happy place.

Advice I hate #2: Just trust in the the doctors, why do you have to figure it all out? Umm because if I didn't I'd be dead you nimcompoop! I realize it aint all life and death, but seriously, would it kill you to do a little research? My dad did this. And he died at 60.

The best advice ever was strangely enough from my dad. He said to do just ONE thing each and every day, no matter how bad you feel. Invariably that one thing leads to many other things, and before I know it I have SOMETHING to show for my day. Not always. Not even as much as is needed in one's own household with 5 four-legged kitties around, but it helps with the guilt. Lotsa guilt in being sick. I'm not a catholic like some friends when I was growing up, so guilt and I aren't that tight. But I do find it to be the #1 front runner in the cancer mystery IMO. Yes indeedy I do.

And, my specialist in my disease, he said only I know instinctively when to go up or down on my steroids (big part of my illness). Nobody had ever had any faith in me before, not a doctor, so that really helped.

And forgiveness. Forgiveness is key in mental health I think, is for me. I have forgiven most of the fuckity fucks who fucked me over. Yes I have. No bitterness-- can't ya tell

I forgave my stepdad. I forgave my sister (eventually). I forgave the fiance (faster than the sister). But the ones I havent quite forgiven are the in-laws and my baby daddy. Probably because they have no real idea of all they have done. When they die, I feel they will then know. I'm glad. They should know how it feels... how I've been made to feel. Yes indeed.

Forgiveness. An interesting topic. Oh it was advice this week? Man I suck at this HA HA HA!