learning from dating Kylei, 5 years later: tools for managing my anxiety w terrible memory & ADD

[belenen]

icon: "ADD-PI (two electromicroscope photos of crystallized acetylcholine, overlaid & warped in several ways)"As my ADD has gotten more unmanageable and my memory has gotten worse at the same time my anxiety has risen to disorder levels, I find that I am needing a lot of the same tools I helped Kylei create when we were together (or tools I thought

Comments

Useful tool

[sandracaprice]

This sounds like a great idea! And I know someone for whom this might work well; thanks for sharing.

This brought to mind something I did recently when trying to decide whether to stay in a relationship. I got two glass jars and drew a plus sign (+) on one and minus (-) on the other. Every time my partner did or said something (or obviously refrained from doing something that's triggering to me) that made me feel loved, I wrote it down on a slip of paper and put it in the + jar. Everytime they did or said something that made me feel unloved, I wrote it down and put it in the - jar. After a few weeks, I had a visual reminder that there is more good than bad in the relationship. I made my decision and tossed out all the slips of paper, but now I wish I had saved the + jar as a reminder that I am loved and appreciated so that I could feel reassured when things were not so great.

Re: Useful tool

[belenen]

Sounds like a great experiment! I can understand the regret at not saving the +s, I'd have felt the same.

Did you weight them based on how much energy they gave or took?

[belenen]

I am so glad you have that continuous source of strength from the love and warmth <3

I can relate.

[brujah]

I have a folded piece of ten year old paper tucked in the top drawer of my desk. I always keep it close to hand so that I can reread the things folks once said about me in an LJ poll when I asked, "please tell me something positive about myself."

Sometimes all we really do need is a reminder.

Re: I can relate.

[belenen]

mmm, yes <3 glad you have that reminder!

[peachpai]

That's a really good idea, I hope it help you!

[belenen]

thanks! it has so far!

Thank you...

[the_hag]

Your honesty and self reflection are amazing and it's difficult to have to deal with these issues, I know! I just wanted to comment and let you know that I think you are wonderful (form what little I know about you) and to let you know I think something like this might be helpful for Liam, they struggle with this as well and I have been at a loss as to how to help them. I will talk with them tonight after they get home from work and see if they are open to the idea.

I have already started a banner project that will use the words awesome as a sort of affirmation (it's one of their favorite words) and then another project (I haven't decided on a format yet) that says I am Enough, for them to hang over the closet in their room, so they can easily see it 90% of the time they are in there. I'm gong to try to make it fun and whimsical. :-)

Re: Thank you...

[belenen]

thank you!

I love the idea of the banner project and the other one! they sound wonderful.