Daily inspiration

May the world be kind to you,
and may your own thoughts be gentle upon yourself.
– Jonathan Lockwood Huie

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3 minute depression quiz

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www.psycom.net/depression-test/

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My affirmations

I give myself the green light to go ahead and joyously embrace the new.

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am safe in the world. I am comfortable with change and growth.

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I joyfully look forward to the future.

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I release any limitations based on old negative thoughts.

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Life brings me only good experiences. I am open to new and wonderful changes.

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Changes can begin in this moment. I am willing to see how and where I need to change.

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I have confidence to move forward.

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I am wonderful and feel great.

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I move through life and know that I am safe.

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I accept others as they are.

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Life supports me in every possible way.

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I am confident that I can find solutions.

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I deserve all that is good.

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I am neither too little nor too much.

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My life gets more fabulous every day.

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My self esteem is high because I honor who I am.

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I see the world though the eyes of love and acceptance.

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What matters is how i choose to react and what I choose to believe about myself. It does not matter what other people say or do.

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I am totally adequate for all situations.

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I accept and use my own power.

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My affirmations

Everyone changes and I allow change in everyone.

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I allow to change to occur without resistance or fear. I am free.

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Every moments presents a wonderful new opportunity to be come more of who I am.

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I feel safe in the rhythm and flow of ever changing life.

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It is always easy for me to adapt and change. I am flexible and flowing.

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Every change in my life can list me to a new level of understanding.

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I am open to the consciousness to the expansion in life. There is plenty of space for me to grow and change.

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I feel reborn. I am free from past, and joyously welcome the new.

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Freedom and change are in the air. I discard old idea.

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I give myself the green light to go ahead and joyously embrace the new.

View this positive affirmation

am safe in the world. I am comfortable with change and growth.

View this positive affirmation

I joyfully look forward to the future.

View this positive affirmation

I release any limitations based on old negative thoughts.

View this positive affirmation

Life brings me only good experiences. I am open to new and wonderful changes.

View this positive affirmation

Changes can begin in this moment. I am willing to see how and where I need to change.

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I have confidence to move forward. JmaC from http://www.bipolarsupportgroups.com

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My affirmations

Everyone changes and I allow change in everyone.

View this positive affirmation

I allow to change to occur without resistance or fear. I am free.

View this positive affirmation

Every moments presents a wonderful new opportunity to be come more of who I am.

View this positive affirmation

I feel safe in the rhythm and flow of ever changing life.

View this positive affirmation

It is always easy for me to adapt and change. I am flexible and flowing.

View this positive affirmation

Every change in my life can list me to a new level of understanding.

View this positive affirmation

I am open to the consciousness to the expansion in life. There is plenty of space for me to grow and change.

View this positive affirmation

I feel reborn. I am free from past, and joyously welcome the new.

View this positive affirmation

Freedom and change are in the air. I discard old idea.

View this positive affirmation

I give myself the green light to go ahead and joyously embrace the new.

View this positive affirmation

am safe in the world. I am comfortable with change and growth.

View this positive affirmation

I joyfully look forward to the future.

View this positive affirmation

I release any limitations based on old negative thoughts.

View this positive affirmation

Life brings me only good experiences. I am open to new and wonderful changes.

View this positive affirmation

Changes can begin in this moment. I am willing to see how and where I need to change.

View this positive affirmation

I have confidence to move forward. JmaC from http://www.bipolarsupportgroups.com

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Affirmations

Everyone changes and I allow change in everyone.

I allow change to occur without resistance or fear.

Every change in my life can allow me to a new level of understanding.

JmaC

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Jans self

Always be yourself. Never try to hide who you are. The only shame is to have shame. Always stand up for what you believe in. Always question what others tell you. Never regret the past. It’s a waste of time. There’s a reason for everything. Every mistake every moment of weakness every terrible thing that has happened to you grow from it. 

The only way you can ever get the respect of others is when you show them that you respect yourself and most important do your thing and never apologize for being you.

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Focusing on ones self

Focusing On Ones Self 
I must admit focusing on one’s self is not an easy thing to do.
I constantly am preaching to Andrew, ( my son ), about the words we say, simple words, really do not, at any age, give that good intention, or impression that we sometimes are trying to show, exhibit, or be. As we age as well it is the “action”(s) that speak louder than the words! Now meaning with that is sometimes there are too many words to define who, and what we are? I think, I have to, or know I do “Stop” as I tell him with the “words” and start showing him “Action” of what the words mean. This may not make sense to you, but, what I am getting at is there are so many characteristics in each one of us and within me. I have been for a couple years, maybe longer saying to myself “wow,” “Where did that go?”

When I say “where did that go?” I am meaning a part of me, the action in myself, of how, and what I did,  usually dismiss this and say “we all change” but we do really remain “the same.”

Our character is an unchanging truth. Nothing with in you ever leaves. It can get simply haulted. It is our worst enemy when we stop applying the “Action” in our lives. We have to realize we are in control. 

I can tell you from experience in-action can be disturbing to the mind. It’s like you don’t know how you suddenly stopped. Now you find yourself with too much time on your hands. Even though thoughts are telling you to do “Action” again, it’s like your stuck with no way out of the fog. 

It’s a viscous cycle. You sit in thought. Let’s face it when you have nothing but time a thought process begins. 

Wouldn’t ya know all that negative you use to block is cycling, smothering your mind, body, and soul, day in day out, like clock work. You end up lost in a world of self doubt. 

I think for myself I have a fight, and battling is really not a strong suit for me, maybe when I was younger, I could debate the good fight, inward, outward, did not matter!

Once were, or what was there, is still just that, there inside of me, and us, if this applies to you? I am talking about character, I always said “nothing is going to hurt, nor touch me the way this or that did” that I think was a lie to myself to get me through perhaps whatever it was at the time. I have come to think, that how long am I going to think about what “once was” when I can simply, well maybe not so simply, “dig it out” of me. I use to define myself, the whole me according to how much, or what I was by titling that with my job. Now without a job for 16 years that Anniversary of January the 1st, I feel, and see, that you do not have to per say make money without a title of, or from a job, you, no one is defined that simply, it is all about for me, the matters of my heart. I am very happy to come to this point, finally, with in myself, but at the same time scared as crap about what I am going to have to face in that mirror, and the work I am going to have to do to, let’s just say to “re-invent” myself, yea, that makes sense to me, I like that!

I am using the word “dig” a lot because once a seed within me, has like turned to “roots”, roots spreading inward and the blossoming of the petals that once were have stopped, just stopped growing. If I dig, I think, I hope, I am, or ( we ) will find it, eventually with all the work, and the exhaustion of digging, and the faith of anything, doesn’t have to be Religious, just faith within ourselves, or me anyways I can be, or have that “characteristic” ( s ) back to the front of my mind!

The weird thing I use to do, to basically not have to deal with any given situation is to lock it away, strange as that sounds it worked for a very, very long time for me, not anymore. Now that can be of a good thing, or bad, it is all up to me!

The basic point is within myself those things I would “miss”, or say “wow, where did that go” is still here. I have to work to get it out, and that all depends upon, just like anything else, how much do I want it, with me everything, and anything has got to come from my heart. I think, if the passion is there for it, along with the drive, anyone can achieve? In fact, I basically have absolutely no drive without the passion in my heart. I wonder if we are all wired in that same way?

Somehow, I don’t understand how, but that somehow within me changed, no bodies to blame, not even myself, but it was as if I got lost per say inside strange enough that can happen. I come to realize all of the time I took to lock away all the negative aspects in my life in any given situation, relationship, and etc… basically in my mind just blew up. 

This is what I would do, and say:

“Okay, where did that come from, this won’t hurt me, they are words, they will only affect me if I allow them too!”

Then to take extra precaution to not get hurt, nor let that back into my life, I would unlock the door that lead to the back of my mind, and open the closet, and grab a box, and there were, are many boxes in the back of my mind, take the lid off one, and put that word ( s ) in that box, put the lid back on it, put it back on the shelf, and quickly Close and Lock that Door! Just simply weird I know.

Like I said though, it worked, we all have so many different coping techniques, mechanisms, no matter what the word, they all mean the same, I would rather simplify my words, and use that extra energy to put those words into “Action.”

I am expressing this here like this, because writing has always helped me,

“Get it on paper Jan, get it out, and it won’t hurt as much.”

Well that is a hunk of BS, cause no matter how much I “want” to deny the fact of being a (highly) sensitive woman, because of what I have been through in childhood, that is just not right, it sounds to me as an excuse of sorts, because we all have a story to tell, what we went through, seen, heard, smelt, etc.. 

The way my father being, or I should say acting the part of a pillar of strength, kind of made me realize that he was not as strong as perceived to be, and that is okay! 

I just wanted to share this very long realization with someone, my husband, God bless him, has absolutely no idea what any of this means, but I still hold him accountable for not trying to understand what it just is, ME! 

Until later,
JmaC

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Anxiety disorders

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can be beneficial in some situations. It can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention. Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness, and involve excessive fear or anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders and affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. But anxiety disorders are treatable and a number of effective treatments are available. Treatment helps most people lead normal productive lives.

How Common Are Anxiety Disorders?

any given year the estimated percent of U.S. adults with various anxiety disorders are:

  • specific phobia: 7% to 9%
  • social anxiety disorder: 7%
  • panic disorder: 2% – 3%
  • agoraphobia: 2%
  • generalized anxiety disorder: 2%
  • separation anxiety disorder: 1% – 2%

Women are more likely than men to experience anxiety disorders.

Anxiety refers to anticipation of a future concern and is more associated with muscle tension and avoidance

Fear is an emotional response to an immediate threat and is more associated with a fight or flight reaction – either staying to fight or leaving to escape danger.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to try to avoid situations that trigger or worsen their symptoms. Job performance, school work and personal relationships can be affected.

In general, for a person to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, the fear or anxiety must:

  • Be out of proportion to the situation or age inappropriate
  • Hinder ability to function normally

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder and separation anxiety disorder.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive worry that interferes with daily activities. This ongoing worry and tension may be accompanied by physical symptoms, such as restlessness, feeling on edge or easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension or problems sleeping. Often the worries focus on everyday things such as job responsibilities, family health or minor matters such as chores, car repairs, or appointments.

Panic Disorder

The core symptom of panic disorder is recurrent panic attacks, an overwhelming combination of physical and psychological distress. During an attack several of these symptoms occur in

  • Palpitations, pounding heart or rapid heart rate
  • Sweating
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Feeling of shortness of breath or smothering sensations
  • Chest pain
  • Feeling dizzy, light-headed or faint
  • Feeling of choking
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Chills or hot flashes
  • Nausea or abdominal pains
  • Feeling detached
  • Fear of losing control
  • Fear of dying

Because symptoms are so severe, many people who experience a panic attack may believe they are having

  • Palpitations, pounding heart or rapid heart rate
  • Sweating
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Feeling of shortness of breath or smothering sensations
  • Chest pain
  • Feeling dizzy, light-headed or faint
  • Feeling of choking
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Chills or hot flashes
  • Nausea or abdominal pains
  • Feeling detached
  • Fear of losing control
  • Fear of dying

Because symptoms are so severe, many people who experience a panic attack may believe they are having a heart attack or other life-threatening illness and may go to a hospital ER. Panic attacks may be expected, such as a response to a feared object, or unexpected, apparently occurring for no reason. The mean age for onset of panic disorder is 22-23. Panic attacks may occur with other mental disorders such as depression or PTSD.

Phobias, Specific Phobia

A specific phobia is excessive and persistent fear of a specific object, situation or activity that is generally not harmful. Patients know their fear is excessive, but they can’t overcome it. These fears cause such distress that some people go to extreme lengths to avoid what they fear. Examples are fear of flying or fear of spiders.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is the fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult or embarrassing, or help might not be available in the event of panic symptoms. The fear is out of proportion to the actual situation and lasts generally six months or more and causes problems in functioning. A person with agoraphobia experiences this fear in two or more of the following situations:

  • Using public transportation
  • Being in open spaces
  • Being in enclosed places
  • Standing in line or being in a crowd
  • Being outside the home alone

The individual actively avoids the situation, requires

companion or endures with intense fear or anxiety. Untreated agoraphobia can become so serious that a person may be unable to leave the house. A person can only be diagnosed with agoraphobia if the fear is intensely upsetting, or if it significantly interferes with normal daily activities.

Social Anxiety Disorder (previously called social phobia)

A person with social anxiety disorder has significant anxiety and discomfort about being embarrassed, humiliated, rejected or looked down on in social interactions. People with this disorder will try to avoid the situation or endure it with great anxiety. Common examples are extreme fear of public speaking, meeting new people or eating/drinking in public. The fear

anxiety causes problems with daily functioning and lasts at least six months.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

A person with separation anxiety disorder is excessively fearful or anxious about separation from those with whom he or she is attached. The feeling is beyond what is appropriate for the person’s age, persists (at least four weeks in children and six months in adults) and causes problems functioning. A person with separation anxiety disorder may be persistently worried about losing the person closest to him or her, may be reluctant or refuse to go out or sleep away from home or without that person, or may experience nightmares about separation. Physical symptoms of distress often develop in childhood, but symptoms can carry though adulthood.

Risk Factors

The causes of anxiety disorders are currently unknown but likely involve a combination of factors including genetic, environmental, psychological and developmental. Anxiety disorders can run in families, suggesting that a combination of genes and environmental stresses can produce the disorders.

The group@ http://www.bipolarsupportgroups.com

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What Is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, or rape or who have been threatened with death, sexual violence or serious injury.

PTSD has been known by many names in the past, such as “shell shock” during the years of World War I and “combat fatigue” after World War II, but PTSD does not just happen to combat veterans. PTSD can occur in all people, of any ethnicity, nationality or culture, and at any age. PTSD affects approximately 3.5 percent of U.S. adults every year, and an estimated one in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime. Women are twice as likely as men to have PTSD. Three ethnic groups – U.S. Latinos, African Americans, and American Indians – are disproportionately affected and have higher rates of PTSD than non-Latino whites.

People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares; they may feel sadness, fear or anger; and they may feel detached or estranged from other people. People with PTSD may avoid situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event, and they may have strong negative reactions to something as ordinary as a loud noise or an accidental touch.

A diagnosis of PTSD requires exposure to an upsetting traumatic event. However, the exposure could be indirect rather than first hand. For example, PTSD could occur in an individual learning about the violent death of a close family or friend. It can also occur as a result of repeated exposure to horrible details of trauma such as police officers exposed to details of child abuse cases.

  • Symptoms and DiagnosisSymptoms and DiagnosisSymptoms of PTSD fall into four categories. Specific symptoms can vary in severity.
    1. Intrusion: Intrusive thoughts such as repeated, involuntary memories; distressing dreams; or flashbacks of the traumatic event. Flashbacks may be so vivid that people feel they are re-living the traumatic experience or seeing it before their eyes.
    2. Avoidance: Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event may include avoiding people, places, activities, objects and situations that may trigger distressing memories. People may try to avoid remembering or thinking about the traumatic event. They may resist talking about what happened or how they feel about it.
    3. Alterations in cognition and mood: Inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic evet, negative thoughts and feelings leading to ongoing and distorted beliefs about oneself or others (e.g., “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted”); distorted thoughts about the cause or consequences of the event leading to wrongly blaming self or other; ongoing fear, horror, anger, guilt or shame; much less interest in activities previously enjoyed; feeling detached or estranged from others; or being unable to exprience positive emotions (a void of happiness or satisfation).
    4. Alterations in arousal and reactivity: Arousal and reactive symptoms may include being irritable and having angry outbursts; behaving recklessly or in a self-destructive way; being overly watchful of one’s surroundings in a suspecting way; being easily startled; or having problems concentrating or sleeping.Many people who are exposed to a traumatic event experience symptoms similar to those described above in the days following the event. For a person to be diagnosed with PTSD, however, symptoms must last for more than a month and must cause significant distress or problems n the ndividual’s daily functioning. Many individuals develop symptoms within three months of the trauma, but symptoms may appear later and often persist for months and sometimes years. PTSD often occurs with other related conditions, such as depression, substance use, memory problems and other physical and mental health problems.(See information on Acute Stress Disorder below.) from the forum http://www.bipolarsupportgroups.com
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