THE INNER REALM

Is this website still up and running?????

timari — Sun, 11 May 2008 06:24:29 GMT

Talking about the real mental stuff is exhausting. Looks like no one has been at this sight since January. And only Sue entered in March with no response. Anybody Out There??????????????

Hi

sue2255 — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:32:09 GMT

Hello All,

I'm new here, and am looking forward to getting to know you all.

sue

Writers: What is your writing style?

Rae'ya — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:16:41 GMT

So for those of us who express ourselves with the written word... what is your writing style? What do you write? How do you write it? What do you take as your inspiration? Are you published?

No matter how serious or casual you are about it, let us know what your writing passion is and how you go about expressing it. You can chose multiple options in this poll, so let loose and spill the beans.

...

Me... I write novel style - mostly fantasy and medieval themes, but I have dabbled ...

In my perfectly imaginary world.....I

Chiblue — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 08:45:11 GMT

In my perfectly imaginary world...I get up to a sparkling clean house...the kids are all anxiously awaiting going to school...they have made their beds and put up their pj's...brushed their little teeth...are polite to one another.....

My hubby brings me fresh flowers every morning...

As I awake...the birds are singing that sweet spingtime song....there are deer running through the yard....squirrels scampering up in the trees happily chasing one another....the grass is neatly mowed ...

Crafters: What is your crafting style?

Rae'ya — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:52:18 GMT

So for those of us who express ourselves with crafts and handmade projects... what is your crafting style? What do you craft? How do you do it? What inspires you?

No matter how serious or casual you are about it, let us know what your crafty passion is and how you go about expressing it. You can chose multiple options in this poll, so let loose and spill the beans.

Eek I need many many more options for this one... forgive me if there's something I couldn't squeeze in here!

...

Me... ...

Fibromyalgia

Aleia — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:48:54 GMT

I'm not sure if it is ok to post this Mad Jack, just remove it if its not appropriate

I wanted to write about fibromyalgia because not many people have heard of it. I get a lot of blank stares when I say whats wrong with me. I have a link to a site that tells you all about fibromyalgia and the symptons etc.

I sometimes wonder if I'm a bit of a fraud being in this forum because my illness is more physical than mental, although I do get the symptoms of anxiety and depression with is ...

Yiddish Proverbs

justme — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:40:19 GMT

I thought I would put up some Yiddish proverbs. I have a book of 1001 - but don't worry, I won't put them all up. Some are for thinking over, others are just funny or cute.

Mountains cannot meet, but men can

A little charm and you are not ordinary

Doctors and gravediggers are partners

Its a good idea to send a lazy man for the Angel of Death

A friend remains a friend up to his pocket

Laughter is heard farther than weeping

A good friend is often better than ...

Aleias' & Dethas' Binge eating journey

Dethas — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:40:03 GMT

Well Aleia, I hope all is going well in your neck of the world today.

I thought we (or at least I) could keep track of things here - that way, if there are any other binge eaters who don't want to put their hands up, they can at least read here and glean some encouragement.

After being up all night last night, I took my gf shopping this morning and managed to make the healthy choices for lunch. OK, it was a sub sandwich but I had the lighter choices and the light mayo.

After ...

Have you been discriminated against due to mental illness?

Chiblue — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 09:21:27 GMT

Do you feel that you have been treated differently because of your mental illnesses?

Is there anything you think we can do about it?

What made you feel this way?

I am not sure how to answer these questions....I know that many times the way I perceive something does not always make it a fact...except to me....so while I feel that I have been discriminated against at times...they may not feel that they did anything wrong...as frustrating as that is......what can be done?

Depending ...

Dreams...Do you keep a journal?

Chiblue — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 08:55:27 GMT

For the past several months...when I can sleep...when I dream...I keep a pad and pencil beside my bed and write down the things that I can remember about my dreams...I find that if I do not do it immediately upon waking up...I forget details...

So, I was wondering if anyone else does this?

Sometimes, I can just remember a few things..sometimes nothing but a feeling, a smell...but I write it down...it is interesting to go back over what I have dreamed about...

There are other times ...

What....

melba — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:53:43 GMT

...defines a person as a HSP??

You see, I have always been majoryly sensitive - I mean, the slighteset thing will upset me, or make me angry.

I cry on a regular basis - weather its something on telly, or something I'm reading - even something someone has written can set me off (ie, on forums, emails etc) And I can't stop this.

I'm just wondering if I would be classed as a HSP - I mean, I feel like I am, but I'm not sure.

Thanks for listening

xxx

Things to Ponder....

Chiblue — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 07:22:30 GMT

When your pet bird sees you reading the newspaper, does he wonder Why you're just sitting there, staring at carpeting?

Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all"?

Is it a law of nature that women have to sneeze as soon as they apply their mascara?

Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"?

How come you press harder on a remote-control when you know the battery is dead?

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is ...

Highly Sensitive Sense of Taste

Asphodel Fields — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:19:01 GMT

If you are a Highly Sensitive Person, more than likely you have been told at least once in your life that you seem to be a �picky eater�. There really is nothing wrong with being picky about what you put in your mouth. In a sense I really am aware that there are just some things that would make my eating experience miserable for me, even if I have never tasted them before. I do prefer to call it �selective� rather than �picky�, but to each their own.

When we eat we use 4 of our senses, taste, ...

Say Anything

Moonvoice — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 03:07:41 GMT

I'd actually like to draw your attention to the band Say Anything.

The lead singer has bipolar, quite badly, and has actually been institutionalised because of it.

His music, particularly in the album In Defense of the Genre has several songs specifically devoted to his breakdown on tour, and subsequent institutionalisation, and then from there, his tentative recovery.

Some examples of lyrics are:

"i wake up in a room and realize i�m insane again

this is the fifth ...

Favourite kind of music

Rae'ya — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 05:08:18 GMT

Alrighty guys, so we've done films... now for music...

So what is your favourite kind of music? What always picks you up when you hear it? What calms you down? What generally makes you feel good? What can you not help but sing along to?

I realise I'm not going to have anywhere near enough options for this one, so if I miss yours please, please forgive me. lol

...

Me... music isn't really a big thing for me. I don't listen to the radio at all really, and only put on cd's when ...

Least favourite music genre

Rae'ya — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 05:16:23 GMT

Okay so now for the genre of music that you like the least. What do you hate? What kind of music sets your teeth on edge and makes you want to throw the radio across the room? What section of the music store would you happily burn to the ground?

...

Personally I tend to really dislike a lot of Pop music. There isn't actually much that I can't listen to, but those songs that make me want to cut off my ears all seem to be Pop songs. lol. I'd rather listen to 50's music than most Pop. ...

Hello :D

Asphodel Fields — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 05:15:53 GMT

Hello everyone.

Introductions are never really easy for me ... so I will make this quick.

I am a Highly Sensitive Person, which I am trying at this time to learn how to embrace. It is just a part of who I am ... although I am sometimes a bit hard to understand.

I am an abuse survivor, sexual, emotional, and physical. Those are things I try to put behind me, but can't sometimes ... so I am hoping to learn here how to help myself embrace that part of me as well. This may sound ...

Reporting Child Abuse

justme — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:37:28 GMT

I've come across a case of child abuse at work and I've decided to report it. I'm disgusted that in Queensland its not mandatory for child care workers to report it. Well, hang the career, a child's safety is involved. This is a child who scoffs himself senseless at lunch time because he may not get any dinner that night. On the weekend, because he wouldn't come to the car when his mother called him, she took off and just left him in the park. He was almost run over and when she went back, ...

Artists: What is your arting style?

Rae'ya — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:37:23 GMT

So for those of us who express ourselves through a visual art medium... what is your arting style? What media do you use? What inspires you? Do you take commissions or is it purely a personal pursuit?

No matter how casual or serious you are about it, let us know what your art passion is and how you go about expressing it. You can chose multiple options in this poll so let loose and spill the beans!

Eek, I want to put Graffiti Art on there too but I only get 10 options. Sorry guys.

...

Me... ...

What types of therapies have you tried? How did they work?

Chiblue — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 07:27:03 GMT

I thought that it might be interesting to see what different types of therapies each of us has attempted and how they worked for us.

Pick all that apply!

For me, I have used psychotherapy, medications, meditations and breathing exercises, aromatherapy and herbal remedies.

I have had differing levels of relief from these different therapies...

psychotherapy- was difficult for me....I am not a good talker.

medications-my body does not tolerate medications well.

meditations ...

Favourite Film Genre

Rae'ya — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:55:57 GMT

So... pretty self explanatory there...

Go on... vote in the poll and then pop a post here to let us all know what your favourite genre of film is and why...

...

Personally I'm an enormous horror fan. The scarier and gorier the better .

After that I love a good action flick, or big sweeping fantasy/medieval/swords and sandals type films.

How Was Last Night?

Dethas — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 06:47:32 GMT

Let us know how you got on.. did you manage a blissful night

Or, like me last night, were you awake

What were you doing?

I was settin gup my broadband connection on the laptop in the living room.

What do you do?

Dethas — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:42:15 GMT

What do you do to while away the hours of not sleeping?

I find myself on the internet until all god hours or watching DVDs of long dead shows.

I also spend time craft, cross stitching, knitting or scrap booking.

So share, when the sandman won't come visit, what do you do?

A True Friend....

Dethas — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:18:26 GMT

RULES:

Post something a True Friend will or will not do.

I Need....

Dethas — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:23:07 GMT

just fill in the blank

I need_____________

How do you cope?

Dethas — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:56:15 GMT

Do you have coping strategies for when things become too much for you?

What do you do?

Are you a yeller? Or do you go for a walk?

Care to share?

EFT

Aleia — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:52:44 GMT

I don't know if anyone has heard of EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique. It is quite amazing

I'm at present doing a EFT Diploma Course with the Distance Learning College.

There is a great site that gives a lot of info about EFT

http://www.emofree.com/

Not sure if that worked or not. I've tried EFT and it does give relief, sometimes it has to be repeated a few times

but I use it quite a lot.

Love and Hugs

Aleia

Working

justme — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:11:53 GMT

Most years when my SAD hits, I'm unable to work for about 2 months - try explaining that at interviews! Last year I was unable to work at all for about 4 months and this year looks like its going to be even longer.

Trying to develop a career I love is definitely an uphill battle.

Social Anxiety

justme — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:16:50 GMT

When my SAD hits, I find I become extremely paranoid and afraid of people I don't know. Just going out in public to do some essential shopping takes me ages. It can take me 3 hours or more to get myself to walk out of the house. My bus stop is also across the road from a high school and if any of the students are there, I will turn around and come home again! If I go to the stop at 10.30 and students are there, I get upset. I feel its 'unfair' of them to be there at that time, like they ...

Issue with water

justme — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:36:24 GMT

OK, I might be the only one who has this, but does anybody else develop an almost phobia of water as their depression sets in? I will go for weeks without a shower if I could and I won't drink water. I will go an entire day and drink nothing if water is the only choice. Today I went for 7 hours without drinking anything until lunch time when I had cordial. I can have water in things, just can't bring myself to drink it plain. I did end up in the afternoon drinking about the equivalent of ...

Reiki?

Mad Jack — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:24:16 GMT

I'm willing to try any kind of therapy just about...but I have heard some bad stories about Reiki treatments. Does anyone think it's worth the risk or not?

Would You Try Electroconvulsive Therapy?

Mad Jack — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:26:42 GMT

I was curious if anyone would be willing to try electroconvulsive therapy (ECT/shock treatment) if it came down to it being a viable option?

I had been encouraged to do it, but I'm really not ashamed to say that I didn't want to and probably never would. How about you?

Just need to Vent...

melba — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:21:26 GMT

I really need to vent at the moment.

As some of you may know, my partner smokes weed. He dosnt do it all the time, he maybe spends �40 a month on it.

It dosnt affect his work, his standing as a parent, or his standing as a partner. He isnt addicted, he just likes to unwind with a joint now and then.

The problem is my mother in law. She hates him smoking it, the way she sees it it is as bad as any class A drug. I am constntly stuck in the middle of it.

She came home last night, ...

They make it hard...

Moonvoice — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:49:39 GMT

Today I lodged the forms for getting Disability Support Pension. I didn't have my interview or anything, and it was still a harrowing, horrible process.

I specifically asked the lady if I could have one of the spare rooms to just be 'alone' from the other people, and these rooms weren't being used, and she said no. I consequently ended up in tears later from the exposure to all the other people and my high sensitivity in those situations.

Ugh.

Seriously, if it wasn't for the ...

The Jack Handey Quote of the Day...

Mad Jack — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:33:51 GMT

Hey y'all One of my all-time favorite humorists is Jack Handey. He wrote outrageously nonsensical things for Saturday Night Live and his "Deep Thoughts" segments. So...in honor...I shall share one of his gems each day...hehehe...

If you're a Thanksgiving dinner, but you don't like the stuffing or the cranberry sauce or anything else, just pretend like you're eating it, but instead, put it all in your lap and form it into a big mushy ball. Then, later, when you're out back ...

Battling the VA and SS in the USA

Chiblue — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:06:49 GMT

Being married to a disabled Vietnam Veteran...we have had to battle and fight with both the Veterans Administration and Social Security in order for him to receive monthly compensation to which he is entitled...

We spent 10 months battling the VA...he saw countless physicians and psychiatrists before finally being approved..it can become very stressful and there is always a chance of things being changed depending on the current restructuring of the VA as proposed by Congress at this time.

Concerning ...

Terminal Insomnia

Moonvoice — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:37:28 GMT

I've had terminal insomnia for about 4 years now. I hate it dearly. Along with waking up at 3.00am every morning, sometimes I just won't be able to get back to sleep again, or I'll wake up an hour later, only to not be able to fall asleep at all.

This is known as terminal (morning, or 'end of the night') insomnia. It is most common in people with depression and anxiety.

Along with it, comes the obligatory irritability, and the general feeling of crapness. A lot of people stay up late, ...

What Do You Think?

Mad Jack — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:46:45 GMT

What does anyone think about being terrified of a movie monster?

I will tell you this...I am absolutely plagued by a phobic-like fear of a stupid monster from a film that I saw in 1985.

Basically, it has tormented me for 23 years!

It was the film 'John Carpenter's The Thing' from 1982. It was about a shapeshifting alien that parasitically infested another creature and took on its form until confronted or feeding...then it was just horrid. The scene that terrified me ...

Just a little about Justme

justme — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:25:28 GMT

Hi,

I have Seasonal Affective Disorder which can be quite a problem in winter for me, because that's when I slip into my downside. Its a mood disorder, kind of the little sister of bipolar. So imagine your mood changes are pretty regular, manic in summer and depressed in winter - each year, every year and you've pretty much got S.A.D.

Some doctors won't even acknowledge it exists, but I have to tell you from where I sit, its pretty damn real! 3 years ago I moved to another part of ...

Can't edit my post

Aleia — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:54:26 GMT

When I tried to edit my post to correct spelling mistakes, it said There is no such post please return and try again.

Looked in FAQ but could not find an answer to the problem

Love and Hugs

Aleia

So...what's your vice?

Mad Jack — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:51:09 GMT

Does anyone care to share if they have a problem or addiction that they are overcoming or not?

This isn't compulsory.

I am one to usually always admit what I do and don't live with. I currently have problems with alcohol and prescription medication. I don't consider myself to be a raging junkie or alcoholic, but I know that I do have a problem. In the past I have had a larger problem with the alcohol. Fortunately, I somehow found it within myself to cut back on that...but ...

Longest time without sleep?

Dethas — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:45:07 GMT

What's the longest amount of time you've gone (voluntarily or otherwise) without sleep?

I think that the longest I have been without sleep was around 60 hours.

It was completely involuntary and caused primarily by fear and paranoia.

Anyone else care to share?

The fog

justme — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:10:40 GMT

I have S.A.D. (a somewhat little sister to bipolar I discovered recently), with fairly predictable episodes. I'm flying in summer and I'm useless in winter, each year just a little worse than the last. I take on phenomenal amounts of activities in summer cause I know I won't be able to do them in about 5 months time and all I'll have the energy for is waking up and breathing!

I've had it for 28 years this year, diagnosed 19 years ago (first by me reading a magazine article, then by 2 doctors ...

Might be away...

melba — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:37:52 GMT

hey guys...

My PC is going away today to be mended - I might get it back tonight, it may be unfixable

I have my fingers crossed that I will get it back tonight, or at least over the weekend...BUT...

Its just in case I don't, I didnt want to leave you all high and dry...

I'm sure that the other mods will all look after you whilst my PC isd mended...

Keep your fingers crossed for me please!!!

Much Love and HUgs

Mel

xxx

Understanding to what extent?

Dethas — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:54:33 GMT

To what extent do you feel understood as a survivor of mental illness by your loved ones?

I feel I can answer this on a variety of levels.

My mother doesn't understand depression, OCD, paranoia, Bipolar or anything other than what she would class as physical illness. If it's in the brain, she doesn't acknowledge it - or if she does, the farthest she goes is 'pull your socks up'.

My husband, tries his hardest to be tolerant - but between he and I there is a huge age gap of 21 years ...

Marital Status

Dethas — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 22:09:31 GMT

I live in a rare situation, with both my husband and my girlfriend, and I'm completely open about it.

Who do you choose to surround yourself with?

What do you do?

Deirdre — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:35:57 GMT

So here's a question....

What do you do when after you've had friends who are concerned about your eating habits, you decide to take an online test. You post your contact information and receive a call from a treatment center who tells you that based on your answers to the questions, you should really consider talking to someone professionally?

I know that I eat alot. I also exercise alot. I didn't consider it a serious problem though, until people started talking to me about it. Too, ...

Our Supporters!

Mad Jack — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 05:19:56 GMT

Guess I'm the first

Dethas — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:02:34 GMT

On Monday morning I'll be at the doctors finding out if I have CFS.

I don't know whether this is a good or bad thing!

I'll finally have a finite reason as to why I feel so rubbish all the time... but at the end of the day CFS is untreatable.

I think, overall in a strange way I'm just asking that I get the 'right' diagnosis, whatever that may be.

So Monday morning, can I take some of your time for a few positive thoughts please?

How do you cope when they don't?

Dethas — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 02:11:45 GMT

How do you cope when they don't cope?

This has been brought up by very recent events for me and I wondered what happens for the rest of you.

My mother, with her not coping, has led to her having the least communicative relationship with me. I can go weeks without speaking to her and when I do - I need to keep it on a very superficial level. Speaking to my mother drains me.

My OH, as I've said before occasionally has a 'paddy' when he loses track of me - we fall out because he can't ...