Friends and Family Price

How's it going, guys? I have a pretty different topic today, something that I want people to know and understand. This post applies to all and every person that knows somebody with anxiety. I know that it might be scary for you to watch your loved ones and dear friends have to struggle with this mental illness, believe me, I know. While my little sister doesn't have anxiety, she's dealing with a plethora of other mental illnesses, and it's tough to watch her in so much pain and not be able to help her. Today, I want people to know the best course of action to take with the people that you know struggling with this specific mental illness.

I was nine when anxiety first began to make itself known to me, and I've fought with it every day since. I didn't know what to do or what was going on with me, I thought I was crazy and I was a little jealous that other kids got a full night sleep while I was awake, panicking because I was sure I'd seen something move in my closet, or because I'd read some chain mail saying I was going to die at midnight (which, by the way, NEVER HAPPENED). There was a lot of confusion, frustration and anger that developed in me and often times, I'd be crying until I fell asleep because of my fears.

I'm not saying my mom didn't help me, either. My mother tried so hard to calm me down, was able to pull herself out of bed at midnight when I ran into her bedroom crying, and held me when things were getting really scary. But it just wasn't enough, and that wasn't her fault. ANXIETY BUSTER NUMBER ONE: Don't ever blame yourself for a loved one's mental illness, or not being able to fix it. It isn't just a boo-boo and takes a doctor to fix. I can't help you to the full extent that you'll need help, but I'm kind of like a band-aid on a wound that needs stitches. I stop everything from coming out for a little bit, and you're like that too, if you do everything right.

As I was saying, it wasn't my mother's fault that she couldn't stop me from freaking out, and it isn't her fault now. Nobody could've controlled me, because I was in a scary, dark place, where everything was out to get me. ANXIETY BUSTER TWO: Chances are, your person with anxiety is in the same type of state when they're panicking, so don't yell or scream at them, that isn't going to help, it'll just make things worse. Hold them, tell them that it'll be alright, talk them down from the dark place they're in until they have more reasonable thoughts, ones that aren't as crazy as they are while you're scared.

The thing I found DIDN'T help me at all was people telling me to "Get over it" or that it was "something everybody dealt with". It made me get angry, because I knew that not everybody stressed, felt sick, cried and threw fits because they'd seen something that scared them. And getting over it? Almost physically impossible when you're crying so hard you could vomit. Which brings me to the final ANXIETY BUSTER THREE: Don't ever talk down to someone that's panicking. Try not to make their fears seem unjustified, even though they are, and just bring them to a reasonable place, where they can talk to you and make sense.

That bring me to the end of my ANXIETY BUSTER'S for friends and family. To recap, don't blame yourself, try and bring them from their scary place and don't talk down to them. Love and showing that you care will ALWAYS help in someway. So if you know somebody with anxiety, use these tips to help them feel better and to help you feel useful, too.

Happy Helping,

Elizabeth

Sadness, Happiness and Updates

Hey guys, how's it been hanging? I'm really sorry I haven't written a new post in a while, it's just that I've been really busy. I know, no excuse, right? Just because I'm busy doesn't mean I shouldn't be helping you. Being busy is a stupid excuse.

That's why I have another, much more worthy excuse. I've actually been feeling really ill lately. Not physically ill, although that comes along with it, but mentally ill. Obviously, I'm already mentally ill, or I wouldn't be writing these blog posts. But I've been feeling a little bit relapse-y, for lack of a better term. I'm not going to get into it, not because I don't want to, but because I'm here to help YOU. And, because I really just needed a good (but true) excuse for not writing on here.

On a happier side-note, SCHOOL'S DONE! And I'm loving life right now. Well, kind of, because sleep isn't really coming all that easily to me now. God, I'm so freaking depressing! Alright, think happy thoughts now. Unicorns, butterflies, sunshine, rainbows, flowers, new Shane Dawson video today. See? Now don't we ALL feel better?

Also, on a completely unrelated topic, has anybody noticed my disgraceful "banner"? I can't figure out how to make one. If anybody is reading this and would like to make me a banner using the picture up there, my title and description, I will try to reimburse your time SOMEHOW. Please help?

To wrap up this little post, because I'm tired and have nothing else to say, I just want to let you all know that writing this has kind of helped me take my mind off of everything I've been freaking out over. If anybody else is going through the same thing I've been, please, hit me up at ifyouknowyourecrazy@hotmail.ca so we can go through these things together. And if you are dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, fear or any type of hardship in your life right now, my thoughts and prayers (or just thoughts, if you ain't religious) go out to you.

Lots of Love,

Elizabeth

Losing It!

No, I'm not talking about virginity. I'm talking about my mental sanity (as if I had any in the first place). My week has been so insanely stressful, I'm not even going to bother to tell you. Okay, I'll tell you anyways. I've been filming non-stop for a video I'm going to be in, tomorrow, I've volunteered to run a field event in my community, I've got some little rug-rats to watch for my friend on Friday night (as if I had any plans) and I'm SICK on top of it all. That's also why I haven't posted in a little bit. 

So, you might be asking yourself, what does this have anything to do with me and my problems? I'm sorry, fellow readers. Let me explain. When I get really stressed out, my anxiety tends to flair up and I can't really deal with it all that well because I have other things more important to worry about so I become "How to Deal" post. If those still don't work for you, try some other things, like cutting down the amount of stress in your life. I know it may seem hard, but cutting out the things that are weighing you down will really help. If you're drowning and carrying a fifteen pound brick, you're going to drop the brick, right? So drop the brick of stress and let it go.

How, you might ask. Well, I'm not a big fan, but I've heard yoga is very calming and relaxing. Also, taking some time out for yourself would be really nice. Read a new book, get some coffee, get a mani-pedi (if you're a guy, go golfing). If all else fails, grab some candles and bubble bath and draw yourself a calming bath. Maybe even add a little music, too.

I know life may throw you hard balls and oranges and potatoes and apples, but you need to dodge and find the right tools to deal with them all. Baseball bats, orange peels, vegetable peelers and peanut butter are all very useful things to have around. Just remember that you aren't alone when it comes to stress or anxiety. There are others just like you out there.

Lots of Love,

Elizabeth