hangingbasket
16-12-13, 21:45
I feel like I've made some definite progress in beating my HA. I wouldnt say I'm cured.. I dont think it's possible to be completely cured, but I think I'm 'in remission' so I would like to discuss the positive steps we can take to help ourselves, as I have learnt over the past few months that recovering HAS to come from me. No one can do it for me. Things I have done that have helped me are-
medication (20mg citalopram) I think this is the ultimate healing tool, for me anyway.
cbt- I didnt have a one to one therapist, I attended a group cbt course, found it fantastic and still use a lot of what I learnt everyday.
exercise- this is kind of not true because I'm the most unfit person ever, but I have started walking a lot, and walking a lot faster. I'm never going to be a runner but I get out and about as much as I can for a long walk.
cutting out caffeine- the amount of coke I used to drink was crazy!!
overcoming my fear of hospitals- this was not by choice. My mum spent the last few weeks of life in hospital in sept/oct time. I spent so much time visiting her there that I think I faced my fear even though it was horrible circumstances
drinking/eating better- I make sure I drink about 3 litres of water a day and have improved my eating habits LOADS!
properly researching- the thing with HA is we fill ourselves with bits of information and put it altogether in our heads to create a horrific picture. I have properly looked in to all kinds of cancer, looked up statistics, risk factors, treatment options, and survivor stories.
staying off google- after my research, I forced myself to stop jumping online to look up every new symptom. (I slip up with this occasionally_
Most important/best of all.... enjoying my children. I now make every effort to appreciate and cherish every last second with my two young daughters. I make memories. Things they will never forget.
Things still to do... STOP SMOKING (How hypocritical.. a HA sufferer who smokes!! I've just not felt in the right frame of mind yet to quit. Hopefully it will be a new years thing)
So... I'm well up for new suggestions/ideas... so what have you guys done to help yourself?
medication (20mg citalopram) I think this is the ultimate healing tool, for me anyway.
cbt- I didnt have a one to one therapist, I attended a group cbt course, found it fantastic and still use a lot of what I learnt everyday.
exercise- this is kind of not true because I'm the most unfit person ever, but I have started walking a lot, and walking a lot faster. I'm never going to be a runner but I get out and about as much as I can for a long walk.
cutting out caffeine- the amount of coke I used to drink was crazy!!
overcoming my fear of hospitals- this was not by choice. My mum spent the last few weeks of life in hospital in sept/oct time. I spent so much time visiting her there that I think I faced my fear even though it was horrible circumstances
drinking/eating better- I make sure I drink about 3 litres of water a day and have improved my eating habits LOADS!
properly researching- the thing with HA is we fill ourselves with bits of information and put it altogether in our heads to create a horrific picture. I have properly looked in to all kinds of cancer, looked up statistics, risk factors, treatment options, and survivor stories.
staying off google- after my research, I forced myself to stop jumping online to look up every new symptom. (I slip up with this occasionally_
Most important/best of all.... enjoying my children. I now make every effort to appreciate and cherish every last second with my two young daughters. I make memories. Things they will never forget.
Things still to do... STOP SMOKING (How hypocritical.. a HA sufferer who smokes!! I've just not felt in the right frame of mind yet to quit. Hopefully it will be a new years thing)
So... I'm well up for new suggestions/ideas... so what have you guys done to help yourself?