Tag: Amy Dodd Pilkington

  • Acting Manic to Avoid Mania

    Acting Manic to Avoid Mania

    I know. Acting manic to avoid mania makes exactly zero sense, right? It makes no sense and makes perfect sense all at the same time.

  • Suicidal Ideation vs. Being Suicidal: On the Edge

    Suicidal Ideation vs. Being Suicidal: On the Edge

    Suicidal ideation and being suicidal are considered the same thing by many. I don’t think they are. At least, for me it’s not the same. I am currently teetering on the edge of the fence and trying to stay safe and sane and project an image of stability.

  • Confessions of a Formerly Toxic Person

    Confessions of a Formerly Toxic Person

    I used to be toxic. I was a train wreck, a flying monkey, and a whole three-ring circus all by myself.  It took me a lot of years to recognize my toxic traits because it’s easier to deny, deflect, and project rather than accept, admit, and own. The key word is formerly. I changed.

  • Traveling with Agoraphobia: Mental Illness

    Traveling with Agoraphobia: Mental Illness

    Agoraphobia makes it hard for me to leave the house for small things. It causes major issues when planning a vacation. Here’s my recent experience traveling with agoraphobia.

  • Recognizing Emotions: Digging Deep to Identify the Real Emotion

    Recognizing Emotions: Digging Deep to Identify the Real Emotion

    Recognizing emotions and correctly identifying those emotions and causes is important. Growing up poor creates a mindset that you don’t outgrow. Sometimes that mindset does things to my mental health and I can connect my emotions to living in poverty. Yesterday threw me for a loop and I could not understand why. Now I do.…

  • Remembering Repressed Memories: A Mental Health Nightmare

    Remembering Repressed Memories: A Mental Health Nightmare

    The funny thing about repressed memories is you have no control over when they decide to reveal themselves. The simplest thing can cause them to flood back and overwhelm you with emotion.

  • Narcissistic Abuse and Altered or Repressed Memories

    Narcissistic Abuse and Altered or Repressed Memories

    I have been abused by multiple narcissists in the past and relived the resurrection of repressed memories many times. If you’ve ever been a victim of narcissistic abuse, you likely understand altered or repressed memories.

  • Grooming Behavior: The Evolution of Abusive Relationships

    Grooming Behavior: The Evolution of Abusive Relationships

    I spent a good bit of time dissecting parts of my life in an attempt to fully heal from past trauma. One of the things I’ve had trouble understanding is the evolution of relationships. It’s the change in relationships resulting in either abuse or inappropriate behavior that is problematic. I now recognize grooming behavior.

  • Health and Mental Health: We Have Problems and Are Adding More.

    Health and Mental Health: We Have Problems and Are Adding More.

    Mayday. Mayday. We’re going down. All of you know I have several mental illnesses including bipolar disorder. I also have several physical illnesses including an undiagnosed illness. As my list of troubles keeps growing, I’m exhausted, frustrated, angry, and fed up with all of it. My health and mental health are going south.

  • Mortality and Suicidal Ideation

    Mortality and Suicidal Ideation

    Let’s talk about thoughts on mortality and suicidal ideation. As I look back at some of my posts, I realize that I have been censoring myself in ways I promised I wouldn’t do. I didn’t do this before, and I never intended to do it now. It’s going to stop.