emets and depression

[mia3]

Do any emets here suffer from depression and (this is embarrassing[img]smileys/smilies_09.gif[/img] and i'm really opening up so please be gentle[img]smileys/smilies_25.gif[/img])
self mutilation before the emets or because of the emets? I know
many emets suffer multiple problems how do any of you work on them in a
positive way ? </font>

[boholoop]

I suffer from depression too, and have also self-harmed.


My emetophobia is similar to depression because it re-emerges any time I am anxious or low. I find fluoxetine really helps with this.

[samara's on tv]

I have been diagnosed with manic depression. I also used to self harm all the time although I haven't done it in about a year now. I find that I get manic over this phobia where it's all I can think about day and night. But no you aren't the only one out there with depression.


~Monica

[chibi]

I also have depression, but only at times. However at those rare times,
its bad. I cant do anything, dont want to do anything even fun things.
It is usually partly because of the phobia, I start feeling bad about
myself, calling myself stupid, and I claw at my skin and bleed, but I
do that all the time anyway, its just a bad habit.

[zebra]

I suffered from bad depression for a few years, and just recently became better. I still can get pretty depressed and a lot of times cry for no big reason... It isn't really linked to my emet at all, except for when my boyfriend is a jerk and doesn't understand my emet stuff like why I don't want to sit on a toilet that's recently been sick in by my roommate...grrr... Heck I'm depressed tonight because nothing seems to be right... &gt;sigh&lt;

[sage]

I never suffered from either when I was emetophobic, but that doesn't mean much. BOTH depression and self-mutilation are common cohorts with anxiety disorders. The self-mutilation especially. So is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or at least some of its symptoms.


The good news is that the treatment for any of the above will help with all of it. If you can learn to tolerate and reduce anxiety, it will help you stop self-mutilating. Also lift your mood. And don't be embarassed. Therapists are very familiar with these things, and no one will think you're crazy. At least not any crazier than the rest of us! lol...

[siren]

i suffered from what i though was depression, i can never be sure whether it's depression or just feeling incredibly down. i used to self harm but that was for other reasons, i've though about self harm when i get worked up about my emet but it attracts too much attention cuz i usually do it on my arms. it's a lot better to do some thing constructive. i find writing about it helps no end!! even if it just me writing about how stupid i'm being, but for some reason it helps me feel better. people should try it. xxx

[shiva]

I agree that writing is a wonderful outlet for how we are feeling. I also think that some can find comfort in many other activities such as photography or painting/drawing. I think some of the best art/writing out there has come from depressed people. I have a friend who has a plethora of mental issues and his photography is just amazing because he sees the world differently. Then he gets gratification from how his work is seen by others and in turn he gets a little boost in himself through it. I also have a friend who suffers from depression and paints in water colors (aren't water colors so sad??) Her paintings are beautifully moving, though. I think a creative outlet can be very cathartic when dealing with these issues.

[Galadriel]

Do any emets here suffer from depression and (this is embarrassing[img]smileys/smilies_09.gif[/img] and i'm really opening up so please be gentle[img]smileys/smilies_25.gif[/img]) self mutilation before the emets or because of the emets? I know many emets suffer multiple problems how do any of you work on them in a positive way ?

Don't feel embarassed to talk about things. It helps. I think all three can go hand in hand. I think the self mutilation thing doesn't have to be necessarily cutting. When I am in a major panic and think I'm gonna be sick, I tend to scratch at my stomach. I think its a way to take your mind off the nausea, cause instead your focusing on the pain from scratching instead of the nausea. I think thats why a lot of people do that sort of thing, just to have another focus for their mind.


Since all three tend to be connected, its tough to just work on one at a time, it can be a package deal. As to working on emet, its hard to, very hard because when your in the middle of a hardcore panic to really think about calming down and such.

[matchstix]

s*** Chibi... I used to do that too.. shout at myself in the mirror or call myself stupid and I also sometimes slap myself round the head really hard...

[mia3]

Thanks for the e-mails. My cutting wasn't from the emets it was
from not being assertive, I'm learning to be more assertive. It's
hard to with my mom, it must be the catholic school up bringing
ya know good old fashion guilt . It's hard at work, i'm the only
woman and men tend to say whatever they want and i've always played it
off with a joke and a smile then get mad at myself for not saying how i
really feel. I'm getting better though. Cutting is
difficult to hide, i do it on my arm and hand. It's easier in the
winter, long sleeves. I stopped for awhile and took up smoking
instead. Cutting seems better, can't get lung cancer from
that.[img]smileys/smilies_32.gif[/img] I do write to relax
and paint and sculpt. Some of my best sculptures are when i'm
most depressed. It's a passionate expression of sadness. I
was almost afraid to show people, the people i show say it looks
like torture, sometimes i'm afraid they are going to think it's
me. Or that i'm showing them a side of me, a side people don't
normally see. I have a good way of hiding my emotions when it comes to
being depressed. I guess i'm afraid that people will get fed up
and leave me or not want to be around me if they knew how bad i
felt.

[Eternity]

Heh mutilation. Im scared for life, this time..or at least for years to come.and all for the sake of one stupid little f*** up, one time when cutting my arms to bits seemed like a good idea. I shall be wearing bracelets and bands.. or else facing those judgemental looks for years now, just because one moment it seemed delicious to pick up that knife.

In vague answer to the question, yes. Loads of emets self harm.. probably more than would ever admit it.
And ermm.. for me I cut myself before I was badly emetophobic. But never so visibly. Since emet I have used it for attention and I regret that. Harming itself is harmless... lol pretty much, but deep enduring scars for attention perhaps was not one of my best ideas.

[mia3]

Eternity, How did you use your cutting for attention since your
emets? I was so ashamed of it I hid it from everyone. I was my
secret, it helped me cope when I was angry and was too afraid to
express it, so i took it out on myself.

[Eternity]

Just by cutting in places that are harder to hide.. although I do go to the effort, but when its hot sometimes I wear stuff that might expose some scars if I get into the wrong position. lol. Ive never actually shown anyone. Except my boyfriend. Err now Ex boyfriend, whos reaction was to give me that horrified look then proceed to say nothing. Haha poor guy.


I suppose it was more trying to use cutting for attention than being very sucessful at getting any. Thus far, noone really has noticed, even though Ive f***ed up on hiding this more times than I can count, and now, afterwards I dont even want them to. Pointless... entirely.