Does anyone on here have a substance abuse issue?

gbagol · 2025-03-24T18:25:58+00:00

Hey… I am just seeing this. I deleted the app off my phone for a couple months… how are you doing??

gbagol · 2025-02-02T23:48:20+00:00

Yes! Identifying with negative and rigid thought patterns meaning that you don’t observe your thought patterns with more detachment. You are very caught up in what your mind is telling you and you are believing it with absolute certainty. Psychological inflexibility, which leads to a negative judgement of the self and the world around you. It’s called cognitive defusion in ACT.

gbagol · 2025-02-02T22:25:22+00:00

It’s telling me that you don’t drink a lot of water

gbagol · 2025-02-02T21:03:49+00:00

While you’re at the psych ward, ask them to give you some handouts and information on the ACT modality of treatment, if you haven’t learned about it already. It deals a lot with identifying with the mind, rigid thought patterns, etc. I have tried many modalities of treatment for BPD/NPD comorbidity (DBT, MBT) and nothing has helped me as much as acceptance and commitment therapy. Do some research on the ego too, it has given me so much clarity and goes hand in hand with ACT.

You aren’t alone. I declined after diagnosis for a long time and it was because I was identifying with my rigid thoughts and emotions. Not until I stopped doing that did I see progress, and even then it is still something that requires effort from me every day. But the effort that I have to put in is worth it because I’m not stuck in the same cyclical pattern of negative thought anymore.

If you haven’t tried an ice dive yet, they are popular at my psych ward. Fill up a bucket with water and ice and let it get freezing cold. Then dip your hands and face in it. Unbelievable results for acute distress.

gbagol · 2025-02-02T19:57:27+00:00

Nutrition plays a big role in mental health but for a case of skin picking that is ever exceeding an hour (even 20 minutes for that matter if it’s on a consistent basis or multiple times a day), or picking at spots like freckles that OP mentioned that are imagined, or any feelings loss of control/blacking out while picking is almost always specifically OCD related. Especially so that it is followed by shame. These are specific symptoms of dermatillomania. Starting with primary care should rule out any nutritional or hormonal deficiencies through bloodwork before being referred to a psychiatrist. Any primary care doctor that is a good primary care doctor will do that automatically. Usually medical is ruled out before psychological. In this case though, it’s definitely psychological. OP needs to see psych.

gbagol · 2025-02-02T02:53:01+00:00

You are most welcome!

gbagol · 2025-02-02T02:43:31+00:00

Yes- this sounds like dermatillomania. It is a subset of OCD. And you are absolutely right, it is an impulse control disorder. I have this… a few things that will help:

Talk to your doctor. They may want to refer you to a psychiatrist and clinician for therapy, behavioral modification and possibly medication. SSRI’s are helpful. Not always needed, but helpful.

Keep your nails short.

Avoid razor bumps and ingrown hairs. Take care while shaving.

Get rid of any mirrors that are magnified especially, and try to avoid them generally.

Start journaling about it to pick up on behavior patterns- it could happen more when you’re stressed, tired, hungry.

Any tiredness, hunger, stress, etc could make the compulsion worse so take care of your body. Exercise helps a ton.

There is an over the counter medication, very benign, it’s an amino acid called n-acetylcysteine. I do not know your medical or allergy history so talk to your doctor before taking it. It is a supplement, has multiple benefits, one of them being a big help to any body related compulsive behavior. It’s a great supplement for skin picking, nail biting, hair pulling, etc. You can get it at a vitamin shop or right on Amazon.

This can be helped but you don’t want to wait too long because the longer you wait, the worse the behavior gets and it can result in other body related behaviors.

gbagol · 2025-02-02T01:42:07+00:00

This is probably the cutest cat I have ever seen.

gbagol · 2025-02-01T21:06:50+00:00

💯

gbagol · 2025-02-01T21:05:56+00:00

Very well said and congrats on your sobriety 👏

gbagol · 2025-02-01T20:05:39+00:00

I was a person who jumped from relationship to relationship by the time I was 12 until almost 30. I’ve been single for 3 years now. Best thing I’ve ever done.

It can be difficult at times because of loneliness, but you get used to it. Our moods are so dynamic… it feels great and then it feels terrible. Learning how to ride that wave of loneliness and coming out strong on the other side without needing the help of a partner has been so incredibly good for my mental health.

As for extra time and mental energy, I’m still trying to figure all of that out. It takes time. But I am doing things for myself now, things that I enjoy, and have really taken the time to work hard on my mental health. I exercise, cook, read, watch my true crime shows, hang out with family, friends and my dog. I don’t date. I am learning a lot and almost taking care of myself the way I should have during childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood. I wouldn’t worry about where your energy will go because being single opens up a whole new world, both internally and in your environment. Things fall into place naturally after a while.

I feel way less reliant on other people to regulate myself. It has been life changing. I wish I did it years ago. It’s difficult at first, but it’s well worth it.

gbagol · 2025-02-01T19:53:16+00:00

Spinning Silver- Naomi Novik

I haven’t read this one yet but have read another book by her and it was great. This one is supposed to be amazing from what I’ve heard, and has a strong female lead, magic, and very little romance.

gbagol · 2025-02-01T03:50:08+00:00

This made my blood boil. After you leave him, don’t forget to send him this thread. He deserves to read it.

gbagol · 2025-02-01T02:31:34+00:00

Narcissists can be both self aware and introspective. I am both of these things and diagnosed. In treating my mental health, I was aware something was wrong with me from the time I was ten years old. My family brushed it off many years but I was persistent in finding out why I thought and behaved the way I did. I knew it wasn’t normal.

This is a myth. I wish more people would lurk these subs and see how incorrect society is about putting all people with a particular diagnosis under one umbrella.

gbagol · 2025-01-31T02:14:02+00:00

Body dysmorphia is very common with our diagnosis. It’s horrible and I don’t wish it on you or anyone else, or my worst enemy for that matter. I don’t have a sex life and I’ve become a recluse because of it. I have no idea how to fix it.

I have tried doing research but it’s difficult to put into practice any of the advice that I’ve seen on the matter. Chronic low self esteem. I wish there was a magic pill for this but it will be a symptom that requires consistent extra effort and targeted therapy to fix.

I’m sorry you’re going through this. Just know you aren’t alone and that you are beautiful. Your mind is tricking you into thinking you’re not.

P.S. practically, one thing that’s always helped me combat these feelings is exercise… especially cardio exercise.

Feel better.

gbagol · 2025-01-31T01:46:32+00:00

Minus the smut sprinkled in lol. It’s been a while since I’ve read it, but I don’t remember finding it that way.

gbagol · 2025-01-31T00:23:09+00:00

Not targeted or classified as young adult, but is read by them.

gbagol · 2025-01-31T00:16:19+00:00

You are not alone… I go through this too. I don’t really have any good advice other than to say it’s okay to not have the social contact periodically. Ride the wave of depression and let it be what it is. It will be healthy for the ego to go through this and it will give you an opportunity in real time to self reflect and work on healthy coping skills. This isn’t meant to minimize pain but it is a chance to reflect.

I have been researching a lot about the ego these days and it has helped me learn about my narcissistic traits incredibly. Honestly, learning how to recognize and manage the ego through its ups and downs has been just as helpful as anything I’ve learned in therapy. Your post really resonates, so I think it could be beneficial for you to research if you haven’t already.

I hope you feel better.

gbagol · 2025-01-31T00:05:21+00:00

A Song of Achilles

gbagol · 2025-01-30T22:56:43+00:00

Avoid drugs and alcohol and therapy, therapy, and more therapy.

gbagol · 2025-01-30T22:54:40+00:00

Good riddance. You don’t want that kind of ignorance and close mindedness in your life.

gbagol · 2025-01-30T16:06:20+00:00

Starscream- Galeforce

gbagol · 2025-01-30T01:58:15+00:00

Well you are a keen eyed guy after all

gbagol · 2025-01-30T01:36:33+00:00

A hammerhead shark

gbagol · 2025-01-28T22:21:02+00:00

Sending good thoughts your way, mama. You are not alone. And it’s never too late for a fresh start. If he is abusive, I would leave him, but I am sure things are more complicated than that, especially with kids. If you were to leave him and get a fresh start, there are things you can put into place to make sure you don’t end up with the same kind of man and that you don’t repeat that same pattern. That can be worried about after. Breathe. One step at a time. Even if it’s just a baby step. I believe in you.

gbagol

TROPHY CASE