.png)
I feel like this may have been asked before but I’ve been searching for two days and haven’t found an answer (I wanted to apologize in advance on instinct but I’m trying to not kneecap my statements so much).
I am VERY brand new to fds, but I’ve read the handbook cover-to-cover, literally, because I printed it out and it lives in my nightstand. One line always jumps out at me: “a dreamgirl isn’t crazy”. I do my very best to work through my unfortunately numerous mental issues (schizotypal personality disorder/schizophrenia—psych isn’t sure which yet, OCD, anxiety, and two separate severe frontal lobe injuries) and I am on my merry way to ”fixing” them, but I worry sometimes they’ll keep me from ever achieving the level of HV I aspire to (which ironically is probably not the way a HVW thinks lol). My question for everyone is, how do you ladies with severe mental illnesses/disabilities work at becoming HVW? Strategies, uplifting quotes, advice, whatever works best for you I’d love to hear it.
I do ALL of the things: therapy, meds (when I need them), yoga, meditation, breathwork, journaling. Is all exhausting, a lot of work, but it really pays off after some time. I currently consider myself a HVW even knowing that I'm not at the level I aspire to be. But I'm on my way and better to believe and start acting HV instead of waiting for the "end of the road".
I think the key distinction between a HVW suffering from mental illness and a less evolved woman suffering from mental illness would be that a HVW assumes personal responsibility for her mental illness. She doesn't make excuses for herself to lay down in the ditch and accept her fate but and aggressively pursues health in whatever ways she can. A lesser evolved woman acts out due to her symptoms by being passive-aggressive, actually aggressive, needy, or blaming. She doesn't take responsibility for her symptoms or challenge herself to eat right, exercise, be kind to and maintain her social support system, sleep 8 hours a night, and attend therapy as a HVW would. Instead, the lesser evolved woman finds her identity in her mental illness and expects others to fix things for her. A HVW is not perfect and she may slip up, but she takes personal responsibility and apologizes when she acts out due to her symptoms. She also communicates kindly and respectfully when she needs support, although she does not view this extra support as something she is entitled to for having a mental illness but rather a gift from the heart of her close friends who care about her. She seeks ways to support those in her social system when she can and is not only a taker, but also a giver.
You do not have to be perfect to be a good person. The key word is effort and dedication. I have ADHD and A LOT of my time is used to manage it. Self love is also essential. I am unique, quirky and original.
Hi! I teach mental health recovery techniques to persons in recovery. My favorite “tool” is WRAP (wellness recovery action plan) , which is about discovery of your self-determined wellness tools. https://copelandcenter.com/wellness-recovery-action-plan-wrap Please outreach if you have questions:)
I have definite things I need to work on. As much as we preach that women cannot count on the potential of men, I feel that women can become inspired to be their best selves even when facing insurmountable odds. I feel we have more resilience in our nature. The way we conduct ourselves (do we care about the world, do we help those less fortunate, do we stick up for what is right) are more in alignment with HV than whether we have mental illness or not. That fact is we can recognise our weaknesses and know that they do not define us and we WANT to do better.
The label “HVW” is subjective to a degree. In this context, when you’re stable and taking actionable steps to maintain that stability that is a massive high value trait. And I personally regard it as more meaningful because it is a lot harder to achieve. You seem so self aware self reflective and amazing. I just wanted to say that. Well done!
I have adhd but don't think that compares to more severe conditions. But if applicable, I've found that exercise, any type is key for me.