Conflict as a psychosis trigger

i really appreciate your thoughtful post about conflict. @Ruby26 I agree with you, and it is sad that you haven't found a psychiatrist to explain it. Yes, many in mainstream, take the path of least resistance for themselves, which may not be best for their clients.

Humans are such social critters. I actually studied Psychoanalysis and Social Theory when I was young as my way to understand life and my family and the world around me. It was for a year at a good uni, and I still find it valuable and relevant. Though also reflect on it with 40 years of more reading and experience. The course actually ran for a few decades, so it was pretty respected.

I also am not comfortable with conflict levels that many happily think it is their argy bargy right. I need a lot of calm around me, and have tried to avoid conflict throughout my life, but it is not always possible. I try to self regulate and manage it without getting in psychosis. I also saw a lot of extreme things as a child and had mental health issues with parents and siblings. Its hard when our vulnerabilities and anxieties rile each other up. So it can be hard to distinguish what is "genetic" or situational, or learned behaviour or stress....

I only respect psychiatrists these days who are a bit more reflective and see people as more than petrie dishes. I have worked with my current psychiatrist for a while and we had a good session today, but, they need to be able to relate to the human, not just the chemistry.

What are things that have helped you regulate?

@Appleblossom Thanks for your support. Things that have helped me regulate are going for long walks, deep breathing, meditation and yoga. I have a whole three-hour daily routine to undertake these activities. It took a long time before I saw results, but I think this routine has made me more grounded in the long term. It can be difficult being grounded sometimes though because it brings up a lot of painful emotions. And I do get frustrated that I still keep having schizoaffective symptoms despite this routine. Overall, it has really helped me having this routine, having something I can control suits me and I'm glad I stuck with it despite all the struggles.

What helps you to self-regulate?

For a long time it was similar, to you, walking, meditation, reading and breathing. I also find food shopping and preparing food and doing music and gardening helpful in grounding. @Ruby26 I hear you that it is a long slow process. I used to volunteer at a zoo for 5 years, which was good at reminding me of natural processes. I am shifting a little in that I am trusting my feelings more, reading less, allowing myself just to be rather than overly being in control. It is a mixed bag, cos we do need a balance where we do have real agency and can reap the benefits of our helpful habits.

Hearing the birds chirping outside, is both weirdly uplifting and grounding for me ... keeps me in touch with nature.

Hope your day has good moments...

Thanks for these reflections @Ruby26 @Appleblossom . I find conflict very upsetting and feel it's one of my risk factors. I like your grounding suggestions.

@Appleblossom that interesting, I'm also reading less and trusting the process and my feelings more.

I went to the park the other day and played a meditation track with bird sounds. The birds at the actual park seemed to respond to the bird sounds on my phone. It was very soothing.

Thanks for sharing and hope your day has good moments too.

@Ruby26

I love that you did that and the birds responded.

my dad taught me to do cooee when I was little

hello @Dimity hope you are alright