Question 1
1. Patience ... this is ultra-hard and can be extremely frustrating for loved ones, because generally the objective is to resolve something as quickly as possible. That makes sense at the most logical of times, and can be great for the mind, but sometimes distress triggers a severe, prolonged emotional dysfunction, so the ability to think straight / quickly is diminished. If loved ones are aware that this can be how I sometimes have to process a situation, it gives them a better understanding on how to approach me (i.e...softly, softly).
2. Space ... probably works in tandem with my point one, but sometimes isolation helps me process things quicker. I might go into the spare bedroom, play video games, use my DJ equipment and so on, self-soothe and come out when the moment has passed.
3. Acceptance ... this can be tough for people who are carers, or bosses, and so on. I was quite vocal about my diagnosis and recovery, and I feel it hampered the way I was perceived at work and at home for a while, mainly because it's still such a hard topic to talk about generally. People were enthusiastic about being okay with it, but it's still fairly new in the mainstream. There have been great strides in education, but my experience made me feel even more isolated while I adjusted to life in this new 'skin', so to speak.
