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Feeling guilty

TchefSenior Contributor25 May 2018, 12:09 am AEST

Feeling guilty

Hi all
I'm bipolar diagnosed 2years ago anyway with the meds I'm on apart from the physical side effects, counselling mentally I'm doing ok but I can't stop having a feeling guilty and I know I haven't done anything to feel guilty about. I feel like a bad person when I know I shouldn't. I volunteer at salvos 10 hours a week, I'm trying to give back to the community for the help and support I got.

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In response to: Feeling guilty

whitedogSenior Contributor25 May 2018, 1:08 am AEST

Re: Feeling guilty

Hi @Tchef that doesn't sound nice to be feeling guilty. Sounds like you do a lot of good in your community and have a lot to feel proud about. 🙂

Are there other things that you also feel proud about?

In response to: Feeling guilty

TchefSenior Contributor25 May 2018, 5:50 am AEST

Re: Feeling guilty

Hi @whitedog
Cheers for your kind words.
I got two dogs who are my kids and I do have a positive outlook for the future and things are going ok, again I know there's no reason for me to feel guilty which is the frustrating part.

In response to: Feeling guilty

utopiaSenior Contributor25 May 2018, 7:13 am AEST

Re: Feeling guilty

@Tchef it's very annoying when our thoughts focus on one issue - that we may not have or don't deserve to have these negative thoughts.
Are you able to try and tell these thoughts to go away? (Use whatever type of language you like). It's not easy. I think it needs to be practiced many times every day.
What sort of dogs do you have? I have a Labrador and a maltese/shitzu. 2 very different dogs, in size and personalities.

In response to: Feeling guilty

Unknown userMember25 May 2018, 7:17 am AEST

Re: Feeling guilty

@ @Tchef You sound like a wonderful human being. If your volunteering you are going above and beyond being a good person. Guilt is an emotion that is very common in people who have mood disorders. I have schizoaffective disorder and when my first symptoms emerged in my early twenties OVERWHELMING guilt .along with my MI. It passed with proper medication and psychotherapy. I pray that you find peace from your guilt through medication and therapy.

In response to: Feeling guilty

WhiteknightSenior Contributor25 May 2018, 7:51 am AEST

Re: Feeling guilty

Hi @Tchef @Former-Member is right, guilt comes with mood disorders. Also can comes from upbringing, not enough praise compared to criticism. Imo.

I believe you should ask yourself if your guilt is justified. If you do more than average community work then you have no reason to feel guilty.

Lower your guilt by reducing voluntary hours and introduce activities of distraction like a hobby, sport or passion.

In response to: Re: Feeling guilty

catslothContributor25 May 2018, 2:36 pm AEST

Re: Feeling guilty

hello, as the others have said and which you also know, you have nothign to be guilty about.

It's hard to change though, and mental illness can confuse things. but over time, by showing yourself that you are doing an amazing job by volunteering so many hours of your week, and just living life with distractions like a hobby or keeping your animals (I have animals too!), you will feel less guilty.

it can take time though, so please keep talking to us!

In response to: Feeling guilty

TchefSenior Contributor25 May 2018, 7:48 pm AEST

Re: Feeling guilty

Hi @utopia
That's the problem I can't block it, today I feel good, even though I'm getting more stable but things change day to day, hour to hour.
Axel is a lab and Maggie is a greyhound X bullmastiff.
Maggie is a real princess she barely tolerates Axel
Haha

In response to: Feeling guilty

utopiaSenior Contributor25 May 2018, 8:21 pm AEST

Re: Feeling guilty

@Tchef. Maggie sounds gorgeous. My friend has a greyhound - an ex racer - who thinks sheis a real Lady & expects to be ttreated as such.
My Labrador is black. What is Axel? Great name by the way.
Yes sometimes we can have good days - other days it's hard to find 5 minutes of good. Part of this roller coaster of a ride that is mental illness.
But glad to hear today is easier for you.

In response to: Feeling guilty

TchefSenior Contributor25 May 2018, 9:41 pm AEST

Re: Feeling guilty

Hey @utopia
Axel big golden boof head but he is my boy haha. Soon I'll be going to the Bendigo RSPCA to adopt another kid. I live on 4.5 acres so I have the space plus my two are 10yrs and the they will help me train the pup

In response to: Feeling guilty

utopiaSenior Contributor25 May 2018, 10:23 pm AEST

Re: Feeling guilty

That sounds fantastic @Tchef. I took in a dog that desperately needed a home. Was a lovely boy - but he and my oldest girl did not get along. In the end I had to find a new home for him. For me, 3 dogs were too much.
We have a few members on the forum like you who have the time and space and love to adopt another one.
A big boof head. Lol. I never realized before I got my Labrador that the rumors were true. They are food obsessed. I have to monitor my dogs weight.

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