Mental Health

We asked participants to upload screenshots of their iPhone's screen time page showing their average daily screen time in the past week. Prior to blocking mobile internet, our participants’ screen time was very similar to the screen time of the average American smartphone user (2)

The intervention significantly reduced smartphone use. Average screen time decreased in the Intervention group from 314 min at T1 to 161 min at T2 (Cohen's dz = 2.22, P < 0.001) and rebounded to 265 at T3 (dz = 1.02, P < 0.001 compared with T1). In the Delayed Intervention group, daily screen time decreased slightly from 336 min at T1 to 322 min at T2 (dz = 0.32, P = 0.011) and dropped to 190 at T3 (dz = 2.39, P < 0.001).

Our results provide evidence that blocking mobile internet from smartphones for 2 weeks can produce significant improvements for SWB, mental health, and the objectively measured ability to sustain attention.

Even those who did not fully comply with the intervention experienced significant, though more modest, improvements. These findings suggest that constant connection to the online world comes at a cost, since psychological functioning improves when this connection is reduced.

https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/2/pgaf017/8016017?searchresult=1&login=false#506527390

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0883902625000825

I made this account because I cannot find the answer. I dont know if anyone will see this or respond either. My brain constantly talks to me, or more so im talking to myself. Its not once in awhile, but every minute. Everyday, it has not changed it has gotten worse. I either think of random things or negative things. Everytime I try to think positive, it switches to panic in my brain. This constant talk not only makes my head hurt but I cannot control my emotions half of the time. I also feel like my body is out of place as if im not in it. My body feels like it needs to move around but when I do, I cant. I feel as if Im frozen and uncomfortable even laying down. Everything seems difficult, I feel out of place and different from everybody. I keep researching but I cannot find the answer. The more deeper I go into my thoughts, the more I struggle to sleep and focus. I get deep thoughts on why I am in this world, why I am human, Why I exist. My brain spinning makes me want to exist less because of how tiring it is to feel like this everyday. I play a ton of video games and guitar because those seem to be the only two activities that makes my brain shut up for a short period. This is a very long type but I hope someone out here can help or give advice on what I should do.

Crossposted from: https://lemmy.world/post/41556971

Edward Bullmore is chairman of the Psychiatry Department at Cambridge University. His scientific work has focus on developing new computational tools for analysis of the network organization of the human brain.

Cambridge University is one of the world's leading university.

According to Professor Bullmore's research, body inflammation always leads to brain inflammation. When the brain suffers from inflammation, humans are significantly more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.

https://www.philanthropy.cam.ac.uk/give-to-cambridge/schools-departments-and-faculties/clinical-medicine/clinical-neurosciences-1

Professor Bullmore believes the modern world is currently facing an epidemic of mental health diseases. He believes up to one third of anxiety and depression can be fixed by avoiding inflammation.

This means:

• Exercice 30 minutes every single day. Exercice is a very powerful weapon to fight inflammation. It is as effective as some medications.

• Avoid all ultra-processed food. Avoid sugar. Limit or avoid red meat. All are linked to inflammation

• Eat a lot of vegetables, fruits, olive oil, oily fish, mushrooms and nuts. The more, the better. They are tremendously good for you.

• Use vaccines. They reduce inflammation. There is growing evidence that vaccines protect the brain

• Don't smoke. Smoking is linked to inflammation.

• Avoid cities with a lot of traffic. Air pollution from cars is linked to brain inflammation. Noise from cars is linked to inflammation.

• Try to have a good night of sleep. Avoid coffee after 11:AM. Avoid screens after 10:PM. Sleeping helps the body fight inflammation.

• Don't sit more than 45 minutes. Sitting too much leads to inflammation. The human body isn't designed to be sitting

This isn't some "bro" youtuber or social media influencer. This is an actual brain scientist from a top 5 university.

What do you think? Should people "crush" inflammation?

Jesus Christ

If I was on a Chinese forum, they'd all just side with my mother.

Why couldn't my mother have been a Norweigian? They seem so happy, I'm so fucking jealous.

Suppose this is mostly an excuse to write out the following, but question to the group: how do you get the most benefit out of mental health days?

I'm in a very stressful spot at the moment, though all products of temporary circumstances: there are a lot of high stress things going on with work; I have to arrange travel to a stupid 'rah rah' meeting in another city that's mostly just going to put me behind on time sensitive tasks next week; I'm in a weird place with separation from my ex (a kind of double-think required - trying to stay even-keel and kind while being very, very angry at the circumstances. Can't freely pick up and 100% leave for several months, constantly questioning if this is actually the right thing to do or if I'm just fucking myself over); I'm about to do a house-sit for a few months as a temporary measure this week, but will need to return about 3 months after; I'm trying to quit weed again 'cause I think I'll need the improved clarity of mind to get through the stuff necessary over the next several months, but dealing with withdrawl symptoms around sleep; and generally just unclear on how I want to live this new life path at a time when it sort of feels like any day now, bombs might start going off over my country, and its hard to know how realistic that worry is.

Anyway, I woke up feeling exhausted this morning with a knot in my stomach, signed on, did 30 minutes of work and decided I really needed some rest. My team is pretty understanding with sick days so that shouldn't be a problem, and I count myself very lucky for that. I curled up under a blanket and put on one of those slow TV train travel videos and slipped in and out of sleep. It's been a few hours and I already feel significantly better, but now I'm not sure what I want to do. Tidy up? Start picking over stuff I intend to claim for the divorce? Just keep resting? Do some push-ups?

Idk - know this obviously looks different for everyone, but what do other folks do when they take a sick day as a mental health day to try and recharge, so they can keep fighting the suck tomorrow?

I have been going through very intense workplace stress this year. Fuck up workplace relationships, threatened to fire me for having mental breakdown at work, yadda yadda yadda.

I have been in therapy, practicing DBT skills most days on the bus ride to work (other than TIPP bc idk how to do that on the bus), and taking medications.

I had a really bad spiral the past few days. I ended up inconsolable when I got home the other night (I live alone so no one heard me). I started trying to text/communicate with a billion different people, some of which we're my coworkers. I started texting them something akin to saying they will have a great time in the future and I appreciate them and goodbyes and whatnot. I said it because I was contemplating/really really just wanted to no call no show never come back into work (I work a professional job, not at like a Wendy's where it's expected).

I knew in the back of my mind that they could also view this as me saying goodbye before killing myself. I never ever said that outright but they panicked when I spoke vaguely and discussed with each other whether or not to Baker act me the next morning.

I have done this another time around the summer of last year. I feel embarrassed. I feel terrible. I feel like such a shitty person. But I was just in so much pain that I didn't know what to do. I was sobbing nonstop for hours and hours when I decided to do that.

I know I am supposed to use my skills. It is hard to do when I am on that level. It's hard for me to practice TIPP because it requires setup and is unpleasant and not accessible everywhere.

Am I a bad person? What do I do? They distance themselves from me because I am like this. And I knew it my heart it could be construed that way even though I was one of the most distressed I have gotten.

But I just don't know what to do with the pain. The DBT skills can help temporarily with intense concentration from me, but the moment my attention wavers from the distraction/distress techniques, the pain comes back. It's exhausting to focus that hard and I can't do it 24/7.

I am just so tired. It almost feels like physical pain all the time. And I always just feel so alone.

Thanks, guys.

hiiiiii!!! im just tired now lol

Dear Mother:

I want to just say, that I do appreciate the fact that I had a chance to live in this world. I undestand that you've sacrificed a lot to bring me into this world.

But still:

Why?

Why all the abuse.

Do you think that the way you talk to me is genuinely "love"?

Do you think that your youngest son having to listen to arguments in the house every week is helpful in his development?

I look at history objectively, and I do understand... I never really have any "real" suffering like the "starving kids in africa" that you keep talking about.

That I always have food to eat... so I should be grateful and stop complaining.

But mom, I'm not being ungrateful. That is not my intent.

I do appreciate everything I have, at least the current me does. Retroactively, looking back, I do apprediate that I never really have to deal with actual starvation.

But why did you never allow me the change to grow.

I remember you'be always held my hand so tightly all the way till I was 12 or so... forgot... memory is fuzzy...

I think deep down, you do care.

I remember those happy memories we had spend on Coney Island when we first came to this country.

I remember just exploring New York City with you.

That was fun.

That alone makes this incarnation worth the suffering.

However... I don't know if I still see a bright future anymore.

I mean... you might not want to admit it.

But our family was not a peaceful family.

You haven't forgotten, have you?

All the yelling.

How you said I was the greatest mistake of your life?

That you regretted giving birth to me?

Then you tried to retract what you said, and told me how much you supposedly love me?

Then another day you told me everything I ever did was a mistake.

Why, mom.

I spend my entire childhood just feeling scared.

Just trying to survive.

Your other son was being "such a wonderful brother"

I mean, beating his younger brother...

Thanks, mom.

You still remember that day?

In Guangzhou?

I bring that up last month and you told me to "get over it"

Mom, you have no idea how traumatizing that was.

I was not even 8 years old at the time.

Did you even miss me when I was gone for those few hours?

...

Mom

I never got the chance to grow... I've been just trying to "survive" under you, under this... warzone you call "home"

How do you even expect me to how what independence is?

There's no way to say this politely, but you did this to me...

You destroyed me self confidence...

my inner child is still so emotionally attached to you.

I can't even say that I hate you, because I don't

I also can't say that I love you, because you have hurt me so much

But I'm just so emotionally attach to you

I'm just wishing I had a time machine, to fix this...

For my inner child that still yearns for his mother's affection

I don't know if I can ever grow up.

I don't known if there's still a tomorrow.

So...

You brought me in to this world

Thanks

But then you also used your words to hur me so much that I'm afraid to explore this beautiful world, because I'm just so afraid... I don't want to get hurt again.

So....

Thanks a lot, mom.

Do you feel good seeing scared child cry in the corner?

Seeing YOUR child cry in the corner, afraid of his own mother?

Does that somehow make you feel happy?

You can do it, guys. Another day is here and another day to try to make it through. All you have to do is make it through one day. Don't think about tomorrow or the next day or the next. Today is now.

Sometimes it gets exhausting to try and try again every day. That's ok. When those times happen, you can rest and hibernate a bit until you're ready to come back.

Several months ago I got a tattoo in a easily visible place for me. Some mornings on my way to work, I look at it and it reminds me to keep fighting.

I'm tired. But I'll try again today.

Good luck to you all. You are all in my thoughts. And the weekend is just around the corner. :)

cw: self harm, ed

i do self-harm like cutting, but i havent in a while, i was thinking of relapsing though... i already stick my finger down my throat n stuff but as a girl who grew up religious, does god care? would he be upset??? i also have been contemplating suicide lately but won't decide to go through. i just feel fat so i take up space figuratively and literally. im 180 lbs...

I'm struggling. I'm so tired mentally, all the time. Two spinal injuries, apparent/supposed depression (some acronym I forgot), GAD, OCD (seemingly contamination ig), PTSD/Trauma, ADHD/ADD/ASD. I often don't know what to say when I'm in the situation of trying to express my experiences or needs, which hinders my counseling appointments and anything else requiring that. I wrote some notes intended for a counselor, who I won't be seeing anymore because I'm changing to one more familiar with OCD. I hope this new person can help, as my stress and behaviors are bad. Though, I'm worried about the ADHD/ASD related difficulties I may be experiencing, and without appropriate executive function I don't keep up with anything. In my last appointment with my former counselor I mentioned feeling as though I needed some caregiver or ig aide as I feel wholly incapable of organizing my life and getting out of this situation. I'm sorry for any lack of coherence. I have a headache probably from lack of food and water today. I don't know what to say anymore. Sorry.

I feel like I need assistance exploring my past, treating my traumas as well as active help to discover harms to myself which I may have forgotten so I can mediate whatever present reactions I may be having in relation to those.

I'm struggling to live. I know I have this blanketing pressure to somehow create a "valuable" and "productive" daily life, and that pressure to achieve something which seems to continue to move farther out of reach is hurting me a little. Without that pressure, I wasn't necessarily better, I simply had less obligations and less oversight; but I do also want connection and community and love, which I suppose brings the potential for obligation and oversight. I want someone, people, to care about me, to care I exist, to feel like outside of the lack of reason in 'not being here anymore' there is some goodness to be being around. Currently I am undeniably a burden, and simply biding time in the hope that changes.

I feel, maybe like, with everything I've been through, everything I've not had available to me in the times I might have best benefited from them, everything I currently lack in tangible and health (mental and physical) resources, I'll just always be a slight 'pit' to those around me. Partly because those closest to be have never experienced these unmet needs and anything I do will likely always remain 'below' their means and I'll require their interventions regarding use of their resources while I can not do the same for them. Not ignoring the fact they'll likely never 'need' such assistance from me, but that I'll possibly remain a pothole in their life which can't be brought to level out.

Of course certain statements of what is valid and everyone has value and deserves joy and love make it seem as though remaining as such a vacuum shouldn't be taken into consideration during the process of determining my worth, whether the one deciding is myself or someone else. And yet, I'm overcome internally with sorrow and woe and an aching weeping. I don't want to survive and be strong. I want the hurting to stop. I feel empty and vacant, and my external world is filled with intermittent physical agony and social emptiness. My unmet needs are too much for any one, and I don't have the physical population of people nor the understanding or skills to organize healthy social networks.

I hoped things might have changed with inpatient treatment, but realistically nothing happening in this country would have indicated such a shift.

I've got about a month to find a place to live, which generally includes getting accepted into a job to pay for such a place. Then, considering pay and expenses realizing most of these jobs would put me in a barren financial situation with nothing left to cover medical appointments; physical or mental.

Everyone's pain is valid, and others having experienced or currently experiencing events which may be more dire than my own don't invalidate mine. At which point, in my mental reasoning, I become convinced I just want it to end. "How much should I put myself through?" If forcing painful experiences could be advised against for the reason that we shouldn't feel the need to suffer to engage with the world, I struggle to remove the same reasoning from simply not being around anymore.

I'm hurting, but hurting XXXX would be worse. But I don't know how to get out of this. I don't see a path forward. If I'd not met XXXX I'd have fled the country by now, hoping for a miracle of generosity somewhere. Getting a job and getting housed seem to carry with it the high possibility I'll not be able to pursue or continue physical or mental health treatment. Remaining unemployed and unhoused carries the weight of being a heavier burden to those around me.

In my inability to determine or see a hopeful image of my future where I'm not a weight in the lives of this around me, I'm left with the hurt and dread which convinces me to consider not being around to be best for them and myself.

Alexithymia

Delayed sleep phase disorder

Autistic inertia