kcjones’s Profile

Open Lesbian Relationship Challenges

I cam out as a lesbian a few years ago. I have never been in a lesbian relationship, though there is someone that I love and would really like to start a relationship with her. I have many questions and could really use some support.

Open Anxiety

I've had a problem with anxiety for a very long time. I know it is connected with my schizoaffective disorder and I know that I use my eating disorder to help deal with the anxiety, which needs to change. Medicine helps, though one day I'd like to not have to take anxiety medication.

Treatments

Breathing Exercises Working / Worked

Deep breathing helps, though lately I have been forgetting to do it.

Klonopin Somewhat Helpful

Worked, but not enough

Lexapro Somewhat Helpful

Worked, but not enough

Meditation Somewhat Helpful

Sometimes really helps, but I often forget to do it, and I often don't feel that I have enough time to do as much as I would like.

Paxil Somewhat Helpful

Worked, but not enough

Positive Thinking Somewhat Helpful

The hardest skill of all in my opinion! Works when I believe it, which unfortunately is not oftenn enough.

Trazodone Working / Worked

Helps me sleep, so very valuable.

Xanax Somewhat Helpful

Worked somewhat, though I did have a horrible panic attack when I once drank too much coffee

Music Working / Worked

Playing piano almost always calms me down.

Atarax Working / Worked

Just started and it usually works.

Open Insomnia

I have struggled with insomnia all my life, including when as I was very young. Right now I take Seroquel, which usually makes people sleepy, but currently I have to take sleeping pills and sometimes those don't work either. Many times, even if I've felt tired all day, my mind wakes up late at night and I don't feel tired at all.

Treatments

Music Not Working

Since I am a musician I get too interested in the music for it to work.

Reading Somewhat Helpful

Usually only helps if it's really boring.

Trazodone Somewhat Helpful

Works most of the time, but not always in a short period of time and I end up taking more than I should.

Open Financial Challenges

Because of my mental illness, my parents completely support me and I absolutely hate it! They're really great, but I don't feel my age. Most of my friends who are much younger are self-sufficient, even with them going to school full-time. I don't feel grown-up, even though I'll be thirty in a few years. Fortunately, it's a great motivator for me to finish school-my department has a 100% employment rate, so there is hope!

Treatments

Budgeting Somewhat Helpful

Makes me incredibly anxious, but at least with my checks, I use them to pay for the same medical stuff every month (unfortunately I have a lot of medical expenses)

Earn Money Somewhat Helpful

haven't for several years and it's never been enough to be more than holiday and gas money

Holding a Garage Sale Somewhat Helpful

When for myself, only enough for some gas money, but usually they're garage sales for my church, so no profit

Open Dizziness & Vertigo

I've had bouts of dizziness/vertigo, usually in the morning, for several years with it getting worse over time. Over the ast year and a half, it has gotten so bad that I've had to miss my morning class probably at least five times a semester. No doctor or nurse even pretends to care, but if it's interferring with my life, then why not?! I try to get enough sleep and eat, but I don't think they're completely the problem.

Open Healthy Sex

It's been a long time since I've been in a relationship, though now that I'm more healthy that I will find someone soon. I need to learn more about sex, because I haven't had a lot and most of it was not pleasurable at all!

Treatments

Patience Somewhat Helpful

I'm a very patient person, but I think I'm finally ready (I hope!) for a relationship-and some sex would be nice too! ;)

Open College Stress

I have a degree in English from Georgia State University in Atlanta and I am in the middle of getting another degree in music therapy at GA State & College University. Unfortunately, I also struggle with many mental illnesses like an eating disorder, schizoaffective disorder (bipolar type), anxiety, etc. I have decided to take a semester off from school, because I want to figure out how to better deal with stress, so that I don't have to have anymore incompletes.

Treatments

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I have been in counseling for many years and right now I'm working with a man in town whom is perfect for me. It's working, but it does take time.

Sleep Working / Worked

Sleep is the most important thing for people with bipolar, but sometimes it's hard to make myself go to sleep when I'm manic.

Support from Friends & Family Working / Worked

I have a lot of extremely supportie friends and my parents are also very supportive, though we are having a bit of a power struggle right now.

Music Working / Worked

very calming

Writing Working / Worked

helps me express my emotions