Here's What "Take Your Pills" Really Means

First and foremost, I need to thank my former employer, E! News, for teaching me how to write charmingly clickbaity headlines without straying into the "AND WHAT SHE DID NEXT WILL AMAZE YOU" territory. My blog is a better place because of you. Hearts! 

Anywayzzz - "Take your pills, Dominique” was something my dad used to say to me as a kid when I first started using medication for my mental illness. Without those daily reminders, my mental health may not have improved, and I may not be writing this today. I know that's the stalest trope in the book, but just let me have this, okay?

Those words represent a start of a very long (and ongoing) self-improvement saga. Years later, “take your pills” has become a mantra to ~keep going~ rather than just a reminder to take my meds. Side note - how many mental health clichés can you count in this post? 

AHEM ALSO PLEASE NOTE: The name of this blog by NO means is meant to convince readers that medication is the only way to treat mental illness. Not everyone needs, likes, or wants meds and that’s just fine! This blog is for anyone and everyone -even if you don't keep a pharmacy in your purse.

Thanksgiving Therapy Thursday Recap

Here's your recap of #TherapyThursday - Thanksgiving edition. It's still up on my Instagram story for a few more hours if you'd like to watch it HERE. xoxo! 

TOPIC: How to stay away from terrible tempting shit when you have terrible self-control

WHEN TO USE: If you're anything like me and have limited self control when it comes to avoiding over-indulgence and temptation, this is the skill for you. This can help if you are trying to stay away from drugs, alcohol, junk food, texting your ex, etc. 

HOW TO USE: Let's say I'm trying to quit smoking cigarettes and I'm hanging out with my friends who all smoke. They ask me if I want one (and I really fucking do) but I know I shouldn't. I know for a fact that smoking makes me smell like shit, makes my throat hurt, sometimes gives me a headache, and [fill in your own negative symptoms that result in doing the tempting behavior here]. Recall all of these uncomfortable sensations and symptoms. Feel what your sore throat will feel like, smell the stale smoke on your clothes, hair, and hands, feel the pain of that cigarette hangover headache.

WHY ITS LEGIT: The point of this is to fast forward yourself into the future so that you are reminded of all the gross/painful/bad consequences that come with giving into your temptation. By doing this, the goal is to be less inclined to proceed with the harmful behavior. Hope that helps! 

ABOUT THERAPY THURSDAY: Join me every Thursday on my Instagram story (@domjoellehaikel) as I share with you a new tip/trick I learned in therapy over the years. If you can't catch the stories in time, look out for recaps like these each week! 

Please read my disclaimer HERE.

Therapy Thursday Recap #1!

Hey all! Here's your belated #TherapyThursday recap from last week. I promise to be more timely about these as we move forward. Just getting used to the fact that I have A FREAKING BLOG NOW OMGAH.

TOPIC: How I Get Out of My Head When I'm Freaking Out/Anxious/Obsessing/Etc.

WHEN TO USE: Say you're on a plane and it starts shaking rather aggressively. You're all going to die, right? Right, if you're someone with anxiety like myself. Just kidding! You're better than that because you have this nifty trick i'm about to share with you. I like to call it, "focus and describe shit." If you couldn't tell, I have no recollection of its technical name because I was taught this roughly 10 years ago. Can also be used when you're obsessing, generally anxious, or any situation where you just need a break from the thoughts in your head. 

HOW TO USE: Pick any object/person/animal/thing in your surroundings. Start describing that thing to yourself in your head. For example: "The person sitting next to me has big nose. They have brown hair. They are wearing a green shirt. There is a earth-shattering booger on their sleeve," and so on. Alternatively, I'm sure it works just fine to describe said thing out loud or write it down as well. 

WHY ITS LEGIT: This exercise gets you out of your anxious, obsessive head space and into the moment. The goal is to focus less on whatever is stressing you out and more on the thing in front of you. Hope that helps! 

ABOUT THERAPY THURSDAY: Join me every Thursday on my Instagram story (@domjoellehaikel) as I share with you a new tip/trick I learned in therapy over the years. If you can't catch the stories in time, look out for recaps like these each week!

Please read my disclaimer HERE.

OMG FINALLY

Hiiiii my friggin' blog is here!! I've been plotting out (and talking about plotting out) this damn thing on and off for like 3+ years, and it's finally effing done. Actually, "done" is an overstatement but it's good enough for now. 

I intend to use this platform to fight the notion that mentally ill people are incapable, murderous tweak-waffles who eat thumbtacks. Additionally, I want this to be a place where anyone and everyone can come together to learn and laugh about mental illness. I'll be exploring mental health topics with you as opposed to just documenting all the times I got too depressed to do laundry or yelling random advice at you. Nothing wrong with doing that, however. 

Thank you SO much for taking the time to support me. I would not be where I am without all of you and your love. I cannot stress that enough. Also - I promise I'll explain the name of my blog in another post. I swear I'm not trying to force pills down your throat or condone drug abuse.

xoxo love you!!!  -Dom