I’m looking for a short term coping mechanism that allows me to remain functional and that won’t lead to a downward spiral that damages my family – something I can keep hidden, and that won’t ruin my health and make things harder long term.
I don’t fancy cutting – I don’t like scars, or the sight of my own blood.
I’ve never found alcohol particularly effective, and the lives of alcoholics seem to unravel frequently.
Likewise, other recreational drugs seem to lead to a downward spiral. I don’t wan’t to end up on the street, or forcing my family to intervene, or getting a criminal record.
I haven’t really found any prescription drugs helpful either, and I’ve tried several.
I don’t want to commit suicide, as it would destroy my family. But I feel a desperate need to escape, from myself, my life, my thoughts, other people, reality. I want a release.
How do you emotionally check out of life, while giving the impression of someone content and functional for another 50+ years?
Any suggestions?
11 comments
Run. Running.
I used to be a cutter because I read that it releases endorphins. Running releases a lot more. Like–sex levels of endorphins. Which increases dopamine…You get it.
Do that. It helps a ton. It sucks for the first two weeks, so you shouldn’t time it or anything. Just find something that is around a mile to and from.
Also, use an IPod or something you can listen to music on. Everything plays music these days….I think my bloody toaster can, at this point.
Yes, running can be great, especially with some good tunes on. I used to live near a national park, and I could just go for hours without seeing anyone. I keep meaning to get back into it, but it’s hard. I’m extremely socially phobic, so forcing myself to go out is pretty tortuous, especially when I have no energy. Also it’s not really something you can do in the dark, so that kind of limits me to weekends. Which is probably when I need escape the least.
But yeah, it’s something that might help in the long term.
i once suggested video games and food (lots of both) on a post similar to this. for me, playing games (be it on a console, phone or pc) just takes me to a different place and time, making me forget reality. it’s the best way to escape and live out a life that you do want. but deathy058’s suggestion seems a lot healthier, been wanting to run myself, just can’t for a number of reasons. i want to try swimming as well but since we haven’t got a pool and i have no money to pay fees for health club swimming pools and i live far from the beach, i just stick to gaming…it’s a lot of fun and since i’m having a lot of fun, most people around me assume i’m fine and functional.
Love video games too. They’ve always been my coping mechanism since I was a kid. I find that they take up a lot of energy though, for something that involves sitting on your butt. I play a bit on weekends, but after work I don’t have the attention span to really immerse myself and enjoy it.
TheHusk,
This will likely sound generic, but try to delve into whatever passions or hobbies you may have. Perhaps find something in your community that is related to it if possible (sports league, etc.).
Deathy058’s suggestion is a good one, too. I’ve heard that when we are feeling down, a nice walk is supposed to help and I’m sure running would have the same effect.
And it’s good to hear that you are not interested in drugs, alcohol, or cutting – definitely bad ideas that will only worsen your situation. Best of luck.
L4Y
(L4Y@cogeco.ca)
SEX! find one person to fuck. i say one cuz u never know whats out there these days in terms of STDs and what have you…but one person and cuddle and fuck. problem = solved. u could even talk to them if ur so inclined…
The problem with that is it has to be someone you’re attracted to but most guys will fuck anything because they have no standards
That’s a tricky one for me – intimacy issues. I’m not really in a position to get into a proper relationship right now, and the casual thing doesn’t really do it for me. Something to work on though.
You get to a point though were you’d rather be doin somethin else other than playin games i.e makin money travelling gettin laid etc
i used to play games all the time but now i’d usually watch a tv show or movie instead along with the occasional drink/s instead
but i do have certain peroids of non-stop gaming though i.e FC4 is out but i’ll get it next week on black friday along with a bunch of other games ACR, ACU, SOM, EDI & SE3 etc etc.
They’ll all be gettin platinumed, that’s for sure.