Priceflash 757 Popular Post Share Posted November 2, 2020 (edited) Hey guys, you may or not know me as one of the most infamous and banned players from LoTC (and most other communities i've ever played in for a prolonged period of time.). Currently, I am: recently banned and still banned. What's up! This post might be a lot to handle but the important parts are greenly obvious. You may or may not know I struggle from serious mental health issues. I have severe ADHD and stemming from that pretty bad depression and anxiety. That has honestly led to, well, a majority of my life's problems. Struggling with my mental health/everything else is honestly a lot, and it sometimes leads to me lashing out. Not necessarily like, "I'm mad and want to go crazy", but literally just "I don't have a schema to process this appropriately, i don't feel good (in general or about something), x will be entertaining or funny or will make me feel better so lets do it". Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly), most of my bans have related to me fighting/flaming staff members, and the aftermath that ensues while I'm banned which is usually me causing chaos. Not gonna lie, that sucks! But, I'm working on it! Sorry if I've caused you any trouble. If I got diagnosed and began treatment sooner, things may have turned out very differently. Now, why did this lead to a lot of my life's problems? Because I didn't know I had ADHD, or really that any of my mental health issues were clinical. Everyone wants to be normal, so did I, and I assumed that I was just weird/this is how it was. When in reality, there is a huge mental health crisis and hella people out here struggling on a daily basis. For example, I literally cannot focus on any task unless I'm already heavily into it / low barrier to entry, otherwise I can barely even start tasks. My anxiety stopped me from talking people I wanted to talk to. With my depression, I couldn't find motivation to do anything but that's related to having trouble starting tasks/focusing. I didn't fit the stereotype of ADHD, aka being super hyperactive, (I'm much more of the inattentive type). If what's going on with you dead ass matches up with depression, anxiety, any mental illness at all I encourage you to seek professional help, if you are not okay with the person you are or you want to improve certain aspects of your life. It took me 20 long years to figure out that I actually have a serious problem. If it's affecting your daily life in a significant way, (i.e you literally can't do things you want to do), I encourage you to seek help if you believe that's in your best interest. The mental health process in the U.S is extremely complex, and difficult to navigate, so I am going to illustrate to you what this may be like to alleviate some of your potential worries. First, you need to schedule a visit with your regular doctor, or any general doctor. You should tell them what your experiencing, that you may have psychiatric issues/mental issues/a mental illness, and that you would like to be referred to a psychiatrist. They will then hopefully guide you through the next steps in the process, and who evaluates you may vary based on your instiution, but you will be evaluated for mental illness. Then, they will probably refer you to therapy if you think you need it, and based on your diagnosis, your psychiatrist may prescribe you medication if that is a perceived solution. You will definitely have to advocate for yourself through this process and make sure you're getting the right help, the right medication, etc, but it's well worth it if you want to personally develop and work on yourself. The most important step is step 1 -- just doing it! If you're under 18 obviously you will have to talk to your parents to schedule the appointment, which is anxiety-inducing in it's own right, but if you want to, do it! It really is just taking that first step, the rest of it is riding the boat that is the medical process. If you cannot afford going to a doctor after researching it (it probably isn't actually as expensive as you think!), then I would examine free mental health resources in your area and online. If you have been through childhood trauma (Not going to discuss my issues regarding this on a public forum, but trust me i've been there!) or in fact any trauma I encourage you to also seek therapy if you feel like that would be helpful to you. Your issues should not be ignored, and if you want to sort through them, this is probably a good option for you. Therapists may not always be amazing, but you can always switch to a new one! I'm a little weary of sharing my struggles on such a public forum but I think it's really important for me to share because a.) I am struggling, and have struggled with mental illness. b.) You're not really weird for having mental illness, or for seeking help, it's more usual than society makes it out to be! and c.) Maybe you actually have a problem that can be fixed through either medication, therapy, or a combo of both. Being aware that you might have a treatable condition is honestly so important, just think about it. People can go into their 40s, and elder years and just realize they have a mental illness or a problem (that'd be painful!). Honestly guys, just look out for yourselves and those around you. You aren't alone. Everyone else around you is struggling with their own issues, and in the grand terms of the human experience that we share, so are you! If the way you're struggling is your mental health, anxiety, depression, ADHD, whatever it may be, I hope this post has been helpful to you in some way. Some people stigmatize mental health and treatment in general but trust me, your problems are clearly very real if they're affecting your day to day life. I leave you with this. I wish I could link more but honestly, there's so much resources out there that it'd be better for you to google your specific struggles and issues. https://adhdawarenessmonth.org/questions-and-answers/ Edited November 2, 2020 by Priceflash 35 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luciloo 2653 Share Posted November 2, 2020 If someone doesn't pin this, I'll use my basic ***** NL PEX to try. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argonian 12840 Share Posted November 2, 2020 makes thread about adhd makes it 10,000 words long 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss_Confined 271 Share Posted November 2, 2020 1 minute ago, argonian said: makes thread about adhd makes it 10,000 words long As someone who also has ADHD, I relate to this struggle, because I use 20 words for what could be described in 2. Relatable vibes. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Priceflash 757 Author Share Posted November 2, 2020 1 minute ago, argonian said: makes thread about adhd makes it 10,000 words long Well it's important so I had to elaborate, but i did add a lot of bold and highlighting to make the most important parts easy to read. Sorry if it was too long for your liking! 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
excited 10833 Share Posted November 2, 2020 Therapy's a major help. Major, major, major help. Massive +1, lots of wisdom to be had here 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telanir 6433 Share Posted November 2, 2020 Hey, I'm glad you chose to post it price. We might not be medical experts but we can try to help in our own ways. Thanks. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luciloo 2653 Share Posted November 2, 2020 So I don't know what lotc can really do to help people make that first step. Like I understand these are issues which affect a lot of the playerbase, given the age demographic, so it's really important to make use of the platform, but I guess I don't know how to begin putting a plan like that together. Ironically I am having trouble knowing where to start with a project like that. Save perhaps, having a page which links to various websites/resources I guess. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
devvy 1348 Share Posted November 2, 2020 I think it wouldn’t hurt to share awareness and maybe even have a spot on the forums with resources, but aside from that I don’t see what more LoTC can do. I’ve had my own share of mental health struggles, as I’m sure plenty of others have had, and because of that I think nothing further can be done. If people want to share their story, they are welcome to, but at the same time we shouldn’t create an expectation that lotc is an end-all-be-all for mental health, and create this expectation in the community to speak on mental health because not everyone is necessarily comfortable with that (for their own, valid reasons). Nonetheless, this is in no way meant to diss you or put words in your mouth, as I find it extremely respectable that you made a post on this to begin with, this is just my take on the issue. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Priceflash 757 Author Share Posted November 3, 2020 7 minutes ago, devvy said: I think it wouldn’t hurt to share awareness and maybe even have a spot on the forums with resources, but aside from that I don’t see what more LoTC can do. I’ve had my own share of mental health struggles, as I’m sure plenty of others have had, and because of that I think nothing further can be done. If people want to share their story, they are welcome to, but at the same time we shouldn’t create an expectation that lotc is an end-all-be-all for mental health, and create this expectation in the community to speak on mental health because not everyone is necessarily comfortable with that (for their own, valid reasons). Nonetheless, this is in no way meant to diss you or put words in your mouth, as I find it extremely respectable that you made a post on this to begin with, this is just my take on the issue. Well, my point is that that it should do SOMETHING, honestly. LoTC should not be trying to cure or fix anyone, but it honestly is in a great position to distribute/make available resources, and spread awareness.. And I'm not saying let's all spill our problems, or that people that are uncomfortable with mental health should be forced to do anything, not at all. Nobody should be forced to speak on mental health if they don't want to. I personally spoke on my mental health because I believed there was at least one LoTC user who could benefit from it, and even if there isn't it's a chance I'm willing to take. I don't think by posting it there is any expectation or creation of an expectation to share anyones own mental health, but i think there is a creation of a more accepting atmosphere where someone might feel like they're not alone in whatever they're going through, and awareness of mental health issues. And i think the same would go for any action taken by lotc itself if it chose to go that route. And, for myself, I literally was unaware that I even had a mental illness honestly till I was well out of highschool. Like, I made it through that system somehow but then i realized i was fucked, so that's why I think awareness is especially important, especially considering lotc users are usually under 18. If i was aware and sought help (or if anyone around me awoke me), the vast majority of my prior problems wouldnt even exist. Period. Which is another reason why I chose to speak today. I also realize that those with mental illness may chose not to seek treatment and I respect that -- i understand that actual real useful resources are often ignored etc but i think that being reminded that you can get help is always nice. I see where you're coming from though, I appreciate and respect your willingess to respond at all. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorcerio 4596 Share Posted November 3, 2020 I can also strongly relate to this. I have certainly had my own experiences with mental health in the past few years; and even with the pandemic and all the struggling the world is going through, it's very easy for us to become depressed and lethargic. My story with mental health isn't one I'll share here, but I will say it definitely gave me greater perspective of those who struggle from it that I would not have had otherwise. In my own experience, mental health is a very fragile thing, and it can quickly shift a huge part of your life, often to the point where you feel crushed and defeated. That said, I do not believe that mental health resources should be openly offered on the sever or its behalf, for as much sympathy and aid we might have to offer, peer support will never be an effective substitute for professional counsel. While opening yourself to talk, or offering words of consolation are certainly nice gestures (and yes, I'm guilty of this as well), those who don't have the proper experience in treating mental health may inadvertently make things worse, especially in more severe and delicate situations, which is the opposite of what we are ultimately seeking to do. Don't get me wrong, we as a community should absolutely be mindful and aware of the difficulties poor mental health can bring, especially when we interact with those individuals who are indeed suffering from such, but at the end of the day, a trained psychologist will always be what's best for them. I still think it's incredibly brave of you to speak your mind on this and open up about your own struggles. Thank you for that. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Priceflash 757 Author Share Posted November 3, 2020 3 minutes ago, Sorcerio said: I can also strongly relate to this. I have certainly had my own experiences with mental health in the past few years; and even with the pandemic and all the struggling the world is going through, it's very easy for us to become depressed and lethargic. My story with mental health isn't one I'll share here, but I will say it definitely gave me greater perspective of those who struggle from it that I would not have had otherwise. In my own experience, mental health is a very fragile thing, and it can quickly shift a huge part of your life, often to the point where you feel crushed and defeated. That said, I do not believe that mental health resources should be openly offered on the sever or its behalf, for as much sympathy and aid we might have to offer, peer support will never be an effective substitute for professional counsel. While opening yourself to talk is certainly a nice gesture (yes, I'm guilty of this as well), those who don't have the proper experience in treating mental health may inadvertently make things worse, especially in more severe and delicate situations, which is the opposite of what we are ultimately seeking to do. Don't get me wrong, we as a community should absolutely be mindful and aware of the difficulties poor mental health can bring, especially when we interact with those individuals who are indeed suffering from such, but at the end of the day, a trained psychologist will always be what's best for them. I still think it's incredibly brave of you to speak your mind on this and open up about your own struggles. Thank you for that. I see what u mean but I honestly am just open to talk to anyone about anything, and I don't think talking to others about their mental health is that negative -- talking about it is a first step to something. But to be clear i dont think i'm really advocating for any actual mental health intervention on lotc beyond offering information and support as much as it can, like i dont think we should have mental health counselors on lotc in any capacity unless they had actual certified training. But what I do think it can and should do is provide access to other resources, and spread awareness. That's not too much to ask of a community with limited resources, and it's not really harming anybody at all. I mean, most large and public organizations in the U.S engage in similar activities. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickaelhz 3832 Share Posted November 3, 2020 Love u price, take care bro 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousAlexa 3877 Share Posted November 3, 2020 Mental health is definitely a serious problem and I know that a lot of us struggle with it. I struggle with severe OCD and ADHD, so I'm no stranger to mental health problems. HOWEVER, there's a time and a place for mental health resources. There isn't an obligation for LotC staff to help with mental health. As you said, seek professional help. Of course, you can always vent to a friend, but there's a difference between that and LotC officially providing mental health resources. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shiredom 1553 Share Posted November 3, 2020 This just gave me a reality-check on myself, people have been dealing with similar problems to this, such as myself. I find it hard for me to focus and I've even lashed out on this platform once, it's at least decent to know that people are trying get advice for people who have these problems rather then shoving them to a dark corner of the community, because I've been there, and I hate it. If any of you want to talk to me, for the love of god, don't suffer and drown in silence. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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