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Stress: a thread
For a long time, when doctors or other people asked if Iâve been stressed, I would say no. My life experiences didnât fit the âusualâ definition of a stressful lifestyle: my job isnât stressful, I have a safe home, I donât live in poverty.
For a long time, when doctors or other people asked if Iâve been stressed, I would say no. My life experiences didnât fit the âusualâ definition of a stressful lifestyle: my job isnât stressful, I have a safe home, I donât live in poverty.
And yet, my body is showing signs of chronic, toxic stress. It took me a long time to realise that stress, for people living with mental illness or who are neurodivergent, can look very different.
Living with mental illness is in itself a source of stress.
Living with mental illness is in itself a source of stress.
Things like facing an OCD or anxiety trigger, having an awkward social encounter or experiencing sensory overload can all be sources of stress that over time can lead to the same health issues as someone working in a highly stressful job might have.
For a long time I felt silly because some of the things that would trigger stress reactions seemed so minor. Sensory overload in shops or overthinking a decision can give me a migraine.
But now I know this isnât weakness or silliness. This is living with mental illness.
But now I know this isnât weakness or silliness. This is living with mental illness.
This was a big revelation for me as once I accepted that my stress triggers were valid, I could work on managing them.
So I just wanted to post in case this resonates with anyone else and helps them to see their own stress levels differently and be able to manage them.
So I just wanted to post in case this resonates with anyone else and helps them to see their own stress levels differently and be able to manage them.
