iServe Us

Getting overwhelmed in crowds

Getting upset or angry at a loud alarm

Ordinary nightmares (that have nothing to do with the circumstances, just stupid nightmares much more often than the average person)

Getting sharp pains in your back/neck/collarbones that make it hard to breathe (due to hypervigilance/constant high anxiety)

Learning that “high anxiety” does not mean “generalized anxiety” like other people have with panic attacks and not feeling that they can accomplish thing. PTSD anxiety just means this frenetic energy that makes you want to talk/think/do things (even as an introvert) to avoid stopping.

Feeling constantly bored like you have to chase after something, even if you’re just at home: I spend hours on tumblr, pinterest, watching tv, reading books, making art, never just laying there alone…because if you stop…the darkness is there

Thinking up stories before bed. This is a symptom of high anxiety because you’re trying to calm down and fall asleep in a “safe world” where people are looking out for you and caring for you.

Trouble falling asleep (which is distinct from insomnia) because turning off electronics etc. doesn’t help since your heartrate/fight or flight response is engaged

Periods of racing heart (mine has gotten to 120bpm for five hours) that make you feel like you’re waiting for something to happen

Exaggerated startle response. When I was a kid I used to hide behind corners to surprise my sisters. Two years ago my friend hid under my desk to scare me. I literally screamed, fell out of the chair, and started crying. She was laughing because she thought the joke went well, and then got concerned because I kept crying.

Getting overwhelmed in crowds

Getting upset or angry at a loud alarm

Ordinary nightmares (that have nothing to do with the circumstances, just stupid nightmares much more often than the average person)

Getting sharp pains in your back/neck/collarbones that make it hard to breathe (due to hypervigilance/constant high anxiety)

Learning that “high anxiety” does not mean “generalized anxiety” like other people have with panic attacks and not feeling that they can accomplish thing. PTSD anxiety just means this frenetic energy that makes you want to talk/think/do things (even as an introvert) to avoid stopping.

Feeling constantly bored like you have to chase after something, even if you’re just at home: I spend hours on tumblr, pinterest, watching tv, reading books, making art, never just laying there alone…because if you stop…the darkness is there

Thinking up stories before bed. This is a symptom of high anxiety because you’re trying to calm down and fall asleep in a “safe world” where people are looking out for you and caring for you.

Trouble falling asleep (which is distinct from insomnia) because turning off electronics etc. doesn’t help since your heartrate/fight or flight response is engaged

Periods of racing heart (mine has gotten to 120bpm for five hours) that make you feel like you’re waiting for something to happen

Exaggerated startle response. When I was a kid I used to hide behind corners to surprise my sisters. Two years ago my friend hid under my desk to scare me. I literally screamed, fell out of the chair, and started crying. She was laughing because she thought the joke went well, and then got concerned because I kept crying.

As you may know, Post it Forward was created to reinforce something Tumblr users had been doing on their own for years: being open, being kind, and offering support. For many people—particularly young people—it has been a safe haven for openly discussing issues that matter, especially issues pertaining to mental health. From Issue Time question and answer segments with licensed psychiatrists to celebrating Mental Health Month year after year, we’ve been committed to talking about things that matter since 2015.

That’s why we’re so excited to honor World Mental Health Day on Wednesday, October 10.

This year we paid homage to the day by partnering with Made of Millions, a grassroots mental health platform, for Seen: A Mental Health Exhibition. Featuring photography of Rose Cartwright by artist Yumna Al-Arashi, the premiere of their short film Mindstory, and incredible AR-enabled work from some hand-picked Tumblr Creatrs (@creatrs), this exhibit aimed to explore how the digital world can keep people from suffering in silence. You can see some of the pictures of the event above.

It’s important to be seen. And we see you, Tumblr. Stay tuned here to @postitforward. We’re going to reblog some posts that speak to mental health and self care all day long. Want to join in the discussion? Tag your posts with #postitforward so it’s easy for the rest of the community to find you and interact.

And remember, there are resources out there if you need them. It’s okay to use any help you can get.

Ditch the Label (@ditchthelabel) is one of the largest international anti-bullying projects. It offers free support for anyone who signs up for their community. It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s there for you.

It Gets Better (@itgetsbetterproject) gives support for members of the LGBTQ+ community who want it.

It’s Ok To Talk is a safe space to share your experiences with mental health, mental illness and wellbeing.

And of course, Made of Millions is an amazing new 501c3  grassroots mental health non-profit launching on World Mental Health Day.