Personal Update (nothing bad I promise 😂)
Since I was 19 I’ve had struggles with mental health which I managed to just about cope with on my own, however since loosing my dog who was my best friend in December I really really struggled with my mental health and it was the push I needed to finally get some help.
My friend recommended a local NHS funded service and I’ve recently started therapy to help combat my emetophobia and anxiety (which annoyingly trigger each other. Thanks brain 🙃)
I have only attended two sessions so far but I have already notices a difference and it’s all down to me learning about safety behaviours.
I am lucky enough to get this course of therapy for free (thanks NHS!) but I am aware for many people that is not the case so I thought sharing what I’ve learnt may help some of you with similar problems, of course im not a professional so do a little research yourself too!
But basically when dealing with a fear you can react in two different ways: safety behaviour and healthy behaviour.
A safety behaviour is something that you do that keeps you safe but reinforces the fear
While healthy behaviour protect you while allowing you to feel safe in that environment.
So for example if you have a fear of dogs a safety behaviour would be to immediately leave a park if a dog turned up while a healthy behaviour is something that would allow you to remain in the park with the dogs.
Since learning this I have been able to identify which behaviours and coping strategies I use are actually healthy and work towards improving those that aren’t and its made me feel so much more free!
I hope this was helpful and I hope anyone struggling with mental health finds this useful and is doing okay 🩵