Recent posts
#1
Conferences/Courses / Re: FREE, Rewiring to Break fr...
Last post by Blueberry - Today at 01:26:30 PMFree Encore Weekend starting Sat. 22 November at 7am Eastern Time and running for 48 hours. Idk if you can still sign up or if it's just for people already signed up, who will receive an email with the link on Saturday. You probably still can though because the hosts are into selling permanent access and the speakers' books and programs - that's the reason for an Encore Weekend, they're not doing it 'just to be nice'.
#2
Ideas/Tools for Recovery / Re: Three Good Things Today - ...
Last post by Blueberry - Today at 12:54:52 PM1) The sun is shining again
2) I put one of my prisms up in the window a couple of weeks ago and I enjoy seeing all the big and little rainbows appearing on my walls
3) I collected a load of apples and pears from an elderly friend who has too much garden fruit for his own usage and is very happy for it to be taken and used by people who appreciate it
2) I put one of my prisms up in the window a couple of weeks ago and I enjoy seeing all the big and little rainbows appearing on my walls
3) I collected a load of apples and pears from an elderly friend who has too much garden fruit for his own usage and is very happy for it to be taken and used by people who appreciate it
#3
Recovery Journals / Re: I Am
Last post by NarcKiddo - Today at 12:34:05 PMI'm glad you had a good day. I hope the low state is a blip in an upward trend. You're right, though, that knowing good days are possible is important and should give you hope. So I'm glad you have a touch of hope.
#4
Physical Issues / Re: Skin problems in stressful...
Last post by dollyvee - Today at 11:37:42 AMThere are certain intestinal factors that can heighten already predisposed people to inflammation such as SIBO, virsues, fungal infections (candida) etc.
What I have found going through my genetics is that I have quite a inflammatory markers for inflammation ie double IL-6 mutations etc. (I think I wrote about this elsewhere on the forum as well). I recently found a website called https://noorns.com/dna-reports/ where you can upload the raw data from a genetic test (I did 23andme) and they will output a report centered around some issue. I did the MCAS test, but there is an atopic dermatitis one as well. It's not really a black and white interpretation, but It helped confirm that histamine is an issue for me (have gone on a low histamine diet to reduce inflammation (also, lots of emotional/psychological stuff comes up around histamine), and still exploring the mast cell side. I know that when I started taking sodium cromoglicate it was like a while new side to my personality.
For me, there's also something I call "body anxiety" and anxiety that comes up around certain people/situations. Going through and managing my health has helped me differentiate between the two ie how I feel after I eat a certain food (gluten is a big trigger) is more "body anxiety" related and not because I'm in an EF per se. Though I do think because I was sick as a child there is some emotional overlap here. I've come to realize that the body/mind connection is a circle: sometimes it's our minds influencing our bodies, and sometimes it's our bodies influencing our minds (feelings etc via CNS for example).
Will have a look into Peter Bullmore's book, thanks!
What I have found going through my genetics is that I have quite a inflammatory markers for inflammation ie double IL-6 mutations etc. (I think I wrote about this elsewhere on the forum as well). I recently found a website called https://noorns.com/dna-reports/ where you can upload the raw data from a genetic test (I did 23andme) and they will output a report centered around some issue. I did the MCAS test, but there is an atopic dermatitis one as well. It's not really a black and white interpretation, but It helped confirm that histamine is an issue for me (have gone on a low histamine diet to reduce inflammation (also, lots of emotional/psychological stuff comes up around histamine), and still exploring the mast cell side. I know that when I started taking sodium cromoglicate it was like a while new side to my personality.
For me, there's also something I call "body anxiety" and anxiety that comes up around certain people/situations. Going through and managing my health has helped me differentiate between the two ie how I feel after I eat a certain food (gluten is a big trigger) is more "body anxiety" related and not because I'm in an EF per se. Though I do think because I was sick as a child there is some emotional overlap here. I've come to realize that the body/mind connection is a circle: sometimes it's our minds influencing our bodies, and sometimes it's our bodies influencing our minds (feelings etc via CNS for example).
Will have a look into Peter Bullmore's book, thanks!
#5
Recovery Journals / Re: Healing or Holding On?
Last post by Dark.art.girl - Today at 05:10:57 AMSan, I think we're all in between layers in a way. 
Thanks for your response again, your insight is always appreciated.
I just realized today how hard I've disassociated this past month. A lot of big assignments were due for one of my classes today. It dawned on me last night how badly I had lost touch with reality when I realized how I didn't put my full effort into these tasks the way I usually do--enthusiastically, too. I spaced on two of them and the rest were incomplete or just minimum effort.. I hold myself to a high standard so I had to fix a lot of it today. I did manage to prepare myself for a few of them very well, considering. But still--wow.
A visit with my partner really snapped me out of it this last weekend though in some ways. The glumness is subsiding for now! He made me smile and laugh quite a lot which I needed. That's a win.
I still find myself, however, constantly looking for ways to escape my mind. Like I daydream about playing video games for comfort and distraction very often. I'm starting to notice an uptick in that behavior when things get tough. Funny thing is, I never actually end up playing them. I watch YouTube during my daily tasks, occupying my thoughts with the lives and problems of other individuals or the conflicts of the world. Just an observation. I wish I'd stop doing that.
I hope everyone is doing ok. Christmas is around the corner and a lot of people are dreading it--more importantly, I hope everyone is staying safe. Love, always. x
Thanks for your response again, your insight is always appreciated.I just realized today how hard I've disassociated this past month. A lot of big assignments were due for one of my classes today. It dawned on me last night how badly I had lost touch with reality when I realized how I didn't put my full effort into these tasks the way I usually do--enthusiastically, too. I spaced on two of them and the rest were incomplete or just minimum effort.. I hold myself to a high standard so I had to fix a lot of it today. I did manage to prepare myself for a few of them very well, considering. But still--wow.
A visit with my partner really snapped me out of it this last weekend though in some ways. The glumness is subsiding for now! He made me smile and laugh quite a lot which I needed. That's a win.
I still find myself, however, constantly looking for ways to escape my mind. Like I daydream about playing video games for comfort and distraction very often. I'm starting to notice an uptick in that behavior when things get tough. Funny thing is, I never actually end up playing them. I watch YouTube during my daily tasks, occupying my thoughts with the lives and problems of other individuals or the conflicts of the world. Just an observation. I wish I'd stop doing that.
I hope everyone is doing ok. Christmas is around the corner and a lot of people are dreading it--more importantly, I hope everyone is staying safe. Love, always. x
#6
Physical Issues / Re: Emotional Regulation and (...
Last post by Erec - November 18, 2025, 09:17:17 PMThanks, the article seems very interesting.
#7
Physical Issues / Re: Skin problems in stressful...
Last post by Erec - November 18, 2025, 09:09:33 PMThank you for sharing your stories.
It seems that, although not in the same way for everyone, the skin often reacts to stress in general, and to the reactivation of traumatic memories in particular.
Over the past few years, I've read several articles on the role of inflammation in mental health issues (starting with Professor Bullmore's book "The Inflamed Mind"). Many of these articles identify "early life adversities" as factors that predispose to an excessive inflammatory response. In my particular case, also considering the pathologies of other members of my family, I believe there is a correlation between the mental and dermatological aspects, and intestinal inflammation. I'm trying to understand more so that I can seek help from my new psychiatrist based on solid data.
It seems that, although not in the same way for everyone, the skin often reacts to stress in general, and to the reactivation of traumatic memories in particular.
Over the past few years, I've read several articles on the role of inflammation in mental health issues (starting with Professor Bullmore's book "The Inflamed Mind"). Many of these articles identify "early life adversities" as factors that predispose to an excessive inflammatory response. In my particular case, also considering the pathologies of other members of my family, I believe there is a correlation between the mental and dermatological aspects, and intestinal inflammation. I'm trying to understand more so that I can seek help from my new psychiatrist based on solid data.
#8
Physical Issues / Re: Skin problems in stressful...
Last post by EB - November 18, 2025, 08:04:56 PMHi Erec
I definitely get skin responses to past trauma and anxiety.
On me it manifests as hives or skin yeast infection. The yeast infection is treatable with steroid + anti-fungal cream.
The hives I don't itch and wait out.
Usually the skin reaction will occur when I do not expect it but so far I'm always able to imagine a link it to a traumatic event. Often because of the placement of the inflammation on my body I have a "you've got to be kidding me" response.
So different in some ways to your experience but also similar.
Thanks for sharing
I definitely get skin responses to past trauma and anxiety.
On me it manifests as hives or skin yeast infection. The yeast infection is treatable with steroid + anti-fungal cream.
The hives I don't itch and wait out.
Usually the skin reaction will occur when I do not expect it but so far I'm always able to imagine a link it to a traumatic event. Often because of the placement of the inflammation on my body I have a "you've got to be kidding me" response.
So different in some ways to your experience but also similar.
Thanks for sharing
#9
AD - Emotional Dysregulation / Re: Sudden waves of sadness
Last post by Silveris - November 18, 2025, 06:56:56 PMSorry for replying late - time and me are not on the best of terms as of late... Thank you all for replying and I'm glad that others can relate or feel seen.
What I'm saying is that I've noticed some triggers that make be break down and I can see some of them, but others are less noticeable and their effects can show later and unprompted. It doesn't fully explain the sudden waves of sadness but at least I see some connections now.
Anyway, thank you for your feedback and insights. I hope your emotions become easier to manage and I wish you best of luck with your EMDR therapy.
Quote from: sanmagic7 on August 25, 2025, 01:10:13 PMi was utilizing EMDR therapy, which brought up the emotions i hadn't been aware of at the timeI've started seeing a therapist and we've touched on EMDR a little but not much yet. Still, with their guidance I've had a few breakthroughs with unraveling some emotions I haven't felt before. Namely sympathy and anger. Sympathy/pity for myself back then as a child, and indignant anger for the child having to endure dangerous situations. I have never felt sympathy for myself or harbored any grudges but I'm glad I've unlocked new emotions in my disposal. These achievements paired with getting more in touch with my emotions via somatic exercises helps to navigate the mental landscape and gives me a bit of insight into why I have these rare outbursts.
Quote from: sanmagic7 on August 25, 2025, 01:10:13 PMextremely strong emotions, such as anger, have often built up over time, have settled within me without me knowing about it, and then the straw breaks that camel's back, and i kind of explode. over timeBy now I can better understand that I'm in a volatile state but it's not a total control or understanding. I'm still not sure what exact emotions are simmering and marinating inside, but I can guess better. But I have noticed a thing in the past few months. During hard times when my mental state is undermined, there can be triggers that tip the scales. Usually it's something small, like a sentence I read or an image I see. For example a song I was listening to had a lyric "You're hailing from a broken home" and it made me immediately tear up and lose composure. Something in me related and resonated with it so much it was a breaking point then and there. Or earlier, I was watching a documentary about Chris McCandless, the guy who traveled the country and retreated to the nature to escape the world to live in peace and solitude. He died alone but died happy and has lived more than most of people ever will. His life and story made me break down multiple times as I resonated with the primal desire to just go away and be free.
What I'm saying is that I've noticed some triggers that make be break down and I can see some of them, but others are less noticeable and their effects can show later and unprompted. It doesn't fully explain the sudden waves of sadness but at least I see some connections now.
Anyway, thank you for your feedback and insights. I hope your emotions become easier to manage and I wish you best of luck with your EMDR therapy.
#10
Recovery Journals / Re: starting over
Last post by sanmagic7 - November 18, 2025, 03:48:09 PMPC, that was great advice, to trust my heart. thank you for that. she's going thru a rough time w/ someone right now, so i know this is not a good time to say anything about my concerns. i appreciate you gilligan example, and i agree w/ it. one screw-up, one action that is not the 'norm' can label you forever, no matter the true circumstances or how we've evolved. or, too often in my case, because i followed my own path, which others deemed 'irresponsible', so my entire experience was written off, no matter the reality of what it entailed. yep, got it! and thank you very much for your kind words. today, especially, they were truly appreciated. 
still editing - gettin' it done, but it's, as always, a back-breaker.
still editing - gettin' it done, but it's, as always, a back-breaker.