Joseph Gordon-Levitt
"I meditate on injustice and pain all day, every day, because that's where I always am. I'm burning in hell on earth."
Public housing in Australia plays a vital role in providing shelter for individuals and families who might otherwise face homelessness. However, the living conditions within some public housing environments can contribute to trauma, affecting the mental and emotional well-being of residents. Understanding the sources and effects of this trauma is essential for developing strategies to support these communities.
For the past 12 years, I've navigated the challenging waters of persistent anxiety and personality disorders. This journey has been marked by awkward conversational experiences, a constant feeling of not meeting societal expectations in etiquette, and a profound sense of alienation from the world around me. Reliving past traumas and anticipating future ones have become daily hurdles, often accompanied by an overwhelming sense of impending doom. Isolation and detachment have not just been feelings but have shaped the very fabric of my existence.
Traumatic experiences from the past don't stay confined to memories:
Unwanted recollections that feel vividly real. Constantly being on the lookout for potential threats. Steering clear of places, people, or situations that might trigger memories.
The anticipation of trauma reoccurring creates a perpetual state of fear and apprehension.
This sense of impending doom can be paralyzing, making it difficult to engage with the world.
Over time, these struggles have led to increasing isolation.
Isolation becomes both a refuge and a prison, providing temporary relief but exacerbating feelings of loneliness.
Medications play significant roles in our lives, particularly when it comes to managing health conditions and improving our overall well-being. However, their long-term use can have varying impacts, both positive and negative.
Antidepressants are lifesavers for many, providing relief from the grips of depression and anxiety. However, their long-term use comes with its own set of challenges:
Long-term use can lead to weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and sometimes an emotional numbness. Withdrawal symptoms can also be severe if the medication is stopped abruptly.
From my own experience, it's important to find the right balance and work closely with healthcare providers to manage these medications effectively.
Painkillers can provide much-needed relief from debilitating pain, improving the quality of life for many.
Long-term use can lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Additionally, they can cause side effects such as constipation, nausea, and respiratory issues
One of the most difficult periods of my life involved having to cease an antipsychotic I'd been on for about ten years due a condition with my heart the medication had caused. Long story short, this abrupt change led to a month-long stay in a psychiatric ward, involuntarily.
The experience underscored the delicate balance required in managing mental health medications and the profound impact they can have on one's physical and emotional well-being.