Littles and Middles With Mental Illness/ Caregivers of L's and M's with Mental Illness

[BunnyNotKitten]

I just thought it would be nice to have a place for Littles, Middles, and Caregivers of such with mental illnesses to talk about how they cope with it not only in day to day life but also during their Space times.

I, myself, am a Middle with severe depression. I've noticed that the less time I spend in my MS, the more trouble I have coping with it. Does anyone else have this issue?

[junebug0325]

I suffer from anxiety. It's really hard for me to get into little space the more anxiety I have. 

 

I think, personally, coloring and journaling really help me cope with my anxiety, and also bring me into little space easier. 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading! 

[Guest Arc]

There's already threads and places about this. This has probably been the most popular that I've seen https://www.ddlgforum.com/topic/29758-twmentally-ill-littles-cgs/

[Guest curiousmiddle]

I have anxiety and depression, and I have traits of bipolar or bpd but I'm not diagnosed. I'm a middle, but I don't go into any sort of little/middle space or anything. I'm not sure if being a middle helps with my illnesses or not, It's just another part of who I am. A big part of my 'middle needs' is having a friend/daddy to do middle things with, and I believe that itself helps with my illnesses. Just having someone by your side does wonders, little or no. 

[Guest Little Otter]

I have what they call "double depression" (yes that's a medical term lol). Dysthymia + major depressive disorder. I've dealt with it since I was 8 years old, at least that's as far back as I can remember. I was put in counseling at that age for some troubling things I said about myself in school. I also have severe anxiety problems, which is more annoying than anything. 

 

I don't have great coping mechanisms, unfortunately once the depression hits, I just shut down and become mildly catatonic. It's hard to pull myself out from. Fortunately, I'm open about these issues with my friends and they're good to me, they come to my house or give me a call anytime I need them. 

 

I'm new to being a little, and I did regress for the first time recently on accident and that made all my sadness and anxiety disappear, so I am trying to learn how to utilize little space more often as a coping mechanism. It's hard because I'm so used to having a big wall up and propping this stoic and stern attitude.

[princessfreckles]

I have PMDD, and one of the major symptoms for me is a few days of depression during the time that I PMS. It happens throughout the month because I've been diagnosed with depression, but during those few days it's like clockwork. That is the time that I know I need to be in little space the most because it would actually help me get out of my own head for a bit and just let go. However, I can't get into it. I may start to ease into middle space, but then I think about it and feel foolish for lack of a better word. That could possibly be because I don't have a Daddy and knowing I don't leaves me even more depressed and undesirable as a person.

 

You're definitely not alone. 

[emiindreamland]

I have depression and anxiety, and I've found that allowing myself to be little is such a great way to relax and relieve stress

[Guest littlegirl707]

This is a good topic. I have Ptsd aniexty depression and been told I have D.i.D. I cope better the more I’m little. But I also have three girls. One that’s out of house she 18 then 16 and 7. Sometime life’s way to hard and being little saves me.

[redscrappers]

Hi im new and a little male.  I have cerebral palsey. I'm new to being a little. So im learning to embrace it 

[lilspacebuns]

I have major depressive disorder and pretty bad anxiety that I struggle with everyday. LittleSpace for me is a time that I can just relax and not worry about anything. On days that I struggle I find myself curled up in my nightgown and my pacie. It's also a way to express my struggles that I'm having, while in little space I'm definitely a brat but I'm more vocal about my needs and wants.

[Missi]

I'm very open to this.

 

I was recently diagnosed with type 2 bipolar after around nine years of ups and downs. I'm pretty lucky. I'm being diagnosed relatively early in life, even though I can say the disorder has put me through some hellish moments in my life. I thought I had BPD and ADHD...nope! That was me cycling though depression and hypomania.

 

I actively avoided medication for years which is ironic as that is the foundation of treatment for my disorder. The diagnosis made me realise I wanted to help others with their mental health. I am studying health but from a more physical standpoint and I plan to swap over to social work and psychology. Mental health is very misunderstood and people who have disorders and illnesses need to realise there is no shame. You are beautiful and even when you're in your darkest moments you can be happy and you deserve stability and happiness. It's hard work and it might not be the life you anticipated. I have to avoid all drinking and drugs except my medication....even less coffee ARGHHHH!! I can't go out and have all nighters like I occasionally would, as this is a trigger for mania. I can't eat junk food, this affects my mood. I gotta exercise daily. I have to see a therapist regularly and also my GP. Amongst other things, finally, I'll probably have to take meds for the rest of my life. And that's not something I wanted or anticipated. But it's worth it for sanity...being an old bitty who has to go to bed by midnight is worth it. Boring, but for me, c'est la vie.

[Littleone89]

I suffer from social anxiety, and being little makes me feel like I can go to a safe space where no one will hurt me. ( especially when my daddy is there to protect me)

Although, I’m sure to some extent, it is not helping the issue.

[Papasprincettejynx]

I have severe reoccurring depression, panic disorder, bipolar with psychotic tendencies (hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, etc.), OCD, ADHD, insomnia, and disordered eating. As a teen I was hospitalized multiple times for suicide attempts and ideation, and self harm. I was medicated for about three years (15-17). I've been regressing for as long as ​I can remember, at least seven or eight years old. As a now twenty year old, I rarely come out of little space (although I switch between ages, so it varies between how young I regress, and I'm fully capable of adult responsibilities... just not as often as most people). If I don't regress, I get pretty bad. I occasionally go through cycles where I cant regress, and then when I can again I feel guilty and "rip" myself out of little space, which becomes very detrimental to my mental health. 

 

Between being little and smoking mj, I live unmedicated and am learning to cope well with all of my disorders. I can still get pretty bad, but it helps so much. I've taught myself to use little space as tool, I have a better ability to cope and learn new coping mechanisms, I can better communicate my feelings and needs, and I am more equipped to handle my emotions (usually because I get more creative and much calmer). It's a huge part of my recovery, as well as day to day management!