Substituting food... who else?

I guess it finally happened.  I'm thinking about substituting food for an emotional need.  This is a good thing.. that I'm aware of it.  This may just be what I've done for years but never recognized it. Who else?

Omg I'm so guilty of this.  I think it's great though that your recognizing this and actually sound happy about it.  Lol I'm totally aware when I do it and it sucks because then I even feel more guilty if I eat something.  You must be a strong person.

No.. not strong.. just realizing that I can't cuddle with an oreo and no matter how many chocolate kisses I line up, they won't provide me with intellectual stimulation. I'm getting the feeling that maybe I've been substituting my fridge for companionship for years or something like that.. lol  sounds pathetic.. but it is what it is.   I had the urge to walk back into the kitchen.. and it hit me that whenever I feel lonely, I open and shut that fridge over and over.. whether I eat or not isn't even the point (I'm on track)... but the behavior in itself is dangerous and could potentially sabotage everything I've worked for. Gee.. I could be my own shrink!

haha I love it...

just realizing that I can't cuddle with an oreo and no matter how many chocolate kisses I line up, they won't provide me with intellectual stimulation.

That was great!

LOL I am always analyzing myself and my situations I'm in...lol my husband just sits there and shrugs his shoulders and says "yes dear" to everything...haha

He told me once he found out that was the safest answer there was....turkey! hehe 

ME ME ME ME!!! I eat when stressed. My daughter's friend put me through my paces on that one this past weekend and now my schizophrenic uncle will be here tonight and tomorrow morning to challenge me some more. Pray for me to have strength. I know I am.  It is important for us to be able to recognize when we are substituting. If we never recognize, we can never correct nor will we. Congrats on the break through. It's a BIG deal! Beth

Have strength girl!  Good luck with tonight and in the morning.

OMG!  How mind blowing!  I have a schizophrenic sister and whenever she comes to stay for a while I seem to load up on chocolate cake... CHOCOLATE CAKE!  She hasn't been here in nearly a year... maybe that's another reason I've managed to stay on track!  LOL I think the good thing is that.. you KNOW what's going to happen if you let it.  You're aware.. and that's what's going to keep you from going off the deep end.  My sister's schizophrenia just feeeeeeeeeds my depression.. lol  (we're so dysfunctional).  When she's not medicated, I just want to crawl in a hole and die.  I know how difficult it can be. Stay strong!!

My uncle is always unmedicated and lives from house to house and sometimes even on the streets. Anyway, he called three days ago wanting my mom to get him into a nursing home that specializes in mental disorders. We tried this earlier this summer, he even let them interview him then he threw a fit, refused and left so this phone call was a total surprise. It's scary not knowing what has brought about the change and not knowing if the change will last at least threw tomorrow morning and another interview and then the placement. Thing is, this time, HE ASKED US instead of us trying to convince him. Yes, dealing with schizophrenia is HIGHLY stressful. Thank God my husband is awesome with him. He has such patience and understanding for him when no one else does.

Beth

Sounds similar to my sister.  She's a paranoid schizophrenic w/bipolar disorder.  We have no clue what will trigger her behavior, and no way to stop it once it starts.  Before she got medicated, I'd spend every moment I was around her just walking on eggshells....  trying to be ready and at the same time trying not to set her off.   Oh.. she still goes off.. but not as easily as she used to and it's not nearly as severe.  We only ever let her go so far before we all ganged up on her and told her the way it was going to be (rehab, hospital, meds, shrink whatever), but getting to that point was like fingernails on a chalkboard.  Everytime the phone rang it was an insult.. never knowing what kinda mess we were going to have to clean up...  3 months past due rent, arrested, drunk, high, loser boyfriend we need to get rid of... whatever.  I'm just glad we're in a long lull.. I'm getting too old for this crap and at almost 50 years old.. so is she. Bottom line.. she's my sister... and blood is blood.  There's no walking away.. there's no cutting it off.. there's no dumping it on someone else.  She's been on her own and paying her rent for a year now.  :)  Amen.  Sooner or later there will be drama.. but for now...  AAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhh.. lol  It's giving the rest of us a chance to recouperate a bit... Keep the faith....  He requested this so he's at a point where he knows he needs it.

OMG! This is so familiar. He's never called asking for money nor have we had to pay any of his debts but when he shows up, you never know if he is going to be int he middle of an episode or totally lucid. I think I have more people living in my floor and ceiling than I care to know about. lol My uncles have pretty much disowned him and wnat nothing to do with him because they don't want the responsibility. My mom tries but she has depression problems and he just fuels it so usually I end up with him. He has such a sweet spirit and he would give you the shirt off his back but the voices get scary so you are always on guard. I think part of the reason he comes here is my husband and youngest daughter who adores him but I also think my animals (I have 3 cats and 5 dogs) sooth him. He is always near them. I truly believe animals are therapeutic. Thing is I can say all this but he can still drive you totally wacko. I love him but it's so hard to love him sometimes and you're right, you really have to have tough love with them. They leave you no option and sometimes it downright hurts but we have to remember it is for their good as well as ours. Mental illness is hard.  Beth PS. He's paranoid schizophrenic, too. That's why it is so hard to place him. He trusts no one. I guess with living on the streets so much, I wouldn't trust people either. As far as placing him, tho, by law it is up to him unless he becomes violent and then he has to be arrested first before he can be committed. It's a cruel circle alot of times with no end in sight. Thank God he came to us this time. I pray the Lord is answeing prayers with this.