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Pole and mental illness
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Echo, I think it is well stated to not wait for another day. When I am feeling depressed, it's like I am in a battle with myself and which attitude will win….. I hate going through that, but all of us just have to pull ourselves out of the funk when we feel like that. There is a saying that my grandfather always told me when something entered my life which I had doubts of being able to succeed. He would say.. "You will either sink or swim, now which one are you going to do???"….. Although he asked me that question, I did not have an option… I better suck it up and swim or I will be pulled into swimming if I wanted to or not…. Life is hard especially dealing with life issues (present & past) in addition to dealing with this economy (if anyone else is affected by it) and it is easy to lay down and try to sleep it off or lay in bed letting it manifest even more… Believe me, it is a struggle for me everyday… sometimes more than less, but I can't let this disease of depression get the best of me…. and I am telling all of you guys who are my new family that you can not let it get the best of you! I never thought about being able to express myself with anyone the way I express myself to you guys, so you all also give me the motivation to not only read but to also think and pray that our days will be filled feeling better inside and out each day. There are so many of us going through something that we have to pull through for eachother. You never know… if one of us girls are looking for motivation and need to hear a positive word and if all of us are in our funk… who will be the one to put the weight on their back and pull us from sinking to the bottom to get us swimming????
You guys just don't know how you are helping me. Life is not easy and good friends are hard to find…. I am very thankful for you all and it is our duty as a pole group family to be there for eachother. Porshka, you will make it through, just try your best to listen and/or read more positive than negative. Tigger, you can join me on planning to get better at poling. 🙂 Guys, I know its rough, but we gotta hang in there.
Thanks for reading this guys and I wish everyone day good day.
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Porshka, sassyboots — I definitely know the feeling. I mean, that's one of the requirements for depression, right? Not finding things you used to find enjoyable enjoyable? I also feel guilty that I'm not loving it more, and then I go into some downward spiral of "you can't even have fun right…everyone who does pole loves it unconditionally and SO MUCH" and "so you've just been sitting on the couch in your underwear staring at your pole, how sad". Anywayyyyy
I've never thought about pole itself as having any special effect on my depression. I do know that singing out loud and dancing to music in general (if I manage to get myself to start) always does make me feel better though. And I know exercise helps, etc, but I've never been a complete couch potato, so I am aware of the limits of exercise and training.
Okay. Before this turns into a big ball of emo since I don't think this is making anyone feel better, pole does help me! 🙂 There's usually music involved (and singing =P), and dancing, and exercise. There's also the feeling that this is something unique about you, and you're working on it all your own. No offense to athletes in other fields (hey, I am one too!) but it's always nice to know you're doing something unusual to make yourself feel special. "Guess what, I'm not boring!"
And just FYI, after being reluctant and inconsistent for a while, I've finally been taking medication for almost a year, and it's been good. There are still bad days/weeks of course, and it might be true that no one "needs" drugs to battle the demons, but the stigma is no reason not to take them if you can afford them and have a therapist/doctor to monitor it. As my friend put it once "hey, most of my family is on it, and they are happier and better people because of it, so there's no problem." Anti-depressants aren't shortcuts, or happy pills…they just give you a little help if you meet them halfway.
In fact, I had a pole for almost 2 years before I started consistently using it at all. It was about month 2 of antidepressants and feeling better that I got *just* enough motivation to work at it a few times a week. 🙂 It's only been a few months since then, but it's longer than I've worked at a lot of things already. =P
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Hello Brave & Beautiful Women!
It takes a great deal of courage to stand up and openly discuss anxiety, depression, eating disorders, etc. I don't know of too many other "communities" that would inspire women to be this open and honest and then to support each other in tough times! I'm honored to be part of the pole community for just these reasons!
I'd like to share a little now too. It's cathartic! I started pole dancing when my daughter was 6 months old. i had struggled with anxiety and depression for years before becoming pregnant and after Izzy was born is way BAD! Thanks to a friend I found pole dancing. The women in the studio were kind, warm, funny, and all different shapes and sizes. I felt that I fit in almost instantly. In a matter of a couple of months I noticed a difference in my energy, my mood, and my spirit. I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed and how motivated I was by this form of movement and by the women around be.
After some time I was given the amazing opportunity to train to be an instructor. I couldn't wait to help women feel the same things that I felt about myself and about pole. It didn't take long before I noticed that more and more women were experiencing the same changes that I had and I thought "this can't be a fluke. There has to be something to this that is helping women mentally as well as physically," I started doing some research andI found so much on exercise and dance but nothing that spoke specifically to pole. However, pole has several layers that are, on there own, used as therapeutic tools for a variety of reasons. I feel like these "layers" have somthing to do with the mental perks we feel when on the pole;
1) Meditation-sometimes. each studio is different
2) Community-The women, like all of you here on Studio Veena, that are supportive, encouraging, and willing to listen to total strangers!! There is a theory called "Tend and Befriend" that talks about the way women deal with stress. According to this theory we are able to better deal with stress by coming together and communicating with one another.
3) Exercise-Duh!! 😀
4) Sensual Expression/Emotional Expression Through Dance
Anyway, I continue to research all these areas and how they are connected to pole because i believe so strongly in the power of what we are all doing. Is it a magic cure for all that ales you….no. BUT it's a damn brilliant tool! I hope to continue my research on the mental benefits of pole and I would LOVE to hear more about your studios, your communities where you live, etc.
Please feel free to email me at melissatwoolever@gmail.com with anything you would like to ask or share. I also have a list of references at polisticmovement.com
Thanks for being such an outstanding group of women and thanks for taking the time to listen to me and each other 😀
M
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Depression is a day to day struggle for me. My friends and family are mostly unaware that I even have to deal with it. We are so good at hiding it aren't we? It takes so much internal pep talk to motivate me, sometimes even to just get out of bed. I literally have to argue with myself. My depressed self tells me how hopeless and worthless I am, and my reasonable self tells me how fortunate I am even to be alive and I should do something, anything, productive! Doing something always makes me feel better, whether it's cleaning, pole, grocery, teaching, socializing, etc. What doesn't make me feel better is sitting on my butt. I very rarely get upset or depressed when poling. It has happened before, if it had been a particularly bad day or week and I was (maybe only in my mind) poling very poorly. But those times have been very few in the last three years. Pole is a major pick-me-up. It's a time for me to say things in my head like "look what I can do!" and I always feel awesome afterwards, like I can take on this crazy world. I honestly don't know how I would have ended up without it… probably in a corner somewhere wallowing in my own tears. Pole keeps me in the light. 🙂
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Although poling and exercise in general helps my moods, only changing my diet has taken away my severe rapid cycling bipolar. I was in and out of treatments for a while until I was led to possible diet cure and proper nutrition really has saved my life and helped balance out the imbalanced brain chemicals and all without any more medicine I have been med free for 2 years without a single suicidal thought or "relapse". Hugs to all who deal with mental illness.
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MPoledancer, absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!! You have a way with words and I'm glad to be apart of something that so many feel so strongly about! Thank you for your share, that was great.
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PoleSticker, if changing a diet can help a major issue just think what your information can do those who suffer general bouts of depression and anxiety?!! You should certainly share!!! Since I have been working on my fitness levels and staying in remission I have had the desire to eat right and more healthy… here's the thing… with the tons of info out there who and what do you believe?
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^^^ I adhere with previous poster! please share! I can almost guarantee sugar is on the no no list, but what other foods do you avoid and besides the obvious normal healthy foods to up like veggies, any less common foods to strive for?
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^^^ I adhere with previous poster! please share! I can almost guarantee sugar is on the no no list, but what other foods do you avoid and besides the obvious normal healthy foods to up like veggies, any less common foods to strive for?
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The absolute without a doubt no no for me is gluten,fructose,soy and corn based grains (I do okay with rice) but gluten is the absolute worst. An excellent book to read that explains why it has such an impact on not only mental health but overall health is "Wheat Belly" by william davis. Before I gave up gluten my moods fluctuated so rapidly that literally one minute I was the happiest person and the next I was looking for ways to kill myself, it was an up and down rollercoaster that was severe all day long. I also felt very unstable blood sugars throughout the day.Wheat belly explains how gluten and grains impact blood sugar levels and I have seen for myself just how right it is because now I can eat sugary foods if I choose and have completely stable blood sugar. I have seen for myself that the things most people consider human and normal like gas,burping,bloating,congestion,headaches,sleepiness (just to name a few) are signs of gluten intolerance and I never have any of that now. I have seen medical miracles in myself and my family with just removing guten. I am a preacher of it lol but I can only say what I have personally experienced and witnessed. If you want to see if you will benefit clear your life of all gluten (check for hidden sources too like toothpaste and places you would never think it would be) give it 5 days of absolutely none and you will probably feel better by day two even. I have great reading resources but will only post if requested, definitely read wheat belly! I am so passionate about ending all human and animal consumption of this garbage after ending mine and my families suffering finally. 🙂
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@echo this site http://www.westonaprice.org/abcs-of-nutrition/health-topics is excellent if you are not already familiar with it, read through it definitely. my own beliefs are anti-food pyramid because of what I have learned on that site and sites like it but as long as I stay gluten free I feel great. I have only one ailment that no diet change has made better and that is benign premature heart beats and tachycardia everything else,oral,mental and physical health are better than ever.
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I know many many people who went gluten free, and I even worked at a natural food store for years that had weekly classes on everything under the sun including gluten banishing, and yet for some reason I didn’t think it applied to me lol! I am not suppose to have sugar because of my pcos, which is totally out of control along with my weight because I drink and consume normal amounts of sugar (we don’t do dessert hardly ever, occasional soda, but like whatever is in regular food). We usually eat a lot of home made stuff, and I have been deeply trying to move our household diet towards paleo style, not hardcore or anything but much much closer, which I am not but I think eliminates quite a but of gluten incidentally… I shall have to do some research!
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I suffer from major depression and self esteem issues. I find that pole dancing makes me feel better about my body and gets me through my depression better than anything else. I am so much better off and so greatful to my pole buddies for helping me get through my rough patches. Maybe it is just getting more exercise, but I find it is one of the few that I can consistantly stick with. I also work in a field with mostly men and it is nice to be a woman and spend quality time with my pole ladies 😉
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This is an awesome thread. It's very cool to see everyone sharing not only their stories of mental illness – but also their solutions. And even cooler that those solutions aren't always medication. I feel like in our society too often the emphasis is on letting someone else (usually doctors and their medication) fix us, and then blaming them if we don't get better, rather than taking control of our own lives.
Although almost no one can tell now, I have very severe rapid cycling bipolar disorder. Like poletrickster said, it means that your moods not only fluctuate wildly from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other, they also do it very rapidly. So rapidly, in fact, that I would loose track of where I was and who the people around me were. I went to doctor after doctor and they prescribed every medication under the sun. I took them – and when I didn't get better it was the doctor's fault because he prescribed the wrong medication or "just didn't get it." I lost friends because of the horrible things I would do when I was flipping out and then tell them "you can't blame me for that – it was the disease." This went on for years.
Then I ended up working in a remote part of Idaho, backpacking into the mountains to count fish. Not a situation that makes taking medication (or remembering to take medication) easy. And I ended up with a boyfriend I reeeeeeealllly liked (now my husband) who wasn't having any of the "you can't blame me for that – it was the disease" crap. And this was somewhere that it wasn't easy to obtain heavily processed food. So, all of a sudden there I was, excersizing a lot, eating really well and not being able to make excuses for myself. It was ROUGH at first – but slowly I got better. Really better, not the temporary better and then crash of medication.
I know this is supposed to be about pole and mental illness – but honestly, although I pole danced throughout all of it, pole wasn't what made me better. Pole is, however a major part of manintaining my sanity. As other people have said, working out seems to make things better. Sometimes I feel as though I get through by exhausting the mania. If I'm having a bad day I just dance longer and harder and, when I get to the point that I can't dance anymore I always feel better.
Teaching pole has also helped bunches. Now I'm responsible to my students as well. I can't allow myself to have mood swings while teaching and seeing someone "get" something for the first time is always going to put me in an awesome mood!
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So many great replies, so I'll try to keep it short. I have Social Anxiety, suffer from panic attacks, and have days that I literally do nothing but sit on the couch, eat, and use the bathroom. I've been on several different meds over the years, but am now off of all long term synthetic based medications. I take a compunded, natural medication that works for me, although I will say that I carry Xanax with me at all times because panic attacks are no fun! I tend to shut myself off from people, but I have found that pole has been something I can do with others and not even think about it being "social". I've never felt this with other exercise classes. There just something about pole that makes me feel "zen-like". The music, the strength you gain, the way it makes you feel sexy, the journey you take with others in this community and/or studio class….It's all good!
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I also suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. Fortunately I’m gaining more control every day and am 100% medication free. But it will always be something that creeps up from time to time. I’ve learned to see this as something that has been a part of my life since childhood but it doesn’t define me or control my actions. Pole and getting physically fit in general has done wonderful things for my overall mental health, but now it also importantly is a source of friendship and support in times of need. And I think that’s why pole didn’t just get me healthy but helps me stay healthy in the long term in a whole-being kind of way.
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Sometimes sharing is healing! I would NEVER wish any of these things on anyone but It's so nice to know that I'm not the only one who goes back and forth with anxiety & depression!!
This is such a great conversation!!!!
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Oh wow, poletrickster! I knew that our diets are important, but I had no idea it could influence our moods to such an extent! I will definitely look into pursuing a gluten-free diet and pass this information along to some of my friends. Thank you! 🙂
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Hey, guys. I made a video today, and Saphyre reminded me that this discussion was going on!! I thought I would post it here for all of you because it is very relevant to this topic.
https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/5036a453-63a8-4daf-bf9b-0dfc0ac37250
PS You guys are not alone, so many people suffer from these types of mental illnesses. I've had my own very dark times, luckily right now is not one of them! But I can fully relate! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_heart1.gif
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I am a sufferer of anxiety, and I used to suffer depression, as well. I've been without depression for about four years or so, and still going strong on that front.
The anxiety, though… it's not "supposed" to manifest as anxiety attacks, but I've had a few. Generalized anxiety is more like… I run at a "higher rate" of fear than most, but all the time. Social anxiety is mostly what fuels that, so things like presentations, driving, and such really set me off. Work was very difficult for a long time, too. And, highschool was pretty much directed torture.
Pole, for me, is certainly something that helps me get out of my head, and back into my body. Anxiety can make you forget how important your physical self really is- and taking care of that physical self can really help in lessening that anxiety.
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I forgot to add: I am actively, constantly trying to get rid of my anxiety. Knowing that I got out of my depression, and that I can continue to keep it away… it's possible for the anxiety, too. It's just a bigger, badder, scarier dragon to conqer!
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Runemist,
I suffered terribly from anxiety and social phobia when I was younger. I no longer have it but it really controlled my life for years. One of my 3 children suffers from it as I did. Mine was definately hormone related and diet related. Hypnotherapy tapes really helped me. Know you are not alone and you will get through it. Be gentle with yourself and Love yourself.
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Just seen this 🙂 I suffer from depression and pole has been a great release for me in soo many Ways. It’s helped with my confidence, it’s helped immensely with my depression. I still obv have depression but pole really helps me with it. I find pole great for releasing anger & frustration. As it helps me push myself past my limit and helps me nail whatever move in tryin to get. 🙂 xxx
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Hi Everyone, on my campus today we are promoting mental health awareness for Culture of Care week. Since you all have experience with mental illness and understand it's struggle, I'd really appreciate it if you could watch this video and "like" it (or even better, share it) to support our efforts in raising awareness and support.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152741880275187
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Im still suffering from depression and anxiety, and i find that when i go to the dance studio, for 90 minutes all the worry and stress is not at the front of my mind.
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