Working with and despite your disorders

[#1]

I normally don't share anything too personal in the discussions here, but right now I feel like a little peer support might come in hand.

There probably is a lot of people who live their lives with a disorder of some sort and manage to maintain a successful business despite or maybe due to their ailment. I'd like to know what keeps you people going? Would love to hear your stories. (And by successful business I don't necessarily mean a lot of sales or a lot of money, success in my opinion is subjective, determined by ourselves, what satisfies me is to me a success.)

I myself suffer from panic and anxiety disorders which at times take hold of my otherwise bubbly and happy personality. I sink into a passive state of misery and anxiety and find I have no energy, will or interest to perform even the smallest of tasks. My craft gives me immense satisfaction and even on those days when I don't manage to do anything else, my craft gives me a sense of still being me. I don't know how to quite put it into words, but it feels like I've lost myself at times and not recognizing myself, but my craft, even thinking of it if I can't muster the energy to crate anything, gives me the feeling that there is a still bit of me in this vessel I am that otherwise feels empty.

I've tried coping on my own, but have recently learned that opening up, as scary as it is, can be a road to recovery or at least sharing the load might help me get through another difficult week. So if there's anyone out there reading this feeling something similar, hang in there, you are NOT the only one.

Ps. if anyone wants to discuss this in private, please convo. I'd be happy to listen or help if anyone wants to share something.

[Former_Member]

Like many other creative people I deal with depression, anxiety and obsessive behaviours. Medication helps, as do irregular visits with a professional. But most of all is having a reason to keep moving forward and being creative. I've come to the realisation in the past few years that when I can't spend time with my sewing and quilting my depression reoccurs. When that happens I lose the desire to sew and quilt which leads to a vicious cycle of deepening depression. In the two months since opening my shop I honestly don't think I've felt this good this consistently (emotionally anyway - the flu still sucks!) in a long time. Having a reason to craft and explore my creativity makes me want to get out of bed in the morning.... Mind you the obsessive traits have just focused on Etsy for now, useful when you're just getting started though!

[Former_Member]

My my, I'm not excited about there being so many of us struggling with different ailments, but I can say from bottom of my heart it is wonderful to read your stories and see how crafting unites us all as one of the best forms of therapy :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks Sini this is a great thread, I know what you mean about not wanting to dwell on things or read to much about it but it is certainly nice not to feel so alone.

[Former_Member]

One of the doctors (of many!) I saw told me that he suspects some of the most sucessful artists are bipolars- it's those highs that we get that give us our creativity. Personally, i think it's the depression that makes us act out and create something so we know we're alive and kickin' still.

As for me, I deal with an overactive nerve disease and a form of muscular dystraphy (not to mention the complete inability to spell :-P ). My doctor calls the nerves Fibromialgia, but has told me that it could be something else, but without specialized tests (that costs $ and aren't going to cure me) he's applying the label untill he can have better proof; whatever, so long as you try to help! Just to add to the barrel of giggles, I have digenerative disk disease, arthritus, psoriasis and asthma. For additional bonus fun time I get the fantastic opportunity to also sport bipolar (mostly despression) and anxiety. Best part of anxiety? The fact that they wan't me to attend group therapy with other people with anxiety. Seriously? What do we do- sit under our chairs and not look at each other?!? I'll see, if I ever get my anxiety under control enough to go to the meeting.

As for how Etsy helps me, it gives me a positive creative outlet, even on the days when my hands hurt too much to pursue my crafting, I can still look at Etsy and be inspired. It also gives me a form of structure and a way to try and make additional income. I love that I don't have to online everyday for hours, and that I don't have to be committed to a set schedule, I can pick my hours and work how long or short I need to that day. Now I have the chance to listen to my body and emotions instead of pushing through my day to end up home and unable to move a muscle. Thanks to Etsy I can still be a productive member of society, rather than just waiting for life to happen.

Thanks for the post, what a great idea!

[Former_Member]

I have horrible migraines. Unfortunately, the only meds that worked gave me 17 kidney stones which I had surgery on yesterday. I love what I do and hammering is very cathartic, but I always where my ear muffs so the sound doesn't bother me. . . Still struggling to find a new combination of meds that works. . .

[SilverLilyJewelry]

Being a Mother of three ?(new baby is 8 monthes) has been very difficult juggling everything ,sometimes I deal with bout's of depression uncertainty but I alway's reach out to my husband stop everything and take a bath with my baby or bake with my 5 year old ,I live far from my parent's and sibling's which is also difficult at times I miss there help and support so calling and talking to them also help's and most of all ny Faith help's me go on.

[Former_Member]

wow some amazing stories.

I have Dandy Walker Hydrocephalus, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and some depression, but thats not the fun part. the fun part is that i wasnt diagnosed with anything until I was 28. despite always knowing something was up. And then only because my vision was starting to go from the hydro.

so growing up, going college and going to grad school was "fun" my undergrad was great and gave me access to all the disability resources in order to complete my work even though i didnt have a diagnosis. i just had "something". grad school was worse because they refused to do anything for me without a diagnosis. so i got a diagnosis, that later turned out to be wrong and set me in the wrong direction for years.

It wasnt until i was almost out of grad school at 24 that i was diagnosed with PTSD it would be another 4 years before i got the diagnosis of Dandy Walker Hydrocephalus, which is a BIRTH DEFECT something that many mothers know about before the baby is born. somehow health care providers missed it for 28 years.

once i found out though i was very happy, relieved, that i wasnt going crazy, that here is an explanation for everything really so the past 3.5 years have actually been the best of my life because i am know my limitations and i know whats NOT a limitation. yes it was sad to learn that i will likely never be able drive which greatly limits where i can live and what i can do.

My wife has been AMAZING. she is not just the model but also the source of the funding for the business from her salary as a public school teacher. I dont receive any federal or state aid, though i should really, but i dont, so our funds are limited, but somehow we always make it work.

art is part of it for me. a big part maybe i dont know. but i feel too that i need this to be profitable not just the money pit is now. whenever i feel down about the lack of sales i think about my wife, who has to pay for a business, living expenses and bills for two adults and two cats on the lowly salary of a teacher. so i think she has a lot to worry about so i have to make this or that work. but i do worry lots about the lack of sales and even more the lack of profits.

crocheting and knitting help. and i recently started yarn dyeing which is really awesome. The only thing is that i cant use the stove when my wifes not around because of the dandy walker i am likely to completely forget its on, but as long as shes home I can stove top dye till i drop and if shes not home i can dye in the microwave.

one of my cats is SUPER co-dependent which works out great because he helps keep my Post Traumatic Stress disorder in check so I can remain present in my body. Hes like my own therapy cat. he had his fat paw on the keyboard as i type. Even though i have allergies, im never giving him up.

and i count how lucky i am. even though i have more fluid than many my functioning is almost normal. and i dont have a have a lot pain many others do.

[Former_Member]

I am a memeber of the Creatability team and I love it there, lots of support and positivity.
I'm 26, I have two kids, and was diagnosed with a myriad of things from PTSD to fibromyalgia, the most debilitating symtom I live with is exaustion and pain.It is literally too hard sometimes for me to switch the wet clothing from the washer to the dryer. I also have anxiety and dissociation issues.
The biggest thing I have had trouble with is always being positive. My joints hurt, my muscles ache, my bones hurt and I get ots of headaches. It's pretty crappy, but I am luckier than most and can still do a great deal.

[Former_Member]

Koture Crochet, you are a real inspiration. If you can do it without complaining so can I! I also have PTSD so I can really relate to you. I know you're going to make it big.
I wish all of us luck and success.

[Former_Member]

Tarren Pearson from tarren says
Koture Crochet, you are a real inspiration. If you can do it without complaining so can I! I also have PTSD so I can really relate to you. I know you're going to make it big.
I wish all of us luck and success.

Posted at 12:08 pm Feb 2, 2012 EST - Report this post
-------
Ditto!

I don't know if I'm going to make it, let alone big, but as you know PTSD limits you job options so I gottan make it work.

And oh do I complain. :) it helps in some strange way cause once I get it out I feel better :)

To many sales!

[Former_Member]

Besides, making it big is all relative to perception!
=)

[Former_Member]

I complain a lot too at home, my family is tired of hearing it. LOL!

[BlingNThingsbyPenny]

You all are an inspiration to keep on going...if not for anything but to keep our sanity (or what sanity we have, lol)! Let's see...I have aLOT of work related injuries all brought on by repetition...had to have 3 shoulder surgeries and the 2nd Dr. messed me up so I'll always have pain there. Pain down my right arm leading to carpal tunnel, which is how mynEtsy shopmcame to be. A therapist, one of many, told me beading would help my hands exercise, so how many earrings & bracelets can a girl have..ok lots BUT I decided to try to list mine here. It has been fun and gives me something to do. I have degenerative docs disease and had a titanium disc put in my neck last May, which still hurts like crazy. Arthritis, bone spur on spinal cord. I take a lot of Meds which at this point are like an aspirin. All this has brought on anxiety & depression which sucks. One minute I'm ok then bam freaking out. And my newest thing peri-menopause! More depression and PMS on crack, lol.
I just go one day at a time and some days that means cuddling on the couch with my dogs! Luckily hubby's out of town a lot so no cooking & house stays clean

[BlingNThingsbyPenny]

Funny story, well it is now. We were at my hubby's boss' home for a Christmas party, semi formal, and I had a couple glasses of wine which normally is nothing for me BUT I start bitching to him about everything! & everyone ( we're all pretty close) anyway there's a pic of his boss when he was younger & a crowd of people around it, including boss, & theyre all oohing & aweing over this & I tell my hubby " well aren't you gonna over ther and suck his ass like everyone else!" he just looks at me and says "you're ruining my night" which I didn't care. Needless to say we left early, lol.
I guess when the majority of my Meds say don't drink while taking I guess this is why! Lesson learned!