Hey everyone, my name is Paul Sawka. I am the Awareness Leader for CDSS. I have been thinking and writing a lot about feelings and changes lately. I really wanted to share these thoughts with the world, so I would like to invite you to read my new blog series about my own emotions and changes as I get older.
Changes: Exploring Emotions and Aging
- Part 1: Dealing with Grief
- Part 2: Sibling Relationships
- Part 3: Selling the Family Home
- Part 4: Independence and Advocating for Myself
- Part 5: Holiday Traditions with Family and Friends
- Part 6: Loving Relationships
- Part 7: Shaking Off the Winter Blues
- Part 8: Making My Own Decisions
- Part 9: Navigating Mental Health (Current Post)
Navigating Mental Health
When it comes to feelings, being happy is something…being unhappy and sad is the other. I get sad, frustrated and angry, and sometimes I feel darker feelings like guilt and loneliness. It helps me to remember all the things that I have done in the past and to have no regrets.
I think that it is very okay to feel sad or angry sometimes. It is up to you if you really want to let the feelings out.
Dealing with Anger and Frustration
Sometimes I get frustrated. One reason for being very frustrated is because the kids in my condo complex are not listening to me and not following the parking lot rules. They need to know how to understand and follow the safety rules because not following the rules is how people get really banged up and hurt.
I also get very frustrated because some of the people in my condo don’t want to come and ask me any questions about my life and my personal background. I want them to be a true friend because it is of great importance for everyone to have very good friends.
Sometimes when I feel this way I hit a cushion or a pillow to really let out the bubbling frustration and anger.
Things That Bring Me Joy
I always enjoy my music or writing things down and these things can make me feel better when I’m upset. I get very happy when I have good music to listen to and sing along with because that is one of my favourite things to do. The reason why I like singing is because singing is part of the heart and part of who I am and what I am in my world.
If I am feeling lonely then there are fun things that I do to feel better like going to exercise at the YMCA. I might want to have some ice-cold lemonade that I make with my mom. I can also help mom out with things around the house. I love watching my TV shows a lot with mom and baking with her. I love eating ice cream.
My other favourite thing to do is be out with my community support person. I like going to a movie or out for lunch or dinner or even to play some mini-golf and to really enjoy the great outdoors.
Loneliness and Depression
Sometimes I feel empty of life and sad and have feelings of loneliness. When I feel this way, there is no escape from this dark place and I like to be with my parents.
I can do many things in my life and I can manage everything by myself but I don’t want to be alone in my condo. I don’t like it when I don’t have anyone to be with or to play with.
My negative feelings try to get the very best of me. I want to get all of the feelings out.
Finding Support
One way to get my feelings out is telling people how I feel in the physical world and in the mental world and the way that I feel on the inside. I want to know how to unlock all of the feelings that I have or had.
There are so many things that I can do to help me feel better like being able to talk to my own parents. They can help me to feel better about myself. If anyone does not have parents to talk to then you can talk to your roommate or your community support person and they can help you to fully understand your feelings.
I have always benefited from seeing my counsellor because I have had a lot of concerns about my past life. This is why I still go to my new counsellor on a regular basis.
I always talk to my counsellor Michelle about my relationships, about my ex-girlfriend, and about my own feelings about my relationship because it is so very important to me. She gave my ex-girlfriend and I some rules and advice for how to be in our relationship as it changes. If you have any problems with anything then you can go to see someone to help you. I can also talk to Michelle if I have concerns with my jobs or my friends and my family as well.
Advice for Managing Emotions
My own advice for anyone who has a lot of big feelings is to have all kinds of people to really talk to. If you are feeling sad, mad, frustrated, or angry, you should talk to your loving parents because they can help you to fully understand about the big feelings that you might have.
Mental Health Resources
- Mental Health and Wellness Resources – CDSS
Mental Health & Down Syndrome – National Down Syndrome Society - Mental Health and Down Syndrome – Down Syndrome Resource Foundation
- 3.21 Magazine, The Mental Health Issue – CDSS and DSRF
- Depression in People with Down Syndrome – Adult Down Syndrome Center
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for People with Down Syndrome – Down Syndrome Resource Foundation
