This too

Timothy Sylvester
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  • Mental Health
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A personal account and journey through my battle with my own mental health and a platform for creating awareness and understanding for those facing their own challenges. This platform is here to shed light and hopefully tackle difficult subjects with compassion and give hope to anyone going through their own struggles

  1. 4d ago

    So.... Not getting too high or too low

    In today's episode we look at how to maintain an even mindset. Controling your energy and anxiety

  2. Oct 19

    So.... creating a new reality

    In this raw and unvarnished episode of This Too, we deconstruct the silent traps of the post-trauma mind—specifically how the brain uses endless over-analysis and rumination as a fake substitute for real-life action. Shifting away from passive survival mode, we outline a practical framework for mastering intrusive thoughts, stripping away romantic projections, and stepping back into the real world with total emotional sovereignty. The Illusion of Rumination: Understanding why sitting in mental loops is just your brain pretending to take action. Cognitive Defusion: Practical psychological tools to label and compartmentalize intrusive thoughts without letting them rule your day. Stripping Projections: How emotional starvation tricks us into turning strangers into fantasy anchors—and how to dismantle pedestals to return to reality. Shifting from Fantasy to Reality: Moving away from safe internal simulations and leaning into the vulnerability and vitality of real-world connection. Environmental & Physical Discipline: How physical movement and immediate environmental control regulate a burnt-out nervous system. "Nothing changes until we change. Reclaiming your life starts the second you stop trying to manage the external world and start governing yourself." If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, or emotional strain, support is available 24/7: SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group): 24/7 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0800 567 567 24/7 Mental Health Helpline: 0800 12 13 14 / 0800 456 789 WhatsApp Counseling Line (8 AM – 5 PM): 076 882 2775 Website: www.sadag.org LifeLine South Africa: 24/7 National Counseling Line: 0861 322 322 Stop Gender Violence Helpline: 0800 150 150 Website: www.lifeline.org.za Key Takeaways & Core Themes:Mental Health Support & Crisis Helplines

  3. Oct 2

    So... Trying to give myself closure

    In today's episode I look at my personal journey and attempts to overcome 2 of the strongest negative aspects of BPD when dealiong with a crisis: Black and white thinking and Rumination Lifeline https://lifelinesa.co.za/contact-us/ Lifeline Western Cape: Phone:Cape Town Office: 021 461 1113Whatsapp Call: 063 709 2620Suicide Crisis Helpline0800 567 567

  4. Aug 24

    So...Abandonment

    In today's episode : What happens when the fear of abandonment isn’t just a symptom, but a lifetime of lived experience? In this deeply raw and honest episode, we explore the heavy intersection of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), childhood emotional neglect, traumatic loss, and surviving an abusive marriage. From sitting alone in a car on Christmas Day as a child to carrying the weight of early tragic grief, we unpack how early wounds shape the way we navigate adulthood—and how narcissistic dynamics exploit those exact vulnerabilities. Finally, we discuss the immense courage it takes to break the cycle, step out of toxic patterns, and choose self-preservation by filing for divorce. This is a story about surviving the storm, facing severe anxiety and depression, and learning how to stop abandoning yourself. SHOW NOTES: In This Episode, We Cover: The Roots of Abandonment: How early childhood neglect and conditional affection from a primary caregiver build the core beliefs that fuel BPD and hyper-vigilance later in life. Grief, Trauma, and False Guilt: The emotional impact of losing a first love to sudden tragedy, and how unearned self-blame complicates future relationships. Recognizing Unhealthy Patterns: Why childhood neglect and fear of rejection make us hyper-vulnerable to controlling and abusive marital dynamics. The Decision to Walk Away: Re-framing divorce not as a failure or abandonment, but as a vital act of self-preservation and boundary-setting. Navigating the Darkness: Honest talk on managing severe anxiety, clinical depression, and suicidal ideation while rebuilding a life on your own terms. Resources & Support: South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG): 0800 567 567 | Text 31393 (24/7 Helpline) Suicide & Crisis Helpline: Reach out to your local emergency services or national crisis line immediately if you are experiencing severe distress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Learn more about evidence-based skills for distress tolerance and emotional regulation. Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions of relational trauma, emotional abuse, and mental health struggles. It is intended for educational and personal reflection purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health or legal advice.

  5. Jul 28

    So… I have BPD

    Episode Blurb: Understanding BPD In this episode we talk openly about Borderline Personality Disorder — what it is, what it isn’t, and how it shows up in relationships, emotions, and daily life. We break down the stigma, share real experiences, and discuss tools for support, healing, and setting boundaries. If you or someone you love is struggling, you don’t have to go through it alone. South African Support Lines: SADAG Mental Health Helpline: 0800 12 13 14 Lifeline SA Crisis Line: 0861 322 322 or SMS 31393 Note: This conversation is for education and awareness. It’s not a diagnosis or therapy. If you’re in immediate danger, please contact emergency services or go to your nearest hospital.

  6. Jun 5

    So…. This is something to discuss

    I look at the stats of the men’s mental health crisis focusing on the age groups most at risk Like share subscribe Leave a comment

  7. May 29

    So….. This helps me

    ## Episode Notes: The Body’s Blueprint: Moving Through Trauma ### Episode Summary In this episode of *This Too*, we dive into the profound connection between physical health and psychological survival. Moving past the misconception that trauma and emotional distress live strictly in our heads, we explore how physical activity serves as a powerful, evidence-based biological intervention. From the "fear extinction" engines of running to the empowerment of strength training, we break down how specific exercises physically rewire the nervous system and build lasting neural resilience. ### Key Takeaways * **Trauma is Physical:** Emotional pain, grief, and PTSD are stored within the nervous system, altering how the brain regulates stress and threat expectancy. * **Aerobic Exercise (Running/Skipping):** Functions as a "fear extinction" engine. Pushing your heart rate triggers a surge in **BDNF** (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) to repair neural stress damage and releases **Anandamide** (an endocannabinoid) to signal safety to an overactive amygdala. * **Resistance Training (Kettlebells/Boxing):** Serves as the antidote to helplessness and depression. Overcoming physical resistance fosters self-efficacy and increases **GABA**, a neurotransmitter that actively calms the central nervous system. * **The Sweet Spot:** State-of-the-art research reveals that the neural configurations supporting stress adaptation and trauma recovery optimally emerge between **150 and 390 minutes of physical activity per week** (roughly 30 to 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week). ### Key Quotes > *"Trauma isn’t just a memory; it’s a physical state. It gets trapped in our nervous system."* > > *"Aerobic work helps with panic, but resistance training is the antidote to helplessness... You are proving to your brain, rep by rep, that you are strong enough to handle resistance."* > ### References & Further Reading * **On Aerobic Exercise & PTSD:** Blair, J. M., et al. (2025). *The therapeutic potential of exercise in post-traumatic stress disorder and its underlying mechanisms.* Wellcome Open Research. * **On Brain Resilience & The 150–390 Minute Sweet Spot:** Ende, G., et al. (2026). *Exercise boosts brain resilience post-childhood trauma: Analysis of ACC-amygdala connectivity.* Biological Psychiatry. * **On Resistance Training & Depression:** Härter, M., et al. (2025). *Resistance training for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.* Frontiers in Psychology. ### Connect With Us * **Subscribe & Review:** If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. * **Keep Moving:** Remember, when the mind feels too chaotic for words, anchor yourself to the body. *This too shall pass.*

  8. May 18

    So… it’s been a year

    Marking the anniversary of a suicide attempt isn't about celebrating a sudden, magical recovery; it’s about acknowledging the complex, messy reality of still being here. In this deeply personal episode, I wade through the emotional landscape of the past 365 days. Let’s be honest: things are far from plain sailing. Healing isn't a linear, upward trajectory. Instead, psychological research shows us that recovery from a severe mental health crisis is an ongoing, cyclical process of adaptation. It’s a daily practice of distress tolerance and radical acceptance—choosing to exist in the discomfort of the present moment, even when the water gets deep. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on: • The Anatomy of a Milestone: What it actually feels like to hit the one-year mark (the grief, the relief, and the strange spaces in between). • The Myth of "Plain Sailing": Validating the reality that wanting to live and struggling to cope can exist at the exact same time. • The Power of Showing Up: How the simple, radical act of cumulative daily micro-choices builds resilience over time, backed by evidence on behavioral activation. This isn’t a neat story with a perfect bow. It’s a raw, honest conversation about what it looks like to choose to stay, day after day, even when the healing hurts. Thank you for being here with me. Let's talk about it.

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About

A personal account and journey through my battle with my own mental health and a platform for creating awareness and understanding for those facing their own challenges. This platform is here to shed light and hopefully tackle difficult subjects with compassion and give hope to anyone going through their own struggles

Information

  • Creator
    Timothy Sylvester
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Timothy Sylvester
  • Show Website
    This too