How Am I? I'm Crazy. How Are You?

You could do a mood inventory or a 1-10 scales to assess how you are and then just accept the obvious emotional kick in my ass.
Maybe rather then an emotional inventory, a what "what colour or season are you" test would probably suffice.
Are you hanging on by a string or a thread?

Yes! You just keep nailing it Natasha. Me, I'm "partly cloudy" most of the time.

I am the same way. I avoid the question and pretend that I am not anything at any given time. Sometimes, it works but mostly it doesn't and I just get down on myself for not having much control over the situation.

My immediate family members have learned not to ask. For everyone else;s it's either; "Above average headed/borderline excellent, thanks," "Livin' the dream," or my favorite "better than a kid from South Kelso has a right to expect" all delivered with just the slightest bit of sarcasim, because, like you said - nobody really cares, even me when I ask someone how they are.

That simple question - How are you? - is a very heavy question. It can burden the asked party to try and come up with an answer. I don't how I am or, I don't want to know how I am could be truthful answers. I'm most apt to say: "I'm pretty good at the moment." I seem to get away with that one. But sometimes, it seems that it's the worst question you could be asked. Most people really would not want to know. It's just a social gesture. We can handle it!

Jake,
Oh yes, there are lots of ways of getting out of doing an emotional inventory.
String vs. thread - I love this and am stealing it right now.
- Natasha

Buzz,
Thanks! I shall try to continue to nail.
The weather metaphor is a pretty good one.
- Natasha

Donna,
Oh yes, we can handle it. Of that I have no doubt.
- Natasha

I have often wondered about it. If I ever really have to tell someone how I am doing, they will probably never ask again......
Which is maybe not such a bad idea.......
Actually, I think people will stop talking to me all together. I am sure no one wants to talk to a person full of complaints.
Peaches and cream sounds like something I will steal lol

This is e very nice artycule I love it.Thank you so much for this.

Corne, steal away. I steal constantly.
Ranki, you're welcome.
- Natasha

Thank goodness there are real people out there. I get asked this question daily. And from people that know me. I usually give the old stock answer of "fine" and leave it at that. I love when a friend will ask how I am and I can answer honestly, " I feel like crap today, thank you" and their response is "so do I". A bonding moment in our relationship.

I feel completely numb all the time, which is a bit troublesome - even if I wanted to deal with my sh*t, I couldn't even begin to identify what it is. Agreed, tuning out how I really am has its benefits but I know it makes recovery impossible. Anyone have any idea how to deal with that when the shrink is useless? (outside of getting a new shrink of course...looking into that already)

Hi Moxy,
I have a tenancy to dissociate, in other words, remove myself from life and feel numb. It's a coping technique that humans are prone to developing in stressful life situations when they are experiencing too much pain.
Your stuff is likely pretty painful and your psyche is trying to protect you from it. Honestly, this is the kind of thing that therapy is perfect for.
You might consider trying to focus on the many methods of being in the moment. In other words, focus very strictly on what is happening, what your brain is doing, and how you feel about it at the time it is occurring. There are therapies, books and faiths based on this idea. Mindfullness is another concept that may help.
If you really _can't_ start the feeling yourself therapy might be required, at least to start. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to work on it a bit every day if you so choose.
Getting in touch with your feelings if you haven't done it in a long time can be tough, but you definitely can do it with work.
Good luck.
- Natasha

I have used "moderatly neeto or neato" whatever the correct spelling is. George Carlin material. He had had a few of them. I also just tap my arms and body and look up and say fine or I'm here. Sometimes I am abit slow responding to people anyway, we all know how it is at times, trying to maintain and all.

It's better to ask people " what are You doing", because implicitely they'll indicate their inside state. Otherwise, the question "How are You" is very generalization opinion of somebody whom concemment become nebulous. After all the mimicry as well as the tonefull of person who is asking is truthfully relationship. Nonverbal communication should'n disgiuse at all.

Buzz Morely, I like your weather metaphor very much. Do you think it could be expanded somewhat: Partly cloudy with a chance of crazy, thanks for asking.

Hello Natasha, I just was told about your blog. I really love how you are able to put to words how so many of us feel. I don't know if you will read this or not. Along with being bi-polar I have DID. I seem to have mastered the art of not reconizing how I feel. So the fibromyalgia set in about 3 years ago. The only way I was able to deal with the fibro is having a great counselor to help me learn about myself and not shut myself off. Learning to read myself (learning to read my body). I am also learning to set boundries for myself. I try too hard to please others without thinking about myself and not feeling guilty. I hope to beable to share your insight with my adult children in hopes they will understand me.

Hi Mary,
Thanks for sharing with all of us. It's great you have learned to listen to yourself more, I do think that's key in seeing problems as they arise instead of waiting for them to scream.
I hope this does help your relationship with your children.
- Natasha

To the person that suggested relating the way you feel to seasons. How about places? If there's heaven and hell, I'm in purgatory.