Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

A 'toolbox' for sadness/depression/panic

2 replies

GlitteredAcorns · 24/03/2023 18:03

DD recently turned 18. She's an anxious girl, but on the whole, she copes pretty well. There's certain things she simply won't do in life, like ask for something in a shop, but she's quite matter of fact about it. She has a boyfriend and a lovely circle of friends. I know she is extremely worried about her A levels and moving away from home. On Monday I tried to wake her up and she was crying in bed, and refused to go to school, something that has never happened before, and literally cried all day. She's an excellent student, cares about her grades and they've very good! Yet, she continued crying on and off for a further three days, and only went to school today.

I am hoping that this is a blip, but also want to be prepared to support her if it happens again. What sort of things could she be doing now that will contribute towards her mental health, and what techniques and tools could she be learning that will help her if something like this happens again? Everyone talks about tools and techniques. Well, what are they??

OP posts:
Yayasisterhood · 24/03/2023 18:09

The Calm app has series of 5/10 minute podcasts that teach you lots of these tricks. And some visualisations to teach you breathing tricks. It’s been invaluable and I would recommend but you have to practice!

Does your daughter know much about her menstrual cycle - does she track it? Knowing where you are in your cycle and how it might make you feel is hugely empowering. Period Power is a really accessible book on this.

Some of the tools will be personal to her - so work them out together and right then down. What makes her feel safe? What cheers her up if she’s feeling down? What are good things to think about that puts stuff in perspective? What type of body movement or exercise does she enjoy? What food keeps her energy up and stops her crashing? What amount of sleep does she need to feel good? What can family and friends do to help her when she’s struggling?

Much of this is trial and error. But brilliant to start talking about it at a young age.

GlitteredAcorns · 24/03/2023 18:16

Oh these are great. Thank you so much!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread