To feel like mental health problems are like the travelator in Gladiators

[RooksAndRavens]

I suffer with some complex mental health problems and have done for a long time - anxiety, health anxiety, panic attacks, and at the moment ocd and intrusive thoughts are really tough. I sometimes think of my mental health as a visual representation in my mind and the other day it occurred to me that it feels like the travelator in Gladiators (remember that?). For me, I just keep attempting to climb up, even just a little way, but I can't sustain it and crash back down again. Over and over again. Recently this has become a big problem. I've had lots of therapy over the years and only just finish with my perinatal psychologist. I also take medication but I'm still struggling to cling on.

I'm a mum of two little ones aged 1 and 4, and I'm a teacher. My family are great and very supportive but my mental health is pretty much rock bottom at the moment and it scares me how out of control it can feel.

Hand hold and help please. Anyone else struggled like this?

Hi op, I meant to add a message last night but crashed out after a bad day. I understand where you’re coming from, I’m feeling similar, I’m always trying very hard to help myself, like you I have complex mental health conditions, it’s exhausting, feels like pushing water uphill, everything feels completely pointless. I have been familiarising myself with the window of tolerance, I think it might be of interest to you, it explains a few things as to why it’s extremely difficult for us to make progress. Take care

www.nicabm.com/trauma-how-to-help-your-clients-understand-their-window-of-tolerance/