Home truths of the Mental Health Threads

[madmouse]

I post quite a lot on here and time and time again I find myself saying the same kind of things because people struggle with the same kind of issues. Most of them are related to the unnecessary shame that many posters feel about what they are going through. Here's a few - feel free to add:

Self harming is a coping mechanism - it's not a crime, it's not 'bad' and it's nothing to be ashamed of

They will miss you if you kill yourself, they are not better off without you, that's your pain and illness lying to you

Suicide is not your only option - tell your doctor/cpn/psychiatrist exactly hwo you feel and don't put a brave face on. Save that for the outside world.

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem

Anti-depressants are not addictive, even though you need to come off them slowly.

You are not 'odd' or strange - many have felt like you - speak out and you will find out.

Counselling works if you are honest.

Depression is an illness not a weakness in personality.

Anti-depressants are medicine like any other medicine, you don't need to be ashamed.

You will feel better, one day. It just takes time. And that sometimes seems like forever.

And your child will still love you. Actually more than you could ever imagine.

But you may have to get rid of some bad things in your life. Ane that may include destructive relationships, even if you have been in them for most of your life. You will develop new relationships. And you will be loved by your family, good friends and someone new and special.

Depression is a deceitful illness - makes us believe things about ourself that isn't true.

Depression can make us feel like a stranger in our own body

ADs act differently on different people - you sometimes need to try 2 or 3 before you find the right one. They take up to 4 weeks to kick-in.

Social services will not remove your child/ren because you are mentally ill. Children are only removed if they are being significantly harmed.

You are not the only person suffering - it may seem like that to you, but 1 in 4 people will suffer from depression at some stage in their lives, and 1 in 6 at any one time.

Don't be afraid to go to your GP in case they think you are "silly" - you will not be telling him/her anything that haven't have heard dozens of times before.

Mental illness makes us think we should be able to do something to stop it - we don't feel like that with a physical illness.

Nice thread Madmouse

One of the things I find myself saying to people often is "Why do you treat yourself so badly?"

So often I see people who are massively caring to everyone else in their lives and yet fail to offer themselves the same respect or consideration.

Don't be too hard on yourself asking for help in whatever shape or form is nothing to be ashamed of.

Lovely thread, thank you.

Thankyou for this thread.

I'm sure it will be of great use to some of us.
Nice to read some positive comments!
I hope it stays around for a while.

This too will pass.... No matter how bad today is the sun will shine again one day.

Depression and anxiety are serious illnesses - treat yourself kindly if you are going through them.

D and A are absolutely NOT a sign of weakness.

Never stop AD's without coming off them very slowly.

Bright pink nail varnish, Hello magazine and a bar of green and black can sometimes make a terrible day just slightly more bearable.

Even if you feel sick to the pit of your stomach try and eat something every few hours. Low blood sugar makes everything worse.

Crap tv can be a godsend.

On the worst days dont punish yourself with the thought of having to get through the next 8 hours of misery. Break it down into 15 minute chunks - and tackle one at a time.

If a friend / relative hasnt been through D / A themselves they cannot possibly understand how horrific it can be. Dont blame them for that.

This too will pass.....

Everyone should read 'Sunbathing in the Rain' by the Welsh Poet Laureat Gywneth Lewis, I think,....She suffers from depression and the book is lovely. Also her book about sailing to the Caribbean with her (depressed) partner who I think turned out to have cancer as well. You survive, come what may.....

I would second reading 'sunbathing in the rain' - great book

You have felt good/positive/optimistic in the past - and you will again.

We all go through 'phases' and the crappy ones are particularly strong - but they pass. You are getting through it.

The black hole is all encompassing - but that's because you aren't looking up, look up and see the sky.

I think the only thing that has made me carry on when I felt very much as though it was all really hopeless and I should not be here, was someone pointing out (maybe to me, maybe I read it somewhere, I can't remember) that actually, I wasn't that special, and everyone is in the same shitty boat, so come on, are you going to jump overboard or help row the fucking thing.

That sorted me out when i was in my teens...I'm 38 and still here, rowing.

I love that - row row row your boat.

Well everyone's boat...

None of the usual stuff ever convinced me to stay...people will miss you, people love you, you're a worthwhile person etc...none of that made sense.

But the idea that I thought I had it worse than everyone else when in fact I don't, kind of hit home.

There was a line on tv/film recently, when somene was crying 'life didn't go to plan'. The answer was 'it did - but just not YOUR plan'. Makes sense to me when I am feeling disappointed in life.

Depression is treatable, but different people need different treatment options.

Do not rule out medication.

If a particular medication or intervention is not working the go back to your doctor.

Thanks for all the brilliant additions - love it.

I agree with whoever said depression makes us feel like a stranger in our own body.
That's me right now.

Talk honestly to your counsellor - and listen well to them afterwards.

If you are not taking medication to treat yourself for a mental illness make sure you treat what you are doing with respect - like a dose of a medicine you can't miss.

I always recommend Dr Clare Weekes book 'Self Help For Your Nerves' - when I was ill I couldn't read but read it afterwards and have never read a more accurate account of depression or anxiety - it should be prescribed by every CPN.

You probably know someone else with your condition, even if it's a less socially acceptable one.

Cooperation is key to getting through inpatient experiences and getting better.

Newspaper reports of journal articles/studies about medicines and their effects are generally skewed and/or dumbed down - it's usually not as simple as medicine X causes bad effect.

Row row row that boat. Love it!

Asking your GP for help is not a HUGE thing that will immediately label you for life, get you locked up, lose your job, etc. Your employer need never know. Nobody needs to know except medical professionals and you. I see too many people miserable because they think that taking a pill is a huge step. Taking antibiotics isn't huge - just take the medicine that could make you better.

I keep on telling myself, If my leg was broken and not my head I would readily accept help being offered / suggested