if you feel those winter blues, move to our Village, spread the news!

[ThatVikRinA22]

new thread folks.....im losing track but i think this might be our 7th!

all welcome. old and new. This is a supportive place for anyone suffering with any type of mental health issue.

im on Sertraline (ADs) and have been since last December. I had 6 months off work with depression and anxiety and the ladies on these threads kept me going.

Feel free to post, to comment, to ask questions, or just to lurk and feel less alone.
everyone in the village is lovely.

and I'm still feeling low, not sure I want to go to art therapy this week.

Hi snowy oooh love baby gap - what are you getting?

It is quiet. How's yr day been?

I had a good morning sorting house and admin. But have gone downhill this pm. Don't know if looking at some money stuff has unsettled me or posting on some other threads has been triggering, or both. Feeling agitated and wanting to hide under duvet, and head heavy. AmAzing thing the brain

Just a cardigan for one of my nieces, almost done all my Christmas shopping done apart from the people that want vouchers.

That's how I'm feeling CIQ - curled up in my snugglesac on my armchair watching doctor who. I hope you feel lighter soon.

And wearing my snoopy hoodie!

Love snoopy. I am looking forward to dh coming home and putting kids to bed. Ds has now lost 2 pieces of brand new lego plane while waiting for swimming lesson. He's upset and I'm grrrrrrr!

Oh dear :( I hope the lego turns up, hard to keep track of all the little pieces.

Today I agreed to take citalopram on top of my mirtazapine and clozapine. I'm still not sure, but trying to have faith in my psychiatrist.

Oh well done snowy - I really hope that it helps.

Yes finally found one of the pieces - just wasn't in the right frame of mind this afternoon for that sort of thing...

Dh didn't have a good day either - he thinks tiredness from weekend hasn't helped. But he's putting the kids to bed and I am eating chocolate

Yes, I need to wait for my GP to prescribe it once she gets the letter from the psych. I hope it works too.

Enjoy the chocolate, and the (relative) peace!

Hello... Am hoping I can get in on this thread. I've been really struggling for the last few months, well the last 2 years when I look back.

Today has been another low day... I'm so fed up of carrying this doubt, anxiety, worry, hopelessness. Feel like I'm wasting this special time with my dds (4 & 2). Just need someone to understand.

Welcome GeoffLeopard I'm sorry you're feeling low There are lots of great, supportive people on this thread.

Hi GeoffLeopard I recognise your great name from another thread today. Sorry to hear you're struggling. It is hard, especially with young kids.

Anyhow tell us as much or as little as you feel like - you're in a good thread.

Hi SnowyMouse and ColouringInQueen... thanks

I read your posts earlier and thought that any combination of snoopy hoody / duvet / TV / chocolate sounded awesome! No chance today though so just had a nice bath and a quiet sob

I'm just recently aware of how bad things have been for me over the past 2+ years. I'm just so teary all the time and my memory is appalling. It's so embarrassing at work sometimes. My former sparkle has been replaced by a poo cloud.

Hey ho.... I hope you're all on course for a restful night's sleep. Sending happy feelings to you all xx

Hi geoffleopard I am also new here.

Good luck with the meds snowy. And I hope the letter goes through quickly.

Playground was not much fun when I picked up DD. People commenting "not at work today?". Didn't know what to say. Don't think I can face it every day.

Are you feeling any better CIQ? I must admit to a bit of head burying in duvet today.

Hello Nancysgarden and Geoffleopard Hope your both feeling a bit better today.

Nancy I found it hard when I was off (for 6 months) but these comments will stop soon, and don't let it stop you from getting out and about, that will help you get better.

Sounds nice to snuggle up, snowy hope you get the meds sorted, did you get to art therapy?

Hello Ciq hope your feeling better too.

I've had a really low couple of days, it worries me as I'm on 100mg Sertraline, and I think it may not be working. But then analysing my lifestyle recently, I have been barely out of the house and eating rubbish! I've got this box of chocs under the sofa that no-one knows about ...

I'm off work ill :(

Work situation is resolved - the big boss of the company has noticed I've been feeling the pressure recently, and has said that he thinks it's in my best interest if we part company, as the job is only going to get more pressurised. I was going to hand my notice in yesterday so told him I agreed.

He said I've not done anything to warrant a dismissal, it's more a mutual decision, and he's going to help look into things like JSA - to make sure I won't struggle after I leave. I'm not sure where I stand with that tbh, suspect I won't be able to claim for a while.

I'm relieved, to be honest. I was going to work up til Christmas, but he said if I'm not happy, there's no point doing something that is going to be making me miserable.

Anyway, on a happier note, I'm going to Manchester Christmas Markets on Saturday with my mum :)

Oh Lollipop, you must be relieved? I've been feeling a mixture of things but relief is definitely one of them. I hope when you are ready you can organise finances as quickly as possible. Something i need to address when I am ready too.

I need to have a line Hoochy, something i tell people when they ask. Will think of something.

Have woken up feeling brighter and stronger today. Hope it lasts.

Hoochy can you get out for a nice walk? That's what I am planning today. And my reward will be a coffee at the cafe in the forest, it's a listed building, beautiful.

I am relieved, just nervous in case I've got a 26 week wait for JSA. I live at home and get DLA, but that's only £80 a month so not a lot.

I am looking at training courses to be a teaching assistant/work in childcare so hopefully won't have too long to sit around doing nothing.

Lollipop I think you might be able to get a sick-note (sorry, a fit-note!) from GP and start ESA claim. You are probably right about not getting JSA for a bit. The CAB should be able to advise - I used to be an adviser, but am now rather out of date. The best on-line advice re sickness benefits is benefits and work, should you wish to go this route.

I read this from CIQ
I am eating chocolate cake
followed immediately by this from snowy
Yes, I need to wait for my GP to prescribe it once she gets the letter from the psych.
and, forgetting snowy's earlier post, thought for one glorious moment that she had been prescibed chocolate

snowy my DP is on different meds for cluster headaches, every addition he monitors himself carefully to see what the effects are, and in his case varies what he uses to manage his condition according to how it manifests. So you could regard your own addition as a sort of experiment to see what happens. Any result will add information for you and your psych, even if it ends up not being the med for you.

Sparkly I don't think a fit-note/ESA is an option - I'm visually impaired, so don't qualify for ESA, and I've got no official MH diagnosis. I will apply, and if they ask, will tell them about all the nonsense I've put up with.

I'll figure something out - I always do :)

What are the rules for visual impairment then? And do you get DLA or anything?

The GP does the mh diagnosis eg stress-related depression. For the first 13 weeks of an ESA claim (and you'd be claiming on mh grounds, not visual impairment) you just keep submitting sick notes. You are allowed to get well in that time ie the GP just signs you fit for work.

I haven't checked any of this yet, but twas how it was when I went sick in 2009 so may have changed.

Art therapy is tomorrow, but I don't want to go. I hope it's just a blip, hoochy, or maybe your drugs need a rethink. A walk sounds good, Nancy. I hope things resolve, Lollipop. Thanks Sparkly, good idea.

(((( everyone ))))

Lollipop you have done the right thing - life is really too short to work in a job you hate. My job pushed me over the edge - it wasn't worth it.

My friend has told me about a job going, i need to pluck up the courage to go for it, its working on a "farm" looking after horses, sheep and rabbits - its a centre for folk with learning disabilities but they want someone to look after the animals - dream job!! But not done anything about it yet. Its on my to do list - i have done stuff today, coffee with friend (chai latte even - addicted!), have sorted out building control, ordered components for log burner installation for DP, printed off order sheet for windows for DP (trying to take more active role in his business again, baby steps though). Am actually booked in to prep a room for painting next week Now off out to take mother's dog out - she is playing up again and im getting really scared she is going to ruin christmas - was on phone for half hour today getting her a doctors appointment, she refused to go :( Am trying to remain cheerful but its not easy, she seems determined "I will be in hospital over christmas so DD wont like being there all day" No, DD wont be there all day - if she doesn't look after herself and ends up in hospital over christmas i am going to have to put my family first (for once!).

hoochy nice to see you again, sorry you are feelng rubbish, is there any way you can get out for a walk - its a lovely day here, i HAVE to go out with the dogs don't really want to but i know i will feel better for it.

Love to all.

:( CPN is coming tomorrow instead.

I need to go back to lovely friendship group as soon as I've got rid of this cold and have a free day in the week.

Also need to get back on the ice ice skating addict :)