"putting the SPRING back in our step - village support for depression and anxiety"

[LEMmingaround]

Heres the new thread guys. What is this, thread 9?

This is a thread that is situated in a virtual village of support for those suffering from mental health issues, or just those struggling with what life throws at them.

Please feel free to join in.

[DumDum32]

Garden & sunlight that's what I need but heck out flat doesn't have a garden & there is no communal garden either :(

Hello to all & hope all ur day has gone well :)

Mine has been a bit disappointing thanks to visit to G.P & weighing myself am close to 100kg :( :( :( Dr has started me on weight loss pills so hopefully I'm going to start to loose weight! I just gotta stop comfort eating :(

[SnowyMouse]

I hope the pills help, DD32 I'm not weighing myself at the moment, I dread to think what the scales say (close to your weight).

I'm trying to make sure I have loads of veg for snacking on...any other tips anyone?

Stopping comfort evening is so difficult, I've had 1 good day (monday), 1 bad day (tuesday, pancakes) and one good day (today).

[TheShimmeringPussycat]

No, no, tuesday pancakes is Good! Embrace Lent, at this time of year I try to imagine how it was in the very long ago, when greens came from beet tops and lentils and bread were staples - until spring/Easter came.

*disclaimer: I am describing an attitude of mind, not an actual diet that I eat in Lent, iyswim.

[DumDum32]

2 good days are better than none snowy well done :)

My brother bought a lot of fruit & veg today to kick start my diet attempt... I'm getting rid of all sweets & chocolate tonight so if temptation isn't there then I can't have it! The hardest part is not getting any exercise & that is the hard part I know I need to get out there but my "state of mind" won't allow it. I'm too terrified to leave the house :(
Today I realised what effect that has had on my health (weight wise) I feel so ashamed but I dare not step out.

Sorry for the self indulgent post guys I'm just feeling really low today :(

[SnowyMouse]

This thread is for mutual support, no need to apologise. ((( DD32 )))

Yes, it's a good mindset to get into, LEM, I agree.

Can you do it little by little, DD32? Once out and 5 minutes walk down the road, then back again, then build on it from there?

[ColouringInQueen]

dd you're doing the right thing by getting rid of the temptations. I try hard not to buy those, cos if they're in the house its v diff to resist.

Other suggestion - start reducing the size of your portions by a little, gradually and build it up.

Good luck!

shimmery love the new name.

hoochy thanks. Really glad to hear your dh is improving.

kerosene how's your day been?

Well I made it through the day. Went to church this eve (Ash Wednesday) but concentration completely shot and can't think straight and feel dazed. But otherwise I do feel OK!

College tomorrow so really hoping its better than last week.

take care all x

[ColouringInQueen]

oh and snowy the comfort eating thing is so hard. When I'm being good I will only allow myself one treat - eg some choc at the end of the day, but haven't achieved that for a while...

[SnowyMouse]

Sorry, just seen I put LEM when I meant shimmery.

Good luck with college CIQ. It's so hard to do, isn't it? (Dietting)

[metoo22]

Hello, can I join you? I lurk a bit on MN and posted on a few threads last week but seem to have killed them all .
I've been off work and on citalopram for about 6 weeks. Feeling quite a bit better now and starting to plan for return (part time, will be a huge difference)
dd32 can I ask how you find group therapy? I'm having indiv therapy at the moment which is beginning to help, but is so expensive. And I've been listening to American podcasts where people seem very positive about groups, I'm intrigued.

[Anniecarrieson]

Hello, can I join you? Struggling with mostly anxiety but some depression at the moment. New to this. Been off work for 6 weeks and just phasing back in. Finding the return a bit stressful to say the least. Work was my main trigger but against a background of 6 and 1/2 difficult years at home.

[metoo22]

Hi Annie We joined together! For me its also been a combination of difficult times at home, stress at work, underlying issues with low self esteem/ guilt/ insecurity which is what I see therapist for, and then a terrible event in my family which was for me the 'final straw' that tipped me over.
Are you taking anti depressants? Are your employers being supportive?

[kazza446]

Room for me too please??! Been off all drugs since falling pregnant last year. Ended up being off work with anxiety at end of pregnancy. Being away from work helped greatly but now being harassed by work again. (Treating me terribly, refusing to pay me wages owed.) Ican feel the black cloud rising which I really don't want to welcome back. X

[Anniecarrieson]

Hi metoo. No, resisting medication atm because I have been hoping that if work take action then my issues should be managable.

My colleagues are fab, my line manager is fab - the 'higher ups' are worse than useless.

I had been back at work less than 2 hours before I was being pressured to increase my work load beyond that agreed in my return to work. Grr.

[kazza446]

That's crap Annie

[metoo22]

Hi kazza, annie work, hmm it's so hard. My boss is being supportive in discussions so far, although less than clear about what the actual arrangements will be. I asked to go PT which I really cant afford esp as will probably be separating from H soon, but I just can't do the hours I was putting in any more. Was not coping, just hope I can be a healthier person working 3 days a week, at least till the summer.

[metoo22]

Kazza that's shocking about not paying you.
Have you both got unions you can go to?

[Anniecarrieson]

Could be worse, Kazza, I'm getting paid and have support around me.

My union is worse than my management tbh!

Return to work terms are good on paper for me, just need to find the assertiveness to make sure I don't go beyond what's been agreed.

I'm struggling with being assertive and if you knew the old 'me' you would get how hilarious that is.

Metoo, my advice would be pin down those actual arrangements before you return. Otherwise they will never be set out exactly which leaves wriggle room!

Kazza, are you still off your meds? Are you back to work yet after your pregnancy?

[metoo22]

Yes, it does need to be formalised, you're right Annie. I am so unassertive I find it really hard to say what I want, however reasonable. I'm guessing you have an assertive nature that's just gone AWOL temporarily?! I'm hoping to gain some through therapy...

[ColouringInQueen]

Hi metoo, Annie and kazza you're v welcome and nice you all joined in together this is a lovely thread to offload, share ideas and support each other as much as you want and are able to.

I joined a year ago after a major breakdown/severe depression and anxiety. Am Loads better now, still some anxiety and ups and downs but going in the right direction...

metoo going back part time sounds like a really good strategy. Sounds like you've had a lot going on recently, but great to hear you're starting to feel better.
Annie sounds like a difficult situation with work - hope you manage to get the control of your workload that you need - and good to hear that at least colleagues and line manager are good.
kazza congrats on the pregnancy. Can only imagine it must be hard being off all meds. Have you got any strategies to try and minimise the black cloud?

[metoo22]

Thanks CIQ
Goodnight all, hope we all sleep soundly through, no waking at 4.30 and frantically chasing thoughts around, OK?

[Anniecarrieson]

Camomille

[Khimaira]

Hope everyone is fast asleep! I'm still reeling after an hour and a half with the psychologist yesterday with DS. So, so many questions. I feel absolutely battered and it wasn't even about me! We got sent out early, mainly because Dr wanted to see if DS was more cooperative without me. Three minutes before they came to get me and then he sat there plaintively (stage!) whispering "Help me Mama, get me out here. Please mama, help me. Go out mama, please mama, help me." On repeat. And throwing his arms around me and not letting me go. And then when she walked us out to reception. He turned and pointed back to her office and said "Go back in there!" (Fortunately her English isn't so great and she thought he was asking to go back in, not ordering her to go in )

I got DH to wake me when he got up (he has insomnia...) so I could organise some things for the party as I don't like leaving the DC alone while I have to go to the cellar. Going to try and ice the cake before anyone wakes! Need help though, just realised I haven't even thought of music. Do I need to have music on? What type? I have absolutely no taste in music whatsoever and am not going to just run a shuffle on my iPod! If I just put cheesy kids songs on repeat is that ok? Any suggestions? Was thinking barely audible background music rather than anything too noticeable. Or is it ok to have none? Why, why oh god, why did I think it would be a good idea to try and organise a party? What else have I forgotten? They are all going to think I am an idiot. I should never have done this. Someone help me please......

[DumDum32]

khim what u said about ur party plans on the previous thread was great so stick to that & it will be an absolutely fabulous party! As for music just stick some cheesy kids music on repeat in the background on v.low volume. Hope you got some sleep

snowy I've tried doing the 5min walk but I panic & start thinking people are staring at me & talking about me plus the voices kick in & I become a horrible crying mess :(

Welcome to the new comers metoo annie & khazza

metoo the group therapy I go to is specifically for hearing voices. I tend to find it's as useful as the people that attend it. Thankfully the group of people I have In my group are willing to share which makes it worthwhile. Some of them attend other group therapies & talk about how bad they are as no one talks. I use it as a place to offload & learn ways of coping with the voices specifically. Though not all techniques work or are useful but it's nice to hear how others have been trying to cope as some of the things may be similar to what you have been trying. I've not has one to one therapy so cannot compare the two but I would recommend group therapy as it's nice to know your not alone!

Up nice & early so I'm going to put the kettle on anyone want to join me for a and I know it's too early to be having 's but I need a pick me up this morning & my rationale is it is better than cake

[metoo22]

Good Morning everyone
I was determined to get a good nights sleep but dd (18) came back with not the 2 friends she had said were coming to stay after a gig, but 5... They are lovely and not wild or inconsiderate but voices carry and I sleep so lightly I started to melt down. I did let her know and the others went home.. But I couldn't get back to sleep. So I cancelled pilates this morning and had a lie in. Disappointing but essential. Just about ready for coffee and toast now.
Thanks dd32 that's what I've wondered about groups. British people in general perhaps less well suited to it that Americans? I'm glad yours is helpful though. I think my 1:1 is starting to have an effect, 4 months in.

[metoo22]

Good Morning everyone
I was determined to get a good nights sleep but dd (18) came back with not the 2 friends she had said were coming to stay after a gig, but 5... They are lovely and not wild or inconsiderate but voices carry and I sleep so lightly I started to melt down. I did let her know and the others went home.. But I couldn't get back to sleep. So I cancelled pilates this morning and had a lie in. Disappointing but essential. Just about ready for coffee and toast now.
Thanks dd32 that's what I've wondered about groups. British people in general perhaps less well suited to it that Americans? I'm glad yours is helpful though. I think my 1:1 is starting to have an effect, 4 months in.