"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.

Just had my first therapy session. I think it will be useful, but challenging (managed to say I feel unsupported). I'm treating myself with Chinese takeaway I think...

oooh, i am jealous of the chinese snowy - i am starving, we have pork chops but im not keen.

The anxiety about my breast is creeping back, the trouble is, i know that if i go back to the doctor and she re-refers me, i am going to go into melt down. My friend's op is tomorrow :(

CiQ - i am so pleased to read about your painting, what a boost - That is insprirational indeed. I can't see me being in a place i can ever get my confidence back :(

(((( LEM )))) It sounds like you're really struggling. Have you got any apple to go with the pork chops? What do you like with them? Has what you can feel in your breast changed?

No apple snowy, although whenever i cook pork chops i can smell apple :) No change really snowy, just a bit smaller than when they drained it. Dr said it was ok, i just need to believe it! :( I am not that high on the anxiety scale and managing to do stuff etc, more like a nagging thing.

It must be very difficult for you, it sounds like you're doing your best.

I'm worried what my CPN will make of what I said, I said I felt unsupported.

giggle allowing yourself to be cross for a day sounds like a great idea I'll have to remember that one. My exp is also seemingly living a good life with gf, whereas I've had to give up my job, am on benefits yada yada. Good luck with the toddler escape plan. Hope it works well. It's the right sort of age for that kind of thing. I'm sure you are not a bad mum for skipping playgroup. A lot of mum's just can't be bothered with these things and they don't have any MH issues.

well done snowy for being honest. I expect the CPN's life would be boring if everyone said that he/she was great. You're keeping them engaged

Maybe it will lead to her/him looking into getting you some more support? They wont think badly of you for being honest.

It's about what happens when I'm unwell rather than now. We get in a catch 22 situation, where the voices get in the way of accessing help.

Hello everyone - my headmonster seems to have tired of tormenting me, and I've had my first good day for what seems like ages. I've rushed around doing things that needed doing, just in case it's a one off and I could be back in the shite tomorrow.

Fluffy and Giggle I salute you! Honestly I can't imagine how difficult it must be to cope with small children and depression and anxiety. I know you have no option, but I still think you're remarkable. Glad that you have some help at least. Giggle I totally understand that you want to go on a retreat/nunnery and I think this is a natural reaction to mental illness, to want to withdraw from the world. That's why I think so many of us want to stay under the duvet, as somehow the emotional pain just seems slightly more bearable when we withdraw. It's what domestic animals do when they are ill or injured.

Snowy glad you were able to be honest with the CPN - there isn't any point in therapy if we aren't honest. Can I ask is she/he your usual CPN - it's just a bit unusual in my experience for CPNs to be therapists. It could be that she has done a course on CAT. My last CPN had done a course on CBT and admitted that her knowledge was limited but used to talk to me about the concepts of the therapy, which I didn't find very helpful. Do the anti-psychotic meds not do anything to keep the voices at bay - or is that just not possible.

Oh Lem this anxiety has you in it's grip hasn't it - dare I say CBT could help as at its very basic it is about changing negative thoughts to more balanced ones, but I'm sure you already know that. You sound like you are a bit low as well as the anxiety or is one feeding off the other, so to speak.

CIQ so good to hear you sounding so well and congratulations at selling a painting and that must really have been a great affirmation for you and your artistic skills. I think we're all "a work in progress" aren't we and that is a very apt phrase.

Just re-read my post and I didn't mean domestic animals get under duvets, but that they often wonder off into places they don't usually inhabit!

I'm so glad your headmonster has left you alone today, NN The antipsychotic meds do make a big difference, but there's still work to be done on how best they can help me when unwell. CPN is listed on the CAT website.

Well my dogs sleep in my bed Nana and will often take themselves off to bed if i am being a stress-pig. I am so pleased your head monster has left you alone today. You are right, i am very down today - i am worried for my friend and feel guilty because im worried about me too when deep down i know im probably ok. I have had CBT before and whilst the theory of it made alot of sense, i couldn't apply it, although i didn't engage with the counsellor, i would like to try again but doubt i'd get access to this on the NHS.

I watched "a beautiful mind" last night - it is such a brilliant film, i cried.

Well your CPN is indeed a qualified therapist if she is on the CAT website snowy Do you feel comfortable/safe with him/her or maybe it's too soon to say. I think that's the essence of whether therapy is going to be of use, whether you "connect" with the therapist. I've had good and bad experiences.

Like you Lem I found the theory made sense when I was well but when not, I couldn't apply it - there are lots of books on CBT on Amazon at reasonable cost. Maybe try one of those. Although you could ask to be referred on the NHS, though I think there are long waiting lists in some areas. Hope you pick up soon because you have been doing ok I think (?) before the health anxiety took hold.

It's too soon to say NN, she's going to send me some paperwork.

I hope everyone has restful nights.

Hi, mind if I join?
I don't feel as though I'm coping ATM. I took redundancy last year and became a SAHM but I feel as though I'm not a person any more. DH has depression and sometimes I feel I'm not supporting him like I should.

Just feel fed up, tired and depressed.
Kick me up the bum someone.

Hi, mind if I join?
I don't feel as though I'm coping ATM. I took redundancy last year and became a SAHM but I feel as though I'm not a person any more. DH has depression and sometimes I feel I'm not supporting him like I should.

Just feel fed up, tired and depressed.
Kick me up the bum someone.

Hi mag. I'm new too but will take it upon myself to welcome as I'm the next poster.

So got prescription for citalopram today. Will be taking first pill later today. Dr was lovely and supportive and hopefully getting counselling too. Already feel better that I'm taking control of things although just had a good cry while dd sleeping. Feel like my life is going to shit and I keep thinking when will things get easier?

Oh well. Onwards and upwards. It's babysteps isn't it!!

Mag have you talked to your gp? It is always worth going if you've felt like this for a while. There is so much support out there. Please don't suffer in silence. X

Oh forgot to ask. Has anyone got gym on prescription from gp? Thinking of asking to be referred.

Welcome maginoliawalls Have you thought about seeing someone for the depression? (counselling and/or meds)

giggle, i did get an exercise referral from the GP, called them, they didn't get back to me and i didn't follow it up. I have been meaning to sort it out again, but shit happened and got in the way. So definately worth an ask, i don't think i was eligible for free gym, but possibly a reduced rate and some free consultations or something. I prefer walking/cycling and getting off on my own as a stress relief, so why not start there? if you can of course, find the time alone - i know that is easier said than done sometimes.

I actually did a 4 hour walk today with my friends dog, it was such a lovely day and he is such a brilliant dog that we walked and walked and kind of got carried away - then he came across some sheep and was petrified, barking and snarling and alternating between hiding behind my legs and trying to launch himself at them - i was crying with laughter. Doesn't happen very often that! I am knackered but feel much better for the walk - worried about my friend though.

Magnolia - welcome to the "village". I struggle with being a SAHM too, although my DD is at school now. It is very hard to live with someone wiht depression and it has put alot of strain on my relationship with DP. There is no shame in asking for help for yourself, you may not need medication but maybe some counselling to help you sort your feelings out. Or maybe not even that, just some time to yourself can work wonders.

Love to all xx

I am so tired What's the point if it's a choice between full on psychosis vs. side effects of clozapine?

Welcome mag - and glad you got the prescription giggle - I am crap today as the Headmonster has returned with a vengeance. Mental bloody illness........aaaaaaaaaaargh.