"Summer is Coming, the Village is warm and safe - support for depression, anxiety and other MH issues"

[LollipopViolet]

New thread, everyone :) First attempt at a thread title for us.

I've just posted on the old one, am really struggling today. Was feeling numb, still do, to be honest. Need to get myself through today.

Snowy - Chinese? I am dead jealous you lucky devil! Have just had a chicken salad :(

katkins the benefits and work web-site is v v good on ESA, they have guides which advise how to put your case, as it were, though you need to be a member to access them. It's just under £20 for a year, if you can afford that. But well worth it. Although things have changed recently with ATOS going, so I am not longer up to speed on the process.

Sooooo worried about my friend. dhe sounds seriously depressed. Talks of yearning for darkness and death. I don't know how to help

Katkins thanks for that vote of confidence. I am not sure im able for little ones nowadays. But I did think about it in the past. I have been contemplating the samaritans but not sure id be suitable.

Better day for me (though it couldn't have been much worse than yesterday to be honest) I managed to take my DGD clothes shopping for her holiday and felt a bit anxious but she was so pleased and kept saying "thank you nana" and giving me a little hug. She's the love of my life.

I got an e mail from lovely CPN this morning asking how I was - told her I'd head a crap week with only 1 good day and the weekend from hell. She has offered to come in later on tomorrow afternoon if it would help, but I will probably tell her it's ok as I don't like to take advantage of her although I know that's her job. She says she will warn the psych at their weekly meeting on Wednesday ahead of my appointment on Friday. She assured me they will support me through this change and asked me not to lose faith in the meds.

Glad you are "touching base" Snowy - that sounds relatively ok?

Katkins do you think it's the meds that are zonking you out as some of them do. Oh god you need the ESA form like a "hole in the head" don't you but you do need to do it as the buggers "sanction" people who don't comply 100% with the rules. Silvery that's really interesting about that website - never heard of it before.

Lem is it your friend with breast cancer who is depressed? I have a friend who is a Samaritans volunteer and I think you need to be very robust emotionally yourself as people phone saying they are going to commit suicide. The Sams way is not to try to talk them out of it but to ask "if they have the means" and they are often asked to stay on the line while the deed is done, and they can hear gasping etc. Think it could be a tough call for you. What about CAB or MIND or RE-THINK, although I'm not sure what opportunities there are. I had a look once and it seemed to be working in one of their shops or fund raising of some sort, though there may be other ways of helping. Worth having a look.

Nana - I think its the meds, I'm a bit al over the place. CPN came out today, said they'd be checking on my side effects before upping me to 75mg of anti-psychotic. Seemed worried (like my friend) about me eating; but I thought was fine.

Nearly done my ESA form, and think I might set myself a huge challenge over the next couple of days and go to the hairdressers and get my fringe cut (I've got purple/black hair...it so needs a cut, though I'm happy with my colour).

Any tips on recovering from/dealing with psychosis, please? The side effects, physical things? I'd appreciate any of that.

Nana you are right -I could never deal with that. I had a nice walk with my friend and our dogs. she was clearly unhappy but putting on a beave face. Didn't want to talk about things which is fine. She has family coming tomorrow so that is good. I feel very anxious and struggling with housework. But house such a pigsty its affecting everyone's mood.

I've just sobbed down the phone to my CPN. I just feel so unbelievably crap - these meds are definitely making me worse. She's lovely and spent half an hour on the phone talking to me, and trying to tell me that they will find something that will work, but I don't believe it. I seem to get worse through the day rather than better, since taking sertraline.

Sorry I'm too self absorbed to reach out to anyone today.

Thats ok nana -reaching out to you

(((( NanaNina )))) here for you.

(((( LEM )))) Good luck with the housework, you can do it.

As far as dealing with psychosis goes, I find listening to music on headphones helps (so do other people). Whatever you can do to distract yourself might help. Telling the voices you'll talk to them later, saying no etc - apparently some people hold their phone to their ear and talk out loud to the voices which is supposed to help.

After saying all that, I'm not sure if you do hear voices, katkins.

The hearing voices network do a booklet called coping with voices and visions which has some ideas in it here

My CPN is back. I have agreed to go to the day hospital (I find it very institutionalising, so not a big fan). I also have a written plan for taking and increasing my tablets. I feel like reneging on the day hospital, but I know part of that is the voices. The other reason I don't like the day hospital is that as much as they say it's to prevent admission, it all too often results in admission. Ah well, need to try and be optomistic.

How's everyone doing?

Has anyone else had experiences of day services?

((snowy)) I do 'hear' voices, snowy, sometimes in my ears, but I wear hearing aids, so a lot of the time they feel like thoughts planted in my head- they just appear out of nowhere, as if just put there. They are characthers that tell me their names, comment on things and all sorts. I hear whisphering too- that's definately a sound. And the flowers singing, churches singing, objects talking... and snails...street signs growling...I get odd things between sound and 'hearing' voices- seperate from and never my own thoughts, never things I'd say. Been hearing them for 4 months now...they alternate. Very annoying. I hope the hospital helps, Snowy, don't be too fearful of being admitted- do you think you stopping your meds has made it worse, and maybe they could help you and talk it through- stabilise you? Thinking of you. Here if you want to chat, stay positive.

(Nana) they CAN and WILL find the right thing; it takes time. It's horrible isn't it? My sympathies.

My quietpine is beng upped to 75mg over the next couple of days, I think they want me on 100 overall. I shall ask.

Good luck with the housework Lem. I'm not a huge fan myself.

Hi all (((hugs)))

Sorry been lurking and not had the strength to post :(
It's been an ok week just am extremely tired all the time. Memory has become like a fish I don't remember anything anymore. I forget what I have done in the morning by the evening and just feel really spaced out all the time.

Sorry a very self indulgent post today but I am thinking of u all :(

How long have you been on your meds pulledapart? What are you taking? The shitty side effects can last a few weeks or more but worth perseverance.

Well housework went ok (ish) nd dd decided not to do her activity this evening so mabaged to make a pie for dinner.

Love to all.

Ciq are you ok?

Pyrre?

Thanks lovely people Snowy Lem Katkins for your kind words and thoughts. I feel marginally better tonight but got very scared today as I didn't feel I was part of the human race. I've just been for a short walk on our lovely park (only minutes away from where I live) but felt anxious and envious of happy, laughing people. Oh god that's crap isn't it but it's the truth......there were groups of teenagers sitting on the grass and it took me back to when I was young and doing the same thing in the same park.

Snowy I think it's good that you are being compliant with your CPN and the day hospital is part of that isn't it - what actually happens there. I used to find the OT when I was an IP on the "older people's ward" really quite helpful. The OT was a lovely young woman with just the right balance of care but no patronising. Mind some of it was pretty soul destroying, like when the OT got a copy of the DM and gave us all a page to read and talk about it to the group.......aaaaaaaaaaaargh!! I asked why she bought the DM and she said she thought it was a "middle of the road" paper - I said it was a Tory rag and she looked surprised. Whoops given away my political leanings now but I don't care really. Sorry I digress. Can you maybe suggest something Snowy that might help pass the time in the day hospital - you enjoyed art therapy I think - could you maybe do a bit of artwork, not as therapy but just for pleasure.

Maybe you have some ideas CIQ - ?

Pulledapart I'm really sorry but I can't remember what mental illness you suffer from, or your back story. Will scroll back when I have more motivation.

My CPN is phoning me tomorrow after the meeting with the psych (it's a weekly meeting they have about all patients) if he tells her what he has in mind for me, otherwise I will have to wait for my appointment on Friday. It's my son's birthday on Thursday and DGD is making a cake for her dad and there will be a bit of a gathering but it doesn't look like I'll be making it, unless there's a small miracle.

Hiya

lem nana yes I'm ok tho I have "golfers elbow" (no I don't play golf) which is rather painful, and laptopping aggravates it so trying to rest it as have a painting commission to work on! I do feel like I'm not sure I should be posting here as I am so much better, apart from the dh thing and anxiety flare-ups. But I'm not ready to go and I hope I can offer some support.

snowy I'm not really qualified, but I have to say I enjoy these!

doodle book

pulled sounds like you are doing really well hanging in there despite the horrible side effects. Take care.

nana For me it took about 2 months for the fluoxetine to really make a difference - 6 weeks to get it into my system and another few weeks to get to a therapeutic dose for me. I really hope the same thing applies with your Sertraline.

lem did you say pie? Respect.

Have to stop sorry. Take care everyone.

I buy "adult" colouring books from Amazon (Angie Grace does amazingly intricate patterns that take ages to finish) but there are lots to choose from - just put "adult colouring books" into Amazon (I know we shouldn't buy from them....but needs must) I buy felt tip pens from Amazon too, really good quality ones at a fraction of the price in the shops, Pentel, Staedtler and Bero are all good, and PaperMania brush pens are lovely too. I have to say that this is the only thing that can provide a level of distraction that I need on bad days - I find it relaxing and my mind can wonder. Mind some days (like today) I can't face it at all.

Worth a try for anyone who is looking for a distraction and have the time though I know most of you are young mums who won't have the luxury of spending time like this.

CIQ you must keep off the laptop!

I like colouring the designs from here: geometrycoloringpages.com/

Thinking of everyone x

Day hospital is run by nurses. They do psychoeducational groups (e.g. coping with depression), and activities (newspaper discussion group, pottery, art). They also do 1-1 time with everyone. It's more activities than you'd get if an inpatient. Transport is a nightmare, have to be ready 2 hours before though they usually turn up late. I've got the assessment for it tomorrow. How are you doing today, NN?

Thanks katkins - stopping the meds probably hasn't helped. How are you doing?

Thanks for the colouring ideas, CIQ and NN and victrix I still have the pastels I bought as a result of art therapy, perhaps I should try to give them a go.

Sounds painful CIQ, I hope it clears up soon.

Good plan snowy there's also loads of demos etc on youtube...

victrix I used to Love doing those ones

Very sleepy today, think it will be lunch, nap, school run.

That sounds good, Snowy, and helpful. I love photography- drawing- and I perform poetry :)

Consultat came round today... wants me to reduce my diapazem slowly (4mg a day, not 6) and paid attention to my request for one:one time with DD. Said that's fine, I'm no risk. They are working on me meeting the clinic CPN, but said they start work 'early' so I won't be discharged straight away.

Have adjusted (and advised) times of taking meds. 50mg anti-physcotic, 50mg Setraline, Zoplicon and diazapem pnr are my current meds. But I've been advised to take at night. Have been assured that DD is going to be with me long term, and hopefully by the time my friend goes away in mid-August. They said I'm no risk, but that they need to see how I cope with the side effects of my meds to asses me properly...

Also, I'm a bit ignoring being ill today because I got my offical graduation letter today :) I graduated with a first Class Honours! Ceremony is in October. Even the voices in my head are happy about that.

Wow! Congratulations katkins!

Hi everyone :)

I am enjoying my day off work and catching up with the thread. I was doing that from the comfort of my sun lounger outside. But having sat down for not even 15 mins the pesky flying ants decided to join me in their many numbers :(

So have retreated indoors with a nice mini pot of Ben & Jerry's cookie dough ice cream!

NanaNina - so sorry to read of your real struggle over the past few days. I agree with you from having read your posts pre sertraline, you did not seem to seem to suffer so badly as this change of meds.
I sincerely hope that the right meds will be found for you.
Do you think you will make your DS birthday gathering tomorrow?

CIQ - how is your elbow today?

Snowy - good luck with your assessment tomorrow. The one to one and activities on offer sound like a good way to spend some time, and quite sociable :)

KatKins - very well done to you!

It's been lovely to read a few cheery posts today! I am ticking along okish at the moment. I have a welfare meeting at work on Friday to discuss my recent sick leave and my health. So feeling slightly anxious about that - sigh....

Nethuns - still wondering how you are?

Hugs for all I have not mentioned esp Lem, Victrix, Lollipop