SPRINGTIME in the VILLAGE (Support for all Mental Health Issues)

[NanaNina]

Thought I'd start a new thread what with it being the Spring Equinox and all that..........and there's another reason. I'm hoping to re-connect with people who used to be frequent village visitors, but like me, seem to have fallen by the wayside. Of course everyone is welcome in the Village, so I hope more recent visitors understand my post and will not feel de-valued in any way. The stigma of mental illness is alive and well I reckon so we all need all the support we can get.

SO - CALLING

Vicar (she started the Village thread some years ago and occasionally pops in) Edwinia'sRevenge SnowyMouse (where ARE you?) SilveryPussyCat CIQ (I know you were having a tough time) Lem (once a very regular visitor) Hoochymama Pyrrghena collardove Victrix Pulled Creamhearts (previously FDG) MentalPsychiatrist KeemaNaanAndCurryOn (miss you and your wit)
FaithLoveandGrace MySpideySenseTickles

Would love to hear how you're all doing. I'm much the same, up and down, mostly down this month.

I've probably forgotten lots of people, but that's all I can bring to mind just now.

hopefully

dear mners,

I'm new to all this so please be gentle if i don't use the right 'words'. When you say you have 'anxiety' what does it really mean? how do you feel physically? when you say you suffer from 'depression' how does that feel physically?

i experience anxiety when confronted with something new , i feel shaky, tight knots in my stomach, hands a bit clammy, but once I've dealt with the situation it immediately goes. I do not have nor need a diagnosis.

i get depressed from time to time, sometimes for months, but there's always been something at the root of it. Eventually the situation is resolved and i bounce back to normal myself. I've never medicated for it, but at the time it felt like i was dying, couldn't eat lost all interest in life.

However i believe when people say they are suffering from these two conditions they are speaking of a much more serious condition i don't understand it but want to.

DD11 has a diagnosis and part of it she suffers from 'depression', she said it feels like something heavy inside her, she doesn't know why she feels depressed (which sounds illogical to me) but she can feel tears welling up through her chest all the way to her throat, then she swallows very hard to keep the tears back, but knows she wants to cry, but doesn't know why.

She also seems anxious about things i find totally irrational. i don't know what to say to her when she says she feels this way, "it will pass?"

What can make a suffers feel better, what can loved ones and friends do to make you feel better? when you say you are depressed apart from my daughter, what is the right thing to say or do? what alleviates the feeling?

Hey. Sorry I haven't been around for while.
I'm having such a bad day, couldn't stop crying at work & had to leave early. First time i've ever had to do that
I just feel so isolated, but i know i am withdrawing from the friends i have. I'm supposed to be going to a party on Saturday & the thought turns my stomach - my counsellor said I should set myself a goal to stay for 20 minutes.

Still on 20mg of Citalopram, doesn't feel enough today. Can you still get good & bad days when on AD's?

I think of you all & hope your days are brighter than mine x

northumberlandlass I'm sorry you are having a bad day
I'm sorry I'm lacking in words today but wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you.

newtomentalheakth ive read your post but don't know what to say.

Thanks Becca x

Newtomentalhealth - i am sorry your DD is suffering.
Does she see a counsellor? I'm on AD's but also have cbt. I have things to read, homework too, which challenges my thinking & anxiety.
I have generalised anxiety & my depression stems from this (had a few life changing events in last 6 months)
I was reading my modules today, linking why i worry, what triggers, how to challenge myself when i start.
Depression is a weight

northumberland it is a weight I know. Just remember to take things at your pace and remember it takes as long as it takes. I've had my share of counsellors/therapists rushing me through treatment and in the end I was much worse for it.

newtomentalhealth, so sorry to hear about your DD.

I wish I could answer all your questions. There's one picture that springs to mind re what you can do to help that has always stuck in my head and I've attached it.

The illogical thing is right, for many people there is no obvious reason, but the feeling is powerful nevertheless.

Sometimes a hug is better than words. Sending warm wishes.

Hi becca sorry to hear you're having such a tough time. Do you have a friend you trust who could help you respond to social services and solicitor, or else pop down to your Citizen's Advice Bureau maybe?

take care

northumberlandlass sounds like a rubbish day. Hope you're feeling a little calmer this evening.

hello to pulled, mythical, tedandlola and everyone else

colouringinagain unfortunately I don't have anyone to help and where I live the citizens advice bureau has been closed. I've had more confusing emails today. I keep trying to reply but am not getting anywhere!

My neighbour commented today how the last few times he's spoken to me I haven't seemed very happy. I used to exchange flanter with a friend from church but that's gone very quiet.

Today I've been wondering how much change in mood in a day is normal?

I suspect I am probably operating from a baseline of mild/moderate depression (despite ADs and counselling) though am often in denial.

So this morning I started off OK. School run fine, wished several people (genuinely) a good day, popped into town to buy paint and a coffee, had a nice chat to café man. Then home to sort out some art stuff and house stuff. Downhill from there really. Stress from that? Could not get off my arse to paint - finally made it to studio at 12. Did get some done, tho not quite what I had in my head. REALLY had to drag myself off the sofa to get kids and have had to put a lot of effort in since. Feel like I've lost my spark. But then I say to people oh I couldn't face doing the school run this pm and they say, oh yeah I know what you mean, so I think how much of me and my thoughts and emotions are actually normal?! Confused. Tired.

becca that's rubbish for you. Looking at the CAB website, you should be able to get advice by phone by ringing your nearest CAB. Is your stuff with social services children related? Any children's charities that might be able to advise?

colouringinagain unfortunately I really struggle to use a telephone at all now and so don't own one and would need to call from the local shop - I definitely do not want to do that. The social services stuff is not child related there's just me. I appreciate the help, thankyou.

colouringinagain regarding mood changes I think that's something that really varies from person to person in terms of what is 'normal' (I hate that word!!). For example ive been told delression is something that's always bad in the morning and improves through the day, in my case that isn't true - most likely because Im also physically disabled and that effects my depression and by the end of the day I have physical pain on top of how I am feeling to deal with, so for me it's normal for it to get worse whereas maybe for others it isn't.

I've no idea if that makes sense or not. I'm tired and rather myself today.

No I can well imagine you don't want to call from a shop! You're very welcome, hope you manage to make some progress tomorrow. take care.

You'd be amazed at the people who think it's fine like my gp surgery who expected me to have a telephone consultation there once needless to say I didn't!!

Blimey!!!

Quite!

My moods and depression vary day to day even with the citalopram, but taking 30mg definitely helps me more than the 20 did.

Have definitely made an improvement. Been able to go out more which is great. Still struggling with the anxiety but it feels a bit more manageable at the moment.

I just wanna shoot myself in the head today. I've been arguing with my mum first thing every morning for the past week and I'm on my last teether. I wanna move out but my stupid health is getting in my way. Today I really wish I wasn't around and I haven't felt like that for such a long time I'm angry and upset all at the same time. I've started shutting myself down where u just stop communicating with anyone (my dissociative disorder reappearing). I feel lost in my low mood.

I'm sorry to hear you have no help from anyone becca and all that your going through at the moment. I really hope u find a way to sort things out physical and mental health disabilities together are very hard to deal with so I sympathise. are you on any pain meds?

((( ciq ))) sounds like ur having some difficult feelings to deal with at the moment. Hope ur feeling better today. I've been doing school runs like a zombie at the moment so fully understand that feeling.

Hope others are having a better day than me!

Oh no pulled, sending extra ((hugs)).

Im constantly falling out with ds. It starts my day off with me being stressed already.

Thanks Mythical, I might see how I get on for rest of the week & then make apt at GP. Feeling a bit calmer today. AF due in a few days so could explain yesterdays dip.

((Pulled))

pulled I'm sorry things are hard.

I have the maximum pain meds I can have with my physical conditions, I do try, just at the moment I'm feeling overwhealmed with everything.

Yes it might do. I definitely have a dip near af.