General support thread - come on in

[Kielyflower]

I couldn’t see a recent one of these so thought I’d start one.

I just feel I need to do something positive so will hopefully share some more thoughts later that I hope will help - others as well as myself.

In the meantime, feel free to check in as, if nothing else, it helps to feel less alone.

[Kielyflower]

One thing I find useful is having a few mantras or affirmations that I can use as a distraction from my thoughts. Sometimes I just say ‘calm’ or ‘peace’ to myself in my head.

Other times I might pick up a book and find a sentence or passage that’s helpful.

[ladybee2]

Thank you for starting this thread.
I'm having a tough time mentally at the moment.

[Pelham678]

Hi Kielyflower, thanks for starting the thread. Hope you're feeling a bit better today.

Sorry you're finding things tough at the moment @ladybee2. Anything in particular going on?

[Teasie123]

One tip I found is really helping me is , repeating, I am at peace, do this for 20 times while breathing deeply. Sounds silly, but is really helping me.

[OldTinHat]

Thank you for starting the thread!

I'm just on the cusp of another Christmas alone. My head is a mess, my care coordinator has vanished and my emails to her bounce back.

Just wanted to give you all a wave 👋, an un MN hug, and to wish you all merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas! You may feel on your own, but you're not, because I'm here too!

[Kielyflower]

Hi everyone who has checked in. Sorry I wasn’t on the thread last couple of days, got a bit disheartened that no one else was out there. And been feeling crap.

I’m sorry to hear others are struggling. Awful weather today, at an already difficult time of year.

I’ll check back here this evening for anyone who needs an outlet.

I am trying to practice kindness towards myself and not beat myself up about feeling rubbish.

And surround myself with anything that’s vaguely soothing - blanket, candle, hot drink. I might dip into one of my many self help books or maybe just one of my nature/outdoors/gardening ones.

[BCBird]

Hi all. I will be by myself too. Can't be doing with it. Going to do as i.please. Hand hold to u all

[Thewolvesarerunningagain]

Hello. Can I join please? I’m really not doing so well, trying to hold it together for the sake of the kids, but backstage I’m just a mess. Could do
with some non judgmental company :-)

[Kielyflower]

Thank you for your friendly message @OldTinHat ! You’re definitely not alone, hope you’re doing ok. How’s today been for you?

@ladybee2 do off load if it helps. I hope you have been able to find some peace.

@Teasie123 thank you for the tip, I’m going to try that. It’s a comfort to know that I’m not the only one who needs to have these strategies you my sleeve.

@Pelham678 thanks for the good wishes, it means a lot . How has your day been?

[Kielyflower]

Hi and welcome @BCBird and @Thewolvesarerunningagain

Come and bing yourself is a brilliant way to be.

Hand holds back to all x

[Kielyflower]

@Thewolvesarerunningagain how old are your kids?

I am forever holding it together for them. It’s exhausting isn’t it. Though mine are bit older now so it’s not quite so intense.

[Thewolvesarerunningagain]

Thanks for the welcome @Kielyflower ! They are 13 and 10. A difficult age! Lol. How about yours?

[ladybee2]

Mine are 15 and 16,
Yes, it's a difficult time.
Sending support to everyone on here.
Xx

[Kielyflower]

Mine are 15 and 16 (nearly 17) too.

It sounds awful but I’ll be glad to get tomorrow out of the way.

[Kielyflower]

Wishing a peaceful night to those struggling x

[Wolfiefan]

You aren’t alone. Not feeling in the swing of things at all. Under the weather in lots of ways and bloody intrusive thoughts started earlier. (They are only thoughts and I have no intention of acting on them but I could do without them TBH!)

[Thewolvesarerunningagain]

Hi Wolfiefan, sending a Christmassy handhold (mittenhold?). Intrusive thoughts are just so
damn tiring aren’t they? Fending them off feels like a job in itself. Hang in there though.

[skatykatie]

Thank you so much for starting this amazing thread. My Christmas has been OK but I kinda feel a sadness despite always trying to hide it with a smile for others. I face quite a serious eye surgery after Christmas and I'm a little scared. I've been partially sighted since I was just 19 and its been tough having this for half my life now. I try to have a positive attitude but its tough because few people in my life understand. One particular relative actually told me I was "lucky I didn't have cancer instead", so it's been a lonely road for sure.
Anyway sorry for waffling on, hope everyone has had a good day as much as you could 💗

[Wolfiefan]

Bless you for answering. They’ve passed for now. Dinner is on and eldest son says he might join me in a glass of fizz. He’s a strapping 20 year old. I may need more than one bottle. 🤦‍♀️
skaty good luck with the surgery. I have a small leg surgery lined up next year.

[skatykatie]

@Wolfiefan I really hope your leg surgery will go well. Hope you enjoy dinner 💘

[Kielyflower]

@Wolfiefan sorry to hear of intrusive thoughts, they are one of my main symptoms when I’m left to my own devices. Medication has helped with them but now I am fairly flat and numb.

@skatykatie I can empathise with the whole people not understanding and saying the wrong thing stuff too. I don’t have any physical condition like yours but I do know how horrible and also tiring it is putting on a smile when things are very different on the inside. My day has been a bit like that but I can escape to bed quite soon.

Hand holds still here for those who need it this evening, tomorrow and beyond.

Keep being a good friend to yourself all. Do kind things for you.

[Wolfiefan]

Dinner was lush. I’ve finally found a medication that works (mostly) and doesn’t turn me into a zombie.
I understand about people not getting it or saying the wrong thing. Sometimes it would just be nice to have someone understand that yes “it” (whatever that may be) can be utterly shit.
Here for you.

[ladybee2]

@Wolfiefan

Dinner was lush. I’ve finally found a medication that works (mostly) and doesn’t turn me into a zombie.
I understand about people not getting it or saying the wrong thing. Sometimes it would just be nice to have someone understand that yes “it” (whatever that may be) can be utterly shit.
Here for you.

What's the medication that works for you?
I'm on Sertraline (week 4), still feeling very anxious and panicky.

[RunningBananas]

Spent my first Christmas alone.
Had a disastrous couple of years, think the kind that if I told you then you would think I am lying.

Know I'm supposed to try to enjoy it, I am completely alone.

Sending best wishes to all of you.

[Wolfiefan]

I am on fluoxetine. I’ve tried citalopram (zombie), setraline (upset stomach), mirtazapine (couldn’t keep my eyes open!) and I think one more. It’s been a long journey. 🤦‍♀️ Different meds work for different people. It was just trial and error.