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.

Hi all … feel a little bit less anxious. It’s a slow process though exercise is helping massively also trying to be more organised eases things a bit. Am taking fluoxetine but don’t think it’s working like it used to. What’s everyone else taking ? And is it effective?

@Ataloss44 I've been on fluoxitine for nearly 6 weeks and not sure it's kicked in... 40mg I feel anxious 24/7

@Jk24 it used to be effective for me only on 20 mg but lately now so much ! Have read that sometimes they only work for so long.. mine initially took about 6 weeks to properly work so hang in there

Hi all

This is absolutely a place for support when it's shit and encouragement when things are better.

I'm taking 40mg Citalopram. I'm not convinced its more than about 50% effective for me. I have also read that the meds take longer to work on OCD than eg depression.

I do think medication can help people do the other things that help - therapy, self help, exercise or just a getting on with a bit of normality like seeing friends or getting to the shops for groceries. Don't get me wrong, sometimes those things are hard.

I am trying to ride the waves at the moment, I'm very up and down but I'm trying to be accepting of that rather than fight it and get upset about it.

I'm doing all the CBT and mindfulness type stuff as much as I can - I'm not my thoughts, thoughts may not be true, thoughts may not be helpful. Also getting out in nature as much as possible.

@Ataloss44 how long have you been on them? Whats making you think they may no longer he working?

@Kielyflower all very good things you're doing to help yourself well done!

I thought I was getting a little better but I'm absolutely not. I'm going back to things that happened years ago and wondering what if they happened because I did such a thing... driving myself mad

Ach, I’m sorry to hear that @Jk24

You recognise what is going on though, that’s positive. Are you able to tune in to your self that recognises and observes the thoughts rather than the thinking self that is having the thoughts?

Also ‘I thought I was getting slightly better but I’m absolutely not’ : I’ve been round this loop so many times, but I do break out of it eventually and you will too. Hang in there.

@Kielyflower thank you for your reply and continued support!

I've convinced myself all the mistakes I've made have made me a terrible person and I don't deserve to be happy! I failed ddog and now I'm failing my family too by wallowing in my own self pity!

This is all fairly recent for me and the lowest I've ever been so I'm not sure how to get myself out of it!

@Kielyflower I'm trying to ride the waves as you say also. Trying to just accept I feel XYZ atm and not think or analyse it.
Terrible nights sleep. I've not got work today so was thinking of trying a nap but then I feel guilty because theres loads of housework to be done. Then I think sleep is very important for MH so if I sleep hopefully won't be as anxious and therefore more productive. Having a human brain is hard work. 🤪

@Ilovedogs1 please have yourself a nap! It will definitely help and the housework can wait until later or tomorrow its not going anywhere. Look after yourself first x

I feel so alone...

I also thought I was feeling better but I'm absoloutely not. It's taking me eons just to get out of bed.

I tried calling 3 different Psychotherapists but no answer. I'm so scared because talking to a wrong person right now could absolutely break me, but I realise I can't solve this all by myself.

I am taking 10 mg of Escitalopram and I feel it robbed me of my soul. Before I was taking 20 mg of Fluoxetine and I could function much better. I want to go back on it again but I'm afraid of withdrawal symptoms of quitting Escitalopram.

Depression and anxiety makes me feel so alone and isolated but reading this thread reminds me others struggle like me. Thank you for creating it.

@snowfoxglove I'm so sorry to hear you're feeling like this too. Please ring your gp and see about changing your meds.

Do you have rl support too? Feel free to pm me if you need a chat. Life is hard at times and we all need help at points. Dont ever be afraid to reach out x

Thank you so much for your kind words and support @Jk24 I really appreciate them

@snowfoxglove any time! I've had so much support of fellow mumsnetters it's really helped. I think having a strangers point of view helps too. Makes you realise your family and friends aren't lying to you like I've convinced myself a few times like telling me what I want to hear etc x

@snowfoxglove you will be ok. Last year my intrusive thoughts got so bad and I got so depressed that I was off work for 9 months, dropped 3 stone in weight because I just wasn't eating, didn't leave the house for days at a time. At the time I couldn't see an end to it. Not saying I'm completely better because I'm not, still have intrusive thoughts majority of the day and still feel a huge amount of anxiety and on the occasional day don't get anything done at all. Today is one of those days, still in my PJ's and all I've eaten is 2 profitteroles. But I'm back at work 3 days, walk my dogs daily and have been managing the gym a couple of times a week. The ladies on this thread are awesome and very supportive. Keep talking. X

How is everyone this evening?

@Jk24 I'm ok. Anxiety levels have dropped a bit but the intrusive doubt still very much there most of the time. I'll have moments where they are not in my mind then I'll think 'OMG I can't feel ok because what if I am this bad person'
I want to feel clarity I suppose.
How are you?

@Ilovedogs1 its so hard isn't it. I think its worse knowing its up to me to stop doing it to myself but how do I do it!!

Glad you're feeling less anxious. I've just had a relaxing bubble bath and I'm going to bed soon. Did you manage a nap?

@Jk24 not really. My head and neck are really tense. 😫

@Ilovedogs1 bubble bath and hot water bottle on it? Is it because you're stressed or slept funny?

I’m really struggling again, I’ve made a few posts recently but under different names. I’m having problems with my son’s behaviour ( suspected autism) but no one else sees it.
plus my own MH is very bad, I’ve suffered all my life, and only ever get a bit better for a while until something triggers it. I felt so bad yesterday that I cut myself, I’m really ashamed that I did it but I just get this overwhelming urge which I can’t control.
I’m seriously considering leaving the family home and living alone( though gods know how
I’d cope)
I’m can’t be a good parent, I don’t know how to help by child, I just want to curl up and shut the world out for good.

@Takemeback2thestart firstly. please ring your gp tomorrow and get some help.

Next up. I have an autistic son. What makes you believe your son has trates?

Finally. If the 2 points above are resolved then surely there will be no need for you to go anywhere? Who do you live with and why do you feel you need to leave?

i feel my problems are so complex that I’m not going to be able to cope with a SN child. I know it’s not his fault and I feel terrible that I’ll be essentially abandoning him but I have a very genuine reason for feeling like I do. I’ll always love him but I don’t think I can live with someone with autism.
I don’t know if it would be better if I was dead or not. He deserves better than me.

@Takemeback2thestart no. Just no. Your ds needs you and you need him too. He would absolutely not be better without a mother who obviously cares about him.

Please ring your gp in the morning and get an urgent appointment.

Can you share your thoughts on why you think ds is autistic if others don't agree?

It's certainly not easy having a sen child but my ds is the reason I drag my arse out of bed every day, cook, clean and work. You can and will do this!

. He’s very sensitive and gets upset easily. Very well behaved at school but becomes very angry and aggressive at home if he doesn’t get his way. Likes collecting things and gets very obsessed with them. Never been a good sleeper. He’s become so aggressive over the past year , but only does it at home so the school can’t believe there’s a problem. My husband’s in denial. I don’t recognise him anymore, and I can’t help him. I feel he has no future now.

@Takemeback2thestart how old is he? If you have concerns and would like him assessed can you speak to health visitor or gp? What does school think?

He can learn to manage all the above and have a wonderful future ahead of him
And with your help he can thrive.

I think your MH is heightening everything for you and that's completely understandable but I wouldn't say from your post that your ds can't have a normal and happy future. Stay positive but please reach out in RL to professionals for your wellbeing and for an assessment for ds then if there is an underlying issue, you will all get help and support.