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.

@Ilovedogs1 I would say good in the short term but you need to feel your feeling so you can heal.

@nopenotplaying please keep talking on here. We will help and support where we can. I can imagine having twins would be both rewarding and extremely hard work!

On a high note. I've just had a call to say ds has got in the school I've been fighting for! (Specialist) it only took 50 calls and emails, a letter from our MP and pediatric doc! Also threatened tribe unal!

@Jk24 glad you got the school you wanted. 😁

Thank you! 1 weight lifted off my shoulders!

@Jk24 glad you got the school you wanted too 😊 Look at you, accomplishing things even when it's not easy. I find it totally normal to have a couple of okay days and then a sad day.

@ilovedogs1 I know exactly how that feels like, days when even the smallest things feel like a chore and everything feels like an effort. Sometimes I feel like I'm pushing a heavy rock up the mountain

I agree with @Jk24 having twins seems both rewarding and stressful. We help each other when we can @nopenotplaying

@Tarsandcase I'm glad GP appoinment went well and that they would ring you back to check how you're doing

@snowfoxglove thank you. It's the best news I've had in a long time and the first time I've cried happy tears in probably 4 years since ds was born!

How are you doing today?

Thank you xxx

Morning all. Any motivational tips. Fed up of feeling this way. Waking up in the mornings atm just wanting to close my eyes again. I feel so tired. X

@Ilovedogs1 are you working today? X

@Jk24 I'm not today. I was listening to an audiobook and fell asleep. Just woken up but just feel flat, no energy. I've got stuff that needs doing but I just can't be arsed. Thoughts still bubbling around but I'm trying hard not to engage. I think I just need to make myself do something.

I'm ok thank you for asking @Jk24 yesterday was a tad overwhelming so I didn't go online x

@ilovedogs1 It helped me when I read someone posting (here?) that it's good enough to just try and do 5% more than yesterday. Reading that helped me x

@Ilovedogs1 try and motivate yourself to dona couple of the smaller jobs. Glad you managed a nap did it help? If not get stuck into a Netflix show and switch off from your thoughts and concentrate on that. Not sure if you're into true crimes but lover stalker killer helped me zone out for a bit earlier.

@snowfoxglove I hear this a lot but coming online helps me when I'm low. Everyone's different though. Is today any better for you?

@Jk24 I have walked the dogs and I've arranged to see a friend later. What's troubling me most atm is intrusive thoughts along the line of 'what if I've done something wrong/bad in the past ' and don't remember it. I know the thing with intrusive thoughts is to accept uncertainty but I've never been able to get my head round that one. However I know from experience that just going over and over in my head won't get me anywhere. I just want that peace of mind but not sure if someone like me with OCD can do that. I'm hoping so.
Sorry having a bit of a pitty party atm. X

@Ilovedogs1 pitty party away. I've been here myself and what I told myself is this. If I had done something wrong it mustn't matter as its never bit me on the arse. Also we can't change it. Glad you're seeing a friend. Have a wine! X

@Ilovedogs1 I found with OCD and intrusive thoughts it helped when I had a stimulating game or an interesting series. Because it helps take focus from inwards (rumination) to outwards. Though it doesn't work with boring TV/series/games.

@Jk24 Yes a bit better thanks I try to do things thinking "done is better than perfect" so as long I get myself occupied and do a bit, it's better than nothing. I also started to take my meds at night so I'm not a complete zombie in the morning. I'm still very lethargic but less.

How are you doing today? xx

@snowfoxglove thank you. Is that your diagnosis, OCD?

@snowfoxglove I've not been too bad the last couple of days. Getting good news about ds school has definitely helped lift my mood. Also telling myself I was a good dog mum and stopped putting guilt and blame on myself has helped. Thanks for asking x

@Ilovedogs1 I never told about anyone about this in real life.

Tbf I'd like to see someone who could talk to me on a weekly basis instead of just getting more meds. I don't know. It hasn't been easy.

@snowfoxglove do you have anyone in RL to speak to? Partner etc?

@snowfoxglove thank you for sharing that with us. I think awareness is getting better but when you say OCD the most common reaction is 'oh so your really tidy'. Intrusive thoughts are the worst especially when they are about more taboo subjects.

Agreed! And its not about being tidy it's having rituals which may make things tidy. As well as the thoughts I have a ritual I have to follow every evening after tea which coincidentally makes the kitchen sparkling

Did you meet your friend?

@Jk24 yes just for a bit. My intrusive thoughts are more around whether I've done something morally wrong. 'What if' I've done XYZ but can't remember it. 😩

@Ilovedogs1 I once convinced myself I'd cheated on someone as couldn't remember every detail of a night out so I must have done something bad. The other week convinced myself I'd ran someone over at the tyre place and drove back to check. It's an agonising part of ocd that a lot of people don't understand. I'm not sure what the answer is but keep talking and share what you want to share. You're not alone my love ❤

@Jk24 thank you. Yes I've had those thoughts. The driving was horrific for years. Sometimes a 10 minute journey would take 40 mins going back and forth. I keep hoping if I keep plugging away at it with therapy techniques, meds etc I'll eventually find the magic answer. 🤞