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

Thank you for doing this kind of mumsnet thread

I struggle quite often with mental health too

due to my very weird extremely dysfunctional childhood issues and not the support that i desperately needed at the time,

thankfully these days in our society there is more awareness of psychological adverse traumas impact on one's life than before,

Hi @cerisepanther73 I'm glad you've found us here, but sorry to hear of your struggles and of childhood trauma. I have that in my past too, although it was 'only' something that is actually pretty common and plenty of people navigate their way through. But I obviously had a predisposition which meant it impacted me pretty badly.

Are you able to do the things that you know keep you well?

I found this the other day, and although it's a bit patronising and not necessarily much use for very bad times, I also found it a useful reminder to try to get the basics right: How to be happier - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

@Kielyflower I've been on fluoxitine for just over 2 weeks it hasn't kicked in yet! Yes mostly blaming myself about my poor dog the guilt is overwhelming however, this was the tip of an already sinking iceberg for me. Just made myself go for the first walk since I lost my boy...

Aw, that’s a tough milestone (the walk). But well done for doing it.

Early days with the meds then, and sometimes (often?) it gets worse before it gets better. Hang in there and things will get easier x

Hi. Thank you for this thread. I am on fluxotine.
I am worried about everything. I am so anxious. I constantly overthink and when that becomes too overwhelming I overeat. :(

Don’t be sorry @lookingforMolly.

Things sound really tough. I hope the support worker can offer some help and may be new perspectives.

I think sometimes we get ourselves in a rut and just having a professional or sympathetic friend to come along and give input of some sort can start the recovery process.

It’s very up and down even then but fingers crossed for you.

I’m so sorry that you lost your mum, especially with associated trauma. Maybe some grief counselling could help?

@Kielyflower defo hit the worse before better stage!

@lookingforMolly @Girlmumx2 sorry you're both having a tough time too! Keep talking!

Hi all,

Can I join in? It's so nice that this thread exist, it's much needed.

I'm taking the wrong kind of AD's for my depression. Instead of helping, they numb me, I sleep too much, and I lost the spark I had.

I'm feel too ashamed/guilty/worthless to talk to people, so I'm just quiet most of the time and suffer in silence.

This wasn't me, someone who felt happy to talk to people and found joy in everyday life. I don't know what these AD's made me gain but they took a lot.
I feel like I lost "me".

Christmas and NYE were incredibly difficult to go through.

I don't have support in real life to talk to someone and get support/change these meds.

Hopefully it's possible to participate here, and that will make things a bit better.

Hi @Girlmumx2 sorry to hear you’re struggling, it’s so hard and I can empathise with the overthinking. Have you ever tried CBT or mindfulness techniques? Might be worth seeing your GP to ask about those and say that the fluoxetine isn’t working satisfactorily.

Hi to @snowfoxglove too, how I wish there was better treatment for mental health.

When I’m not well enough to see friends I sometimes try to just be friendly and strike up a short conversation with eg shop workers or the postman etc. It does give a boost to have social interaction of any sort.

Do you feel in a position to visit the GP? Even if you literally just showed them your post above? It seems very sad to suffer in silence.

Not sure of what things are near you but if there is any sort of community centre, or council building - a library even - they sometimes have leaflets and posters for MH support groups or staff who can signpost something.

Good advice from @Jk24 to keep talking. Here and IRL.

Hi everyone, sorry you're all going through this too. I really wouldn't wish it on anyone! My heart is breaking and the guilt over losing my dog is unreal. Blaming myself and torturing myself constantly. Cant stop crying and my heart is racing with anxiety! Buggerlugs gave me some reassurance and advice the other day and it helped for a short while I just don't know how to let go of this and just grieve...

@TheBuggerlugs to my rescue again! Thank you for your further kind words of wisdom! I'm torturing myself as I found a little left in some drops he had 3 month prior and blaming myself for not finishing the full course thats why he went blind. Spoke to the vet who said not but its the what ifs....

Prior to losing my boy I was already really struggling with ocd and anxiety so this has just really tipped me over the edge!

How are you doing? X

@TheBuggerlugs do you think it's my fault and could prevent him going blind? I don't think I could ever get another dog this pain is unreal!

I'm glad you're doing well! It's comforting to know there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Sorry to hear how many people are struggling.I hope you are getting some comfort from this thread as I am. Routine of work this week has helped somewhat but the weekend has left me very low & tearful once again. When I've felt like this in the past it's been fleeting abd I've been able to put my face on and basically "fake it till you make it". Seems impossible this time. Going to give it another week then make a GP appointment.

Oh my lovely. A vet who has trained for years and years and knows the full history of your dog has said it can’t be. This is the anxiety kicking in. It’s awful isn’t it.

Today we actually had some sunshine. I managed to walk the dogs and we parked ourselves on a bench and watched the world go by for a bit/ I did some grooming. Shattered now!

Hi there,
Finding it tough right now. Long history of major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder plus two serious long term physical health conditions. Take a lot of meds including several for depression/anxiety.
Struggling to get out of bed in the morning, struggling to shower, avoiding other people, not doing any exercise, desperate to get back into bed with the curtains closed as soon as possible and starting to entertain dark thoughts again (made a couple of previous attempts). Anxiety attacks back after a month or so of freedom. Preoccupied with how many calories I’ve eaten, how much I weigh, how to lose a couple of stone fast (I’m not that overweight, BMI 26). I also have a very unhealthy habit of looking at and reading about a particular severely anorexic social media ‘personality’. Ashamed of that too.
Clinging to mindfulness, reciting affirmations and trying to keep busy when out of bed.
So, yeah, just wanted to join the thread.

@TheBuggerlugs blaming myself for not quite finishing those last few drops 3 months prior. I know it sounds illogical which is probably my ocd. @Wolfiefan as above... I just can't seem to separate logic in my mind and must blame myself for everything. @Fran2023 sorry to read this! Are you having counselling? Do you have support in RL?

@TheBuggerlugs sorry to hear what you've been through recently. Do you suffer with ocd? My dh thinks I'm mad and doesn't understand these thoughts. I don't think many people do x

I'm sorry to read so many of us are struggling. At least now, we are able to feel less lonely and see there are others who suffer just like us.

I hope this thread brings relief and support to us. Nobody understands MH suffering than the people who are going through it at the same time we are.

Reading this thread, what resonated with me was attempting to do 5% more every day. That way it doesn't seem overwhelming but doable.

@Kielyflower thank you for your kind words of support when I needed it the most and for creating this thread for us.

A lot of your advices and tips are sensible and I'm already trying to do things you suggested.

I hope everyone reading this feels at least a bit better as soon as possible

Hi everyone, not having a great day and didn’t sleep well. Sorry I’m not up to replying individually but am here for a virtual hand hold to those who need it.

Just on anxiety and reassurance, I have heard that seeking reassurance is part of it all and although getting that reassurance helps in the short term, it is not always helpful longer term.

From what I’ve learnt, it’s better to learn techniques, whether from CBT or other therapeutic methods, to sit with the what ifs and uncertainties etc and let them pass.

Let’s hope for some positivity.

Aw, that’s a lovely message, thank you. I hope for the same things you’ve said.