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 you need go focus on the positives. Are you children fed, clean, loved, happy and sheltered? I'm sure the answer is yes to all. Then you're doing a good job and this is your purpose and main focus.

I completely understand about others not getting it! My dh tends to take things personally when I'm having a bad time. Keep talking on here. If there's anything you want to private message feel free.

@Ilovedogs1 hello! Fellow ocd and anxiety sufferer here too. How are you?

@Jk24 I'm ok. Coping. I've been better but I've also been much worse. Intrusive thoughts are my main problem with the odd false memory thrown in. It's just pretty constant atm. I can still get on with everything but the thoughts are like a constant background noise presently.

@Ilovedogs1 completely emphasise there. Nothing worse than being in your own head. I wfh too so I'm alone a lot with my thoughts... keep talking on here when you need to, good support from the ladies here x

@Jk24 thank you. Have you ever experienced false memory with your OCD?

@Ilovedogs1 I've often convinced myself something must have happened because I couldn't remember certain things. I once convinced myself I must have chested on my boyfriend because I was drunk and didn't remember getting home...this is just 1 example

The false memory is what I find the hardest . I know your supposed to treat them like any other intrusive thought and try to let them pass but the doubt bit is so hard. I had a full on breakdown last year due to out of control intrusive thoughts. I'm determined to not be that ill again.

@Ilovedogs1 I'm sorry to hear that! It must have been incredibly stressful for you. I've recently had a probably small mental breakdown after losing my dog and the intrusive thoughts and guilt that cane with that was horrendous! If there's anything you'd like to share on here you won't be judged! These ladies have been a great comfort to me

Thank you @Jk24 you're right that it would be helpful for me to focus on the positives. I sometimes think I need a bit of a hard talking to, but equally, am trying to be kind to myself. I tie myself in knots about all sorts of things and don't like that this is what I am dealing with.

Hi and welcome @Ilovedogs1 . I'm sorry to hear of your struggles, I can also really empathise with the constant unhelpful chatter coming from within. Are you on medication? I am on citalopram but am wondering about trying something else.

As jk said, please do use this thread to offload. Sending calming positive vibes to you and all x

@Kielyflower it's easier said than done I know. I need to take my own advice! After our message earlier I sat outside nursery crying trying to compose myself before picking ds up. I'm now enjoying a bubble bath and a glass of wine!

Oh I’m sorry you had a cry but usually it’s good to get it out. I hope the bath helped too?

I had a bubble bath last night. I’m going for cosy blanket and a book this evening.

Im also trying to use mindfulness type techniques.

I could really do with tomorrow being a better day.

@Kielyflower I love a good cry! The bath helped but the wine did too 😉

Enjoy your book and maybe put some meditation music on your phone in the background?

Fingers crossed for tomorrow x

@Kielyflower thanks for the welcome. Yes I'm on fluoxetine atm. I was on sertraline for 7 yrs before that and citalopram before that. Not entirely convinced they do anything.

@Ilovedogs1 I'm also on fluoxitine just upped my dosage. No effect as of yet.... how are you this evening?

Has anyone had EMDR Therapy for trauma? Would you recommend it? At 50 I still find myself carrying childhood trauma.

I've not @Touty but was recommended by a therapist on another mums net Post about ocd...

Hi all. Didn't sleep particularly well last night. Intrusive thoughts are up today. I'm trying to not engage with them which in turn is increasing my feelings of anxiety.
I'm trying to follow a plan with a peer support specialist I'm having sessions with. I'm hoping it's a case of stick with it and things will improve. Incredibly tiring though. How is everyone else?

I’ve upped my pain meds. I really hurt at the mo. Mood dropped. Anxiety high and yes to intrusive thoughts. May need higher anti depressant meds too. Hoping the sun is shining where you all are.

@Ilovedogs1 @Wolfiefan I'm having a really shit day and have cried at least 3 times however, I've promised myself to stop self wallowing and try and support my fellow MNers like other have supported me, so here goes...

@Ilovedogs1 tonight please run yourself a nice bubble bath, pour a glass of wine and light a candle and just take 30 mins for yourself. Let your mind be free of thoughts by telling yourself you've thought enough today and you need a break. If you've got one, take a hot water bottle up to bed for a nice early night and stick a new series on (I enjoyed fool me once) and take a chocolate bar up with you. I know this doesn't sound like the answer and it isn't. But hopefully it will help you relax and get a good night's sleep and tomorrow is a new day.

@Wolfiefan I'm sorry to hear you're on pain meds. Is this a long term issue? Rather than upping anti depressants (or as well as upping them) have you thought about therapy? I'm currently doing cbt and not sure it's for me yet but I will stick at it.

Give yourselves a break tonight ladies and keep talking x

@Jk24 you absolute sweetheart to think of others when you’re struggling yourself. I have fibromyalgia so always hurt. I’ve also had tears this morning (not helped by family stress and realising I didn’t take my anti depressant first thing like I normally do!)
I had a lovely crisp cold dog walk this morning and I plan a glass of wine and a good book later. Hoping to manage a swim this weekend. That should also help.
What are you doing for you that’s lovely?? (Stick with the CBT. I felt the same at first but learnt some things that really help me manage my mood etc.

@Wolfiefan I need to try and focus on something else so if I can help others in the mean time then great! I'm sorry to hear about your illness. Is it easily management? Sorry I'm quite nieve. You sound like you know how to manage your ocd well and have a nice evening plan tonight to help relax 😀thanks for the advice on cbt! I will stick at it I'm desperate to do anything to help x

Not a lot I can do. Try and keep moving but also rest! Plus plenty of pain relief. I’ve done a pain management course and mindfulness. Find some of that very helpful. What one thing could you do that you used to enjoy? Music? A puzzle? Exercise? Oddly I’ve started getting my nails done and that also lifts my mood. Daft but if it helps?!!! 😄

I hear you re the meds. Am trying to decide whether to try a different one or not.

@Wolfiefan I struggle with time to do things for myself as ds is asd and dh works a lot! I enjoyed a nice bubble bath last night!

How are you feeling this afternoon? Your post sounds more upbeat?

@Kielyflower what meds are you on?

Oh @Jk24 I'm so sorry you're having a bad day. Your support and presence is very appreciated here. Your support has meant a lot to me. I hope you start to find the CBT useful, are you having weekly sessions?

I have also found ACT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, helpful, I didn't see anyone about it but read a book by Russ Harris on the topic.

I've cried twice today and felt crappy this morning but actually I feel better this afternoon than I have all week. And that's despite not sleeping well, so I'm hoping that I can get on some sort of upward spiral for a period of time.

I can't say that anything in particular has helped although the sunshine is nice. I have been repeated ad nauseum that thoughts arent facts and that I can detach from them and not buy into them.

Sorry to hear you're in pain @Wolfiefan I'm glad you have some strategies to turn to. I hope things subside soon.

I hope the plan you're on starts to feel beneficial soon @Ilovedogs1 I have come to learn that these things can't be hurried, which as you say is tiring and also very frustrating.

@Jk24 I'm on 30mg Citalopram.