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 I'm sorry to read you're struggling today. Is there anything particular that's triggered you today? What's your evening plan? How are you going to relax before bed to try and get a good sleep? There's nothing wrong with a good cry it's a release but if its happening too often it drains you.

I'm on fortnightly sessions of cbt. It's helping me talking to you all too. Weve got to support one another and keep talking :)

Have you spoke to gp about maybe upping your dose or trying another type? I'm now on 40mg of fluoxitine but not sure it's kicked in yet x

It’s not all bad today, no particular trigger. I will be religious about a relaxing bed time routine tonight plus I’ve done a fair bit of exercise today so hoping I’ll be tired out.

I may make a GP appt for next week depending how the weekend goes.

How are you finding the fluoxetine? Eg side effects?

@Kielyflower please do all the above you need to look after yourself! I don't think it's kicked in yet and he's definitely given me a bad belly! X

Hope the meds kick in soon and work well for you @Jk24 xx

@Kielyflower thank you! Something has to give I can't carry on like this much longer. You still feeling OK? I've had more bad news this afternoon about schools for ds in Sept... never ending

Hi all,

Yesterday was a better day. It was still hard to get out of bed. But I did it and proceeded without checking my mobile.

That helped me get healthy produce, good quality multivitamins so I could have 3 meals per day. I also chit chatted with people whilst shopping.

Eating healthy and relying less on my mobile (especially not reading bad relationships on MN) greatly helped me reduce ruminative thoughts.

I realised analysing my problems just keeps me stuck in a loop, and that it's easier when I don't analyse my life and rely on mobile to provide a constant source of dopamine.

Just wanted to write about one okay day.

It's been a while. I'm sending positive thoughts to everyone on the thread xx

@snowfoxglove that's great to read! Thanks for sharing! So that was yesterday how about today? X

@Kielyflower @Jk24 thanks for your replies. Had a little cry on the drive home from work. Weirdly relaxing in a way after keeping a brave face all day. Watched a film this evening. Intrusive thoughts constantly going on in the background but managed not to get involved in them to much. Hope you have both had an ok evening.

@Ilovedogs1 did you manage a bubble bath? Glad you settled with a film. I've had a horrible shitty day so tomorrow can't be any worse can it...

Here's to another day ladies. Xx

@Ilovedogs1 ds had me up until 4am so I'm not feeling too optimistic 😕 I hope you have a good day

@Jk24 mine are 18 and 21 so don't get that anymore. 🙂

@Ilovedogs1 ds is almost 4!

Lovely to hear your positive update @snowfoxglove especially as you remind me of myself with what you’ve said.

I have also improved my diet a bit the last day or two, it wasn’t bad before but just making these slight changes and taking ownership for my health and well-being helps.

I figure that some people have to work hard to manage their physical health conditions so I need to work hard to manage my mental health.

After a crap start, today has been a better day for me and I hope it will continue.

@Jk24 you must be exhausted. How’s today been? Does your schedule allow you a power nap or will you be able to catch up tonight?

Forgive me if this is not want you want to do, but would cosleeping with your DS help at all? Or maybe it would be worse?

I hope you can catch up on some rest over the weekend.

How have you been today @Ilovedogs1 ? Thanks for checking in this morning.

Sending hand holds and positive vibes to all x

@Kielyflower today has been awful. Sorry I can't be more positive. I was cosleeping with ds last night, it didn't help :( I've been crying on the phone to pediatrics to try and get help. I've been crying on the phone to his ehcp team as he's been rejected from the schools we wanted him in. I'm still crying and carrying guilt over my dog. I'm at breaking point 😢

On a lighter note I'm glad you're feeling better! And others! I love reading the positives x

@Jk24 hope today has been better for you than yesterday. @Kielyflower sorry didn't reply yesterday. Had quite a good day at work yesterday but the constant mental chatter aswell is really tiring. I've had a nothing day today. I've done no house work and apart from walking the dogs havent left the house. Not sure what's best really, being busy or resting. 🤷‍♀️

@Jk24 im so sorry you’re having such a hard time. I understand how hard it can be when your child doesn’t get the school you really want. (Though in our case the school he ended up in was actually better for him!) And animals seem to cause me never ending guilt and worry.
@Ilovedogs1 sometimes you need rest and sometimes you need to keep busy. Either can be good.

Can I join? I just need to have a little vent.

I’m finding things difficult at the moment. I had a bit of a blow last week which three friends are aware of and I’ve been feeling really low. One friend has been lovely, but my closest friend has been distant from me. We normally text multiple times a day but she’s hardly spoken to me this week. It’s a pattern I’ve noticed with her. It feels like a game but I don’t know the rules. The other friend hasn’t spoken to me at all so I sent her a message this afternoon just to ask whether she was ok (no mention of anything else). She responded that she’d been very tired, that she knew she hadn’t been there for me and was sorry.

I’m not the sort of person who asks for help or tells people when I’m struggling, unless I’m really, really struggling. I don’t like to be a burden on anyone. So I’m upset that two people I’ve spent a large amount of time supporting through their difficulties haven’t been there for me when I’ve been struggling. I feel like I don’t matter. It makes me not want to bother with either of them anymore.

@Somatosensational hi and welcome! I'm sorry to read you're struggling too. I completely resonate with the above. I've felt like a huge burden lately but you do realise who your true friends are when you have hard times. Is there anything particular making you feel so low?

@Ilovedogs1 I'm hungover today lol so anxiety is worse but I know the reason for it. How are you?

@Wolfiefan he needs a specialist school he wouldn't manage in mainstream and I'm having a nightmare. I don't know how to shift the guilt with my beloved dog. I'm having a really hard time with it. I knew there were things I should have been doing for him before he departed and didn't get round to it and feel like I neglected him. How are you?

Morning all. Woken with raging OCD thoughts rampaging round my head. I am trying to stick with this ERP type thing I'm following with a peer support specialist. I know it's supposed to get worse before it gets better but I guess I'm scared that it won't get better. I have hope that it will take me in the right direction as I've read about this approach working for many people, including my peer support person himself and it is in the NICE guidelines. Just finding it a tough slog atm.
@Jk24 regarding your dog I think that however much you did for him it still wouldn't have felt enough. The very fact that you took him to the vet and got treatment for him in the first place shows how much you cared for him. How old was he?

Sorry he would have been 7 in March x

Hello all, have been struggling here. Sorry to hear others are too. It's the raging unhelpful thoughts one way or another for us isnt' it?

I try to not get caught up in them but it's easier said than done.

Despite everything, I have been out to get a few groceries and also been for a run today. It feels good to write even those small things down as positive things. How has the afternoon been for you both @Ilovedogs1 and @Jk24 ?

How are you doing now @Somatosensational ?

@Kielyflower sorry you're struggling again too! But well done on going for a run! And shopping! Is there anything particular on your mind?

I guess my positives are I got up despite desperately not wanted to and did my shift at work (wfh)

I'm trying breathing techniques etc but nothing seems to be helping atm. I'm trying to ride it out but it's almost unbearable 😫

Have you tried propranolol @Jk24 ? It helps with physical symptoms of anxiety.

Well done on your positives, good to keep work going.

Would a walk or hot bath/shower help with riding things out?

Remember it will pass and you’re stronger than you think. X