General support thread 2

[Helplessandheartbroke]

All welcome. No judgement and kindness all around x

Just checking in. I've had a rough day but I ran out of my meds on Saturday so back on them today.

@Whycantgiraffesdance how are you? I've also been thinking of @hk1993x and others. I hope no news means people are doing better.

@JamSandle I'm not very clued up on the adhd front but it sounds like it's helped you understand yourself more.

I've been trying a strategy my therapist told me but can't remember if I've already mentioned it.... apologies if I had but basically when you feel your stress bucket is filling with water you need to put some holes in it to drain some of the water out. So this is doing something for yourself. Socialising, reading, going for a walk etc it doesn't fix things but it helps short term x

Thanks, yes the insomnia is hell. Been like this for weeks, waking up at 4am with racing thoughts. I dread having to change medication because that always comes with an adjustment period. But I'm not sure this one is doing much for me.

@Helplessandheartbroke sorry you've had a rough day.
I've heard of the stress bucket.

@fara20 what do you do when you wake at 4am? How do you calm yourself down?

I try to find things to listen to on youtube, like white noise or the sound of rain, or someone reading a story in a soothing voice. Sometimes it helps me to at least doze. I'm getting a bit better at coping with it. But I wish it would stop!

Hi, I'm here 😊

I'm doing okay. Officially off all medication, having a pretty shit day today with anxiety and could sleep for a week! I'm just trying to figure out who I am now and how to manage. Thank you for thinking of me, I hope your all doing well too ❤️

@hk1993x wow off all meds? You've done really well there! Sorry you're having an off day but sounding much more positive!

@fara20 good ideas!

Yes I’ve heard of the stress bucket thing @Helplessandheartbroke makes a lot of sense!

that’s really brave @hk1993x Sometimes I wish I could go the same and just reset myself! But I’ve been on some form of AD for so long I’d be scared that I’d be a mess without them! Maybe one day. I hope it makes a difference to you and you can find a way through without them 😘

is everyone finding the heat is affecting their sleep too? It’s been high 20s here for the last two days! 🥵 plus I think my current meds are making me sweat at night as I wake up every morning dripping even when it’s not that hot! Anyone else relate to that?!

@Whycantgiraffesdance Some meds definitely can make you overheat. I struggle with it a lot.

I was on fluoxetine and lithium but wasn't feeling the anxiety was getting any better so just asked to stop everything. I've never tried being without medication but it's now day 5 and my anxiety etc is there still. Had a cry earlier on and I've had stomach issues which has been a right pain the the arse no pun intended, my sleeping pattern is fecked and I'm exhausted still. I've tried lifestyle changes but seen no positive effect with that yet.
Legit feel that I've just wasted 6 months of my life this year with mental health and its exhausting. I'm gonna see how I go this week and if I go back to how I was then I really don't know what I will do, maybe I'm just meant to live a life of mental pain and anguish 🥺 I hope I wasn't just put on this earth to feel like this, it doesn't seem fair at all. I hope you are all well, its a miserable evening here tonight x

@hk1993x if it’s only been 5 days since you stopped then you’re most likely experiencing withdrawal so it will be hard to tell if the anxiety is related to that. I know when I’ve tried to just reduce a dosage before I’ve felt worse so you probably need to get used to being fully without the meds before you know what difference it has made. Obviously I’m no doctor but this is how I understand it to be! I’d give it more time lovely. How has your mood been apart from the anxiety? Have u been able to get out of the house more and enjoy anything? Are u still under any kind of treatment at all? U are definitely not meant to live a life of anguish, your lovely kids need their mum! ❤️xx

Yes I’ve seen a lot in the media lately about how some ADs can make u more prone to dehydration and heat stroke, I’m trying to up my water intake!

Yeah I've been going to the gym, trying to get out as much as a can. I'm still under community mental health, it's just the horrible gut feeling of anxiety I keep getting 🥺 Just wish I could close my eyes and it would be gone. I'm glad your doing well ❤️

May I join?

I'm struggling, and have been for some months. I have intermittent depression and some anxiety, as part of C-PTSD. I've had CBT x3, trauma therapy, EMDR, and many more. I tried 3 different types of AD, none of which suited me for various reasons, and I don't want to try any more, enough.

Saw GP yesterday, not once I've seen before. She was nice, but I don't feel heard, and ended up feeling worse. She switched off when I said I was reluctant to try further ADs, and has referred to me to a mental health liaison worker, for resources, which I've agreed to.

Things is, I've been referred like this before, and once they realise I have all the materials, apps and background available, that's the end.

I'm still working but struggling, tearful, body dysmorphia sky high, mistrustful, and feel I can't carry on carrying-on. She did ask me if I wanted time off from work, but I was honest and said I didn't feel I was in the right place to make an objective judgement. She didn't sign me off.

I've always fully engaged with therapies, but right now I feel lost. I mask a lot at work, and it's exhausting.

Thank you for reading, I'm not expecting an answer, which what I told the GP, but I did want to be heard, and I guess, validated?

Started on ADHD meds and the difference is huge. Tonight I'm upset that my ADHD has cost me so much (before I knew I had it and was medicated). Missing my ex tonight and feeling sad - just hoping life will bring us back together again.

@UseOfWeapons hey and welcome! Did you feel you benefitted from therapy? If so maybe they can refer you for more? How's your support network?

@JamSandle my SIL noticed a big difference when my nephew started his meds. Hopefully they work for you too!

Hope everyone is doing okay.

I had to leave my house and currently sitting in my car crying, I just feel like driving away and not coming back. What is the point of fighting this horrible disease when you get no relief etc. Its a total waste of time. I'm fighting so hard for my kids and family but I'm so tired 😔

So sorry @hk1993x do u feel like you’re being heard by the treatment team, is there anyone you feel you could speak to and get some concrete advice?

did u decide on a plan for your studying? A big difference for me has been changing some things around at work and doing something more challenging that I’m enjoying, would maybe focusing on what you want to do in September help your mindset at all or is that just too overwhelming right now? X

@JamSandle Glad the meds are making a difference for you x

I'm really anxious. I start my new contract job Monday and I have to spend the first week at their office. So I have to travel down on Sunday and stay in a hotel. I can't even decide whether to drive or train. Really nervous about the whole thing, doubting if I can do it.

@fara20 congratulations on the new job, that is understandable to be nervous. There is also the new location, travel, all those things add to the mental load. What are the pros and cons of driving and pros and cons of train?

@hk1993x I've been having similar thoughts today. I do believe it's often the external situation and looking for the positives and warm people helps.

I'm remembering to take my AD which is good and helping I think.

It's really baby steps here. The hard reality for me is that it took me six months to get this low and it will take at least three or four months of consistently eating well, exercise, sleep, social interaction, to get well again. I should feel excited about that but I am disappointed. Also I feel very alone because of the work things, and I somehow need to get over this. At least I know what I need to work on.

@CustardPies4 Thanks. It's really terrifying me. Driving is more convenient once I get there so I can get to the office and back to the hotel. It's a long drive though, and that, having to be in a hotel, meeting new people and not screwing up - I have so much anxiety. I barely leave the house usually.

What do you mean about the work things making you feel alone? Do you want to talk about it here?

Argh ladies, a few of us having some rough days. Sending a virtual hand hold to all. I'm not having a great time x

@Helplessandheartbroke anything particular going on or just having one of those days lovely? X

@Whycantgiraffesdance one of those weeks lovely. Missing ddog thinking about him a lot. Anxiety through the roof. How are you x