keeping healthy with anxiety/depression/cPTSD

[Sharmian350]

I live with very poor mental ill health. I am struggling to eat regularly and struggling to exercise. Even daily tasks are a huge challenge.I'm reaching out to see if anyone has the same struggles and would like to share occassional support on this forum.

[Eternal_Flame 2024 April]

I'm not diagnosed with anything but suspect some level of depression and have had occasional anxiety over the years. Whatever the case, I struggle on a daily basis with the most basic of tasks. Aside from when I'm travelling, I spend 90% of my time lounging around in bed, even though the house is a disaster area and there's lots of tasks I could do.

I'm travelling at the moment, but when I'm home I'd definitely like to link up and exchange support! In the mean time, be kind to yourself!

EF x

[Sharmian350 Restart April 2024 in reply to Eternal_Flame]

I know the feeling about just laying in bed while the house delapidates! When you are back from your travels, I will look out for you on here, and yes, check in with me when you want. 🌸💐🙂

[hjskev Maintainer 2 stone]

Hi Sorry you feel so rubbish. I'm ok now but have experienced all the symptoms you describe in the past. Also extreme tiredness, sleeping a lot and dreaming a lot. It sounds like you may live alone. I was fortunate as I had a lot of help. The doc referred me to a psychologist and I also had an occupational therapist and a husband who was patient. I don't know how I would have coped otherwise.

I may be no help to you but I can say what helped me First the psychologist said the only thing that would help my recovery was to take away the things that were causing the anxiety. In my case that was work. Fortunately I was able to retire. Then I basically sat on my sofa and waited because I knew even if I couldn't do anything life around me would move on and change. I got a bit of peace from gardening. Actually it was just digging a little bit with a trowel. Also I would go for short walks well away from bumping into anyone I knew because I didn't want to have to talk about it.

My therapist asked me to record how I felt everyday. I'm not sure how that helps but it made me realise if I was having a bad day it didn't mean the next day would be bad too. Very gradually I started to get better. You say you have PTSD. I know some people get relief from that getting EMDR therapy. bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/ty....

If you read all my ramblings you are a star. I hope you find some answers soon.

[Sharmian350 Restart April 2024 in reply to hjskev]

Hi hjskev, you make a lot of really great points.

I do live alone and yes, it is tough as there is no one to turn to for support. NHS services are so poor that there is no chance of any therapy this side of doomsday. I have been too ill to work for some years now, but when I worked it precipitated a complete breakdown, that I may never recover from. I am really glad that you took your therapists advice and made yourself safe, even if that meant giving up your job.

I have heard of EMDR, but it is not something that I can access here. I will keep trying and maybe discuss with the GP, the possibility of accessing therapy out of my area.

A couple of audio books that I have suggest trying to write a diary, when you can, not trying to ‘fix’ stuff that cannot be fixed, but making a move to remove/ remove yourself from the main source of stress if you can. I think that is similar to your experience, if I understand it correctly. All good suggestions.

I had a good day today, in that I went out and completed my to do list. So I can be proud of myself and I have treated myself to some flowers. 🌺 🌸💐

[hjskev Maintainer 2 stone]

Glad you had a good day today. Another thing I learned was celebrate the successes like mad. Seems like you're already doing that with the flowers. 👍 I hope you will find hope in that I am feeling good these days. So it can be done. My therapist once asked me where I would find my challenges if I gave up work. I didn't really get it at the time but I realised later that setting myself manageable challenges gave me an opportunity to feel good about myself and was good for my self esteem. Wishing you success in your recovery.

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg]

Are there any mental health charities like Mind . The only thing that got my sister on a partial road to recovery was to keep busy . It’s a challenge as she is now 70 and she took drastic measures to attention seek as she was getting sick of being sidelined but got no help when she came home from hospital . This is really tricky as living alone isn’t easy but all I can suggest is try and get out . Libraries are good for walking weekly to and they could advice on things to do in local area . NHS has PARIS scheme which is linked to council run gyms -little known but ask GP as you can self refer .

[Sharmian350 Restart April 2024 in reply to focused1]

I am not sure what you mean@focused1. Can you explain 'attention seeking'? Am I missing something?

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg in reply to Sharmian350]

Apologies as out of context reading this back it doesn’t sound the best . My sister tried GP , phoning 111 , going to A and E to get the deserved attention she badly needed. In the end when all else failed she took overdoses and phoned the ambulance service who phoned me at all hours . This happened 3 times as she was in and out of hospital but once out after being helped , food cooked , little worries whilst in psychiatric care - it was an institution she came to feel safe / looked after in . It is drastic when she had to resort to learned , tried / tested methods to get any help . She sought attention, got none .Yes I do feel empathy but a certain anger as a relative who can see the other side of what if she goes too far and it has been harrowing resulting in me being ill but having to be strong as my family are not always kind , supportive or understanding. Agreed - attention seeking may have been the wrong explanation but the experience for us all is true and sometimes it does make you feel pressured, perplexed and helpless .

[Sharmian350 Restart April 2024 in reply to focused1]

Ah, I understand a bit more now.

I can appreciate how harrowing it must have been for you and your family, as well as your sister. You were totally let down by mental health services and left to cope with no support.

There needs to be more support for carers and the extended family of people suffering from mental ill health.

It is mental health awareness week soon, it might even be this week, it’s so important to raise awareness isn’t it?

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg]

I agree with raising awareness in principle . Loads of talking ,workplaces mainly joining in to attempt to be portrayed as inclusive but where is any progression and anything proactive . We are all aware but this week should include pledges , action and change.

[Sharmian350 Restart April 2024 in reply to focused1]

A good point