Impulsive buying/5 weeks on sertraline!

[2sara1]

Hi everyone

Just thought I’d pop a little update on here about how sertraline is working for me. Well so far so good, the dread has gone in the mornings, I shower everyday again, I’m laughing, I don’t overthink things as much (this is still there some days but I feel like I can control it) I don’t cry at the smallest things, I’ve lost weight, I no longer crave sugar as much (I think my eating habits were definitely a comfort thing) I can think straight and clear for the first time in years. Which has got me thinking about something, in the past I have always been very spontaneous and impulsive with spending, not thinking about the long term affects etc. I just thought that this was my personality but I think it has been again a way of me comforting myself ‘oh I feel down today - loads of new things will cheer me up’ etc has anyone else experienced this? I was concerned at one point that I may be bipolar but this was a constant buying things I didn’t need! Hope everyone’s well anyway 😊

[Agora1]

So nice to hear of your success 2sara1

Embrace the good feeling xx

[Hidden]

Hi 2sara1

Thank you for your post and I'm so pleased you are feeling good.

You hit a nerve with me as I have a daughter with bipolar, she tried to take her life back in 2007, she is so much better now and doing really well. I'm not sure what meds she's on as she doesn't open up but your story resonated with me as my daughter used to compulse buy but doesn't do that anymore. What she doesn't do now is shower regularly, she smells of BO all the time, doesn't seem to clean her teeth and her feet are awful, the smell is sickening. I really do feel for her but don't know what to do so I've decided I need to do something so am going to try and get her on her own, this isn't easy as there's always family around, and try and find out why she doesn't keep herself clean but before I do that I'm going to ask her gently about her mental health and see if I can help.

It's not easy to have mental health problems yourself, I've had them in the past so I really want to help.

I'm so glad you are so much better, it's a horrible illness, you've done so well.

😊

[2sara1 in reply to Hidden]

Awh yes maybe she’s struggling. I opened up to my mum about how I’d been as she didn’t realise (I don’t live with her anymore) and she was shocked to hear that I was no longer bothered about my appearance or health etc as she has always known me to take care of myself. I would say this was one of the main things that made me think wow I am getting into a really bad place now. Something that should be a normal everyday occurrence was so much effort for me! I understand how she feels, maybe she will appreciate you reaching out? It’s always a sensitive subject as I used to get really annoyed with my boyfriend if he said ‘why don’t you go and have a shower’ etc. I wish you all the best! It must be tough for mums to see their children go through things like this but we appreciate the support 😊

[Hidden in reply to 2sara1]

Wow, well done to you for opening up, that takes a lot of courage.

My daughter has lived in a shared house for years now. The house she was in previously she was happy in and she kept herself clean but since she's been in the one she's in now her hygiene has been awful but I've asked her a couple if times if she's happy there and she's said she is.

I agree that it is a sensitive subject that's why it's taking me so long to build up the courage to speak to her. I am genuinely concerned about her. I can well imagine how you felt when your boyfriend just came out with it and asked why you didn't shower as I think you have to approach the person in a softly, softly way and not just come out with it.

It is tough for mums and I appreciate hearing from you and understanding what it must be like.

Well done to you for being so understanding and approaching this so well.