Our stories
to you too @Appleblossom Thanks for your comments. My usual go to is to say I have health challenges - it's none of most people's business what they are and usually stops the 'and what do you do?' stuff when meeting new people. But in the right circles e.g. with the disability alliance people, I am more open about what those challenges are. If my experiences can help anyone else it feels really good - I really would like to regain the feeling that I have something to contribute to the world.
Great to hear your weekend went well.
Hello @Doglover I don't regret tagging you at all, it sounds like someone reaching out to you is a good thing. I'm so sorry to hear life is so difficult for you at this time. And I can assure you that your post reaching to me in return is heard and I'm sending you all the support I can. The fact you are able to write out what's going on is a good sign that gives me hope, if only I could sit with you I would. So I'm doing it 'virtually'. I'm a shoulder you can lean on
One thing about the forums is that you are never judged, no matter how bad things get. That's why we're here. Over the time I've been on the forums I've had times that bad too (several times), and have seen lots of folk hit the bottom and then gradually climb back up again. Sometimes that involves the whole 3 steps forward 2 steps back thing (well most times). So please never feel that you shouldn't post, no matter what's going on. Occasionally you might even get an email from the team at sane, they are checking in with you to see how you're going and make some suggestions to resources beyond the forums.
I hope you have someone in your offline life that you can really talk openly with, like psychologist, psychiatrist, counsellor or even a good GP. Having that sort of health team in my life is one of the main reasons I am currently able to stay afloat, but it's a relatively recent thing for me to be able to do so. I'm 56 and it took until I was 54 for anyone to get my meds right and give me therapy that actually works for me. I spent most of the rest of my life either with paralysing major depression or sometimes so manic that I went into psychosis.
Here is a diagram that describes what a mental health recovery journey can like :
This is how it's been and still is for lots and lots of us here. It's so hard to be patient and goal focused and for me it took years to even be able to form goals - when I was asked what they were I would just burst into tears.
Hoping that this message reaches you this morning. I'll be around for a while if you do want to talk. On a bad day for me It's about taking 10 minutes at a time, not even and hour or a day. Something that can really help is finding self-nurturing activities that at least take your mind off your troubles briefly, there's a thread called coping box https://saneforums.org/t5/Looking-after-ourselves/Coping-Box/td-p/20101/highlight/true/page/13 that might help you with some ideas.
Take care my friend. You are not alone xx
