Does anyone have mental health problems?

[herecomesaregular]

so now they have got you all to take the jab they will be slowly but surely nudging you towards anti depressants , please try not to fold , the world is a nasty place at the moment .....we're all in it together ...xx

man, you are ****ing tedious...

 

[Washie]

so now they have got you all to take the jab they will be slowly but surely nudging you towards anti depressants , please try not to fold , the world is a nasty place at the moment .....we're all in it together ...xx

I might do it just to spite you

 

[sydney]

man, you are ****ing tedious...

i've had mine mate , i have been going to my doctor owing to a torn rotator cuff and damaged bicep tendon , his surgery walls are awash with beyond blue and r u ok posters beseeching people to reach out if they are feeling down , radio stations running adverts incessantly for the same ,commercial tv stations the same ....r u ok.... suicide rates are well up and the powers that be wonder why ....the system has a lot to answer for , as a lot of critics have said " they can jab the world but they can't feed it ".....all the best.

 

[herecomesaregular]

It can be a challenge now the cold mornings are here with the cold showers. I have claimed an ice bath (old freezer) from a friend which will sit in my dining room, filled with cold water and ice to take it to the next level. Now that will be very challenging on a cold winter's morning.

haha, mental mate! (pun intended). I'll enjoy the cold showers in deep winter, although I have been doing them wrong according to Wim. Have watched his mini vids and tried the breathing. Not sure I'm doing it right but I certainly felt energised and a natural high. I struggle not to breath for the minimum 60 seconds though. He's such a likeable and amusing chap. I'm determined to give this a real go so again, cheers for the heads up. And don't get stuck in your freezer..

 

[herecomesaregular]

i've had mine mate , i have been going to my doctor owing to a torn rotator cuff and damaged bicep tendon , his surgery walls are awash with beyond blue and r u ok posters beseeching people to reach out if they are feeling down , radio stations running adverts incessantly for the same ,commercial tv stations the same ....r u ok.... suicide rates are well up and the powers that be wonder why ....the system has a lot to answer for , as a lot of critics have said " they can jab the world but they can't feed it ".....all the best.

Hope you feel better soon.

I just prefer to not be afraid, I don't feel controlled but I have to agree that GPs give out antidepressants too easily sometimes.

 

[Weststander]

i've had mine mate , i have been going to my doctor owing to a torn rotator cuff and damaged bicep tendon , his surgery walls are awash with beyond blue and r u ok posters beseeching people to reach out if they are feeling down , radio stations running adverts incessantly for the same ,commercial tv stations the same ....r u ok.... suicide rates are well up and the powers that be wonder why ....the system has a lot to answer for , as a lot of critics have said " they can jab the world but they can't feed it ".....all the best.

Anti depressants, often with talking therapies, are literal life savers for so many people. This was true both before and during this pandemic.

Lifting a dark cloud (Churchill called it his Black Dog) hanging over individuals thoughts, their lives.

Depression’s always been prevalent, I have relatives before my time, who ended it all for themselves by suicide. Little help was available then, probably no effective medication, primitive times relatively speaking.

Anti depressants have been tested to the hilt and used for a very long time now.

Not to be lumped in with conspiracy theories about Covid vaccines.

 

[Lenny Rider]

Question which hopefully someone on here might have an alternative and credible answer to that of my GP.

I have been on anti-depressants for 5 years now, I would really like at some time to come off them because I clearly don’t want to be on them forever and two a major side effect is weight gain and at 57 that’s a huge mountain to climb

Has anyone on here come off similar medication and how did they got about it? And how long was the process.?

Don’t get me wrong my GP has been brilliant but he’s very much of the opinion that you can live a normal life with the medication but for the reasons stated I would like to explore another route.

 

[Kneon Light]

Question which hopefully someone on here might have an alternative and credible answer to that of my GP.

I have been on anti-depressants for 5 years now, I would really like at some time to come off them because I clearly don’t want to be on them forever and two a major side effect is weight gain and at 57 that’s a huge mountain to climb

Has anyone on here come off similar medication and how did they got about it? And how long was the process.?

Don’t get me wrong my GP has been brilliant but he’s very much of the opinion that you can live a normal life with the medication but for the reasons stated I would like to explore another route.

I came off Anti-depressants twice.
First time too quickly and it wasn't the right time. I came off them because I wanted to be off them rather than because I was ready. As a result it was really hard and I needed to go back on them.
Second time I eased off them slowly at a time when things were better in my life and I was coping better. Had one or two moments since but this was a few years ago now and haven't had the need to go back on them since.
Hope this heps.
Good luck

 

[Lenny Rider]

I came off Anti-depressants twice.
First time too quickly and it wasn't the right time. I came off them because I wanted to be off them rather than because I was ready. As a result it was really hard and I needed to go back on them.
Second time I eased off them slowly at a time when things were better in my life and I was coping better. Had one or two moments since but this was a few years ago now and haven't had the need to go back on them since.
Hope this heps.
Good luck

Thanks mate

 

[herecomesaregular]

Has anyone tried "Morning Pages"?

I often wake up terribly negative and desolate first thing in the morning. Tried it today and wrote a whole load of negative bollocks then realised at the end that i had touched on some positive thoughts by page 3, and I noted these seperately, and did feel a bit better for doing it. So I plan to try and commit to doing this for 30 days without judgement.

Just wondering if anyone has tried it? I referenced this website:

https://www.chriswinfield.com/morning-pages/

First saw in a movie I really enjoyed, Sound of Metal, with Riz Ahmed (I always look out for his films).

 

[Happy Exile]

Has anyone tried "Morning Pages"?

I often wake up terribly negative and desolate first thing in the morning. Tried it today and wrote a whole load of negative bollocks then realised at the end that i had touched on some positive thoughts by page 3, and I noted these seperately, and did feel a bit better for doing it. So I plan to try and commit to doing this for 30 days without judgement.

Just wondering if anyone has tried it? I referenced this website:

https://www.chriswinfield.com/morning-pages/

First saw in a movie I really enjoyed, Sound of Metal, with Riz Ahmed (I always look out for his films).

Thanks for sharing this, I think I'll give it a go. I've not done this specifically but for a while I tried journaling with different prompts each morning which was helpful and this seems like a similar idea.

On a similar theme if it's useful for anyone feeling overwhelmed by work, I've started making lists on a sheet of paper that I have next to me while I work...top of the page is the date, then there's three boxes.

Box 1 - Must have... - these are the non-negotiable tasks, key is making sure they are doable in around 75% max of the work day. This means there's hopefully time for ad-hoc tasks, responding to anything urgent etc. If there's too many "must haves" then some need to be delegated or de-prioritised. Second box is Good if... - these are the nice to have things that it'd be a good feeling to get done, but aren't essential. Third box is Bonus.... These are the things that are often purely about finishing the day on a positive by getting one step ahead on something or sending someone a thank you note or something - not necessarily essential or something to show a boss as moving anything forward, but worth doing.

Each time something is done it gets ticked off, and at the end of the day I make the list for the next day. Some things get moved from good if to must have at that point, some get moved from bonus to good if, some get removed completely because someone else has done them instead etc.

I've found it changes my focus for the day into being more proactive/less reactive to Teams and email messages - the must have includes things like taking a lunch break (which I often miss otherwise), going for a walk around the block etc and puts me in control far more than a straight to-do list ever did.

 

[nickbrighton]

I am sorry if this isnt the right place for this, but its about something that has helped me this past week.
I think we are all under increasing stress just now, I know that I have felt overwhelmed at times this past two weeks. Its hard to see past what is happening in the world. I couldn't turn my brain off, I was finding myself close to tears on occasion, unable to sleep properly

I was watching "The Conners" the other night, which had a scene that struck a cord, and helped reinforce something I have been trying to do.

The scene involved one character who was "doom scrolling" following an incident. Its an expression I hadn't heard before, aand is quite an apt description. Basically with 24 hour news alerts, newsfeeds, constant updates on social media its easy to just lose yourself in the information overload, and the cumulation of constantly reading and seeing the awful events, it simply becomes all persuasive and overshadows everything else.

I have found that by keeping away from the constant updates, and news alerts, and by limiting myself to one catch up a day, i can keep myself informed of things, without it overtaking my life. I dont watch the news channels, I have a read of the main points once a day, and I have found myself much calmer, and its keeping the big black cloud at bay

Its not trying to ignore whats happening, but its keeping it from becoming the driving factor for everything. We are all different and we all have our own coping mechanisms, I wanted to share something that is helping me.

 

[Norman Potting]

At the moment I am trying hard to look at the BBC news only twice a day, morning and evening, and consciously muting the radio news (I WFH and Planet Rock is my musical companion). Seems to help with my anxiety which pre dates the current "current affairs".

 

[Weststander]

With total compassion for Ukraine and a loathing for Putin of course, I make sure that I limit my immersion in news of this genocide and land grab.

I've friends and clients who've taken a big downturn in mental health due to Putin's evil work, they can't think of anything else.

As with climate change and the destruction of nature (big causes for me), I very deliberately limit the news reaching me.

Imho it's the only way to maintain sanity, as well donating generously.

 

[Insel affe]

How is everyone doing out there ?

I was suffering with the news and various things including work, home life etc etc, very depressed could hardly motivate myself to even get up and go to work, work is so busy, the time whizz's by to be fair, I am stuck in the office hardly see the daylight and work with a lazy mother fecker, who grinds my gears. I would go home, and go straight to bed, hardly speak to the family. Now daylight is getting longer and I am not driving to and from work in the dark, initially at the start of the Ukraine conflict I was watching and listening to everything, I have to limit that now, I want to stay in touch with the horrific event unfolding, but whatever I do or worry about, won't affect the outcome and only one man can decide that, so taking that into account I seem to be coming out the other side.

Why do people go through peaks and troughs ? mine seem either every couple of months and can last between a few hours, days or even up to two weeks of just complete meh, I think about my past, my worth on this planet, my attachment issues, my mistakes, my lack of empathy about somethings, my wife, family and friends say I have a weird and warped way of looking and going about at things. As I have said before the only time I told the doctor about my concerns and anxiety occasionally he blasted me off, with some guff.
I can manage my ups and downs without help, but it is not nice for the family sometimes and i feel selfish afterwards is that normal ?
I don't really think I want to waste anyone's time, and do not really want to see a psychiatrist as I am afraid what that might drag up from the care/foster home, I want to leave it there.

Is that normal ?

One more question, please don't take the piss, but -- Does a full moon effect behaviour ? I only ask, as I seem to make irrational decisions around a full moon, and on the build up usually get a bit low.

PS: Thank you to several lovely people who have PM me.
NSC at it's best.

 

[The Fits]

I’ve been having some really interesting and liberating conversations with my younger staff members (18-30) of late.
A few take always...
They are far more communicative about mental health, about their mental health, about what works and doesn’t work when they’re in a slump. They consider suffering poor mental health as part of life, something we all have to manage. Talking to them has validated how I feel but empowered me. I’m inspired that this generation have such a mature and positive approach to it all. It’s incredibly liberating to be able to say to them ‘I’m feeling shit at the moment’. As their boss it’s something I’d never have done before. Last night one of them text me at 2230 just to check in- it was my night off. There was no pity but also no cottonwooling things- simply ‘how are you feeling, you deserve a night off, I hope you’re okay’ etc. It feels mad that I’ve communicated more about this with some of my staff, relative kids, than my longest and best friends, family etc. But at the same time perhaps that slight distance has made things easier. And they see how hard I work and that I’m a good egg, so it’s lovely to know that even though I am their boss they want me to be happy and ‘well’. No judgement, feels like a huge weight lifted.
They all seem to have a healthier lifestyle than I did at their age and this is led by their focus on mental and physical wellbeing. I’m reminded of the simple things I need to do to help myself when I’m particularly low- eating, eating well, getting outside, communicating, taking time for quiet and reflection, listening to great music, doing things I love. All obvious stuff but we all know how hard it can be to the most basic of things when you feel terrible.
Anyway I really don’t want to trivialise how others are feeling, but I thought I’d share as it’s been surprising and helped me a lot.

 

[Deanbha]

I've recently had to come to terms of coping with emotional personality disorder. It's horrible and not something people ever understand, including my wife.

 

[herecomesaregular]

How is everyone doing out there ?

I was suffering with the news and various things including work, home life etc etc, very depressed could hardly motivate myself to even get up and go to work, work is so busy, the time whizz's by to be fair, I am stuck in the office hardly see the daylight and work with a lazy mother fecker, who grinds my gears. I would go home, and go straight to bed, hardly speak to the family. Now daylight is getting longer and I am not driving to and from work in the dark, initially at the start of the Ukraine conflict I was watching and listening to everything, I have to limit that now, I want to stay in touch with the horrific event unfolding, but whatever I do or worry about, won't affect the outcome and only one man can decide that, so taking that into account I seem to be coming out the other side.

Why do people go through peaks and troughs ? mine seem either every couple of months and can last between a few hours, days or even up to two weeks of just complete meh, I think about my past, my worth on this planet, my attachment issues, my mistakes, my lack of empathy about somethings, my wife, family and friends say I have a weird and warped way of looking and going about at things. As I have said before the only time I told the doctor about my concerns and anxiety occasionally he blasted me off, with some guff.
I can manage my ups and downs without help, but it is not nice for the family sometimes and i feel selfish afterwards is that normal ?
I don't really think I want to waste anyone's time, and do not really want to see a psychiatrist as I am afraid what that might drag up from the care/foster home, I want to leave it there.

Is that normal ?

One more question, please don't take the piss, but -- Does a full moon effect behaviour ? I only ask, as I seem to make irrational decisions around a full moon, and on the build up usually get a bit low.

PS: Thank you to several lovely people who have PM me.
NSC at it's best.

I worked for many years in different residential care homes for people with severe and enduring MH issues, predominantly an old-school client group (now dying out) that had spent decades previously in the old institutions. Also alongside some staff who had also worked as nurses in these old asylums. Many of the clients, the current stuff and the old nurses all believed, from their own observation, in changes that occurred around phases of the moon. Personally, I couldn't really define it but such phases/the tides etc effect the animal kingdom, so why think we are so different? Nothing to take the piss about imho.

 

[herecomesaregular]

The Wim Hof method mentioned in this thread is featured in a new series this evening on the BBC, if anyone is interested.

 

[The Clamp]

Edited.