Does anyone have mental health problems?

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Mental health is not really so very different to physical health. The brain and the mind are part of the body. Most of us are just far more familiar with treating problems in the body that we can see and understand more easily.

Its the stigma that holds back acknowledgement/confession. By that I mean that at work its hard to admit to any difficulties. My latest trick is to put an 'out of office due to overwhelming teaching load' message on my email when things get a bit, er, hectic . Even then I have had harrassing emails from knobwombles. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but it can almost kill you. And that's just extrinisic issues.

WRT intrinsic mental health isues (caused by the brain rather than some other *******), the same applies, but you MUST get help (and family friends really need to help, here).

The trouble is that as you transition from being OK to being not OK, nine times out of ten you won't realise....that's when all the problems start. But I'm sure those reading who have suffered themelves, or in their family, know this anyway.

My best wishes to everyone reading.

 

[Insel affe]

What an amazing thread this is. Considering it is about depression (among many other forms of MH) it is remarkably uplifting! I freely admit to two episodes of depression from which I have recovered and my wife was very ill with anxiety a year ago from which she has now emerged and has just started to scale back the meds. My biggest issue now is keeping at bay horribly depressing and completely overwhelming episodes stemming from the Troubles in N. Ireland (late 70's, early 80's) which can make me an emotional wreck for up to three hours at a time! These times have lessened over the years and I have developed ways of mentally warding them off. The odd thing was that when I was quite recently given morphine by an ambulance crew those feelings were triggered and I kept saying that I could "see him" - "him" being a young soldier whose horrendous injuries from gunfire have never left me. The human mind is indeed a strange yet wonderful thing. I wish Sussex Nomad well and applaud him for starting this thread. Also, thanks to all those caring NSC people whose advice and practical support will be valuable not only to Sussex Nomad, but also to others struggling with MH issues, many of whom may lack the courage to respond to this really positive thread.

Sounds like PTSD surely the armed forces can offer some help, I wish you well

 

[Sussex Nomad]

Today has been a little bit better I think. But I am not doing this so people can catch up on my health, just more because MH drives you up and down. I have realised that there are some brilliant people on NSC. I'm happier to know people care and want to help and you are doing a good service. There should be no stigma to bad health in all its forms. I still go to the Amex and have a laugh with my mates. Sometimes it gets on top of us. So thanks to all you people, many I could now class as caring.

 

[Megazone]

Today has been a little bit better I think. But I am not doing this so people can catch up on my health, just more because MH drives you up and down. I have realised that there are some brilliant people on NSC. I'm happier to know people care and want to help and you are doing a good service. There should be no stigma to bad health in all its forms. I still go to the Amex and have a laugh with my mates. Sometimes it gets on top of us. So thanks to all you people, many I could now class as caring.

I'm a believer that everyone has some sort of ill mental health, otherwise we'd have perfect human beings.

If you can admit to your ill mental health, then you over come your biggest demon, your ego.

Just remember, there's a lot of idiots out there who are obsessed with caring what others think of them. Just count yourself lucky you're not living like them pretending to be some sort of divine being. Be thankful you can accept who you are even if it comes with ill mental health. It sure beats being fake and trying to compete with the Jones's

 

[daveyboy1973]

I think half the time being fake is the problem! Everybody thinks your somebody your not so you try hard to be that person. Speaking from history, i certainly felt when i actually found who I WAS then life started turning. Anyway now i just take every day and it seems to be working. Sorry for keep butting in

 

[Doc Lynam]

Its the stigma that holds back acknowledgement/confession.

The language is rather archaic but the sentiment is right i think, (Exploration of the Inner World) 1936, Anton Boisen.

"The real evil in mental disorder is not to be found in the conflict but in the sense of isolation and estrangement.

It is the fear and guilt which results from the presence in one's life of that which one is afraid to tell."

 

[hitony]

Today has been a little bit better I think. But I am not doing this so people can catch up on my health, just more because MH drives you up and down. I have realised that there are some brilliant people on NSC. I'm happier to know people care and want to help and you are doing a good service. There should be no stigma to bad health in all its forms. I still go to the Amex and have a laugh with my mates. Sometimes it gets on top of us. So thanks to all you people, many I could now class as caring.

Great post I think this thread has proved how caring NSC is and can be.

Hopefully this season is the one and The Albion will make us all feel good Stay strong mate - Good luck for the future

 

[pearl]

To those who belittle those with depression.....
don't be fooled into thinking it's weak people who get depressed.
Weak people are masters at seeking help for themselves, boring their colleagues with their woes, making their problems everyone's problems. It makes for effective therapy.
'Strong' people soldier on, trying to sort things out themselves without bothering others. These kind of people are most prone to depression although those closest to them may not notice their decline as they don't let on.

that is so true!

 

[carteater]

I probably have a few issues, bit too embarrassed and also don't really know how to get a diagnosis and subsequently help tbh.

 

[Triggaaar]

I probably have a few issues, bit too embarrassed

Don't be. Our minds are complicated things, it's not our fault there are a few crossed wires.

and also don't really know how to get a diagnosis and subsequently help tbh.

Have you seen a GP yet?

 

[carteater]

Have you seen a GP yet?

Not about this no, I don't really know what I'd say.

 

[DJ NOBO]

Today has been a little bit better I think. But I am not doing this so people can catch up on my health, just more because MH drives you up and down. I have realised that there are some brilliant people on NSC. I'm happier to know people care and want to help and you are doing a good service. There should be no stigma to bad health in all its forms. I still go to the Amex and have a laugh with my mates. Sometimes it gets on top of us. So thanks to all you people, many I could now class as caring.

Things like going to the game with your mates and having fun will do you the world of good.
You shouldn't be surprised that people have supported you on here - we're not strangers, we share something very special in common. We all love the greatest team the world has ever seen. Good luck Nomad.

 

[Triggaaar]

Not about this no, I don't really know what I'd say.

Well you mention that you probably have a few issues and that help would be good. Would it be possible to describe those issues to a GP in any way?

 

[carteater]

Well you mention that you probably have a few issues and that help would be good. Would it be possible to describe those issues to a GP in any way?

It would take a while...

 

[Triggaaar]

It would take a while...

So? I can't really think of anything that's more important than your health, so if it takes a while it takes a while. Go and see your GP or contact someone else who might be able to help or point you in the right direction.

 

[GreersElbow]

Yes, generalised anxiety disorder. Occasionally take diazepam when it gets bad. Never been crippling, but this affects people in many ways. My anxiety manifests itself in feeling nauseous, which to be frank is absolute crud.

 

[BadFish]

It would take a while...

It takes a while and by the end of it you are able to access help. Time well spent I think.

 

[Cold Gettin Dumb]

I've been going through the wars mentally myself for years. Sometimes I'm fine then I'll succumb to anxiety and also depression.
I've found a key helping hand is cramming in as much health and nutrition as possible. If you start to feel physically tip top then it is far easier to begin getting a handle on the mental pain, anxiety etc. Omega 3 capsules I found also combat depression very effectively as well. It works by helping maintain the balance of brain chemistry and tgerefore reduces depressive mood. It's been shown in some cases to greatly help some sufferers of bi-polar.

I went to my GP and said I needed help and didn't want to take medication due to family history of this type of thing and me being wary of that path. He referred me to an NHS specialist who then put me on a 9 week CBT course. I then was put on a 16 week course of interpersonal relationship therapy which was also good. In the end I am now a year into seeing a private psychotherapist and that absolutely helps.
I was told it would take about 2 years typically to delve into the source of my problems and change my thought traits. A year in I can hand on heart saytgat I feel a great way down that road and so much wiser about why I am who I am.
It's been very dark for a long time for me and suicide was definitely playing on my mind too frequently to ignore.
I ccan say that I am starting to find a new vigour to life that I hope to be able to see through finally.

I wanted to jump in on this thread a bit sooner but didn't feel comfortable at first for different reasons...
I suspect a great many are hovering on this thread and perhaps aren't able to give their testimony for multiple reasons.
They now know they aren't alone...
Thanks for starting this thread.

 

[sydney]

my only input from here is to say from my experiences , my opinion is that it's 100% down to brain chemistry and the way your body works and which hormones are lacking and in excess....the plain fact is that doctors don't understand the brain at all and the current , mainstream , measures in place to help sufferers are little more than a chemical band-aid treatment , we are all different , we all need different help with our problems .....the biggest help is the love and support of those around us but also the continual knowledge that you can and will get better.....eventually.....

 

[Durlston]

I probably have a few issues, bit too embarrassed and also don't really know how to get a diagnosis and subsequently help tbh.

Dont be embarrassed to see your doctor if you're feeling down, anxious or stressed out. The first part is the hardest. Everyone deserves the right to feel happy in life.

I used to self-harm by cutting my arms and trying to feel the pain when I couldn't feel anything emotionally. It was the lowest I'd felt in terms of my life crumbling. I still have the permanent scars as a reminder. Luckily someone got help for me which opened the doors.

I wish you all the best mate.