Depression Support Thread

Tiff_2

Hi guys!
Apply as necessary...




Much Love,
Tiff xxx

Tiff_2

Hi may!
Now I haven't quite reached the stage of hallucinating just yet and I haven't been at the catnip either, but I swear there was a completely blank post from may just above this one - and now it's gone!

OK - who's the wise guy? Now which one of you snaffled may's post? Don't you make me come over there!






How are you, may hunnie?
You posted a bit later today - I hope that's down to you being able to get some good sleep at last, hun.
Be kind to yourself, angel.
Much Love,
Tiff xxx

Tiff_2

Hi guys!
Aah, I see you've found Purrsday!
Well I don't feel too bad at all considering I've only had 3 hours sleep.
I wouldn't mind if it was because I was being romanced out on the town like shaz or because I was being romanced indoors by Justin Timberlake, but sadly neither of these applied. Therefore, I am currently undecided as to what mood I'll be in today or whether or not I'll just cancel today, due to lack of interest!

I am, however, still concerned over the disappearance of certain members of the clan.
I've been on the tracks of Bonnie and Clyde (sazzy and gilly badgie), as well as blues and amber and miro. With the latter two being ardent cat lovers, I can't help but wonder if they've been kitty-napped - and whether sazzy and gilly are to blame!
Should this prove to be the case, please don't bother to send a ransom note as I only have 34p and half a bag of catnip.

As I can't foretell what the day might involve, I'd like to offer a little something in the hopes of raising a smile...

Signs That You're Over 40...

1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
2. In a hostage situation, you are likely to be released first.
3. No one expects you to run into a burning building.
4. People who call at 9 PM ask: "Did I wake you?"
5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
7. Things you buy now, won't wear out.
8. You can eat dinner at 4 P.M.
9. You can live without sex but not without glasses.
10. You enjoy hearing about other people's operations.
11. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.
12. You have a party and the neighbours don't even realize it.
13. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
14. You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.
15. You sing along with elevator music.
16. Your eyes won't get much worse.
17. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
18. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.
19. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
20. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.


And for those of you who are under 40 and laughing, I'd print this out and keep it if I were you - trust me, you're gonna need it!
Safe journeys guys.
Much Love,
Tiff xxx

Tulip

:hello: Everyone,

Morning! hope you are all well,I am fine today,gradually getting back to my normal self as each day comes,my mum is getting well also

I am not going home for lunch today to mums so getting my own lunch later on.

Have a lovely day!


*hugs* to those that need one especially SF


love and light,

Katie xxx

hippychick1

I've just found this thread, hello to you all. I'm having a rough time at the minute, and have been on anti depressants since the summer. Lately things have got worse. Right now I can't control my breathing, and am panicking. I've never felt like this. I feel on edge all the time, constantly have a knot in my stomach. Am going back to doctors tomorrow. Please someone tell me I'm not going mad

Tulip

hippychick1 wrote: »

I've just found this thread, hello to you all. I'm having a rough time at the minute, and have been on anti depressants since the summer. Lately things have got worse. Right now I can't control my breathing, and am panicking. I've never felt like this. I feel on edge all the time, constantly have a knot in my stomach. Am going back to doctors tomorrow. Please someone tell me I'm not going mad

:hello: Hippychick,

welcome to the thread,of course you are not going mad I can assure you of that,I am glad you are going back to the doctors tomorrow,sorry to hear you are having a rough time at the moment.

Hope things pick up for you soon.I have got Heart Radio on and enjoying the music and relaxing.


love and light,

Katie xxx

fairydawn

Sorry you are struggling Atomised, I am sorry I cannot help but just to let you know you are not alone. Sending a big Hug to you.x

Hippychick1, panic attacks are awful, glad you are seeking help. x


CPN came yesterday (finally admitted I am not coping), feel a bit better today and can remember what I have got to look forward to again.

Hope you are all well, (as you can be!)

D x

Tiff_2

Hi hippychick!
Sending you a warm to the thread, angel and thanks for posting. You're very welcome here.
I was just popping by and saw your post, hc. Let's have a look hunnie...

hc wrote:

I've just found this thread, hello to you all. I'm having a rough time at the minute, and have been on anti depressants since the summer. Lately things have got worse. Right now I can't control my breathing, and am panicking. I've never felt like this. I feel on edge all the time, constantly have a knot in my stomach. Am going back to doctors tomorrow. Please someone tell me I'm not going mad

Have you felt like this before, hc? Now I see you posted over an hour ago - are you feeling any better now, hunnie? I would imagine that there's been a little levelling out in this time.
If there's has been no improvement whatsoever, or you're really worried hunnie, I would call your duty dr at your surgery now and speak with them on the phone. I'm not a professional, angel and it's better to get help today, if you don't think you can wait until tomorrow. They won't be angry with you at all.
Do you have a CPN, hc? Have you got any support from the local crisis team? The crisis team work 24 hours, every day, and can help by seeing people in their homes and hopefully help to prevent anything getting worse.

No sweetheart, you are not going mad.
There are three positive things I see in your post hun:
- that you do have an appt tomorrow with your dr. Please be sure to tell the dr everything - they can't help you properly with what they don't know about angel. Why not print off your post and show it to the dr?
- that you seem to recognise the symptoms you're having as panic. You have done a really positive thing in recognising that you are panicking and on edge and there are things you can do to distract yourself from panic and anxiety.
- that you've posted because you felt you needed help. This is good because it shows that you are actually still in control.

Obviously I don't know your situation and issues hc, but whatever they are, they're not all going to be resolved today.
Today is all about going back to basics and feeling safer - getting you through how you're feeling now hun, until you see the dr tomorrow.
I know panic attacks are very scary but try some of the distraction tips below.
The idea is to get relaxed because you can't feel relaxed and anxious at the same time - it's impossible. It's like you being hungry and full at the same time or awake and asleep, for example. Here are some distraction tips that could hopefully help you to relax a little...

Distraction:
- remind yourself that you've been through this before, that you recognise the feelings and that you did manage to cope and feel better. Your body can't sustain anxiety for long, continuous stretches of time. You'll usually feel quite exhausted afterwards hun, and a couch nap can feel great.

- yes, I know it's -10 degrees outside,, but take a chair, wrap up warm and sit with a drink outside your back door. This seems to help clear our heads, calms us and freshen us.

- turn on the tv/radio and try to stop thinking and try to focus on what's being broadcast. Obviously, don't watch things like the news or emotional storylines or listen to Black Sabbath - try cartoons, old black and white films and classical music.

- wrap yourself in a snuggly duvet and lie on the couch - being wrapped up in the duvet can help people to feel more grounded, safer, more relaxed.

- if you have a pet, - particularly a cat! - grab them and cuddle them - very soothing.

- the old failsafe of a hot drink is a good one. Whether it be psychological or whatever, a lot of people feel better after having one.

- a nice warm bath can be very relaxing.
- try not to worry or think about anything, hunnie. Try and take each hour or even every half an hour as it comes - nothing else matters. Every time your mind tries to overload itself with thoughts, actually tell yourself to stop. By not focusing too much on anything, you're more likely to relax. As you go through the day managing each little piece of time, it'll reassure you.

- if your mind won't let you settle, grab some kind of task, eg. a crossword, colouring in pictures (trust me - I'm not kidding sweetie. You can get adult geometric ones from places like Wilkos, etc.), writing, drawing or anything creative, counting, computer games - anything that you have to concentrate on. As I said, your mind can't concentrate on opposite feelings and because you will be concentrating on your task, you will be distracted.

- call a friend or relative if you think that will help reassure you hun.

- deep relaxation is great for this hunnie, but you must practice it a few times a day.

- I know it sounds strange, but sometimes piling up some pillows and cushions and then beating the carp out of them, can release some tension.

And you must go back to the very basics of looking after yourself angel. I'll post thoughts on that and some deep relaxation below, but please try and eat little and often and make sure you drink plenty too.
The only thing that matters is getting through today, hc. I hope something here helps you sweetheart.
Be kind to yourself.
Much Love,
Tiff xxx

Arne_2

Atomised, It is only natural that you feel so upset. Remember that if you have had an arguement or something like that, feelings will run high and we all do and say things that we regret later on. Maybe you will both be able to sort things out later on today.

Tiff_2

Hi guys!
I've been a bit worried about some of my Tifflings recently because they've not felt so good and and they aren't looking after themselves properly. This can only make our mental ill health even worse.

If you're struggling atm guys, please make a short list of things to do that will help to remind you to look after yourself and then tick them off as you do them.
It doesn't matter how long or short your list is - the idea is to make you feel better by following the routine. I know it feels like mountain climbing and the last thing you feel like doing, but as I said, you must eat and drink regularly, peeps.

Back to basics:
It can be hard enough for people to get out of bed, let alone do the whole personal hygiene thing.
So you have to be a little strict with yourself when you're at your lowest and make a plan listing all you need to do, e.g...

EVERY DAY I WILL...
1. Go and have a shower/bath.
2. Brush my teeth.
3. Put clean clothes on.
4. Brush my hair.
5. Put my other clothes in the laundry.
6. Make my bed.
7. Have my breakfast.
- and so on.

You can do the same for other daily tasks by adding in things like have lunch, cook dinner, do the laundry etc.
It seems a long list but it gives you a routine to follow no matter how you feel and you can change it to suit your preferences. It seems to work because it's written down in black and white and you know it's there. Making your bed for example will make you hesitate to get back in it, but it will look welcoming at bedtime.
Every time you accomplish the steps on your list, you will feel better a bit better about yourself guys.:T All it takes is lots of practice.;)
And yes, I know it's easier said than done.:o But having a simple plan is giving you back control and also a structure to your day.
I hope something here helps someone.
Much Love,
Tiff xxx