Here we can all be heard for a little while

Waves_and_Smiles

I found with the little boy that I looked after that he became so frustrated that he couldn't communicate in a way in which he was understood. That was certainly the biggest hurdle for him. He would become so upset because he couldn't have his needs met. When he was older he managed some Makaton sign language along with some speech by then which really helped him. He also had Dyspraxia to complicate things further. Also, things like visiting the supermarket with him were impossible, he couldn't bear the lighting and the noise. I used to take him the park at 7am when it was very quiet and he absolutely loved it, we made it our way to start the day and it would immediately calm him if he had had a bad night.

I looked after him from 6 months to 8 years old and he really did make a lot of progress. I do feel for you, it is very exhausting and even having him for an 8 hour day used to leave me so tired. It was obviously much worse for his parents. He was such a lovely boy though, and he really did try so hard to make himself understood. He has a special place in my heart.

Waves_and_Smiles

I am open to any calming down suggestions, please!

I just accidentally saw a news article talking about sickness benefits and how the rules will become tougher to receive them and have totally freaked out so that I feel sick and can hardly breathe. I wasn't expecting this reaction. Using CBT I have concluded the following-

Will worrying change this-No, not at all.

Am I under any immediate threat?-Not at all.

Can I do anything about this?-No, I can't.

Can I be sure that it will affect me?-No, I do not know that.

Are there steps to take it if it does affect me?-Yes, I can appeal.

Could anything be increasing the panic?-Yes, rampant PMS!

Things I have done- Taken an emergency dose of anti-psychotics, used CBT techniques, grabbed a cuddly toy, I am drinking some hot chocolate, trying to distract with cute animal videos, talking to people about my fears.

Any other ideas? I went from perfectly fine to terrified within seconds with pounding heart and tight throat. A lot is PMS, I wouldn't normally react this badly. The voices are screaming at me that I will become homeless and not be able to afford any medication and it is what I deserve. They are also telling me to do several penguin things and laughing hysterically at me. I can;t even hear WaSp because of crowd noise in my mind. This came out of nowhere. Don't worry, I will be fine. I just didn't expect to be floored by sudden blind panic and a heap of auditory hallucinations to go with it!

mellymoo74

Don't make me come over there and smack your legs voices. I have had a very trying few months and I am not in the mood for voices misbehaving

whitewing

Everything that you have panicked about in the past has had unexpected benefits.

We are here to support you in whatever happens.

The latest comments that I read about sickness benefits are able empowering people to see if they can work within their own unique limitations. So, it isn't about prove that you are physically/mentally unable to work, it is perhaps, I understand that there are significant difficulties and here, as a community, is how we are going to support people into being able to lead fuller lives by including work, if that is appropriate to the circumstances. WaS, there will be plenty of people of far less serious conditions who will be assisted long before anyone suggests that your situation needs to change. And those experiences will be written about for us all to read, and thus we will all help give our views and encouragement.

Any new government will be changes rules and policies but a civilised society is always going to help people who need to be helped. You just need to focus on being as well as you can be at any minute of any day, so that WaSp does not need to worry about you, so that we can all benefit to the max from your friendship and so that others continue to be inspired by your bravery. All will be well.

codemonkey

Hugs WaS. I think you're doing all the right things. Are you picturing the Team WaS golden light (I'm sorry, I just can't say golden shower with a straight face) bathing you and keeping you safe? Maybe you can think of creative insults for the nasty voices, such as "retreat from my presence, you bawdy, base court, varlet!"

I think there's something in the air. I am feeling a deep air of melancholy and hopelessness today. I'm putting extra twinkle lights in the fort and stealing all the fort pets for cuddles.

Waves_and_Smiles

Hahahahaha! Ok that made me laugh, Melly. Thank you that helped.

And that made me laugh, too code! Thank you, laughing actually helps quite a bit. I hope that you feel better tomorrow.

Thank you, Whitewing that also helps. I do need to remember that they don't mean people who constantly hear voices, haven't left the house for 6 weeks, are medicated up to their eyeballs and can't cook a meal for themselves. I am so used to how I am that I don't tend to consider myself that different from anyone else but in fact my circumstances are different and people would see that. I guess this is my 'normal' so I don't tend to see myself as worse off than anyone? Plus I am optimistic by nature so tend to play things down, even to myself. Sometimes it is useful for me to remember how different my life is, particularly in these incidents. It doesn't help that the stupid voices immediately start taunting me that I am going to have no money and no housing, and they say even worse things about other people being hurt as a consequence of my behaviour if I ever tried to work (on the usual people die because of me theme). They don't help!

It was just so unexpected, I went from fine to panic in seconds. This is why I avoid the news. Of course, another CBT point would be considering I react like this to a brief glance at news article should be enough to shut the voices up and prove that I do actually need the benefits. They aren't that logical though!

Indie_Kid

When I had Twitter, I did follow a lady whose children both had Fragile X.

Slept again this afternoon. Feeling better finally.

whitewing

codemonkey,

do you find if you have had an extra lovely day that you almost pay for it in the following days with extra 'downness'. That is what happened to me as I recovered more. However, a few weeks ago, I had a really lovely day at the seaside and had no crashing down from it all at. Nothing that took the sheen off it. It was so amazing. Give it time.

I am googling gifts in a jar. One relative is given a choice of xmas presents and always opts for a hamper. I would love to make a food hamper of 'gifts in a jar' for her and then MIL too, and use littlewing's creative skills for the labels etc. I just am unsure if it would be taking on too much. (I love this idea of being a clever American stay at home mom type person, but I am just failed perfectionist snappy English person).

Waves_and_Smiles

I have always wanted to gift myself a gift in a jar, whitewing! I love the idea. I think that would be a lovely gift and I bet Littlewing would enjoy making the labels! Hampers are equally good though! As people know here I love them, I am still using things from the wonderful one I got on my birthday last year. That is a thought actually, it is time for some lovely hand cream, that will cheer me up.

Solarjunkie

Someone I know had a hamper for a golden wedding, It included a golden delicious apple, golden shred marmalade, golden crunch biscuits, even SMA gold baby milk!