I can't untangle my mind

[HelenM]

My sleep is causing me a problem. But in reality it's all about my memories regarding horrendous sleep problems 13 years ago when I was first ill. So, I'm having problems sleeping because I'm scared of all those memories. I'm dealing with it much better than all those years ago, so I should realise from that how different things are. But other fears are jumping on the bandwagon. Friends tell me it's a spell that will go. It came for no reason and it will settle. Meanwhile I wonder if I'm becoming psychotic - I've never had psychosis, and then I worry that I think I'm psychotic and that will ruin my life. Crazy thoughts, all saying your life is ruined. I've had terrible fears before but not concerning a return to my sleep problem or thinking I'm psychotic. What's happening in my head?

[Neil_1]

Dear Helen

I loved your last sentence about if all your efforts in battling your illness led to academic achievement, you would be a professor by now.

I’ve got a similar one that I heard a few years back now in a TAB (betting agency) and it always brings a smile to my face.

One fella there studying the race guide and his mate comes up to him and says:  “Studying hard?”   To which his mate replied:  “If I’dve studied this hard at school, I’d be a brain surgeon nowadays”.

Little things like this are good for the facial muscles, as it makes us smile;  and smiling is a very good thing.

Kind regards

Neil

[Doolhof]

I have a funny little story that doesn't relate in any way to studying or reaching achievements. Just a funny statement by a very cute 4 year old girl.

When asked what she would like for lunch, little miss four stood there with hands on her hips and stated "Somethng Sensible!" When I enquired what that might be, she said " Chocolate Chip Biscuits!". Sensible indeed! Ha. Ha.

I have had quite a long day one way or another leaving home for work at 9.00, assisting a couple of clients, going to the shops and chemist and having an extremely deep session with a counsellor and returning home at 6.00 p.m.

I think I might go for those chocolate chip biscuits for my dinner!

Cheers from Mrs. Dools

[White_Rose]

Hello Helen

I have turned into a most unreliable poster in recent weeks. Not that I'm busy but I do not seem to get round to doing anything. I hope by now you are feeling better. How is the mindfulness course going? I have done a little bit of mindfulness and I find it quite interesting. Keeping yourself in the present moment can be amazing and take away so much stress.

About your dream. Dreams should be interpreted by the dreamer who can relate the events to their own life. Your dream about the family and going on a plane journey did say a couple of things to me but as I am unaware of the details of your life I am very likely to be wrong. You need to consider it in the light of your own knowledge and experience.

For what it's worth I wonder if this dream symbolises your life journey and that of your family. You are all going somewhere, as are we all, but for some reason you are not keeping up with everyone. It seems your intentions of movng on are genuine but somehow the efforts you make are not getting the right result. Your family are going ahead with their lives and in some way you feel they are leaving you behind.

This may sound horrible but it is not necessarily true. These are your perceptions of yourself which, as you know, are not always the most reliable. It could also mean the family are going in a direction you do not want to go and therefore you are dragging your feet, so to speak. As an excuse, being late is not the same as not wanting to go.

You may feel you have unfinished business to attend to before you move on. Your family are urging you on because they care for you, but as we all know, families have the best intentions and really want the family member to get well, but do not know the best way to help. You may be trying to slow things down so that you can consolidate your recovery at every step. Perhaps you are feeling rushed.

Now these are only my ideas and may well be (probably) way off the mark, but it is something to ponder. If you can look at yourself and your circumstances and relate these to your life, wishes and family the meaning of the dream may become clear to you. And very likely nothing to do with any of my suggestions. But they may trigger some ideas for you.

I hope I have helped in some. Feel free to tell me I am way off the mark.

Mary