New Member

[Jen27]

Hi, I just joined today.

I've been battling with depression for the last 10 years. Thought I had it under control for the last few, but lost my job about 6 months ago and I seem to have fallen into the hole again.

Went to first appointment with a psychologist today. Got a good vibe from him and think he can help. Only it's stirred up a lot of memories that I haven't visited for a while.

Any advice on how to calm down your mind when you start over thinking and over analysing?

Anyway hello all and thanks for listening/reading.

[smallwolf]

Hi Jen27,

Welcome to beyond blue. This is safe, caring and supportive environment with many of the users in similar situations, battling depression or anxiety or both etc. So we all have the lived experience. Yay! *sarcasm*

Firstly, I want to commend you for taking action and seeing a psychologist. People told me I was smart, brave when I told them I was seeing a psychologist. And it will stir up memories, but remember in the long term this is for your benefit.

You asked about how to calm down.... Put simply (easier said than done) it is having distraction and coping techniques so that when your mind starts racing, you have some tools that you can use or rely on. You will find some of these ideas on the grounding and mindfulness threads on the forum. Though just be aware that what works for one person might not work for another. So a little bit of exploration needed.

There is also (guided) meditations you can do. Or deep breathing exercises. You can download apps onto your phone for these. Good apps include calm, smiling mind, relax melodies. (Shameless plug... I started "A guided meditation" thread on the forum also.)

Then if the above all fail I also have prayer (worry) beads that I can play with, using a mantra of some sort. Of course, music and walking can also help.

So, a lot of ideas here, and sorry about the relapse, but you will make it through this and reclaim whatever becomes your (new) normal. I was speaking about this my psychiatrist today. Hope some of this helps,

Tim

[baet123]

Hey Jen,

Welcome to beyond blue and it is really great to have you here and thank you for sharing your story with us.

I along with many of us on this site can absolutely relate to what you are experiencing and have experienced throughout your life relating to your mental health condition and struggles. You probably hear this often but you are not alone and I am glad you have come to these forums and I hope that they are beneficial to your journey.

Sorry to hear that you lost your job six months ago. That sucks but it is extremely encouraging that you are actively seeking treatment and this is something you should be extremely proud of. It seems as if your extremely aware of your thoughts, feelings and emotions and this should leave you in good stead to overcome your current challenges.

It is awesome that your first appointment with your psychologist went well and the client-professional relationship is one that should not be overlooked. It is extremely important that you feel and enjoy a great working and personal relationship with your health professionals as this goes a long way to improving your condition and assisting you on your road to recovery and throughout your treatment.

Its completely normal for emotions to be brought up that you haven't visited in a while and this often brings out raw emotions and feelings which we have often shut away and avoided in the past. I am not a very emotional person but I even cried and got chocked up during a few sessions with my psychologist/psychiatrist, however, getting those emotions out and talking about touchy subjects is extremely positive in the long run.

In terms of calming your mind down and overthinking and over analysing less, here are a few things you can look into:

1) Always keep things in perspective and look at the bigger picture.

2) Always remind yourself you can't control everything and it is important to focus on things you can control rather than things you can't.

3) Distract yourself - keep your mind preoccupied and focussed on other things as much as possible.

4) Express your emotions regularly and keep a journal or a diary where you will be able to log everything and explore patterns of thoughts and behaviour with your psychologist.

May I also ask whether you are on medication for your depression? I believe that therapy in conjunction with medication is the best approach to treating and beating mental health conditions.

Hope this helps and look forward to hearing from you again.

Nick.

[Jen27]

Tim,

Thank you so much for your reply and ideas. I will look into the app's you suggested.

I like the idea of the prayer beads as I find I'm very fidgety atm.

Relapsing is really hard I feel like I've been here before, I did the work and I was coping. It's like winning a marathon then being told you've been disqualified and you have to go back to the beginning.

Jen

[Jen27]

Nick,

Thank you very much for your reply.

Yes I am on AD's, have been for a long time. I started getting really low and kept missing days, taking the tablets sporadically. Not helpful I know, but have given myself one immediate goal, taking them regularly again. So hopefully that will help.

I was feeling positive after seeing the psychologist today, until we went to make a next appointment and he's booked out for whole of December. I can't see him again till 2nd week of next year.

That's why I looked up this site, I know I can't do this alone and 6 weeks seems like a long time. So thank you again for listening, it really means a lot.

Jen

[baet123]

Hey Jen,

Not a problem at all!

Taking them regularly is really important. Long term sustained medication is a fundamental component of the recovery process and getting better. Medication addresses many issues but medication must be taken regularly and taking them sporadically as you mentioned won't provide any great benefit to your condition.

Setting yourself small, realistic and achievable short term goals is a great strategy and is excellent thinking on your part. Slow and steady wins the race and putting in place and achieving small goals ultimately leads to being able to reach your ultimate goal. Start off small with your goals and progress slowly!

This time of year often makes booking an appointment with a health professional quite difficult so I would call up and ensure you are on the cancellation list as regular sessions are super important to your condition. I would even ask if you could see your psychologist after hours or arrange a one off session.

You aren't alone and we are always here for you Jen.

Remember, there are services which you can access whenever you feel the need to talk to someone. These services include:

Mindspot Clinic - 1800 61 44 34 (a national clinic that provides free online and telephone assessment and treatment for Australian adults with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression).

Partners in Recovery Program - coordinated support and flexible funding for people with severe and persistent mental illness with complex needs. This might be something you should strongly consider as you will have a support worker provide you with emotional support and assistance on a weekly/fortnightly basis. Great program that works wonders and you don't need to be on the NDIS to access it.

It is also worth considering phoning your nearest neighbourhood community centre or a agency including Anglicare, Wesley Mission, Exodus or Metro Assist and enquire about free counselling sessions which will greatly assist you also.

Hope this helps.

Nick.

[geoff]

Hello Jen, and a warm welcome to you.

To remember past incidents and/or thoughts could mean you maybe suffering from PTSD as well as depression but I can't diagnose you, but your doctor and psychologist can do this and then you will know exactly what you are suffering from.

It's naughty to only take your AD's when you feel you need them, because you won't be getting the effect they have, so virtually what it means is you're cutting down the strength of what you have been prescribed.

If you can't see your psychologist until next year, then let the secretary know that if there are any cancellations then to ring you as December is a busy month for people and there maybe someone who can't get to an appointment.

If you want to then please read the thread topics that interest you if you click on All Posts at the top.

Hope to hear back from you.

Geoff.

[Jen27]

Hi Geoff,

Thank you so much for your reply.

I have put my name on the waiting list for my psychologist, so hopefully I can get in earlier.

You made me laugh when you said I was being naughty (not something I do a lot of atm, so thanks). I think you're right, my doctor's, husband and family keep asking me why I stopped taking the tablets consistently. I honestly didn't know why and had no answer. I think perhaps I was just being rebellious. Didn't want to think I needed them as much as I do. But day 5 of taking them consistently. I'm still low but the hole isn't quite as deep as before.

I've never considered PTSD, my husband suffers from it, but he was a child soldier in another country and I've never been in a war zone.

My brother committed suicide 20 years ago, and still when I get low I have flashbacks of the day he died. The memory is so vivid it could have been yesterday. When I see my psychologist next I might bring this up with him, maybe it is something akin to PTSD. I'd never considered that before.

I've looked through some of the thread topics here, and found them helpful. I particularly liked the one about interviewing your inner critic. My inner critic and I have been having words since reading that, still a work in progress.

Thanks again for taking the time to listen.

Jen

[Jen27]

Hi Everyone,

I got admitted to hospital two nights ago. Still waiting at emergency for a bed to open up. The cat team think I should stay for a few days. I've never been in this situation before. I know I need the help, but at the same time I'm terrified of the unknown.

Just thought I'd reach out, hope that's ok, I know everyone here has there own problems.

Jen

[smallwolf]

Hi Jen,

Hope everything is OK. Fear of the unknown is also OK, but you will get through this period. You have the support of myself and everyone else in the community here. We might have our problems but we are also here for each other, so you are just as important as anyone else here.

Peace and blessings,

Tim