Ptsd/depression

[blink--]

A few months ago I was diagnosed with ptsd and eventually I got better. At the moment I'm relapsing and I'm going downhill more and more everyday. I've got problems at home as well as all the stress in my mind. With Christmas coming up I love to get people nice presents but I just can't work I'm so so low. I got a good job and ended up quitting after a day (today) because I'm just a big mix of depressed, stressed and having flashbacks. I feel pathetic and weak and I can't talk to anybody because no one gets it. Probably the only job I could hold down right now is youth work which I have a passion in but I'm not quite finished my course yet so I don't know if I'll even get a job anytime soon. Sorry for the rant I honestly just can't function right now and I don't know what to do I feel like a pathetic, weak waste of space

[Dr_Kim]

Hi Blink

The good news is that you can acknowledge that in the past you have recovered and “eventually got better”. What I often see in mental health is that long term recovery is 2 steps forward, 1 step back . Recovery is so rarely a straight line, a perfect path . It mostly is pretty all over the place and part of the role of mental health professionals is helping people to be understanding of this and not panic when it happens. To simply start back at first principles and keep going.

I often tell my patients that mental health relapse is a little bit like addiction relapse . That often smokers don’t quit on the first time they try, but they do learn something from that experience that they take into the next time they attempt quitting . When someone has a cigarette after say a few weeks of not smoking , I don’t say’ well forget it , just chuck it all in and go back to smoking” , I say “ what happened?” “What can you learn from this lapse?” and “when are you ready to try again?” “ what helped last time and can you use that again ?"

So for you … I can ask similar things.. Can you identify your triggers? Can you learn from that? Can you begin to use the resources you have already to try again to get better as you have done it before, so you have some skills. Its rare to have all the skills required on your first shot . So learn and have another go and if you feel you need more help, then ask for it.

Another tip is to not try and be back to where you were in a day. You have to take little steps back to recovery .. What can you do today ? This morning ? This hour? Don’t catastrophise and worry about things too far in the future .. lets takes smaller steps ..

PS Re Christmas - i read this blog which i though was helpful - see what you think
http://www.sehypnotherapyandcounselling.com.au/single-post/2016/12/05/Use-these-4-tips-to-survive-the-silly-season

[Guest_08B8CB20]

Hi Blink

i feel for you and yoir not alone i hide how i feel from alot off my friends and relapce nearly every day so dont feel like your alone on this journey i wonder if its ever going to be possible toget back a genuine smile and be truly happy again i no exactly the mixed emotional roller coaster ride you talking about and youth work is something i also hope to do one day if ever i feel better enough myself i wish there was more i could do to help but it did give me comfort connecting with the wonderful people on this forum so please keep communicating there is alot off good advice i probably owe my life to the people on this site and some good friends one in particular who have given me hope.we need to be strong best off luck

Best wishes always

Jacezz