Staying well

Aneurysm cured

replies: 7

Hi I am 70 years old and 4 years ago I was diagnosed with an aneurysm on my ascending aorta during a regular heart ultra sound check . The dilation measured 48mm (35mm is normal) and was confirmed by a CT scan a week later. I was told by the heart sp... View more

Hi I am 70 years old and 4 years ago I was diagnosed with an aneurysm on my ascending aorta during a regular heart ultra sound check . The dilation measured 48mm (35mm is normal) and was confirmed by a CT scan a week later. I was told by the heart specialist that modern medicine had no cure, drugs or therapies for this codition only open heart surgery when the aneurysm reached 55mm. I was told that the dilation would continue to grow at around 1mm per year. The surgery apart from replacing the affected area of the aneurym with an artificial device I could also expect an artifical mechanical Tricuspid valve. 12 months ago after another CT scan the aneurysm had grown to 50.1 and I was getting depressed. I decided then and there I was not going to just sit around without doing nothing so I scoured the internet for any natural healing medicines that might slow or stop the growth. I looked for any medicines, Herbs or vitamines that might help support my cardiovascular system. I eventually found around 12 such products and settled on 8 with some minor changes to my diet . I had a new CT scan last week after 12 months on my new programe and to everybodies shock to Aneurysm had reversed itself and was now back to near normal levels of 38mm . The doctors had never seen this happen and it goes to show you that there is always hope especially if you are prepared to look outside the square

Emotional eating - how do I stop?

replies: 11

I am hoping some people here might have some words of advice or point me in the direction of some resources I can access. I have recently realised I am an emotional eater. My default reaction to sadness, loneliness, boredom is always to reach for foo... View more

I am hoping some people here might have some words of advice or point me in the direction of some resources I can access. I have recently realised I am an emotional eater. My default reaction to sadness, loneliness, boredom is always to reach for food. I exercise a great deal, so I am not significantly overweight (could certainly stand to lose 5-10 kilos). The problem is, I have consistently been pretty much sad and lonely for the last 12 months, and don’t see it changing any time soon. It seems lately the only joy I get from life is eating; it’s instant positive gratification, and it’s all I seem to have on the happiness front. When socialising, I see my friends being able to eat just a few slices of pizza, whereas I am restraining myself from eating the whole box. I don’t know how they do it, the food just seems utterly unimportant to them, like they could take it or leave it, wouldn’t bother them. Whereas the whole time it is in front of me, I am thinking about it, even though I’m trying desperately not to. I don’t want to be like this, I barely have my weight under control, and I feel like I’m walking on a tightrope. I have tried to find books on emotional eating and how I can break this cycle, but I haven’t had much luck at all. Has anyone else here experienced this? How do you manage it? Is there a way to break free and be a ‘normal’ eater?

Anxiety pre travel

replies: 1

I have had an increase in my anxiety wirh some depression through menopause. We are leaving to go to UK Scotland next Monday and are meeting friends over there. It has been very stressful planning rhis trip as our friends want to pre-book every attra... View more

I have had an increase in my anxiety wirh some depression through menopause. We are leaving to go to UK Scotland next Monday and are meeting friends over there. It has been very stressful planning rhis trip as our friends want to pre-book every attraction and even some meaks before we go. My husband and i are slightly more rwlaxed. It has resulted in 2 wks of phone calls between us with negotiation about whether to book ahead or not. I am also very concerned about my youngest son while we are away as he has a history of depression/suicudecattwmpt alrhough this was about 8 yrs ago. He lives independently and has a job but i always worry especially when we leave the country. I am feeling like i am not at all prepared for the trip with these concerns on my mind and a recent stomacg virus which i am recovering from. It is a sense if overwhelm where i am normally a very active, organized person. I have negative feelings about the trip and hope these thoughts are irrational because of stress and being unwell. I would appreciate thoughts of anyone else who has experienced this

Life Is Random & Pointless

replies: 37

Welcome to my first post, just to disclaim this has nothing to do about me being depressed or suicidal. I just cant get over how unbelievably pointless & painful this life factly is, now when i say this i don't mean that we should all just stop what ... View more

Welcome to my first post, just to disclaim this has nothing to do about me being depressed or suicidal. I just cant get over how unbelievably pointless & painful this life factly is, now when i say this i don't mean that we should all just stop what we're doing & start staring at a wall, but its really important to not be naive about this, which is kinda what society is, a whole cesspool of contradictions & distractions, most of the things that we do nowadays are to just feed the mind & keeping the body satitsfied from breaking down too suddenly by stimulation such as releasing chemical rewards, all these can be achieved but cant always guaranteed happiness, which is another thing i cant stand about this civilisation or should i say work in progress, its almost like if you cant be happy to a certain extend or people please to fulfill theyre jester full desires, theyre gonna be contempt of you no matter what, all becuase you cant live up to absurd expectations, nobody's gonna be problem free in this world, which is why most of the things we do are just to kill time, which is why i can understand why people get addicted to things, because we live in a reality thats pretty disappointing, even those things have a limit, it may be giving you relief, but realise it never lasts long, only because we're not so used to looking into healthier outlets, to be honest i dont think we live in a healthy world, most things are instant gratification, chasing pleasure, looks maxing, because sooner or later you have to ask yourself why do we need all these things just to get by in life that never lasts forever, its only awkward at first when youre not so used to asking such things, like being conditioned since the start of birth, by people who arent even aware themmelves of whats going on around them, but expect you to know what you wanna do when really its not as straight forward as anyone thought is was gonna be, for pete sake, people cant even figure out what theyre gonna do next weekend, yet they expect you to have your future figured out, we live in a double standard judgemental condescending populous, which is why its very important to see behind the scenes in everything, its dangerous to be gullible by believing everything you see or hear, It is quite certain that society doesnt really do a good job teaching these sort of attributes. Stupid how they only give you 2500 characters, its like theyre allergic to hear what people really have to say, anyway thank's for reading.

Existential thoughts

replies: 5

Writing this to see if anyone relates. Lately I’ve been pondering about what my future should hold and whether there is any point in working towards something. I’m extremely down-to-earth, as me being an atheist is evidence of. I believe that there i... View more

Writing this to see if anyone relates. Lately I’ve been pondering about what my future should hold and whether there is any point in working towards something. I’m extremely down-to-earth, as me being an atheist is evidence of. I believe that there is no purpose in life, and that we are simply just the interaction between molecules. In a large universe, we’re so small and insignificant that following a belief around an anthropocentric idea (religion) seems almost incomprehensible to me. I feel if not for the guilt of harming my parents and friends mentally, I would gladly take my life, as I find there’s no reason to bother living. Not like my life is under any extenuating circumstances (which probably sounds ridiculous as most cases of suicide are from those who suffer pain).There are various aspects of life that others seem to find enough to keep them in this life (excluding the natural fear of death as biological evolution has given us). Those could be normal desires in our society such as money, fame or love, or they could be motivated by altruism (not just by directly helping people but also by inventions or advancing science, etc). However, none of those feel like it’s worth living for. I couldn’t care less about society, and why should I care about getting anything from this life when in the end I’ll just die and disappear. Sometimes I daydream about if my parents died, then I would like to think that I would be free to kill myself (don’t take this as a sign that I would harm my parents in any way). I would imagine every little detail, such as what to write in my suicide note, how to guarantee death, etc.The only real motivator/desire I have is not to upset my parents, as they care for me very deeply (and clearly I still have some tinge of empathy as I worry about their agony as a result, even if I died, which sounds ridiculous). Thus I study, but recently it’s been harder to get myself to work. I’ve always done well academically, so the lingering thought always resurfaces, that I could probably get away with not applying myself and still end up with a good job and all. I rambled a little, and I have no intentions of killing myself just to set the record straight. Let me know if anyone relates to some of what I said.

Stressed about exams or waiting for results? You’re not alone — and it does get better 💙

replies: 2

Hi everyone,I haven’t posted like this in a LONG while but I wanted to pop in here share something a bit personal in case it helps any fellow students who’s in the thick of exam season or nervously waiting on results right now.I’m a university studen... View more

Hi everyone,I haven’t posted like this in a LONG while but I wanted to pop in here share something a bit personal in case it helps any fellow students who’s in the thick of exam season or nervously waiting on results right now.I’m a university student, and I’ve had a really rough run academically. I’ve failed two subjects — and one of them, I failed twice. Sitting with that kind of result is genuinely hard. There’s the shame, the “what does this mean for my future,” the replaying of everything you think you did wrong. For a while I really questioned whether I was cut out for uni at all.But I’m still here. Still studying. And slowly, I’ve learned some things about getting through these moments without letting them swallow me whole.What helped me (and might help you too): Remind yourself that your worth is not your GPA. 🫶I know that sounds like a poster on a school wall, but I mean it. A fail grade is information — it tells you something didn’t click, or the timing was wrong, or life got in the way. It is not a verdict on your intelligence or your future. I had to really sit with this before I believed it. Feel it, then don’t live there.When I got my fail results, I gave myself time to be upset — because honestly, that’s fair. But I tried not to spiral into weeks of “I’m a failure” self-talk. Feeling disappointed is healthy. Marinating in it indefinitely isn’t.Talk to someone at your university.Most universities have free and confidential support that not enough students use:∙ Student counselling — trained counsellors who understand academic stress and the unique pressures of uni life∙ Academic advisors — they can map out a path forward and often have more options than you’d expect (supplementary exams, withdrawals, special consideration, etc.)∙ Disability/accessibility services — if anxiety or mental health is impacting your studies, you may be eligible for adjustments like extra exam timeYou don’t have to be in crisis to reach out. Feeling overwhelmed is enough of a reason.During exam season:∙ Avoid all-nighters if you can — sleep does more for your memory than one extra hour of study∙ Eat something, even if you’re not hungry — takeout counts too sometimes∙ Move your body — even a short walk helps (I’ve found the gym a couple times a week really cathartic)∙ Limit “how do you think you went?” conversations after exams if they spiral you — protecting your headspace is valid while waiting for results. This is honestly the hardest part. The uncertainty is its own kind of stress. What helped me was redirecting energy into things I could control — a hobby, time with people I love, rest. The result will be what it is, and worrying doesn’t change it (even though it feels like it should).If you’re really struggling, please don’t sit alone with it. Beyond Blue is always here — 1300 22 4636, chat at beyondblue.org.au, or even just reading posts in this community. Lifeline (13 11 14) and your university’s counselling service are also great first contacts.Failing subjects was one of the harder things I’ve gone through. But it didn’t end my academic story — and whatever you’re going through right now, it doesn’t have to end yours either.Sending everyone in exam season a whole lot of solidarity Feel free to share what’s helped you get through exam stress or disappointing results — this thread is a safe space.

Frustrated with Squalor

replies: 7

Hi Not sure if this is the correct place, but I am at my wits end living with someone who doesn't see the squalor as an issue. I have recently moved back in with the children's father after more than 20 years separation, as housemates. This came abou... View more

Hi Not sure if this is the correct place, but I am at my wits end living with someone who doesn't see the squalor as an issue. I have recently moved back in with the children's father after more than 20 years separation, as housemates. This came about after he offered me a room, and as i struggle with current rental prices, this works well for me. He doesn't charge me much for board. Before i moved back in, we had the discussion about the state of his house. Filthy is the only word i can use for it. I discussed several issues which he agreed on Fix the water. There was a burst pipe over 10 years ago, and rather than get it fixed, he just would turn the water off at the mains, then turn mains on to have a shower use toilet. It took 12 months for that to happen Fix the electricity. Something went wrong with the electricity several years ago, and has not been fixed. There is no electricity to half the house. Extension cords are run from the lounge to two of the bedrooms for electricity, and we use a torch to use the shower or toilet at night. 2 years in and this still has not been fixed. Cleanliness. I discussed that I could not live in the mess he lives in, and he agreed that I could clean the house and sort it out to however i wanted it There are many issues. Hoarding is one of them. Example. One room i cleaned out you could not open the door for all the stuff. An example is old sheets that are more than 30 years old, faded and dirty. but cant be thrown away in case they might get used. Boxes of stuff packed up in the hallway, mostly paperwork like old catalogues, newsletters etc. The food hoarding is an issue also. Hygiene issues Bathroom ceiling black with mould that try as i might i cannot manage to remove. The bathtub is stained brown with dirt that i cannot remove. The lounge suite is black with dirt and i refuse to sit on it. Carpets are filthy and smell. In fact the whole house smells. Moving on to the kitchen. Stovetop was so thick with grease it could not be used. Benchtops filled with dirty dishes, and covered in cat hair. Recycle rubbish just thrown on floor. Cupboard thick with dirt and mould. Floor filthy with years of built up grease and dirt Oh and i have to mention the holes in the walls where the burst water main has caused rot damage, or the rippling floorboards in my room from the same issue SO I cleaned the kitchen thoroughly, as well as the loungeroom. I truly though that he just needed a hand to get past being overwhelmed with the mess and a little direction to keep on track. I cleaned the pantry out of massive items that were out of date. Made some space and he has now filled it to brimming again. (we have 35 cans of soup in the pantry, for example) The dishes are never done unless i do them. Benches not wiped down of food, can be left like that for days Cats waterbowl is on food prep benches so cat fur always their. I am not allowed to move it Cat food is given to them on paper plates so a bowl does not have to be cleaned. Food is dumped on top of old food for days.. Recycling rubbish is literally just thrown on the floor. Ok. Breathe.... What my issues are He gets angry if I try to get rid of items that are no longer useful He does not clean after himself at all, and doesn’t care about the mess or smell Promises are made to fix things or help me fix it, and it doesn't get done. (money is not an issue btw) How this affects me I am now angry a lot. And resentful of him I feel that i should just move out, however there are financial constraints. and I enjoy being near my kids Im sort of stuck in a freeze mode about the solution, which if i am honest is to move out. I feel obligated to stay as he has been kind financially, not charging me much rent I feel he has not respect for me at all, and I have stupidly let myself believe that cohabitating could be different to when we were in a relationship, and now I'm trapped Honestly, I cannot see a solution here. Why cant he see that there is an issue with the cleanliness and health and safety of this house? How do you get someone to see that they are living in filth, when they don't believe they are? i guess would by my question I am trying to find gratitude, and ways that i can live here and not let it affect my mental health, but I am really struggling on not losing my Zen here Lets see if I am brave enough to hit the post button

Paranoia and schizoaffective

replies: 15

Hi all I go through periods with my mental health, anxious, depressive, high (elevated) and then when everything becomes overwhelming i get paranoid and sometimes delusions. Im finding this paranoid period particuarly difficult. I think because im al... View more

Hi all I go through periods with my mental health, anxious, depressive, high (elevated) and then when everything becomes overwhelming i get paranoid and sometimes delusions. Im finding this paranoid period particuarly difficult. I think because im also anxious, depressed, isolated, very very unhappy in a job thats oppresive and unsupportive in many ways even though my boss knows my struggles she has been bullying me for a while. My parents are the closest people to me and they just totally disregard all my mental health struggles. They just act like i dont have anything wrong with me. And then they get angry and sometimes emotionally and verbally abusive. What i do to stay well. Exercise. Pray. Read religious text. Eat well. Minimise caffeine. Try and sleep well. Do you have any other tips? I think what makes things harder is i have no friends or social support and havent for years even though i really want to connect. I find it really difficult, tiring, draining to socialise most of the time. I have tried though, i volunteer reguarly, ive joined social groups, been to internet meetups, joined dating sites. Ive even been to some mental health support groups. Im just afraid things are going to get even harder. Thanks for reading.Thx beyond blue for being here.

Struggle with job/life?

replies: 2

Hello everyone.I hope you are all well.I find that uploading to these forums is comforting even if I don't get many replies. Just here to vent At the moment I feel like I'm stuck. I think my anxiety is coming back pretty hard and it always hits befor... View more

Hello everyone.I hope you are all well.I find that uploading to these forums is comforting even if I don't get many replies. Just here to vent At the moment I feel like I'm stuck. I think my anxiety is coming back pretty hard and it always hits before my shifts at work or when I am alone at home. I feel like my lungs close up and it becomes a bit harder to breathe and I just keep thinking about how bad things are/could be when really logically they're not that bad. I got a new part time job working as a kennel cleaner, and I honestly don't mind the work. It is just a simple job where I clean the kennels and finish up. The problem I have is that it is so far to travel, and it takes a chunk of money to travel there and also since I have decided to study to become a human nurse, it doesn't really align with that (previously I wanted to become a vet nurse). I am just struggling with the decision to stay at that job or leave. It is a fine job, good even but it doesn't push me out of my boundaries because it is just cleaning and I am not learning any new skills. But it is very far and means I have to stay one night away from home. I don't seem to be having much luck getting any cleaning or food service positions at hospitals or aged cares near me for exposure to more nursing related things to learn about. What if I regret leaving my current kennel cleaning job? What if I think- "I should have kept that job and I'm an idiot for leaving"? Part of me also feels like if I leave and don't already have a backup job then I'm not good enough because I'm not working properly while I'm at uni. I guess I just have to decide long travel but good enough job VS take a risk closer to home job VS a retail job closer to home VS no job and just do uni. I keep dragging this on in my head and I feel like I'm going crazy- and I can't make a good decision. I would appreciate any advice or input from others. Thanks!

Would anyone like to join?

replies: 1

Hi. Just wondering if anybody would like to join as friends on duolingo?I have a small goal of completing a 90 day streak however I don't have anyone that uses it in my network. I find it can help distract myself on some of the days that aren't worki... View more

Hi. Just wondering if anybody would like to join as friends on duolingo?I have a small goal of completing a 90 day streak however I don't have anyone that uses it in my network. I find it can help distract myself on some of the days that aren't working the best for me and it could also help someone else maybe ?Thanks for reading

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A Bouquet for Pearls - share your appreciation for other members

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Aneurysm cured

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Emotional eating - how do I stop?

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Would anyone like to join? replies: 1

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