How are you coping?

[Sawyer]

Hi everybody,

Just a quick post to see how everyone is doing? Lifes been pretty hectic for me lately with uni and work, and i've regretted not being online on these forums more. I'm looking forward to being available more once my thesis is submitted, but in the mean time i'm going to do my best to set aside some more time to come onto the forums and be available to anyone who would like to talk through whats going on with you, coping strategies, or advice. 

I'm not yet a professional clinician, but I have a degree in psychology, am working towards a clinical masters and I'm willing to help in any way I can. So on that note, how are we all going? lets talk about what's going on for you.

Cheers,

Sawyer

[Sawyer]

Continuing....

I'm sorry you feel that your partner doesn't understand or empathise with what you are going through. I think some people just really don't understand or know what to say, if they haven't experienced the same feelings. Have you tried openly talking to your partner about how you are feeling? it can even help to talk about what you want from them when you are feeling down and how to recognise when you are feeling that way.

You seem to have quite a good understanding of what you are going through, the things that are causing you stress in your life but also the perspective to realise that this isn't how you have always been. This is a very positive thing and I cannot overstate that. Everyone experiences depression differently, just because you are struggling now, does not mean you always will be and the fact that you largely attribute how you are feeling to quite rational stressors, does not at all invalidate what you are going through. I myself felt similarly when I was struggling. I didn't actively think about ending my own life, but I had so little good left, I was so depressed all the time that I started thinking that, you know what, if I get in a car accident tomorrow, its no big loss.

Overall I would personally agree with you. Doctors do have the tendency to be a bit trigger happy with the medications. But that's because they know what's at stake, and they have a duty of care. I don't think you need medication currently, that may change in the future, it may not, but from what you've said so far it seems like what you need is change in your life. You need to find those small joys in your day to day life, take up activities that make you happy, meet people, feel connected to people, and day by day try to deal with the financial stressors that you are faced with. One final note I would make, is that just because you don't feel like you need medication now, doesn't mean you wont ever need it, and if you did take it, that doesn't mean that you'll need it forever. Try to stay positive, but be mindful of how you are coping, if things begin to get too much, and your negative thoughts escalate, please consider going back to the doctor or speaking to specialist. 

Kind Regards,

Sawyer


 

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[Sawyer]

Hi Mrs. Dools,

Thank you for your concern, i'm doing okay, just trying to finish up my year at Uni. I submitted my thesis last week which was quite a proud moment, I can't say i've ever written something at that level or that long, so it felt kind of surreal. Now I just have a bunch of exams to get through and i'm done for the year but I can honestly say i've struggled a bit for motivation. Almost like I've used up my quota of worry and caring for this year. I'm very ready for a break from study.

How are you doing? Thank you for responding to this thread. I wish the notification system for these forums was a bit more reliable, I only got a notification this morning to say that people had replied to me, and clearly there have been replies from a week or so ago.

Kind Regards,

Sawyer

[Guest_9466]

Dear Mrs Dools

 How kind of you to remember me. Yes, I have been back approximately two weeks. It is great to be back but settling in is a bit harder. I found myself thinking about another trip even though I realised that it takes time to get over the itchy feet. I am thankful to be back, sleeping in my own bed and surrounding myself with all that is familiar. I am thankful for my life here and found myself thinking this morning whilst tidying the bed that life is pretty perfect for me, at this point in time. In spite of the doom and gloom forecasted by various news sources, Australia is still a lucky country, IMO.

 It is sad to hear about the recent event in Parramatta, NSW, the shooting of Curtis Cheng. I wish those involved could meet those Syrian & Afghan refugees and get to know their experiences, then, perhaps, they would know how lucky they are to live here. 

How sad for your neighbour to discounted your comments with the intention of wanting to make you feel that you are not part of the community. I heard that happening in England but not in Australia. More fool him/her. Living where I am is good, I am part of this community even though it is constantly changing. More high rise apartments are being built, rooms that are like tiny cubby holes. It makes me more appreciative for our spacious home.

I am back on my regular anti depressant and so has more energy for physical activities. If I plan another travel for next year, I will make sure that it won't be so lengthy. lol

Meanwhile, the sun is shining and all my babies, my two dogs and three birds are thriving. Hope all is well for you too.

 MG

[Guest_9466]

Hi Weksi

 Welcome to BB and to this thread. Sorry to hear that you are going through a bad patch. This disease can be so isolating, even when you have loving supportive family members around you (like I have) but the fact is that they have not suffered from depression and so doesn't know how crippling it can be and how lonely you feel.

I am glad that you found this forum and perhaps, through unburdening yourself here, you will feel comforted and hopeful, that there are people here who do understand what you are going through.

MG

[Guest_9466]

Hi Sawyer

 Glad to hear that you are doing ok. Congratulations on completing your thesis. You must feel such relief but perhaps, not just yet, when you have to face the exams. 

I am sorry to hear that you are struggling with finding casual work. I hope that you will find something soon.

 MG

[Sawyer]

Hi Morning,

Thanks very much, I do feel relief, exams aren't so bad. And I'm confident I'll find some casual work over the Summer, just got to stay positive.

How are you going overseas? I hope you are doing well.

Regards,

Sawyer

[Doolhof]

Hi Sawyer,

I've recently started a TAFE course related to my work and felt like I was hit right between eyes so to speak when I had a look at the load of work that I needed to complete by February! I was about to give up before I began, but thankfully have pushed through the initial shock of it all.

A very kind facilitator at the TAFE gave me a couple of hours of her time and showed me around the facility and also hoe to navigate the TAFE system on the computer. That helped immensely.

Recently I handed in my first assignment and will wait for that to be marked and returned. I also have assessments to do on the computer.

I wish you all the best with your results and the upcoming exams.

It does sound like you will enjoy a much needed rest. Working in the aged care industry, I have  elderly clients whom I assist at home. One lady in particular is needing extra TLC as she increasingly finds life more difficult. She has depression as well and some days when I see her she is quite teary. I try to encopurage her, listen to her and help her to feel better about herself while acknowledging her concerns and worries.

Some days when I am  struggling, it all seems a bit difficult to do continuously, but I know how much of a difference it makes to her.

We all need to find ways to recharge our batteries so we can look after ourselves and still reach out to others. I hope you have strategies in place to do just that. The more you plan and consider what helps you to get through your day now, the better you will be placed in the future for the days when you do feel totally overwhelmed.

Ah, my sister has just awoken so I should toddle off and be with her.

Cheerio for now, from Mrs. Dools

[Sparkles183]

Hi Mrs Dools.

i am glad to hear you are doing well. 

I have not been spending much time on here of late either due to me not being in the right head space and I been quite sick over the last month first it was asthma now that is under control I have got a bad tooth infection ( just my luck) my psych has been great I am just starting to trust her and I have been chalanged a lot by her so  much. I am glad i found a psych who is so supportive in a way she shows empathy not sympathy, I don't know how I could of got through the last few weeks of having a bad asthma flare up without her....

my sleeping pattern has been way off sometimes I can't sleep at all and sometimes I sleep to much I guess all the meds I been on to fight my sickness has not helped that either, I feel like a pharmacy at the moment lol....

but other then being sick things are starting to look up I have been seeing my psych every week going to a support group every second week and now I am counting down to my holiday in 6 weeks time. 

I hope things are going well for you take care

sparkles 

[Guest_9466]

Hi Sawyer

 I am doing ok now that I am back in Sydney. It was lovely being home. Still is, although I am finding it a bit difficult to settle in. Kept thinking of planning another trip but I know that I am not ready for it. There are so many things that I want to do such as finding a meditation centre that I feel I can fit in, learning French, gaining confidence with bike riding, learning to kayak but most of all striving to learn to live well and that to me, means living in the moment, to appreciate the little things in life.

 I came from a poverty stricken background when I was little, the kind of poverty witnessed in Asia. Somehow or other, the fear and anxiety of poverty has not (was going to use 'never') left me. My one wish is to convince myself to confront this fear. Any ideas how I can do this?

 I had visited India, and found it confronting. Although, I came home, much appreciative of my life in Australia, still the anxiety has not left me. I have visited Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Sri Langka.  Although, overwhelmed by the sight of intense poverty experienced by some of the residents in these countries, and appreciative that at least here, we have a safety net such as unemployment benefits and aged pensions, I cannot feel completely relaxed and free from these undesirable and unhealthy thoughts. Help!

MG

[Doolhof]

Hi MG,

Great to hear from you again. It does sound like you do have itchy feet! Ha. Ha. I can well understand the desire to go travelling, to see new places and have different experiences. Today my husband suggested that we sell the house, buy a mobile home and drive around Australia for the next 20 years.

Part of me thought that would be wonderful, the other part of me wondered how on earth we would survive, let alone let go of our house and home and all that represents.

You mentioned the refugees in Europe. I think of them and the millions of other displaced people all around the world. Those in war zones have no option but to leave their homes. Maybe they just don't have a home anymore! It is so hard for us here in Australia who have never been to a war zone to have any idea what it is like.

Onto something more cheerful, our female canary is sitting on some eggs so we will see if these hatch. We have had the privilege of having 14 sheep on our property over winter and into spring. Two of the ewes have had lambs. They are so cute. Due to the land drying out so quickly we are having to send the sheep home again this week.

They are attacking our olive trees, some have been almost ring barked so I hope the trees survive! I have been picking weeds and cutting back olive branches for the sheep to eat until they are sent home again.

One of the sheep is so cute, she runs up to me from the bottom of the paddock to see what I have for her to eat. She actually runs quite fast. She lets me pat her head as well. I am really going to miss them when they return to the farmer.

Regarding the neighbour with the negative comment, I sometimes run into her in one of the local towns as she works in the chemist. I always try to be polite to her. It is a little awkward at times.

Later on this month I am going to attend a ladies evening here in the town and I know she will be there as well, so once more I will just be very polite and nice. There is no point in causing a fuss. Hopefully she will be thinking the same way!

So where would you like to travel to next? I would love to see some of Africa and South America one day.

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools