Brand New, depressed, lonely and isolated.

[SKAR92]

Hi,

I just came here to find some like-minded people who I could relate to and who could relate to me. I'm brand new at this forum thing and being here and I feel silly.

I'm 29, female and a mum diagnosed with BPD, PTSD and bipolar 2, i work full-time and do tafe part-time. At the moment I feel so down and lonely and disconnected from the world and everyone in it. I have 2 close friends who can't relate to me and both live over an hour away so I can't just duck in for a cuppa (even if I did have the time) and my partner is no help when it comes to my mental health. I have no family (long ass story) and I just feel so alone.

I'm a bit scared because I know after this depressive downswing a manic episode will happen and those aren't much fun either. I just wish I could find 'normal' for a month or two, a happy medium.

My physical health has been rubbish as well, I spent 15 days (in two separate admissions) in hospital in the past month, I have specialists on specialists and they've all prescribed medication so I'm on a cocktail everyday. I'm just so frustrated. I just want to be healthy and well.

Anyway, that's kind of me. I'm a mess.

Thanks for reading x

[Mark Z.]

Hi SKAR92,

You don't need to feel silly, you're very welcome here. And it's such and great thing that you speak it out.

May I ask why under such big challenge, you're still doing full time work plus part-time tafe? If you have a dedicated life changing target that's fantastic, but would you consider to slow down a little bit? So that you don't have too much pressure.

I would encourage you to give a call to BB hotline to discuss your complex challenge. They may have some professional suggestions for you.

Regarding feeling lonely and helplessness, have you try to sit down and have a deep discussion with your partner? Or you just think he wouldn't help?

I would also suggest you to consider mental health support worker, or peer worker/peer group with lived experience. This way you'll get long term on-going support. You'll have someone/a group of people who're ready to listen, share, suggest, and walk a long way with you.

Hope everything will get better and better.

Mark

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi SKAR92,

Welcome welcome! I was wondering if 92 was the year you were born and it was - I'm 29f too 🙂 You are so so welcome here and not alone in what you are going through. There are people with BPD, people with Bipolar and people with PTSD here (like me too). Some have big support groups, others little, others none. All of it's okay.

I get wanting to be healthy and well; it sounds like you're doing all the right things in taking care of yourself; finding the right support and the right meds is a little balancing act which does take time, but once your set, you're set. I do believe that you can find a normal, even if that's taking a little while.

I hope this helps to know that you're very much not alone in this, since I'm totally in the same boat 🙂

rt

[SKAR92]

Hi Mark Z,

Currently under some financial stress after buying a house and my partner is only work part-time and I'm trying for a career change at the same time. I know I'm possibly pushing harder than I can manage but it is what needs to be done.

My partner is rather hopeless when it come to my mental health stuff, he can't relate and isn't very helpful. I'm lucky to have a good professional team around me, but appointments are currently a month or more apart.

How do I find a peer worker? That sounds like something that would be helpful for me.

Thanks so much for your response.

SKAR

[Mark Z.]

Hi SKAR,
Some resources for you to have a look:
1. Peer Connect - Provides practical info about peer networks in Australia:
https://www.peerconnect.org.au
2. Mind Australia - Centre of Excellence in Peer Support
https://www.mindaustralia.org.au 
3. GROW - Australia's Leading mutual help program for people with a mental illness
https://grow.org.au
Hope you will get some inspiration and support.
Mark