Hi new here

[Katherine22]

Hi just looking for some support and advice with staying well and coping. Thankyou

I have had depression for over 15 years and now for the last few years suffer with anxiety also. I have been seeing a psychologist for 1 1/2 years but feel it's not helping anymore.

I have overwhelming negative thoughts constantly, I am not sleeping properly and not coping very well atm.

[Katherine22]

Hi Mark, nice to hear from you and thanks for the great advice once again!

Yes it's very true what you said about if you have a bad day so be it! I guess as long as it's only one day in the middle of good days! You take care and thanks again for your support! 😊

[MarkJT]

Katherine, I got some really good advice early on in my journey and that was "learn to surf the waves". Emotion comes in waves, they might be small or they might be big and every now and then, they may be tsunamis.

When you learn to surf the small and larger ones, it holds you in good stead to try and surf the tsunami. Yes the tsunami may flatten you for a day or two, your skills learnt from the smaller ones, will get you back up and about.

Mark.

[Katherine22]

Hey Mark, how are you?

thanks so much yes your right about learning to surf the waves, although Sometimes they dump you very hard!

the 1st psych I use to see made me realise that I need to think about what I would do to if certain situations arose that cause me anxiety, then have my plan in place if I ever need it. It relieved ALOT of my worry and helped alot.

The negative thinking is really a nightmare and can consume me very quickly. I think learning all of these skills and practising them everyday is my personal key to staying well. I also feel very grateful to meet such nice people like you that offer their time to help others! 😊

[MarkJT]

Katherine, I am going very well thanks. Hope you have had a great weekend and yes the waves do dump you massive!

Yes negative thinking is very troublesome and extremely difficult to control. Takes a lot of learning to conquer it but it can be done. Every time that you start to think negatively about yourself or are being hard on yourself, just pause and correct yourself. I used to be excessively hard on myself but over time i have changed that mode of thinking. As said, it takes practice so start doing it and you will succeed.

That advice from your psych is genius. Seems so easy to think of but not many people would do that i reckon. I will be putting that one in the tool kit for sure. I am off to the USA Tuesday week and I haven't flown since i was hospitalised so i know that is going to present some challenges. I have been mentally preparing for it for some time now so i guess in a way i have been doing it.

We are all very grateful to be involved in such a supportive environment that helps others out without any expectation of anything in return and that is gratitude personified and gratitude builds resilience. Resilience is something that pretty much everyone on here wants and needs a boost in.

Awesome to have you with us!!

Mark.

[Demi1]

Hi Katherine, I am INCREDIBLY sorry for the late reply. As you know I was at Queensland (for a holiday to celebrate finishing HSC,) but unfortunately, on day 4 of the 7 day trip I got tonsillitis and was stuck in bed unable to breath, drink, and eat 😞 I've been on antibiotics and have been barred to bedrest 😞 But finally, after 5 days of doing absolutely nothing I am healthy and back on the forums!!! I wish I was able to post, and I am so sorry if you thought I had forgotten about you (trust me, everyone on this site was in my thoughts... in the least creepy way possible haha.)

How have you been? Any luck with a search for a new Psychologist? Any news on when the operation will be? I'm going to have my tonsils taken out in January and I ABSOLUTELY despise needles... so that should be interesting.

My family and I do love Christmas. Put the tree up on Dec 1st every year, as well as decorating the entirety of the interior/exterior of the house... imagine an elf vomiting festivity everywhere... and that is an understatement. We also have this lovely tradition every christmas eve where we set out a little feast of berries, chocolate, biscuits, dip, fancy cheeses etc and drink champagne while we watch the Carols (The Melbournian ones.. Sydney's ones are shocking haha.) What is your families chrissy traditions?

Hope you're well! Will check in with you tomorrow xx

[Katherine22]

Hey Demi! 😊

I'm so sorry to hear that you've been so sick 😔 but glad you are feeling better now! That's a big shame you were unwell on your holiday. I would of never guessed you had just finished your HSC! You are wise beyond your years!

Im good thanks my operation is actually this friday 😱😱😱 pretty nervous but I had surgery twice before so I'm sure my nerves will settle.

I havent found a new psych yet, I'm just trying to stay well, and trying to be positive and practice the skills I have learnt. Talking to lovely people such as yourself has really helped!!!

Good luck for your surgery in January, I'll be thinking of you. Yes needles are horrible!

Your Christmas traditions with your family sound great and delicious!

We always have Christmas at my house because we have all the children in the family, even know the majority of my kids are big it still very focused on them! They are very lucky! We just have Christmas lunch and play games and joke around.

You are really a lovely young girl to reach out to me and continue to do so, alot of young people wouldn't bother with me. I found it in my previous workplace.

To me age doesn't matter-people matter, and you have proved this to me!

I will always remember a lovely young girl named Demi who helped me through! Xxxx

[Katherine22]

Hey Mark, have a great time in the US! It's great that you have been preparing for your flight to help you cope. I will be thinking of you!

You are 100% correct about resilience! 😊

[MarkJT]

Katherine, thanks for that and best of luck with the operation. I had carpel tunnel and nerve decompression in the elbow last year. Not the most fun but i always try and fight the "going to sleep" injection. I know i am going to lose it but just for fun..."I'm staying awake, I'm staying awake, I'm stay...zzzzzzzzz".

A couple of airport stopovers so hoping to find a wifi hotspot and check in.

Love what Demi has been posting and I am with you there - just done HSC - and posting words way beyond her years. Outstanding work Demi, keep that up - you are making such a difference.

Mark.