Where do I start?

[Ash111]

Hello BB community,

I've not been part of a forum like this for many years. For the most part I've been well but a sequence of life events in the last 12 months has just shattered me. I'm not sure what I'm looking for. Maybe just validation that this is normal and temporary. I think I'm going to start back on medication this week after several years with natural life management. I look after my health and support my husband and friends who have had hard times.. can't seem to hear my own advice though.

I've read the 5 tips.. how would you recommend that I share my grief that falls in to several of the categories? Personal cancer recurrence, my dad's leukaemia diagnosis, family suicide, relationship pressures and stressful work events.. I'm not sure where to start.. It's not any one thing but all of it piled up that's making me so sad.

Appreciate any guidance.

[blondguy]

Hi Ash111

Welcome and great to have you back no matter how long its been!

I empathise where family suicide is concerned as my big brother committed suicide back in 1983 when I was 23 and its something that I wont really get over....

Just sharing with you if thats okay...I have been on low dose meds for approx 20 years and they have helped me with my relationships.....my career and having ongoing sustained quality sleep.....(combined with frequent ongoing counselling mainly from my GP who has a strong mental health focus)

Its difficult to answer all the points you mentioned as my experience is in anxiety disorder/depressive illness and being a carer for a person with schizophrenia

Just for myself I have found ongoing regular visits with my GP invaluable (and the occasional visit to my psychiatrist) Since everyone has different symptoms can I ask if you have a proactive doctor that you see?

Stressful work events......These were a huge problem with me for years after being in senior corporate roles for a long time Ash111

you are not alone...

my kind thoughts...Paul

[Ash111]

Hi Paul - Thanks for taking the time to reply. I thought I had responded but it doesn't appear to have posted.

And thank you for sharing your experience with mental illness. I'm sorry for your family loss.

I do have a long term doctor that has been through all my mental health and physical ailments with me. She was the one who indicated that I may be more stressed than I realised and that's when I've had my recent meltdown. She recognised my physical symptoms from previous episodes in my late teens. I am now almost 2 weeks back on meds. Both my sleep and mood has improved. I've stopped crying and started being more honest with myself.

I also work in a senior corporate environment in HR and am not doing a great job of leaving my work at work in the current climate. I take things more to heart than someone in my role should. I have a plan to take some of the leave I've applied for while on uni break. I do stress that something will go wrong when I'm not there though which adds to my anxiety. It's hard to feel confident and secure with everything going on.

Thanks again for your advice. I have regular telehealth appointments with my dr now and she has referred me to a psychologist if I so choose. Not sure whether I have anything to talk about. I think this forum is a comfrtable platform for me to share.

Really appreciate your time Paul.

Ash