RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (Full Version)

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DenimDiva -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/2/2008 7:00:06 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: agapetos

Roberta, I agree with womaninchrist. It may take some pushing on the topic, but there should be someone above your intern who can help you with this.


I have to make a note to remind myself to talk to her about that next week.

quote:

My heart just sank at that news.
Maggie, I know that it's not something you wanted to hear ~ but the good news is that he's got a diagnosis and can get treatment now. One of the biggest regrets that I've had is that I didn't meet people like my doctor, psychiatrist and psychologist 20 years ago. It would have made such a huge difference to my life (I think).


I agree. I wish I had known many years ago.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


After having a panic attack today, I wrote down all the "triggers" that I could think of over the last few days. I came up with 25 of them. No wonder I had a panic attack - again in the grocery store![:@]

It annoys me that one of them was regarding Bible study tonight. I made a dessert for it. It's a simple dessert and I've never messed it up before. It's not setting right. The taste will still be the same, but it won't look as cute. I keep worrying that people won't like it. Then I think about the fact that I used two gallons of ice cream and if it doesn't turn out then I've wasted $5 worth of ice cream and a half of a bag of chocolate chips. It's a stupid thing to worry about! I've already got housemates lined up for the leftovers.

BTW- It's a Watermelon Ice Cream Cake.



agapetos -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/3/2008 6:31:49 AM)

Maggie, while I think there are some folk with bipolar who have 'fallen through the cracks', I'm inclined to believe for many it's those who don't have a support system in place. It seems to me that you son has a really good, loving and supportive relationship with his parents and brothers. There is no reason why he shouldn't lead a completely 'normal' life.

I constantly talk about Kay Redfield Jamison, who has bipolar. I've read (and loved) 'An Unquiet Mind' which is her autobiography. It's a funny, honest, moving, inspiring account autobiography. She also is (if I'm right) a professor in psychiatry (though could be psychology, can't remember off-hand). She has written other books, I've yet to read 'em though!



DenimDiva -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/3/2008 4:30:13 PM)

That sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the link agapetos.



womaninchrist -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/3/2008 10:58:31 PM)

I second that book suggestion. Personally it's by far the best book at describing what it's like to be bipolar (and it's kind of nice that it's written by someone who managed to hold onto a rather highly skilled and demanding professional career). BTW, she's a psychiatrist (though not practicing - she works as either a profesor or a researcher) and has actually written at least one of the leading textbooks about bipolar.



agapetos -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/4/2008 5:43:56 AM)

I saw an interview with her once and she sounded really great. She was told when she was first diagnosed that she shouldn't have children because of the genetic risk. Due to circumstances, this wouldn't have happened, but she seemed to come across with a lot of support and empathy for people with mental health problems who do want to have children. Personally, I think it's down to the the individual and wouldn't say which way someone should go. Again, if I'd been diagnosed earlier in life and had the support, I'd have probably viewed things differently ~ though I have no regrets about not having children given the way things have panned out.

Not sure any of that makes any sense at all...



womaninchrist -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/4/2008 11:45:04 AM)

I've heard people toss about that advice freely - to anyone with any mental heath concern without any pause to consider the particular status of the individual involved. It has its roots in stigma and eugenics. I could say more, but that'd likely get this post moved to the debate thread.



DenimDiva -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/5/2008 7:22:43 PM)

I really want to go to church tonight, but I'm not sure if I'm going to. I know spiritually I should, but physically and mentally I'm not sure if I'm up to the challenge. I'm exhausted after yesterday and the last eight days of being the sole-caregiver to my nieces.

My options are to sit in the very hot but somewhat quiet computer room. (Which I've done a good deal of today between putting in my Avon orders and posting here.)
Go to church.
Go outside in the 100+ degrees temps.
Sit in the living room with Harry Potter movies blasting from the TV.
I tried reading in the living room, but the TV was too much of a distraction for me right now. The living room is the only room with A/C.

I think I just have the after-the-holiday "blahs."



agapetos -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/5/2008 7:52:47 PM)

quote:

I really want to go to church tonight, but I'm not sure if I'm going to. I know spiritually I should, but physically and mentally I'm not sure if I'm up to the challenge.
You know sometimes we need to rest and sleep. While the desire to do something can be very strong, if we are too tired we may not be able to reap any benefit from it.

I do hope that you manage to get rest and/or are able to enjoy church ~ if not tonight, then tomorrow.



DenimDiva -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/5/2008 8:12:46 PM)

agapetos- I was just reading your blog. I had to chuckle about the "floor cleaner" and again about the slugs. [:D]

Your garden sounds lovely!



agapetos -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/5/2008 8:49:34 PM)

quote:

Your garden sounds lovely!
I keep meaning to take photos but never get round to it. With the winds right now though, my hanging baskets would be a blur!



DenimDiva -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/6/2008 1:22:54 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: agapetos

quote:

Your garden sounds lovely!
I keep meaning to take photos but never get round to it. With the winds right now though, my hanging baskets would be a blur!


My camera is broken. It's so old that it'd probably be cheaper to buy a new one.

I didn't go to church. My dd spent last night with my brother and his family. They are moving to Texas on the 22nd. So, I decided to stay there and visit with them.



agapetos -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/6/2008 6:25:54 PM)

Well, you may not be able to take pics, but you inspired me to[:D]. Between the downpours we had today, I took some pics. After I came in, I heard a thud and went out. I have a 2-tier plant stand that fell over. I picked it up and everything seems ok. Later on, I heard another thump[&:]. I didn't go out until just before I came upstairs (well the Wimbledon final was on!) and my bird bath had fallen over. First time since I bought it about 6 years ago. It seems fine but I didn't pick it up ~ I figured it would be safer on the ground. When I bought it, I was told I needed to cement the top (the bath bit) to the stand together. I never got round to doing it. I suspect if I had, it would have broken the bath.

Gotta sort the photos and get them uploaded now! My very nice neighbour brought me some pecan pie this evening. I kinda feel guilty about letting her believe I didn't kill slugs and snails anymore. Didn't stop me going out tonight though[:D]



DenimDiva -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/6/2008 11:37:08 PM)

When my brother was about 5, he decided he wanted a pet. So, he went around the yard and collected all the snails. He proudly brought them in the house to show my mom. She flipped out! He took them back outside and asked my uncle (the family prankster) what snails like to eat. My uncle told him "Salt, and lots of it!" My brother thought it was cool watching them after he poured salt on them.



DenimDiva -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/8/2008 1:52:25 PM)

I go see my therapist today. I have to remember to ask her about the disability issue and finding out if I can speak to her supervisor about it.

I still have total charge over my sister's girls and I am at the end of my rope with J-8. It was nice having a break for a few hours while they went to VBS. They loved it, but then after talking to their mom, they decided they didn't want to go anymore. As a result, they are in the house right now because it's too hot outside. They will be going to my therapist appointment with me. [:@]



DenimDiva -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/8/2008 11:40:19 PM)

I am downright irritated with my therapist right now! I had to call and cancel my appointment due to the heat and the fact that I'd have to take my niece along who had just had an asthma attack. I explained to her that I have some pretty bad reactions to the heat/sun. I have no A/C in my car. She told me that staying home just because it's hot is an excuse that can not be tolerated and anyone who really needed the help would be there regardless of the weather. [:@]
It got to 114 degrees here today. At the time of my appointment, it was about 105.
I asked her about having her supervisor help me with disability and she said that they couldn't do that because we've only had two appointments and she has no proof that I have any type of mental illness. [8|]



womaninchrist -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/9/2008 1:11:14 AM)

Honestly, for that, I think I'd be speaking with her supervisor. That temp is a health risk for those with certain conditions (like asthma), it's far from ideal to have therapy with someone else with you (unless it's co-therapy with that other person), she should be able to tell your mental health status from your records (including any illnesses and their severity) and if she spoke to you the way it's coming across to me in your post (and I suspect she did from what you said about the temps) then her attitude was totally inappropriate and uncalled for (not to mention unprofessional). Now I could understand the lack of history thing, but it could (and should) be said nicely and fact of the matter is that the SSA will still want to hear from them since they've been one of your mental health providers and you're claiming a mental health disability - doesn't matter if you've only seen the provider once. I wonder if she/they realize that?

I admit it, I'm depressed and it's that really irritable and anxious version of depressed yet again. It's at least mostly due to my "mystery illness" (you know, the seemingly never-ending thing with low-grade fevers and joint pains) and my GP's decision to quit treating the pain with anything I can actually take (she wants me to go back on OTC naproxen when the GI has told me quite specifically to not take ANY of the NSAIDS since even with meds like protonix an NSAID leads to dramatic worsening of my GI symptoms/problems and that can last for days after the last dose of the NSAID). I'm not sure if I'm getting sicker or if I'm as badly depressed as I'm starting to suspect I am, but since this time last night, I've slept about 14 hours (something I only do when really sick or super depressed). So I'm looking for a new GP (again) and going to file a complaint against this GP, the one before her and the clinic. This whole on going mess shouldn't happen to anyone - no matter how poor, how bad their insurance or how weirdly their symptoms present. Two years and the only "answer" I have is that the fever "almost certainly are not contagious". Ok, so I'm mad too.



DenimDiva -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/9/2008 10:40:14 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: womaninchrist
I admit it, I'm depressed and it's that really irritable and anxious version of depressed yet again. It's at least mostly due to my "mystery illness" (you know, the seemingly never-ending thing with low-grade fevers and joint pains) and my GP's decision to quit treating the pain with anything I can actually take (she wants me to go back on OTC naproxen when the GI has told me quite specifically to not take ANY of the NSAIDS since even with meds like protonix an NSAID leads to dramatic worsening of my GI symptoms/problems and that can last for days after the last dose of the NSAID). I'm not sure if I'm getting sicker or if I'm as badly depressed as I'm starting to suspect I am, but since this time last night, I've slept about 14 hours (something I only do when really sick or super depressed). So I'm looking for a new GP (again) and going to file a complaint against this GP, the one before her and the clinic. This whole on going mess shouldn't happen to anyone - no matter how poor, how bad their insurance or how weirdly their symptoms present. Two years and the only "answer" I have is that the fever "almost certainly are not contagious". Ok, so I'm mad too.


It must be very frustrating!



agapetos -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/9/2008 12:42:06 PM)

quote:

They loved it, but then after talking to their mom, they decided they didn't want to go anymore. As a result, they are in the house right now because it's too hot outside. They will be going to my therapist appointment with me.
It sounds harsh, but if they are under your control, your sister should be supporting your decision to send them to VBS, not allowing them to decide what to do. They're not old enough to make all the decisions in their lives for themselves. I wonder what your sister would have done if she hadn't hurt her back? I also think that your sister should have found someone else to care for them for the couple of hours you couldn't because of your appointment.

Given you've only had a couple of appointments with your therapist, she was harsh in what she said to you. Personally speaking I do tend to keep apppointments regardless of weather and feeling tired etc because I find that I will work towards the appointment and to need to cancel it at short notice is difficult for me. However, it wasn't just you ~ it was your niece too and (I think) it was the first time you cancelled. If it was repeatedly, she may be justified in her remarks. Again, however, temps aren't likely to get any lower for the next couple of months ~ you need to think about solutions to this.

Regarding what she said about not having any proof about your mental health... I don't know if she has any of your previous notes or stuff, but even if she does, many health care workers like to get to know their patients before digging too much into past history to get their fresh opinion. It is not ideal for you, but perhaps this is something that you can discuss with her further at your next appointment.

My last therapist spoke very differently with me to my first therapist. It took some getting used to (she was far more blunt), but once I had, it proved far more helpful to me. Could it be that you just getting to know each others manners is creating misunderstanding here?

Womaninchrist ~ being sick with no diagnosis can be really hard and cause depression. If you need to sleep right now though, do so (IMO). And write lots of letters before you write a final complaint one (as you should do Roberta if you decide to complain about your therapist. I've written too many spur of the moment letters and sent them, and regreted it later because of the way I came across.



DenimDiva -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/9/2008 12:56:06 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: agapetos
Again, however, temps aren't likely to get any lower for the next couple of months ~ you need to think about solutions to this.


I have a neighbor who has an air conditioned van that she said I could use when I needed to. However, she is on vacation right now and won't be back for two weeks. She's in Alaska, but I didn't get the van keys from her before she left.



p31woman -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/11/2008 10:21:19 PM)

I'd appreciate hearing about books anyone might recommend for coping with anxiety. Thanks!



DenimDiva -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/11/2008 10:26:16 PM)

Hi p31woman! Honestly, the best book that I've read in coping with anxiety is Psalms. I have read some books a few years back. I don't remember the names of them or who wrote them. I didn't find them worth remembering. I found the books fairly useless. However, there may be some new ones out now.



DenimDiva -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/12/2008 11:35:07 PM)

I've been told by a couple of professionals that I'm "too nice." I suppose I am at times. I have to tell someone something for my own mental health. Basically, I have to tell my sister and BIL that I need more privacy and sleep. Basically, since I sleep on the couch, I can't have people in the living room watching TV and playing video games until 1 or 2 am and then have others getting ready for work at 4:30 am. It's not enough deep, solid sleep for me. I don't think it really is for most people.

My BIL stays up late playing the games or watching TV. If he's not up, then their girls are. He gets up at 5:30 am and leaves for work at 6 am. I don't know how he does that!

Sis goes to bed at 8 pm and gets up at 4:30 am and leaves for work at 6 am.

So, how do I nicely but firmly, tell them that I need a change in the night time routines?



Limulus -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/13/2008 12:04:19 PM)

Hi all,

I'm not really sure if this is the correct place for me to be posting on the forums, but here it goes. I suffer from severe depression that I've had since I was a teenager. I am not as sociable as I used to be, in fact I rarely go out of the house. I find it hard to trust people after being hurt so many times. One of my friends recommended that I join a support group or seek therapy. Most of my therapy appointments have been missed because I have days where I crash emotionally. My friend also thinks that I am co-dependent. Bi-polar, depression, suicides and other mental illnesses run in our family history. By the way, that friend is the only one left in my life as I seem to have pushed all others out.

I came to know Christ as my savior in 1996, shortly before my divorce. God gets me through many many things and has spared my life on more than one occasion.

That's all for now.



DenimDiva -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/13/2008 1:22:39 PM)

Hi Limulus and welcome to the boards!

When you "crash emotionally," that is probably the best time to see your therapist. It's hard. I've made the mistake of cancelling many therapy or pdoc appts. because I've crashed emotionally. However, in the long run it will help you and your pdoc and/or therapists to determine the treatments that are best for you.

BTW- you posted in the right place. I hope you'll come back and join us!



agapetos -> RE: Mental Health Encouragement. (7/13/2008 2:53:25 PM)

quote:

I'd appreciate hearing about books anyone might recommend for coping with anxiety. Thanks!
I'm sorry, I don't really know of any.

quote:

Most of my therapy appointments have been missed because I have days where I crash emotionally.
quote:

When you "crash emotionally," that is probably the best time to see your therapist.
Roberta makes a good point. While it's not easy to go to therapy (and can in itself be the reason we 'crash' emotionally) it is worth going. It's possible that you don't feel you're achieved much in a session like this ~ but hte fact that you've been able to show up is a great start. You really should discuss with your therapist how you can deal with this ~ over the phone if necessary, but preferrably face2face.

Something that I learnt in therapy was that it wasn't just somewhere to cut open old scars. My therapist was also interested in how things had been for me in the previous weeks ~ during the time I was seeing my therapist, I had a virus and 2 aunts died. All this affected me emotionally and it was useful for her to know. I don't think a decent therapist would push you on your past if you were struggling in your present. I'd suspect that they'd like to try and help you cope with your present before looking at your past ~ and in looking at your present, you may find that some of your past is more bearable.

quote:

My friend also thinks that I am co-dependent. Bi-polar, depression, suicides and other mental illnesses run in our family history.
Your friend sounds really great and I'm glad you have them to support you. However, you really need to see a doctor (prefereably a psychiatrist) to get an accurate diagnoses of what is wrong with you.



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