Yeah i know. Not had a great few months with my mental health (low ebb dark thoughts irritability zero sex drive poor sleep pattern and weight gain) plus my wife is going through some health issues of her own so ive kept a lot in as i didnt want to be an added burden to her. Then two weeks before Christmas i told her everything i was feeling and really opened up. She was/is amazing and goodness knows where I'd be without her as she is my best friend and so understanding. Phoned doctors today and im now onto my 4th type of antidepressant in 5 years. (Fingers crossed this one has an effect). Also phoned to register with a mental health talking group called Turning Point and my first appointment is next Monday. Anyone struggling then please call out to someone for a chat or if you have a mate or family member or work colleague you have concerns over please just ask how they are. Ive had some wonderful people contact me privately over the years on here when i have not been in a good place and a simple "you ok pal" has made such a difference at times. Look out for one another and be kind as you never know what some people are going through.
A think it’s great you’ve opened up on here, whilst there’s some daily battles on here a think everyone would certainly offer up there inbox to help someone, myself included!! I sincerely hope this new batch of meds can get you back on track again mate........
Another step forward with telling your lovely Wife , keep going you CAN do it slow but sure. Get it off yer chest on here if it helps , all the best to you both.
I hope you and your wife recover asap. Jr. Didcot Red 3 has suffered from mental health issues for a number of years after a bad reaction from extasy. Thankfully through the support of his family and his girl friend/wife he has made a full recovery. He still has to manage his condition but he does that pretty well most of the time. I wish you both all the best.
Really good to hear you spoke with your wife and perhaps mostly, that you're sharing something so personal with us all. I think this place is at its best when people share and show bravery. Hope the interventions you've sought help and if not, keep trying, and please do, keep sharing.
Credit to you for speaking out and for speaking to your wife, which no doubt really helped but is a hard thing to do! I sincerely hope your new medication helps and offers some stability, and props to the BBS for the support, which you can always call on. Some lovely people on here despite our differences We all have more in common as human beings anyway. My inbox always open.
I've been battling it most of my life. Answers are not easy to come by, but words of support make a hell of a difference. I've had plenty from folks on here.
Brilliant post, both in the sense that you were able to share your own experience, and that you encouraged others to do the same. Talking openly about your own challenges is a massive step to overcoming them, and you've tackled these head on in recent weeks it seems. Best wishes to you. It's never nice to read of anyone's struggles, but please don't underestimate just how encouraging it is for us, as external readers, to see that you were able to post like that.
All the best with your meds, keep with them and keep alcohol to a minimum as it just cancels them out. I know quite a few CBT therapists and counsellors at Turning Point and you'll be in good hands
To echo a few on here already, great post. Can't have been easy to open up, even on a largely anonymous internet forum. Good luck in your journey.
Im not much of a talker but i do find writing down my thoughts fears and issues a lot easier and in some ways its a part of the therapy itself. Thank.you all for your kind words of support its very humbling to read.
Thank you for sharing with us all. It’s the best thing you can do, when you realise how many folk care and are on your side, that’s a big step in the journey. My mental health has been a roller coaster for 25 years, since I was a teenager, and it’s only really a few years ago when everything clicked and I fully understood what was going on. Whilst I still have **** days, and probably always will, I know how to minimise the impact on me and my family, and what works for me in terms of getting back on track. I’ve been off medication for around 3 years, I’m settled at work, always on the go, I even volunteer, befriending people who are isolated or don’t have anyone to talk to about life’s struggles. Giving a bit back if you will. I’m saying all this because I want you (and anyone else struggling) to know it can get loads better. I’ve had extreme lows where I thought I was done, and couldn’t see a way out. Not any more, I’ll make sure of it. So talk, learn, fight, believe. And don’t hide owt from the wife any more! Keep us all up to date. We’re all on your side.
The BBS is a small bright corner of the internet in an ocean of unpleasantness. It's superb and I'm glad it's helped you, as it has me. It's different for everyone, but the best advice I've ever had has been to focus on the little victories when any big victories seem a way off. Made a phone call, it's a victory. Attended an appointment, it's a victory. Saw a mate and had an honest chat, it's a victory. Mowed the lawn, it's a victory. Seen the funny side in something dumb and unrelated (as I did for Barrow's 4th), it's a victory. Fighting for the little things makes the bigger things easier to battle. Good luck and best wishes.