Wobbly after Hospital

@Rosemary4

I know what you mean when you say that you still feel wobbly. I too have bipolar and I feel like because hospitals are so desperate for beds that they put you back out on the street before you are truly ready. I am so sorry for your loss - that must be really hard and I am sure that it rocked your whole world. As to how to feel independent again after hospital I would say it's about taking baby steps and not putting too much pressure on yourself. Best wishes

Meggle

Hi @Rosemary4 and welcome to the forum.

I'm very sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what it's like and it is no wonder that you are finding it very hard.

Another wobbly one here. I also have Bipolar and had the experience of leaving hospital feeling totally unprepared. Agree with @Oaktree - baby steps, look for little wins.

Do you supportive friends/family/health professionals? I was really isolated before I ended up in hospital so it was a slow process building those relationships and supports. Little by little x

hello and welcome @Rosemary4

sending you lots of tender hugs my friend

one step at a time

@Oaktree. @frog

@Rosemary4

Hello Rosemary4

Welcome to this forum.

I have found this forum to be really helpful, not in a directive way, but rather, a very nurturing and supportive way. People who have experienced the feelings that I feel, and have had. Often in the same way, but it is surprising how often people have offered meaningful guidance and support from their, sometimes, very different perspectives.

The beauty of the forum maintaining anonymity is that we really can express our deep and genuine feelings in a very caring, nurturing, supportive environment.

You have mentioned your little sister. Would you feel comfortable telling us a little about her. I can imagine the sadness and support flowing in your direction from the people reading your post today, as is extended your way from me.

Whatever feels right for you here, at any given time, is appropriate.

I often find that it is easier for me to respond to people's ideas, questions, thoughts and the way that they describe their feelings.

Members of the forum, as are you one now, can suggest particular threads or areas of the forum that may offer you ideas about other people's path that may be helpful for you.

I certainly look forward to 'speaking' with you, and, or reading your posts here Rosemary4.

With the hope that we will be able to accompany you on this part of the journey

With My Very Best Wishes

HenryX

P.S. To answer or "tag" a particular member, with your cursor in the reply box, you can click on the “@” symbol on your keyboard. A drop-down menu will show the people who have replied to your post. You can select one, or as many as you would like to “tag”. As I have done with your Forum name and the CC: below for other members (no inverted commas around the @ symbol)

CC: @Shaz51 @frog @Oaktree

Hi Rosemary 🌷

Give yourself permission to go slow and stay quite for a week or so and get used to your own surroundings again, I know how I feel when coming home, everything feels unfamiliar in my familiar surroundings. Double up on self care and being kind to yourself, call or talk to someone who understands and cares for you daily. Try meditation or some gentle music in background and try to keep away from over stimulating places for a bit.

Once your feeling stronger in yourself google groups or professionals in your area who deal with the grief your going through 🙏 We can't do this alone! Xx

Hi everyone, thank you for replies. Sounds like you do understand somewhat.
They sent me home before I was ready. Be good if there was some sort of half-way house with support and milestone steps from us, so we're not so alone while vulnerable.

Also, might be the pills, but my coordination is off (wobbly), especially with steps and uneven ground, it's like I'm floating.
And thanks for condolences re my sister, she struggled so long, i kinda knew she'd pull it off one day but ya never prepared for it, the finality. She was 5yrs younger than me and quite the trendsetter, always trying to get me to wear more makeup and stuff. She wore black a lot "mourning her lost childhood" she use to joke. Had humour. We talked a lot, said I was the only one who understood her upbringing nightmare, what it was like. Actually, I didn't like being a sounding board for bitching about mum etc But I understand it & we were both lonely. Yes, it has rocked my world to lose her.. Feels too hard to go on without her, someone clo , nobody to really connect with on the little thngs 😞
Taking "baby steps" and low stimuli is coming natural thanks, I'm just exhausted and scared to bother with much at all. Slept most today.
No, I don't have much support irl. Well, maybe one friend who drops by a lot, and the hospital case worker RN, and now you guys I hope, When I get to know yas. It's good to know I'm not alone in this.
Hope to start posting on other threads soon, but not ready yet.
I don't have anyone who cares enough to let me call them every day, wouldn't want to bother people. Nobody understands. Everyone I know just tells me to 'get over it already' so I hide away.
Must do meditation and gentle music more. No problem staying away from over stimulating places like crowds and shopping centres - haven't handled them for years..
"Feeling stronger" hmm, will it ever come? Not sure can talk about it. Kinda don't think it helps really, tried so many different counsellors, they seem lost to me, got me in the 'too hard' basket or something, and thats worse now I'm older 😢 depresses me to think about, their 50min hour. Just clucking here is all I can handle right now, getting use to home again, making my own meals etc. Need groceries
Thanks again for replying.
Rosemary4🌿

Hi Rosemary4

Really pleased that you have been able to respond to the people here.

Sounds like the medication giving you that floating feeling, and coordination out of adjustment.

Hearing you about missing your sister. She will always have a special place in your heart, from the way that you have spoken about her. What you share about her with members here also keeps her memory strong.

Hoping most sincerely, that you will, as so many others have done, find a place here in a secure, caring, supportive environment.

It might seem strange that people who only know each other by a pseudonym and an avatar can actually come to be so close and warm in their wishes and support for each other.

I am not really up with a lot of the shorthand of android, iPhone and face-book, so it took me a while to figure out irl. There are normally people about on the forum, so it is always worth popping in to see who is around when you feel like it. There are chat threads and more in-depth threads. So hopefully, you will get to know your way around fairly quickly. I must admit that it took me a while to work out some of the functions of the site, but people will “tag” you to give directions and suggestions.

I will be around for another half hour or so if you would like to 'talk'

Certainly look forward to talking with you more Rosemary4

With Very Best Wishes

HenryX

Hello Rosemary4

It was lovely to receive you response this morning.

It is just afternoon here in Western Australia.

I like your description of the courtyard garden and the sunshine.

Every little change seems enormous, at the moment, I would imagine. Even going from one room to another, or out to the courtyard. However, as others have said, it is a matter of taking small steps initially, and gradually working outwards a little bit at a time.

I can feel the sensations of grief, similar to what I think you would be feeling. My Mum passed away two years ago, the anniversary is coming up in a few days time. I am feeling those feelings, and also for the other people who were caring for her in the last three years of her life. Mum had lived with me at home for seven years before going into residential care for those last three years. Residential care is only 750 metres from my home so I was able to visit her each day during that time.

The reason that I talk about that time for me, with you, is that you are helping me in a way, because I know that you are aware of the feelings. I encourage you not to hide from those feelings. I can understand the sudden rush of nervousness and tears and retreat to the bedroom. Through those experiences comes some other meanings, and hopefully the further opportunity to understand and empathise with others and provide mutual and encouraging support.

Looking forward to talking with you more Rosemary4

Very Best Wishes

HenryX

Hi @Rosemary4

I just wanted to reach out and offer you some support

I just wondered how are you feeling today?

I can only imagine how disorientating and overwhelming is must feel for you to return home after spending a period of time in hospital - especially when this is something that you didn’t feel ready for

I really love your idea of ‘a half-way house’ and I have no doubt that this type of support would be invaluable for so many people who are still feeling really vulnerable and finding the transition from hospital incredibly daunting.

Just from what you described, your idea reminded me about ‘step up step down’ services I’m not too sure if you’re familiar with these, but basically from what I can understand, they provide short term residential support and individualised care for people following their discharge from hospital. They can also provide support for people who are living in the community and who are experiencing a change in their mental health, in the hope of preventing hospitalisation. As such, I just wondered if this was something that you would feel comfortable mentioning to your case manager, just in case you’re eligible to receive this support

I’m so deeply sorry to hear that your younger sister died to suicide. The emotional connection between sisters can be something that’s almost indescribable and I can’t even begin to imagine the pain and anguish that you may be feeling at this time

Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry that people in your life have told you ‘to get over it already’ In my experience, these responses only stand to further isolate people, compound their distress and make it so much harder for them to be able to reach out for the care and support that they so desperately need and deserve As such, I just ever so gently wanted to reassure you that we all grieve differently and that there are absolutely no ‘rules’ or ‘correct time frames’ in relation to when someone ‘should have’ grieved the loss of their loved one

As I read your story, I got the sense that you’re feeling completely alone in your experiences and shouldering so much by yourself As such, I just wanted to share a few resources with you in case you would like to connect with some organisations who support people who are bereaved by suicide

The first organisation is called The Suicide Call Back Service One of the services that they provide is telephone and online support and counselling for people who are bereaved by suicide.

They are available 7 days a week 24 hours a day.

Their contact telephone number is: 1300 659 467.

I’ve just included a link to their services, in case you would like to explore this further

https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/lost-someone-to-suicide/

The second organisation is called Standby Support After Suicide, which is also based here in Australia. Basically, they provide support to anyone who has been bereaved or impacted by suicide at any time in their life.

As such, they provide free support in person or via the telephone. They also provide continued support for up to two years, to ensure that people aren’t alone and that they receive the ongoing support that they need.

I’ve just included a link below in case you would like to search for support in your area:

https://standbysupport.com.au/#About

Standby Support After Suicide also provide 24 hour telephone support for people who live in Sydney, South Coast New South Wales and the Blue Mountains (and they’re hoping to be able to offer this service to people living in other parts of Australia in the near future)

I’m not too sure whereabouts in Australia you live, but just in case you live in one of these areas and you would like to reach out to them, their telephone number

is: 1300 727 247

You’re also more than welcome to contact the SANE helpline Basically, the helpline is staffed by qualified mental health professionals who provide support to people who are living with complex mental health issues and also to the people who support them

I’ve contacted the helpline on several occasions and I’ve always had a really positive experience where I felt supported and understood

If you would like to contact them, their telephone number is: 1800 18 7263.

They operate Monday to Friday from 10.00am until 10.00pm AEST.

In addition to telephone support, they also provide support via web chat and email.

Sometimes it can be difficult to get through on the telephone, but if this is something that you’re interested in, you’re more than welcome to schedule an appointment via their website - that way you can guarantee that you’ll be able to talk with someone on a day that best works for you I’ve just included the link for you below, in case this is something that you would like to explore further:

https://www.sane.org/counselling-support

Please remember that you’re always welcome to reach out here whenever you feel ready and / or need to Nothing is too big or too small and you’re welcome to share whatever feels safe and comfortable for you (as long as what we share adheres to the community guidelines )

Thinking of you

ShiningStar