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Struggling

Struggling

Struggling at the moment.

I'm experiencing a combination of depression and anxiety bringing up all sorts of negative memories. Mistakes I made and opportunities I failed to take up.

It's making me feel unwell, jittery, hopeless, painfully uncomfortable and unable to rest.

I'm not even sure I will post this but at least it gives me something to focus on in the moment.

I know other people have real problems. When I look at my life objectively I feel like a fraud. I'm weak and lazy.

Like why can't I just start doing something meaningful to relieve the anxiety?

Every little thing seems too hard, too much for me to handle.

I'm overwhelmed.

I have so many excuses to NOT participate in everyday life.

Yes I have diagnoses but I also receive ongoing treatment for them.

I should be doing better.

350 replies

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In response to: Struggling

Re: Struggling

I've decided to continue here because posting seems to be all I can manage at the moment and hey, the way I'm feeling, anything is better than nothing...

So awoke feeling very down and almost immediately decided to stay in bed all day. Told myself I was practising self compassion.

I did manage to get out of bed and onto the couch for a while but I haven't left the caravan since yesterday. Zero self care and nothing to eat. Sipped some water with my meds.

Took PRN meds but the depression and anxiety are still front and centre.

I'm safe but am self soothing by running "What if I wasn't here" scenarios in my head.

Tried doing meditation and breathing exercises, some scrappy, shaky couldn't hold the pen journalling, distraction with games and movies on my phone - found it difficult to focus on anything other than my existential pain.

In response to: Re: Struggling

Re: Struggling

Hi @RedHorse sorry you're feeling low. I'm glad you thought of posting. Are you not hungry or are you out of supplies? It would be good if you could manage to eat something.

My anxiety levels are up too. It was a relief when I overslept the other day. I slept til late afternoon. Tomorrow is my first day at a class and I'm very nervous as both the venue and the people will be completely new to me. I've hibernated at home for so long that I'm catastrophising about what could go wrong.

Are you still planning to bring your horse home? That would be lovely (if it's not a source of anxiety for you at the moment).

I've just discovered Wordle and I'm enjoying it as a small daily challenge. Do you play?

Dimity

In response to: Re: Struggling

Re: Struggling

Hi @RedHorse,

Reaching out here today was a big step today, and I want to acknowledge that step Thank you for letting us know you are safe.

You mentioned you tried lots of different tools from your coping toolbox today; self compassion, taking rest when you needed it, PRN, meditation, breathing, sitting with the thoughts and distractions. Those are also big steps.

There are times when I have been in lows of depression, where getting out of bed felt like the hardest thing. I feel proud for you that you got through today, and reached out for support here, which I know is no small feat! You did everything you could to get through today

What do you feel you need tonight?
Echoing @Dimity 's question, do you have access to food and your basic care needs at the moment?

In response to: Re: Struggling

Re: Struggling

Hi there @RedHorse - just checking in with you to see how your night went and how you might be doing this morning? Did you manage to have anything to eat / do you have access to food right now?

Also just wondering, have you ever tried the SANE help centre or Peer support calls? Just thought to offer this in case you’d like someone to talk to, as you have options to reach out to the SANE Help Centre, or book a call/webchat with a peer support worker.
If that’s something you’d want to try.

@Former-Member 🧡

In response to: Re: Struggling

Re: Struggling

@Dimity, @Daisydreamer and @Former-Member

Thanks for reaching out. I appreciate your concern and suggestions and am still safe.

I've had a similar day today to yesterday but have managed to eat and hydrate.

Am planning on distracting myself with some YouTube until it's time for night time meds.

Sorry I haven't replied to each of you individually but I am just not up to it at the moment. I really didn't expect any response at all.

Thanks again,
RedHorse 🌹🐴

In response to: Re: Struggling

Re: Struggling

Hello @RedHorse I'm glad you're resting, eating, hydrating, taking your meds and taking in some screentime. Some days that's enough.

We've had lovely sun today, not too hot. I hope your weather is good too.

Sending you good wishes, I hope Wednesdsy is kind to you.

Take care

Dimity

In response to: Re: Struggling

Re: Struggling

Hello @Dimity it's lovely to hear from you again.

Today has been much better than yesterday.

Managed to get out of bed, washed my face, dressed and tied my hair back.

Took my meds.

Went and ate some lunch outside in the shade.

Looked at the horse paddock. I had arranged to have her home last weekend, but the wet weather and my low mood put a stop to that. I have to be sure that I can attend to her day and night, rain or shine and I'm not quite there yet... But I'm getting closer I just need to keep moving forward.

She's agisted up the road until Friday week so I'm planning on bringing her home then and am both anxious about the responsibility and looking forward to having her around again - my four legged therapist lol - I think once she is here I will rise to the occasion. Fingers crossed.

Good luck with your course @Dimity I'm sure you are up to the challenge. I hope you enjoy the experience of being in class once you get past any 'teething problems'.

BTW, Wordle is one of the games I play on my phone. I really enjoy it, finding some days more difficult than others. I'm sure it helps to exercise the brain.

My apologies for listing off my activities today like daily achievements. It's a habit of mine when things are looking up. I think I'll keep this thread going as a personal reminder to myself that things can and do get better...

Take care,
RedHorse 🌹🐴

In response to: Re: Struggling

Re: Struggling

Good to hear you're making progress @RedHorse . Working up towards bringing your horse home is a big step, I can understand the mixed feeling re the responsibility. My cat was very distressed for a while today and I don't know what was wrong. It was uncharacteristic but he's settled now, eating and doesn't seem in pain.

Thanks, I enjoyed my first class. I trekked over to Officeworks today (2 buses each way) for an id lanyard. Small thing but big effort.

In response to: Re: Struggling

Re: Struggling

Dear Me

It's Saturday night and that means it's Sunday tomorrow.

If only I could sleep through the whole day life would be so much better.

Every day is a struggle but Sunday is the Super Size Me and has been for as long as I can remember.

Tools and distractions that I will use to fill the void inside me tomorrow include:
- breathing and meditation
- journalling and drawing
- snail mail
- sort "Important" folder
- YouTube/ Audiobooks
- phone or text a friend
- tidy under sink area
- get into the garden (weather permitting)
- write down my worries/ feelings to read to psychologist at next telehealth appointment
- be kind to myself

I'm posting this to keep myself accountable...

In response to: Re: Struggling

Re: Struggling

I hate weekends as well. I feel kind of dysfunctional on them. My life is defined more by sameness which makes me feel more alone on the weekends. Right now I feel pretty good tho took the dog out met a woman I used to work with who lives close by . I got home and felt that feeling of well being a walk sometimes does for me. I did some gardening and the house is kind of reasonably tidy at the moment. I guess we have to be satisfied with the small things.

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