overwhelmed and sliding down the ravine

hi @Yarnartisan

welcome to the forums, i'm glad that you have posted and shared some of your story.

You sound like you have a lot on y our plate to cope, and i definitely dont think you are pathetic or feeling sorry for yourself. Sharing is a good way to help ourselves.. as im guessing you already know as you see various people to help with your ailments.

I guess i'm at an earlier life stage to you, young kids and a full plate at times too. i like the analogy of the bucket filling up.. and overflowing... I often forget/find it hard to do the self care stuff that i need to to stop my bucket from getting to tipping point.

is there anything in particular that helps when things start to feel like they do at the moment?

lj

Hello @Yarnartisan, I'm glad you found us here in the Forums. You are definitely amongst friends when you start talking about feeling over-whelmed and in reverse. It sounds as if you've put a huge amount of work into your physical and psychological health which has been paying off. But you wouldn't be human if it was all plain sailing towards recovery. We just don't work that way.

I like @Former-Member's analogy of the over-flowing bucket too. Another bucket-related one that I think might apply (who knew it was possible to develop a bucket theme? ) is the one with the hole in it. That's what it's like to live with these illnesses. You're conscientiously topping up your well-being and resilience, but so much of it is just running out the bottom due to the energy it takes to live with these conditions. I think we often under-estimate that. It's like you're juggling multiple balls along with everyone else but also having to do it on a uni-cycle (and now we have clowns with buckets!).

You've also got the compounding factors of your concern and care for your daughters and parents. That's huge in and of itself never mind your own challenges.

Given these circumstances, it simply takes more energy for you to go about your day so it's natural for your mood to dip at times. You're not really going backwards but just need a break from pushing ahead so strongly. Lots of self-compassion and self-care are needed to get back on track. Maybe take a break from working so hard for yourself and your loved ones. Just a day or so to give back to yourself so you're ready to get back to it all.

It's been a couple of days since you posted. How are you feeling now?

Hello Yarnartisan

I understand what you mean from getting pats on the head from friends, I think it comes from them not being uble to understand or get just how bad we with mental illness can feel at times or even all the time, It seems like you are doing your best to manage your condition and you should be proud of that, you are not weak because you feel overwhelmed by the situation , you are dealing with multiple serious issues that many people are lucky enough never to have to go through, you are showing strength and resilience and in spite of this you are managing to still take care of your family, still work, that is an achievment.

Is there a group in your area that people with mental illness can meet for a coffee and chat? just lately I have been thinking I would get a benefit from a group like that but there are none in my town.

Hi Get better,

thanks for your support. I have had trouble finding a local support group that I can get to There's one for fibromyalgia but it meets on a Friday morning when I,m at work and the same with the depression group I saw advertised, it was during 'office hours '

It also seems to the same for a lot of groups doing art,exercise or things that would be of therapeutic use. They run at times that only suit the retired, those unable to work or not working regular hours. It,s very frustrating. You hear or read about a group/course/event/workshop that sounds like just the thing. But on further investigation find it runs on a weekday during working hours!

thats what I'm finding these forums good.

Yarnartisan