Chronic Illness = Depression

I know we've just met @BirdieCat but I say, you're always a dancer.

Nice to meet you.

Sounds absolutely horrid @BirdieCat

I know chronic illness. I contracted glandular fever in 2019 and had it for 1.5 years. In the end it landed me in mental health unit for a few weeks, it gave me an episode of florid mania and psychosis (I have severe schizoaffective disorder). In hospital the drs treated me really harshly and I’m still paying for it now. Have bad fatigue and am quite debilitated but slowly gaining strength.

I think you should be on the DSP for sure. You can’t be expected to work with your chronic illness, it’s very severe. Do you have family or friends or a support system to help you apply for the DSP? It is hard to get on it but with the current government it might be easier. If you had someone who could run round to drs to fill in all the forms and get all the supporting documentation, that would take a load off you.

It’s very sad that you are so limited and that you have to spend your energy on work when that’s just not feasible. Socialising would be hard in any case but that would def help lift some of the depression and so would doing a few things that you enjoy. I’m glad you have your cats though.

Do you live by yourself? So hard!

Be very kind to yourself. I hope some people have stuck by you through all this, you need all the support you can get. And you are worth the trouble. I hope some special people come into your life who see your worth and can brighten your day even if you don’t have much to give out.

I never thought I would recover from glandular fever. My immune system was in overdrive and I got so many viruses and weird illnesses for the 1.5 years as well as severe fatigue. And then the last few years with more psychotic episodes on top of that…my schizoaffective disorder is a lot more unpredictable now but I’m thankful that I don’t have too much physical illness. Fatigue causes me psychosis so I have to be very careful and rest the majority of my days.

But here with you in it for the long haul. There is hope, you are not alone.

Take care.

Thank you @Jade

Unfortunately, Narcolepsy (the only diagnosed condition I have - I'm 99% sure there's something else too) isn't considered a disability. There's really such limited understanding of the condition in 'the system'.

Really appreciate you sharing some of your story with me. What you've been through, and continue to go through, sounds so difficult. I'm sorry you have to deal with it, but I hope you have the support you need?

On my side, I do live alone. Living with anyone else gets complicated as they get frustrated that I'm not contributing the way they think I should. The only person I really have anymore is my mum. I'd be living in shambles without her (she does all my housework for me). There's a couple friends who will text me sometimes, but that's as far as it goes. Most people I considered friends stopped trying to invite me places or catch up with me, which I understand, but it obviously just amplifies the loneliness.

You're very kind, and I very much appreciate your reply.

Keep taking care of yourself

💛

Sorry @BirdieCat I didn’t see your message til today!

Oh I can’t believe Narcolepsy isn’t considered a disability…seriously!! There are ways to wrangle the system. When I was a lot younger (about 15 years ago-aged 21) and I had to apply for work for youth allowance, the job agency I was with recognised that I was really too sick for work (I hadn’t being diagnosed then but my mental illness started at age 15), they advised me to get on to Newstart allowance without the need to search for work. They somehow helped me. And then when I was 22 and diagnosed in hospital, the social worker applied for the DSP for me and thankfully I got on it. I wonder if there are ways around the system that could help you. Are you involved in any Narcolepsy support groups (if there are any out there?). It would be great if they had consumer advice and could help you with this stuff. Sorry I’m not of more help.

Yes, I get that living alone (with your cats) is somewhat easier than sharing. I’ve tried living with people, I find it so hard. My fatigue gets too much and paranoia! Fortunately, I am very lucky and my parents have provided accommodation for me on their property but they’re getting older and will eventually have to downsize but I’ll face that when it happens. I’m extremely lucky to have my parents, they’re pretty much my carers! I’m down to 3 friends who text me but haven’t seen any friends for almost 2 years. I can’t drive much anymore and they all have young families so are too busy.

I understand loneliness too. It’s so normal to crave human interaction, we’re made for it. But what makes it so hard is being so physically sick and exhausted that interaction is hard. To have someone who will just listen and be there with no judgment or expectation is something I think a lot of us need.

I’m glad you have your Mum, that’s very special. Mum’s are great. My mum does my housework for me too!

How’s your depression going today? How are you coping with your Narcolepsy as well? I hope today’s a bit brighter than usual.

You take care too x