too hard

Call National Home Doctor Service on 137425 in all major cities. Have your medicare card on hand and the doctor will bulk bill you.

Ellu

Forgot to say the doctor comes to you

Ellu

Dear lisajane,

Working with a health professional (Gp, psychologist, psychiatrist) is all a matter of being able to give them your trust, so I can understand why you are reluctant to work with a health care worker you don't know. It takes time to learn to trust someone with your intimate thoughts and fears. The health worker has to earn that trust and respect from you, and it sometimes takes quite a long time. Sometimes it doesn't work out - there is a personality clash and it is never going to work out. That is when you change to another health care professional, and hopefully you will soon find someone you trust.

When I first started going to my psychiatrist I was very reluctant to reveal too much of myself, but as we got to know each other I found I could trust him without reservation, and he has been my doctor for 20 years. Of course I am on medication, but it is the talks which we have which keep me afloat.

Is there any way you could talk to your psychiatrist more often? Once every few months is not really often enough to keep pace with your changing situation. At least you have a good psychologist - I am a great believer in "talk therapy" and I think it is as important as medication.

You know what is best for you, and your job is to make sure you get what you need. In the meantime try to live day to day. Try to take things easy, and try to do something nice for yourself every day - a walk, a cup of coffee, whatever. I have had bi-polar disorder for 47 years, and believe me the bad times do not last forever and there are good times ahead. Best wishes,

Ellu

Hi @Former-Member

Don't listen to people who tell you your not worthwhile

Your worth it

feeling so overwhelmed and scared at the moment. my life is so complicated. feeling trapped by everything. i have no idea how to make things work. i cant imagine what things will look like next month. i feel broken into so many pieces. family court stuff coming to the pointy end. i just cant deal with it all. so much pressure from everywhere and the weight of the responsibility for keeping my kids safe, and yet not having any power to do that is so hard. memories of ... awful things.. are taking away more strength and i dont know how to fight anymore. a day at a time is too much. just getting through a moment or task at a time. always forgetting to breath properly, unclench jaw and neck. headaches and pains are constant, and its hard to swallow food down even when i remember to eat. how do i get through this, how do i get to want to get through this

Dear lisajane,

It can get better and it does get better. have been in the same dark place several times. I have had bi-polar disorder for 47 years and I have seen all the ups and downs there are. When I first met my doctor he leaned over me in my hosptal bed and said "You WILL get better". It took a bit of time and experimenting with medicaion b ut I DID get better. I trust you are being looked after by a healthcare professional. If not, now is the tme to see the GP and get some advice. All those synptoms you describe are the same symptoms I had when I was depressed.So I know exactly how you ae feeling, and how awful it feels.

Now is the time to start doing something about it. If you already have a health care [rofessional then ring him/her and explain what is going on.If not, then ring the GP and ask for a referral. I know it seems like an awful effort and not worthwhile, but it is the only way foward.ou owe it to yourself.Thinking of you,

Ellu

Dear lisajane,

You will get through this the same way we all get through it - one step at a tme. They may be baby steps but they will gradually get you out of this place of darkness and into the light again. Do you practise Mindfulness or other forms of meditation?They are very useful in centreing your thoughts and calming you down when things get on top of you.

Try not to think about next week or next month - concentrate on getting through today. Your kids need to be safe, but they can be a great source of comfort to you. They love you and want to do someting to help. Spend as much time as you can with them, I know it helps.

Don't worry about the big picture - just focus on what you can do and allow yourself the time and space to recover. Don't fight, you will only exhaust yourself. Just do what you can, and stay way from stressful situations or people. You are in survival mode. I know I said this before but seek medical help. It will give you more support and stamina, and there may well be ways your doctor can help. What have you got to lose? I have been in that dark, dark place myself several times, and you need help to get out.

Thinking of you,

Ellu

Thank you @Ellu

I'm so tired. i've tried mindfulness, i have apps and other stuff, but i cant do it. i need to go shopping which is something i had planned for yesterday but didnt get to it. need food for meals and what not. ive been like this a few times but this is the worst in a long time. i think my psychiatrist just expects these up and downs. last time i was like this he said he thought the downs would continue while there is so many stressors in my life. and they dont stop. i feel like a lost cause that im too broken to be fixed.

lj

Thinking of you @Former-Member

Just be gentle and kind to yourself today. Just do the bare essentials and what you can do. Go easy. I have been thinking about you and was worried for you. Pls take care, try to get some rest today as well.

Thinking of you