Support for D1ng0 ‌‌‌‌:)

Hey @RiverSeal, thanks heaps for your kind words, I really appreciate it. I like that cycle diagram too, because it feels more realistic than aiming for a total, full-stop recovery, which is a trap I've fallen into a few times. I'm working really hard to survive everything that's going on, especially since I have so little personal support, and it's cool to have someone recognise that. Have a good one!

No problem @D1ng0! Hope it all goes well ❤️ RiverSeal

Hey @Former-Member, thank you for sharing what you've been through and are currently going through, it's very inspiring and makes me feel less hopeless. Firstly though, I really feel for you, and it's so terrible that you've been let down to such an extent. I really wish you hadn't gone through all that awfulness, but your strength sounds incredible. I hope your GP can help you and get you the psychological support you need, it sure sounds like you deserve it. Thank you for talking about what you've conquered and what you've struggled with.

Even if you don’t feel it at the time @D1ng0 , there’s always hope to be found in others who hold that for you 🙌🏻🙂🌺

SANE Forum’ers are a really top bunch with loads of empathy and a soft landing for those jagged edges days - I’m really glad you’re here ☺️

And I want to say a kind thank you for seeing a bit of my story, and feeling it is relatable in ways that can help you 🙂💜🌺

Connection is part of coping and your words lift me up like mine do for you 🙂🌺

I hope you can have a better day today 🦩🙂

I’m very sorry @D1ng0 that happened to you from a church group/pastor - didn’t mean to push religion on you. It sounds like you got so many struggles - and doing it on your own is monumental 😕

Just to let you know you’re not alone.

There are some good people out there, but sometimes hard to find.

Don’t give up ! 🐥

No worries @Hannelore, I didn't feel that religion was being pushed on me, and I didn't sense any malice in your words 😊 I just prefer to steer away from the topic of religion in general, when seeking support. Late last year a psychologist actually did push religion onto me, as the answer for my nerve sensitisation, and was incredibly condescending/insulting when I said that such an approach would not work for me. So, I recognise the difference between someone sharing their story and someone telling me how to live my life. And I'm thankful for your kind words!

Though we may have different approaches, I hope you persist with support-seeking as well, and that your struggles ease.

Hey @PizzaMondo, thank you for your support. Last week was definitely a massive week. Thanks for the words of wisdom re: accepting this diagnosis and processing it. It's nice to know that this community is here when I feel the need for more support. Needing to summarise things for multiple practitioners, and organising my health information into lists, is actually helping me absorb this diagnosis, so that's nice. It's also a way of advocating for myself and saying, "here's what my health situation is" in clear terms.

I definitely hope that those two friendships can persist in that way. But I also feel a bit resigned to whatever happens, because I'm doing as much as I can. A private goal of mine is achieving a level of mental/physical health where I can do things like join casual sporting clubs or hobby groups. Even though I'm definitely not capable of that right now, the goal gives me hope, because I could do that at any time in the future (after all, gatherings like that won't ever stop existing). That makes my current stagnation seem less hopeless. The world will still be there when I'm ready for it, if that makes sense.

I have received peer support from someone in my community, recently. It's been quite good. I don't think I can take on more at the moment. Even my own solitary hobbies feel very exhausting, and it's hard to see the point in them anymore. Even though I know that's my depression talking, I also think my interests are changing. I used to draw/paint daily, but now it seems boring. I take a sketchbook with me when I'm waiting around for appointments to start, but that's about it. I used to really enjoy weightlifting, and I'm dreaming of a day when I can do that again.

My boss has been totally chill with me working from home, I'm very grateful for it. That means I work in an environment where my desk, chair, and computer are set up in an ergonomic way which reduces pain. And if my pain flares up, I can lay down and wait for it to recede... which would probably be impossible/awkward onsite 🤣

No worries about the long response, I'm grateful for every word. Thank you for taking the time to chat to me! And I hope you're doing okay, too. 😊