Send 'smooth-sailing' sentiments to Spirit_Healer!

Hey @Spirit_Healer ,

I'm sorry to hear you were experiencing low mood after saying goodbye to your psych. Has this been brewing for a while now?

Do you have people you can talk to about it?

I can see you are concerned about your friend. I wonder if they've contacted 1800RESPECT before?

Please look after yourself.

@tyme @MissGremlin

My low mood has been for about the last 4 days. I told my old psychiatrist about it yesterday, although I hadn't made the link between saying goodbye to him and my mood. I had attributed it to a really sad book I was reading, and the cold weather. I can still contact my old psychiatrist if I have any problems. It also probably doesn't help that I've now weaned off one antipsychotic completely now; I know it has an antidepressant effect at a low dose. And my psychiatrist agreed when I suggested that I stop the fibre supplement I've been taking, now that I'm off that medication. (I started it due to its constipation side effect on the first place. ) I hope that will do the trick for the diarrhoea I've been having this week.

This afternoon, I went for a walk with my Mum. I was surprised how much better I felt after it.

Yes, my friend called the number and is getting help from DV services in her area. I'm trying to look after myself and avoid compassion fatigue from supporting her.

Thank you, as always, for your support!

By the way, @tyme @MissGremlin , I have my fingers crossed that my Dad gets a Mental Health Treatment Plan and psychology referral tomorrow. He has a GP appointment tomorrow and has been depressed for a few months. I told him that, for things to change, he must make a change.

---

@Spirit_Healer wrote:

By the way, @tyme @MissGremlin , I have my fingers crossed that my Dad gets a Mental Health Treatment Plan and psychology referral tomorrow. He has a GP appointment tomorrow and has been depressed for a few months. I told him that, for things to change, he must make a change.

---

Thanks for sharing @Spirit_Healer . That's one HUGE step for him. Would you go with him?

Also, I'm glad your friend reached out for supports.

Please remember you so you don't get unwell. I see you care for everyone.

@Spirit_Healer sounds like a few things could be contributing to the low mood but that's ok cos these things will happen at times, it's just a matter of learning how to manage it and looking after ourselves as best we can when things are feeling a bit off.

The walk with your mum sounds lovely and I'm so happy that you felt better after it 😊

I'm really glad that your friend is getting support from services. Definitely make sure you look after yourself when supporting your friend aswell, it's great that you are supporting her but your own health and well-being comes first priority.

It sounds like your dad is finally open to hopefully getting some help himself which is such a big thing. I really hope it all works out.

So proud of you sweet for how far you have come, sending you hugs ♥️

Hello @MissGremlin @tyme ,

I'm still feeling angry.

Two hours ago, Dad blamed his early Dementia symptoms on not getting enough stimulation because I haven't been around as much.

This feels really unfair. He is a major source of trauma for me, how does he still get to guilt-trip me for spending less time around him?

I just raised it with him. I pointed out that his lack of motivation to find a new job, or a hobby, is likely a bigger factor for his cognitive decline.

I also still find myself running back to him and Mum because I have less social supports than I would like.

Hey @Spirit_Healer ,

Sorry to hear this. I guess you are their only child? I can see why they would be concerned. As we've established earlier, they don't have anyone else. It must be so hard on them and hence maybe that's why they project this on you.

You're on holidays, right? What have you planned for yourlse during the holidays? Hopefully that will then set some boundaries so you only need to go to your parents sometimes for limited time.

I'm going out for coffee with a former work colleague tomorrow.

My nieces and nephew are on school holidays. They will go to a church holidays program tomorrow.

Thanks for your reply, @tyme .

My younger brother moved interstate and then overseas, 7 years ago. This is the third time I've moved out, and the closest one out of the three times.

You're right, my parents don't generally socialise, which is why they rely on me.

I'm seeing the new psychiatrist tomorrow, I already know I'll be tired after that!

Haven't planned many other things, was just focused on making it to holidays.

Except that I'll be going away with my church group next weekend. I'm a little worried because my period is due then, I hope it won't cause me too much trouble.

@MissGremlin

Makes sense @Spirit_Healer . You are the only one left who is 'within reach'.

Please look after yourself. Take some big deep breaths and show yourself some compassion. I hope all goes well with the church group outing.

@tyme @MissGremlin

I saw my new psychiatrist today. I'm happy. She seems to have more of an emphasis on patient education and empowerment. And her explanations make sense. She took some notes for me and gave them to me at the end of the session.

I requested her to refer me to a Day Program at the hospital and she did it for me.

As I predicted, I was tired afterwards. I lay in bed for a little while in the afternoon, even though I had told myself I shouldn't nap. The last two nights I have fallen asleep in better time, and I think it might be because I didn't nap during those days. I really hope the improvement continues.

My mood is better over the last week. I think the sunshine has helped, and the holidays, of course!

I contacted some friends today and I have lined up a lunch catch-up with one of them for later this week. Thanks @tyme for the suggestion.