Slipping back

It sounds as if you have a great deal of willpower and strength to put those stuctures and techniques in place before. With some support from here on the forum hopefully you can ride out those ups and downs.you are now going through. Keep in touch please

hello @Jazzy1 @marchhare

I am not sure if I have met you before or not, hello regardless

Spending time in hospital in itself requires recovery time on release.

You also managed to put in place a physical fitness and weight loss programme.

You also were successful and able to see a result from all of your hard work.

How proud I hope you were.

Tired, a little drained perhaps as well now, understandably.

This is one of the difficult parts of having symptoms of depression and anxiety. We put in all the efforts which are far more draining for us, than someone else who does not experience these symptoms.

We also are doubling up on how hard we are on ourselves to achieve any set goals.

Someone without mental health symptoms setting out on such a programme often has setbacks, might even give up or at the very least feel annoyed with themselves.

You have other stuff on top as well as still recovering from hospital stay which apparently can take up to 6 months depending on the severity and symptoms. Plus you want to be better physically and mentally.

I know this all too well, have been doing this too myself for far too long. Not the weight loss but keeping up some level of fitness which I need to keep my mind fit. Struggling with life getting in the way on top.

I reached a point where I disassociated myself unknowingly. End result I am finally acknowedging this and accepting yes hospital is a safe place for me at the moment. Am waiting for a room at the inn.

Sorry about the length. I just want to show you that you are not alone. You are not going backwards. Your body and mind are telling you enough for now. Rest please. Time out or whatever words you use.

This is not slipping back, this is checking in on yourself and looking after yourself.

Make an appointment with your GP, preferably the one who referred you to your psychiatrist and explain what you are feeling at the moment.

If the GP is not helpful in that area, some aren't, ring Sane phone no 1800187263 and have a chat they will give you valuable time to express yourself. Also lifeline if your feelings are sinking lower.

I have done this recently. I do not know your feelings because we are all unique. However, I do know the feeling of being disappointed with myself and feeling that I have let myself down. Even though when feeling well and thinking rationally I realise that those thoughts could not be further from the truth. We can be our own worst enemies. We can also learn.

I am still learning, happy to invite you into my world of self exploring on here, where you only need to say as much as you want and are able to.

you will find strong support on here for the next 4 weeks leading up to your appointment.

Support will come in different styles, from different people, all with the common thread of compassion and confidentiality.

you have come to a safe place so your journey has started

keep writing

Hi @Jazzy1,

How are you doing? I second both @marchhare and @Former-Member to do what you have done takes a lot of hard work - it shows that you have the skills to do it.

It's is very normal to start slipping back - I'm not sure many people 'get it right' the first time. There will be slips. It can be an opportunity to pick up on areas that might need some attention. Is there anything that may have triggered this?

Sometimes it can be something stressful, and sometimes it can also be because people start feeling good. Can you tell me if you've done in the past when you've felt yourself slipping back?

@Former-Member might be able to provide some insights here. She has made some changes, and is working hard on making changes to stay well. She started this conversation here on goal setting and recovery. In this post both @utopia and @Kurra talk about how they make changes to stay well. I wonder if they might be able to add something here.

Thanks everyone for your kind words & advice. I am seeing a psychologist but I don't have an appointment for another 10 days. I'm on a standby list with my psychiatrist if someone cancels before my appointment. My GP is booked out till next week.

i probably have been under stress I'm primary carer for my unwell mother on top of working full time. My son has had his own mental health issues in the past & is currently out of work as of 2 weeks ago. I fear this is not good for his mental health.

my weight loss journey started in hospital as my program included two compulsory gym sessions per week so I used my time there to go everyday. I saw a dietitian there and started eating healthy trying to stick with. Most importantly I stopped drinking for 15 weeks went back on it again for a couple of weeks had a couple of regretful episodes which sent my depression down hill. So after discussions with my psychologist I have set another target this time of 16 weeks alcohol free. What will happen after that I don't know. I have had friends ask if I'm okay when they are all drinking & im not so I have self doubts was the alcohol defining my personality.

m just anxious about everything ATM & sometimes I feel so alone.

hello @Jazzy1 @utopia

Alcohol drinking also referred to as self medicating when have symptoms of mental illness

yes this is true and alcohol is also a depressant so even though feels good at the time actually builds up on your depression.

friends who drink, fine, you can still have fun with them, if they cant with you though that is different. they are not true friends.

it will take a while for them to get used to you not drinking, makes them feel uncomfortable, once they have worked that out for themselves they forget that you are not.

better for your liver, general physical health as well as mental health.

main thing is that you have not given up, you do have several people relying on you too adding the pressure.

be kind to yourself whilst waiting for your appointments and keep listening to valuable experience of others on here

you are not alone take care

II feel so bad today. My GP is booked till next week. I called my psychologist today in the hope of a cancellation tomorrow but no such luck. I'm on a cancellation list for my psychiatrist but I don't hold out much hope.

i feel so sad that it hurts I am struggling to hide the tears. I want to shut myself off.