Weaponising mental health

Sitting with @Fawkes. You aren’t alone here. I hear how hard you are working on keeping yourself safe and trying to find alternative coping strategies, do I have this right?

I am wondering what you find most helpful when you are in these crises?

Remember if you are feeling unsafe please contact a crisis service or 000. I understand you haven’t had a good experience in the past re meds but they are there to keep you safe.

https://www.lifeline.org.au

sane also have the recovery club, if you haven’t heard about it already it may interest you 🌻

Hi @Fawkes

It sounds incredibly frustrating and distressing to have worked so hard to access your ADHD medication, only to feel that seeking support for your mental health could jeopardise that treatment. I can understand why this would leave you feeling trapped, particularly when you’re already experiencing a difficult time with your mental health.

You deserve to be able to seek support without feeling afraid of the consequences. While I can’t speak to the specific prescribing restrictions, I encourage you to discuss these concerns with your treating team and consider seeking clarification about your options.

Take gentle care,

SunsetSunrise ✨🌻

Thanks. It’s difficult with complex metal health especially when the “prescribed” treatment often adds more complexity and worsens acute episodes.when you GP and psychologist are sitting there scratching there heads it’s very difficult to understand what to do

i have been working very hard but fallen into SH loop which is the tricky part. It does provides tremendous relief and provides the only sense of control i have as faced with acute on chronic stresses atm. And I live in a small regional area so have no where to go if things esculate. I’m ok for now. Just sometimes I forget how much of a shit show my complex mental health can be.

Hi @Fawkes you sound very insightful. Does this contain anything you don't already know about sh?:

• https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/the-sane-blog/managing-symptoms/self-care-for-self-harming-behaviour

Were you on long term ADHD medication prior to moving interstate? Could withdraw symptoms while waiting for the permit, or (new?) ADHD medication, be contributing to some of your symptoms of distress?

Intellectually I understand the SH and how it manifests to this level. I was diagnosed with ADHD over 20 years ago and had new on education consistlly over this time. The ove interstate has been battle for access to education. I received a new referral in December and have only been approved in July.during that time my mental health deteriorated due to any external stressors.not having adhd education does have an impact at this level. The stress of batting the PSB has significantly added to this. Having my hospital mental health history if SH being shared with the PSB is a contributing factor to ongoing medication restrictions. Given my current permit expired on 8th and that the PSB advised that the case needs to be referred to medical board again and that no indication can when this will occur (as they are busy ). I do monitor my sh and health risks, but atm I can’t refer myself to hospital for transfusion if this crisis doesnt resolve as I will loose access to adhd medication. 12 moths ago I started my own business. Not having access to adhd medication has significantly impacted my ability to manage administrative tasks to the point where I am at this point. I am now in a no win situation ☹️

Thanks for the background @Fawkes. The bureaucracy sounds so impactful to your life!

So much is outside of your control, so you can only focus on what is within your control. What would be the best support for you right now, to mitigate the non-ADHD aspects of stress/mental health in order to stay out of hospital?