Night Shift

I too am very withdrawn compared to in the past. Have been for several years now. Bipolar 1, PTSD, anxiety and depression, though all are manageable lately I still have a bit of social phobia happening. I've been ok tonight after having 2 naps today, but will go to bed earlier than last night (this morning!) for sure. Slept from 5.30 til 8 tonight (crached in front of telly!) so I'm still feeling quite fresh now. How did you sleep? What did you get up to today?

Good explanation of agender, cheers. I guess I have so far mostly related to the spectrum idea in relation to sexual preference but I can see how it can relate too to gender identity.

Our timing on the social withdrawal over past several years is very similar. Naps are sometimes necessary I think, even when trying to keep better sleep hygiene in general. I got to sleep last night eventually about 2am. I try to make that the outer limit now. But I sometimes wake up with first light after only a few hours sleep, have a drink or something, then go back to bed and try to get up by 8.30am. It was probably about then that I awoke this morning.

Took ages to get going today as I often do, mornings are the worst time for me. Then started in on my daily activity plan, got dressed, exercised on the bike, stretching, went for a walk on the beach. While I was out there my good friend rang and invited me over to her place for coffee (she's in walking distance). Ended up staying for dinner and partner joined us for that. Then home again and a bit of Halloween here.

What's on for tomorrow with you?

Sounds like you ended up having a really positive day. I don't have any plans for tomorrow yet. I am being gentle with myself with a physical health problem happening.

I understand about going gentle. It's interesting to hear your diagnosis. My diagnosis is a little bit loose as I've been to psychiatrists who are not necessarily keen on labels. I have been treated for bipolar since 2008 but it hasn't been specified to me whether it's 1 or 2. I was treated for the first 18 years for anxiety and depression alone. Social anxiety has been a big feature of my life on and off and played a big role in my inability to maintain employment (multiple breakdowns). My days are pretty slow really but I have been doing a bit of CBT therapy online and just started with a psychologist, so I am trying to focus on the positives as much as I can. Trying to keep connected with contentment and smelling small roses.

Again, the timing is similar. I was diagnosed in 2009 after 20 years of different antidepressants and adverse reactions to them. It's type 1 if you've ever had a psychosis (I have) and type 2 if you haven't. There's a lot of information available online. There are also other types, e.g. rapid cycling so it's another spectrum concept. I just finished my 10 sessions with a psychologist who is the best one I've ever seen, but I'm still seeing the psychiatrist. CBT is great and so is mindfulness. And record keeping helps stay on top of when things are changing. Getting the diagnosis was a hell time in hospital, but having it means I've been able to educate myself about it and learn strategies to manage better as well as getting onto medication that is working for me.

I was first diagnosed by a psychiatrist I saw only once because I couldn't afford his gap fee. He bulk billed for the assessment only. He said he thought it sounded like major bipolar (possible from some of my extreme actions earlier in life). From my point of view I've never been fully psychotic and felt more the anxious/depressive side of things. Glad to hear about the good psychologist you had. I continue to see a psychiatrist too, once every four weeks. Seeing the psychologist weekly. It's good to have the support.

If you see a GP and they do a Mental Health Care Plan for you and refer you, you get 10 psychology appointments a year and you shouldn't have to pay any gap. I was blessed in that the psychologist I used to see before the one this year wrote to a psychiatrist for me and he agreed to bulk bill me (I have a disability pension concession card). I saw him every few weeks for 18 months or so but this time when I saw him he said to come back in 3 months. I've managed ok, partly due to finally sleeping a lot better most of the time and having the psychologist to talk to but this is a challenging time for me getting used to not seeing her any more. The psychiatrist mostly focusses on the meds and getting them right and doesn't talk much about things otherwise. I don't know how I'll go until I can get psychology again next year and the one I saw is now on maternity leave until May anyway but she said to use Anglicare or Cathlicare counselling if I need to talk in the meanwhile. I hate starting with someone new but it's par for the course up here. Seeing the psychiatrist in a week and looking forward to that. I can tell him how I feel at least, he's quite a compassionate person in his way.

Yes, that's the scheme I have just started seeing the psychologist on - it's specifically for addictions with me, smoking mainly. I have mindfulness and tallying homework this week. He is bulk billing me (I am receiving DSP too). Psychiatrist bulk bills too. I have heard Anglicare mentioned before here on the forum and it was mentioned to me again today too by my local friend - not specifically for me just now, but just as being helpful to people. I haven't had any direct experience with Anglicare myself. It's the same with me and the psychiatrist focussing mainly on meds but he does make other suggestions and observations too that I find helpful. He's also very interested in improving my sleep patterns and it has improved my life too to work on this.

Smoking is one of the hurdles I haven't yet tackled, although I recently cut down about 1/3 except for the last few days. I always start the day with good intentions! What is working for you?