Just watched Changing Minds and could relate so much!!

Hi @33cRioli

Welcome to the Forums - I'm really glad you found us!

I watched the doco too last night. I'm looking forward to seeing the next two parts of the series. I really admire those who allowed their story to be part of this documentary and thank you for sharing your story too!

It sounds the show gave you an opportunity to reflect on how far you have come!

It's so great to hear AA worked for you and pets do amazing things for our wellbeing.

Many of our members have lovely pets - @PeppiPatty 's has a dog named Arlo.. we've kind of have adopted him as our community dog

What is your dog's name?

Hi Niknik, thanks for replying! My dog's name is Flossy; she's part shi tzu, part maltese; part daschund. Quite a mix and I love her to bits!

nb: have just realised I originally mistook the ABC show "Changing Minds" as being called "Changing Lives". Oh well, that's a prime example of how my meds scramble my memory at times.

I just wanted to elaborate on why I could relate to many of the people on the ward; like the woman who talked incessantly giving advice in an annoying way (she coulnd't help it, she was elevated). I was kept in high dependency at St Vincents in Melbourne for 2 weeks due to my psychosis and mania. I was a motormouth; in other people's faces and thought I was Jesus Christs sister. Furthermore I believed that any liquid I held (eg: a drink in a cup) was instantly transformed into "holy water" and went about throwing it in people's faces. Hence, I needed to be segregated for my own sake and everybody else's.

I got put into the main ward for a further 4 weeks which was interesting enough. In my opinion the most violent people were the male nurses responding to a code grey; they used to race off to them like commandos on speed. I got secluded once for throwing my holy hot tea in someone's general direction (it didn't hit them, but the nurses were fed up with my throwing efforts). I had bruises all over my body for the way they shoved me face first into the low-lying stretcher. At least I managed to prise my finger under the wristband of one of the male nurse's watches. "Bloody bitch broke my watch!!" was the last thing I heard after they jabbed me in the bum and everything went to black. Haha. THat'll learn ya.

It's funny, but even though I was very unwell I remember much of my 6 week stay in St V's even though it was about a decade ago. Psychosis evokes very strong emotions in me which stay in my memory. Like after I was discharged and living in a boarding house I was so anxious when I was out on a tram one day that I felt overwhelmed to burst into tears. Then all of a sudden it started pouring with rain, and my mind told me that God was crying for me so I didn't have to. Again, the biblical themes when psychotic.

When I'm well I'd describe myself as being more spiritual than religious, but if I'm sick there always seems to be this full-on Christian theme which is baffling except for the fact that my parents took me to church until I was 12 years old and wriggled out of it. I believe there is a God but it's my version of God and probably borrows from several religions and spiritual guides. But enough of that.

I'm really looking forward to tonight's part 2 episode of "Changing Minds" because I don't know about you but I care about these people even though I only got a glimpse into them via last night's episode. I care because I can relate and empathise. Especially when one is unwell.

Thanks @Elissa

Im going through this right now. Change in medication. Im constantly exhausted but manic.

I have a dog called Arlo so focus on him, like what @Jacques has suggested to me.

I cannot stand talking to anyone except my husband. this is lucky because I dont like spending times with others because off all these panic attaks.....

Why does this happen??

LOVE FlOSSY !!

yes, @33cRioli .....our doggies have it so hard.......Arlo is lying on the bottom of the bed feeling sorry for himself....he had a bath today...

Arlo is a rescue dog, he was really ill when I got him, for free on Gumtree......I think I was crying on Sane Forums and then.....one night, got him.....

His eyes are infected this week and he thinks very highly of himself because he thinks he's avoiding taking medication....whenever he sees the little white bottle come out, he hides under the loungeroom table.......

little does he know Im hiding it in his food.....

Hi FlOSSY

Beautiful puppy, looks like a good friend to cuddle 🙂

Thank you so much for reaching out, I feel quite alone at present. I'm living in such a beautiful place on the coast, and so frustrated that I just cannot appreciate it and all the wonderful things in my life like I should. I wish I knew why this happens, at present I just want to go back to hospital where I last felt safe.

I guess I just keep hanging on in there until the brain chemistry shifts again, and try and do all the usual things like exercise, meditation, rest, good food and personal hygiene. We have done it before, we can do it again!

Hope you have some moments of peace today 🙂

Hugs

Elissa