Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Well @NatureLover I slept late and got basic chores done (kitchen etc) but not much else. I trust you had some success.

My mattress isn't firm enough for the exercises. I've been struggling a bit, and skipped exercises some days.

I understand belladonnas can be called that but I've only known one person to - she was remarking on how they've naturalised in parts of the Goldfields.

Best wishes for tomorrow.

Basic chores are good, @Dimity . I did some too, but no decluttering.

I ended up writing up my notes for my psychologist and researching Autism. She has scheduled me an extra appt this afternoon to talk about it, as I was upset and confused last week in the appt.

Bother your mattress isn't firm enough for exercises. I can understand you skipping exercises if they are so painful.

I only know those lilies as "naked ladies" - I didn't know them as belladonnas. Belladonnas is a nicer name.

I am going to try again this morning to do the decluttering. Good luck today for us both... 🤞

Hey @NatureLover @Dimity @Shaz51 @Emelia8 @Anastasia

Since coming back from being away, my stuff is sitting at the bottom of the stairs. It hasn't made its way to rooms yet lol...

So you're all doing better than me!

Good luck on your decluttering!

I've had stuff sitting for aaaages @tyme - having it in view was supposed to motivate me.

@NatureLover I'm so glad your psychologist has accommodated you with extra time - I hope she could clarify about mental health nurses too. Coming to terms with a new diagnosis is bound to present challenges too. I know I've been battling a bit with the new EMDR therapy I've started.

I saw my dietician at short notice and she suggested some lifestyle changes as well as tweaking my diet. She strongly recommended an afternoon nap which seems counter-intuitive as my first instinct is I need to push harder. Seeing her will have to count as my achievement for the day - I haven't done anything else.

Good luck for your work tomorrow.

Thanks so much for visiting, @tyme , I really appreciate it. 🙂

Good luck finding the time to put away your bags from your holiday away... (Although I know it was a working holiday)

Hi @Dimity ...I'm on page 400, which makes my OCD happy 🙂

Is the new EMDR therapy tough? Is it difficult to actually do, or does it bring up stuff that's difficult to deal with?

Apparently an Autism Assessment costs between $1,000 and $2,000, so I won't be doing that. Instead, my psychologist will be sending me links to some smaller questionnaires, which I will buy. I still don't think I have it, but that my symptoms can be explained by other things, mainly my other MIs, my HSP and trauma. My psychologist has actually shocked me deeply by saying I have Autism, and it's affected me quite badly. I'm questioning my identity.

That's interesting your dietician has suggested an afternoon nap. Will you try it, do you think? Do you think it might affect your night-time sleep?

I didn't achieve much yesterday apart from more Autism research, a little pruning to fill half the bin, and some laundry. (I find if I put the compostable bags straight into the green bin, they disintegrate at the bottom into a soggy mess, so I try to put them on garden leaves or prunings)

Good luck with your day today, I hope it is gentle for you.

@NatureLover @Dimity @tyme @Shaz51 @Glisten

well ive gone and done it. Was a very stressful day at work yesterday. there is a heatwave coming on the weekend and i decided to mow the lawn after work. (normally done on weekends). while doing that i felt my heart struggle, short of breath etc. But stupid me kept pushing thru it. I had a shower and realised my heart rate would not come down. check blood pressure, HR was 130bpm. was like that for 2-3 hrs. I freaked out. I didnt eat properly either. Forced myself to eat. Wanted to vomit. Persisted and got better. Went to doc today and HR was 90bpm too high for resting HR. sent me for blood test and heart monitor test. Txt my friend and she said "this is your lesson"I said yeah. I am not used to asking for help but need to get gardener to do it next time 😞 I feel so vulnerable right now.

Oh wow @scruffypuffball that's pretty scary! I'm glad you got your gp on the case.

It's never easy to find yourself unable to do things you'd normally be able to do, that's for sure.

Just curious, did your friend say that in a caring way or a mean way? Hard to interpret from my perspective. Hope it was a supportive way, it's always good to have friends who have our backs.

Oh @scruffypuffball . Hope you are okay. Please take care.

@NatureLover , I'm interested to know more about how this thread started. Would you be okay to share? (no pressure of course).

Hugs @NatureLover . I guess Autism as a term carries a lot of baggage but ASD seems very broad - indeed a spectrum - and understandings seem far more nuanced these days especially since neurodivergence is more openly discussed, with people actually seeking ASD and ADHD diagnoses. I hope your psychologist can gently guide you and support you while you investigate further.

Yes to your 3 questions about EMDR. It's tough going and difficult and brings up bad memories. It's not easy. But hopefully it will bear fruit in the long run if I can see it through.

@tyme asked about the origins of this thread... I'm a relative newcomer, not a germophobe but a hoarder, and know a severe hoarder who slid into unliveable conditions. I no longer acquire stuff but have a backlog I've reduced. My situation is complicated and dealing with it all involves knotty financial and family ties. I feel I need support with it as aspects of it are beyond me.