Morning has broken

Good morning my sweet friend, I hope you are still having a peaceful sleep right now. Sending you hugs and wishes for a day that is gentle with you. Nikki

@Eve7

Aww thank you @Former-Member

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This mh journey is a long and lonely road. I have not really discussed my current setback with anyone apart from my pdoc.

I’ve not told my mother, siblings or kids what’s been happening. My friends think I’m on a holiday and only one work colleague has made the effort to track me down.

So what do I do next? Do I just return home and carry on as if nothing has happened or do I “come out”?

One of my sons knows I’m in hospital but Ove not discussed anything with him.

Do I return to work? Pdoc has an opinion about that!

I want to be honest but I’ve covered up for so long.

what do others do?

@Snowie @Former-Member @Maggie @Zoe7 @Bugs

Hi @Eve7

MH is a long and lonely road. Knowing I have the support from people here makes me feel a bit better and knowing that I don't have to do it alone does help. Lean on us here and use us as supports.

I didn't tell any of my friends that I was in hospital and only some family knew (the family I live with). Some friends know now and I realised it is nothing to be ashamed about.

We have to remember that if we broke a leg then we would tell people so why should our mental health be any different to how we would treat our physical health.

There is no shame in receiving help for mental health. Please remember that. True friends will stand with you regardless of what you tell them.

I made the decision awhile ago that I was not going to 'hide' anymore. Having a MI is a real part of my life and if people are going to accept me, then they need to accept all of me. Be proud @Eve7 of how far you have come in this journey .

I can't tell you what to do or say to people but I can be there for you in your journey. You are not alone hun, we are here for you through the good and bad times.

Your ECT buddy, Snowie 💌

Thank you @Snowie you are a true buddy.

I often think about the broken leg scenario and how if that happened friends and family would be bringing food and flowers as well as cleaning my home and garden. Now I’d freak if anyone went into my

home as I think the s note I left on the table must be still there. It’s only that my GP sent me straight to hospital that I didn’t do what I said I’d done.

There is great support here and I’ve got used to it being virtual.

I’m going to discuss it more with my pdoc over the next week and decide how I’ll do it.

I hope your day has been manageable ❤️

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Gee @Eve7 .. thats a really tough one, and I'm probably not the right person to advise on that at all.

Nobody in my real life know anything about my MH struggles, diagnosis or treatments. Although I think some of my family are aware that I'm a little weird at times, but they dont ask what might be wrong. Even my husband is unaware that I have been diagnosed with PTSD. He has limited knowledge of what happened to me in my trauma, but very little else. He is ex military and has PTSD from service in Vietnam. In his opinion no civvies are entitled to get PTSD. So its just easier that I dont tell him, because I think he would consider that it would somehow diminish his own PTSD situation. I know that makes little sense to most people, but for me thats the way it is. And the event that happened to cause my ptsd, is not something I am able to talk to anyone about, nor do I want anyone else to know. I have always been a very private person, so I think this is just me. I have a very limited circle of acquaintances, the only friends I have are not near me, and family are also elsewhere. So keeping my MH issues a secret is fairly easy for me.

I guess I know my life would be a lot simpler if I were open with others around me. But for me, I'm just too afraid to tell anyone. I dont want the discussion that will likely come if they knew my diagnosis. I dont want others to know.

Do you come out? A very personal choice Eve, and noone else can tell you whats best for you. I'm glad that you have a work colleague who was concerned enough about you to try to track you down. Do you know her well?

Returning to work ... I think a return to as normal a life as possible would be preferable. Do you enjoy working? Do you have a supportive workplace and workmates? How flexible can work be .. eg can you go part-time or reduced hours to see how things go in the short term, and then go from there? You indicated that your Pdoc has a strong opinion about you returning to work. Does he suggest you return, or not? Do you trust your Pdoc's opinion and expertise? Is there any reason why you would go against your Pdocs advice, unless you have a strong opinion that differs from his professional advise?

I imagine that to be honest now, after covering up your MH issues for so long, would be a difficult process. But if you are telling much loved family, close longterm friends, and trusted colleagues ... I feel sure they will appreciate your honesty and support you.

Sherry 🤗💕

Thank you @Former-Member for your (as always) very well thought out answered.

I will definitely limit who I tell. Most of my family live interstate and they would put it in the too hard basket.

Work will be interesting. I do enjoy it but it can be extremely pressured at times. I know my pdoc as a professional colleague but I don’t work in mental health. I’m not ready to deal with leaving work and pdoc understands that. He’s told me to not think about it for a few more weeks.

All complicated and difficult 😩

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Sounds like good advice from your Pdoc @Eve7 . Let things settle a bit before you make the big decisions.

Leaving work is a major decision, and thus not one to be made at this point in time.

I understand the "complicated and difficult". 🤔

I hope you sleep well tonight. Is it your usual Friday ECT session tomorrow for you?

Sherry 😊💕

Yes,ect tomorrow morning. Thank you for your support @Former-Member

Sleep well precious lady. Good night ❤️

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Good night to you too @Eve7 💖💤