Mental Health Awareness Letters – 9th May 2018

As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I had an idea to write a letter each day to a person, or group of people that have had an impact on my own personal health. The first portion of the month has been delayed, however I hope that I will catch up and there will be a daily post. Thank You for taking the time to read these and I appreciate any comments or support you can provide on each post.

Please remember that if you are struggling with your health, both physical or mental, there may be some triggers in these letters-please seek support if you find these letters trigger any distress. Look after yourself!!

Letter 9 – To my dogs.

My little ‘Mexican Shits’ who like to go out and then come in and pee by the back door!!

You cuddle me and show affection. I talk to you and feel that you listen and understand. People may think I am crazy but if you have never owned a dog you wouldn’t understand (unless you do not like dogs, but you have an equally loving cat or another animal). Science proves that being near a pet can help your mental and physical health as well as helping the animals’ health.

I had dogs on and off growing up but for years I wanted a Chihuahua, they are small and cute and feisty little things, with their little tails and little ears and bubbly personality I loved them.

We got our first girl from Gumtree and whilst she had been with this family for a week or two she was still young, most probably too young to be away from her Mam, but I had to have her!! We now have another puppy, found on the internet from a breeder-they have a love hate relationship and love to wind each other up, but they do love each other and there is nothing I love more when I am having a bad day that cwtches from these two.

It may sound silly, but my dogs definitely have saved me!! I love them!!

People may call Chihuahuas ‘rats’ but they are one of the most loyal and loving breeds I have ever known.

Advertisement

Mental Health Awareness Letters – 1st May 2018

As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I had an idea to write a letter each day to a person, or group of people that have had an impact on my own personal health. The first portion of the month has been delayed, however I hope that I will catch up and there will be a daily post. Thank You for taking the time to read these and I appreciate any comments or support you can provide on each post.

Please remember that if you are struggling with your health, both physical or mental, there may be some triggers in these letters-please seek support if you find these letters trigger any distress. Look after yourself!!

Letter 1 – To the family members that decide to block me on social media and ignore my friend requests.

They say if people ‘unfriend’ you on social media or online groups then to let it go and move on. That is easier said than done if you want nothing more than a family around you. There are certain family members that I do not really know but have met in the past and genuinely like. Yet you unfriend, ignore and block me-well I have one thing to say to you – GO F*CK YOURSELF!!
Just because you may have your family, your friends, children, pets and marriages you don’t need me anymore. I have “Family” that have invited me to events, reunions, weddings, funerals, gatherings, “piss ups” or other get-togethers, but they have also failed to invite me when you have invited the rest of the family. This is fair enough as you may not want me there- I may have forgotten to invite you to events but if I have then I am sorry and may have genuinely forgot because of ‘brain fog’. Also, do not bother saying you forgot or thought I was busy yet say something completely different to other family members or mutual friends.
I am sorry but not all of us had the perfect upbringing and have a loving and ‘together’ family. I went out of my way to help and talk to certain people and you repay me by blocking me on social media, then you unblock me but stop me adding you as a friend or sending messages to check how you are doing.
All I have ever wanted is a loving and caring family, but certain people within the family think they can just ignore me and throw me to the side, I have gone my whole life not knowing my family tree and who I am related to and when I do find out and want nothing more than to get to know my family you take it away and play mind games. It really hurts- this has contributed to my mental health greatly as I have lost the little self-identity I have.
I have lost friends, family and parents, all I want in my life is a bit of identity. I want to go over to join in on the family Sunday Lunches. I want nothing more than to send and receive Easter Cards, Christmas Cards, Anniversary Cards and cards for every other event under the sun. I want family, Love and genuine caring. But you fail to give that. Instead, you make me feel unloved, unwanted and unrelated.
You have made me wish I had never been born.
So go ahead get on with your life, but remember you may be caring to others but to me you have done nothing and made me feel like nothing.
Image may contain: 1 person, swimming and close-up

 

 

 

This is all the family I need!!

 

 

IMG_8036.jpg

 

 

 

 

Travelling and a broken mallet

Last year we took a road trip, camping around North Wales. We saw a lot of Snowdonia National Park and saw some beautiful views.

Today’s Word Prompt is ‘Malett’ so I thought I could share a funny story.

You may notice my spelling is “Mallet” – I am using British English Spelling.

18275112_10154581273476705_1178889812006961992_n

The Dog enjoyed the Trip!!

We had moved to a new site and got busy setting up, including the windbrakers as it was very windy up North!! So there I go with the mallet banging away on top of the pegs and wooden poles and pop, there was a sudden release – the end of the mallet only went and flew off didn’t it!!

I believe it may have been caught on video but I have yet to find it (it might have even been a Facebook Live!! )

Since this trip my life has taken a turn, I do not remember many times I have laughed – today’s prompt meant I had to share this short and sweet story. If I find the video it will be uploaded!!

If you need any tips or places to visit around North Wales – Get in Touch I do not know everywhere but I do know lots of cute little places that won’t break the bank massively and isn’t necessarily easily searchable online.

Quick little funny moment in life-I need more of these!!

Not really sure what to call this one

I’m not really sure where to start, I am still off work but I cannot really discuss that here.But I am still here, even if I am quiet, I seem to have fallen back into a nocturnal state.

However, one great thing happened at the start of the year, we finally moved into our own home, no more tenancy agreements, no more over-priced rentals and a home that is our own. I just feel so bad that even though I have accomplished something I have always wanted, I am still not happy.

I am lost, I am hurt and I am sad. But I do not know why. Those that do not understand keep asking “What is causing your anxiety?” or “What is causing your depression?”- I’m sorry but if I knew the cause it would not be an issue. Seriously, do not tell me you understand and then ask me stupid questions.

My body hurts and I do not want to do anything, apart from stay inside with my dogs. I have tried my best to start making the house a home but I know it is not enough. I feel that everything should be unpacked, all rooms cleaned and any maintenance or DIY should be done. I should be out running every day and making an effort but I just do not want to. What is wrong with me?

Until next time.

 

 

Sertraline oh Sertraline….

So having spent the last two days in the bed I have got myself up and retreated to the sofa to watch tv with my pooch and wife.

So I have not left the house but it is cold and the effort to get dressed is too much.

I have been thinking about my Sertraline, whilst there have been several days or events I have attended and I am less anxious or OCD symptoms have subsided- I find myself having more bad days and a cycle or really happy days where the world is my oyster, I can sign up for races and challenges and do loads of Uni work along with extra courses and enquiring about new courses to do. But then everything comes crashing down, sometimes for no reason at all and a couple of times something has triggered a downward spiral.

I saw the CMHT and have been discharged from their service after the assessment for re-referral from the GP if I need them. Although they have suggested some treatment but no point referring until I have moved as it is different health trusts. They have also suggested my medication is changed- saw a GP but not my usual Doctor as she wasn’t working but my dose has been increased to the max dose of 200mg to try and if then there is no improvement then we will need to switch medications. I had over two months worth of tablets here so I would rather try the high dose rather than waste the tablets by returning them to be destroyed by the pharmacy.

I am really weary and nervous about switching do a different medication because I don’t know what to expect. I am scared to side effects like my hair breaking and falling out that Citalopram caused. I’m scared it will affect my work, relationship or driving, along with fertility and weight. I am just scared.

I am positive about the work I am doing to secure a future in Mental Health for myself but I feel my own mental health is an unsolved mystery and I don’t want to live like this anymore. I want to be happy and I want to teach; stand up in a room and present, attend parties without heart palpitations and sweating like I have had a bucket of water thrown over me. I want to get up and get out and not hide in the house and do nothing, or think about ways to hurt myself or force weight off or even give up and pile weight on.

Although on a positive note I start bereavement counselling this month. After so many losses in the past 14 years and not grieving or speaking about them I think it is the right time to start healing those wounds. But only time will tell.