World Mental Health Day

[buryboy]

What a great thread.

Just talking on here can be massively important . I have found it so useful in dealing with my daughter's mental health problems to create my uber long thread.

It makes me pause, think about things that have changed over the previous weeks, think about what needs to be tackled next, how me and the rest of the family are coping ourselves , and how the dynamic has been constantly evolving

Well done to those newly seeking help. Admitting problems isn't easy, it's a massive step.

Good luck to everyone

[2littleboys]

Originally Posted by stormflm595

Tablets can be the best thing in the world to take that edge off, I really hope that you feel better soon and I hope that your son does too!

See more...

Yep I agree, I tried to stop my tablets before and nearly had a nervous breakdown. My husband was so good though and he asked if it was heart medication would I have stopped taking my tablets for no reason, I just worried about the stigma of mental health.

[Sandra & co]

Originally Posted by stormflm595

Tablets can be the best thing in the world to take that edge off, I really hope that you feel better soon and I hope that your son does too!

See more...

My son is like I was when young I acted so confident but going on a date would fill me with dread I would be vomiting beforehand. I got really bad in 2012 (I think its my age) and have been taking a low doses ad since. My son is a performing arts graduate and doesnt mind performing infront of people but when he had girlfriend troubles he started getting sick!

[fl-veteran]

I'm currently going through the second bout of mental health issues in my life. The first in my 20's, this one in my 40's.

The first time I was very secretive. I didn't want anyone to know I was taking anti-depressants or struggling with day-to-day life in a way that they appeared not to.

I now work in health and this time I felt a responsibility to be completely open with everyone I know including my colleagues at work. They know the cause and severity of my anxiety and depression, the medication that I'm on, the symptoms of my illness and the side-effects of the medication (mainly sedation and a bit of woolly mindedness). I have been pleasantly surprised at just how helpful, supportive, kind and open about their own issues everyone has been. I've had absolutely nothing negative and lots of positives happen due to this openness.

It's really helped and, I suspect, has been the difference between me being able to carry on working (a protective factor) and being off on long-term sick.

Sometimes I think the stigma only exists in our own heads.

[soooexcited!]

Another sufferer here. There is still a stigma and lack of understanding from some but I do feel that's gradually getting better with people being open and honest. In part that's in my experience to people not being sure how best to help. I had a total breakdown aged 21 and was unfortunately sectioned for my own well being. I can honestly say it was the most terrifying time of my life. A lot of things led up to that point and I was very ill for about a year. I view life very differently now I try not to worry about the things o can't control, easier said than done. I'm much better at noticing when my mood is slipping and feel better equipped to talk about it. I've felt dreadful in the run up to DD going to uni. I'm able to rationalise it and know that I need to help myself. I'm eating better back at that gym and trying to motivate myself. Talking is the biggest thing you can do. I was so secretive before and also when I had dreadful post natal depression years ago. Opening up to those that love you is the first step and not beating yourself up that your not coping. There's help and support out there just not as much well being as there should be.

[Doowop]

I'm just back from the docs who is referring my 9 year old to CAMH's, would be great to speak to any other parents who are going through/ have been through the same kind of thing

[firsttimemouse]

Originally Posted by Doowop

I'm just back from the docs who is referring my 9 year old to CAMH's, would be great to speak to any other parents who are going through/ have been through the same kind of thing

See more...

I would also recommend speaking to the school and the senco. My dd 12 suffers with anxiety. She doesn't have panic attacks but does really stress about school and gets very depressed. It's horrible for her and it's draining for me and dh, particularly me as she needs a lot of support and is very clingy.

I found the school particularly useful. They helped me find a place on an evening course about dealing with children suffering from anxiety. They also had local counselling contacts and kept a close eye on her at school. I first made contact with them about two and a half years ago. She's now at secondary school and I end up speaking to the school support unit regularly. She is still anxious but it hasn't progressed into self harm which I was concerned was starting as she was scratching herself in the beginning. She also managed to go on a school residential trip which I didn't think she would manage.

The Camhs referrals locally to me take a long time and my dd wasn't severe enough that they could really help. That doesn't mean they won't be of benefit to you. I would just suggest looking at lots of options.

Feel free to message me if you want anymore info.

[firsttimemouse]

I think this is a really good thread. Mental health issues often still have a stigma attached to them.

My dh has suffered with depression for a long time. He felt really guilty too. He couldn't understand how he could feel the way he did when he had a happy family life, good job etc. I hate to admit but to start with I did take it personally that our family wasn't enough to keep him happy (although never told him that at the time). I don't think like that now I have an understanding.

He's had great support from gp and has learnt that if he feels down he needs to talk. He does have medication which keeps him on a level.

If you're feeling depressed, please talk to someone. Don't feel guilty, it's not your fault you feel like that and it's much better to get help.

I also think we need to remind ourselves nobody feels happy all the time. Despite what we see on social media life is not all happy happy happy. Just feeling ok is really ok. We can put a lot of pressure on ourselves to have a perfect life which is simply not achievable.

So please, don't suffer in silence. Even if you just talk to the dibb xx

[top4]

Hi everyone, mental health is very close to my heart, i neally went through a nervous breakdown over my son 5 yrs ago as hes very challenging and demanding, hes since been diagnosed with Autism and even now if hes having a bad day i can feel myself getting worked up... My advice to others would be to talk to others.. My friends were my absolute saviour throughout... If i hadnt of spoken to someone i really wouldnt have coped... Now 6 yrs down the line my gorgeous boy is in an amazing specialist School ive still got my amazing friends there for me and yes i still get off days but im a lot better than i was...

[scottishmum]

I�m so glad mental health is much more spoken about these days and gaining more publicity , hopefully helping more and more people.

There are so many degrees of mental illness too.
It�s also tough on families caring and living with people with mental illness who don�t actually know they are ill. That�s the cruellest thing ever.

We all have �mental health� just like we all have our physical health and both are equally as important .