Depression

[isaidno 682]

Can anyone recommend someone to talk to about depression?  I've got a phone appointment next week with let's talk,  but really struggling at the moment. I'm waiting for a call back from Leicester mental help hub too.

[Ollie93 298]

1 hour ago, isaidno said:

Can anyone recommend someone to talk to about depression?  I've got a phone appointment next week with let's talk,  but really struggling at the moment. I'm waiting for a call back from Leicester mental help hub too.

I went to Rutland House mate, they are very quick and set initial zoom calls up very quickly too. Cost about £35 a session but well worth it tbh.

[spacemunky 2,620]

6 hours ago, isaidno said:

Can anyone recommend someone to talk to about depression?  I've got a phone appointment next week with let's talk,  but really struggling at the moment. I'm waiting for a call back from Leicester mental help hub too.

Not sure about over there, but we have several  24 hour help hotlines. I would think you would have those?

[Ozwin 1,512]

9 hours ago, Paninistickers said:

Just to echo a few other comments about time, as dull as  that sounds. 

 

I got blindsided after 12 years a few years ago. To say I was shellshocked is an understatement. 

 

I couldn't do the clean break, as I was advised. But i was strategic. I decided it'd be a long haul and realised the next 12-18 months would be shite. I unpicked myself from her stitch by stitch, slowly slowing down contact and texts and the occasional make up shag.

 

Slowly - and a deliberate tactic - was to change myself slowly...not some dramatic chnage which (I felt) woild.look.like a mid life crisis.

 

Started a new  hobby. Changed job. Got fitter. Got a tan. Slowly improved my wardrobe. Cut my hair better. Over a period of time, the subtle changes start to.make you feel better about yourself.

 

Basically, my advice is to adopt tiny baby steps and just accept it's gonna take a while to get better. 

 

Appreciate the support. 12 years must have been killer. Thing is for me is that there didn't seem to be anything wrong, we lived together we always did fun things and then she goes away, comes back and doesn't have the same feelings anymore. She didn't cheat before you say it but she just isn't the same person. I think she wants to see if she can go at things herself and not rely on me for her happiness anymore (which she definitely used to). It's been horrible. We are on talking terms although I am currently only talking to her about house related stuff and trying my absolute hardest not to engage in any chit chat.

 

The evenings are the hardest but I genuinely do feel as though she will regret it when she looks back in a month or two, especially around Christmas time when we'd usually make a real big thing of it. I don't want to be naive and think she'll come back but I do, hand on heart, feel like it's a mistake on her part. It will take me a long time to get over it so I'm not going to jump on tinder or anything mad like that but obviously I can't be pining over what might happen.

 

We still need to have a proper chat really. Is that a thing recently broke up couples do? Chat later on when things have calmed down a bit? I mean we talked on the night it ended but obviously that's not a proper talk is it.

[isaidno 682]

1 hour ago, spacemunky said:

Not sure about over there, but we have several  24 hour help hotlines. I would think you would have those?

I've spoken to an organisation called Ben.  They deal with people in the motor industry. NHS helpline has a back log of cases.

Edited 17 September 2020 by isaidno

[String fellow 465]

Being dumped can be unbelievably painful. I spent about 6 months afterwards replaying in my mind all the things I'd said or done (or not said or not done) which might have caused it. In the end I came to the conclusion that we weren't destined to stay together, and that in dumping me she'd also lost access to my wallet, which was great news for my wallet. Talking about relationship break-ups to someone (who's paid to listen) may be of some therapeutic value, but ultimately it's just talk, and it won't mend a broken heart. So I drew on the positives, like realising I'd got far more time and money to spend on other interests. Also, one gets a better night's sleep when not sharing a bed! 

Edited 18 September 2020 by String fellow

[urban.spaceman 33,185]

Anxiety's back with a vengeance today. Must be matchday.

[rachhere 1,961]

@Izzy what's the name of that book again that you recommend for getting out of negative thought cycles? I think my friend could benefit from it. 

[rachhere 1,961]

5 hours ago, urban.spaceman said:

Anxiety's back with a vengeance today. Must be matchday.

Hopefully you will get a nice boost with a win today. Weekends can be the worst I think, with less structure to them. Especially at the moment. 

Edited 20 September 2020 by rachhere

[Izzy 24,013]

24 minutes ago, rachhere said:

@Izzy what's the name of that book again that you recommend for getting out of negative thought cycles? I think my friend could benefit from it. 

There's a few books on this subject Rach but the two I'd recommend are:

 

1. 'Somebody should have told us' by Jack Pransky

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Somebody-Should-Have-Told-Us/dp/1926918266/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23Q3F8MMIVHSO&dchild=1&keywords=someone+should+have+told+us&qid=1600623560&sprefix=someone+shoul%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-1

 

2. 'The Inside Out Revolution' by Michael Neill

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inside-Out-Revolution-Thing-Change-Forever/dp/1781800790/ref=sr_1_1?crid=6LBMVFHHKSVZ&dchild=1&keywords=the+inside+out+revolution+by+michael+neill&qid=1600624038&sprefix=the+inside%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-1

 

I hope your friend finds them helpful 

 

 

 

 

[rachhere 1,961]

15 minutes ago, Izzy said:

There's a few books on this subject Rach but the two I'd recommend are:

 

1. 'Somebody should have told us' by Jack Pransky

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Somebody-Should-Have-Told-Us/dp/1926918266/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23Q3F8MMIVHSO&dchild=1&keywords=someone+should+have+told+us&qid=1600623560&sprefix=someone+shoul%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-1

 

2. 'The Inside Out Revolution' by Michael Neill

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inside-Out-Revolution-Thing-Change-Forever/dp/1781800790/ref=sr_1_1?crid=6LBMVFHHKSVZ&dchild=1&keywords=the+inside+out+revolution+by+michael+neill&qid=1600624038&sprefix=the+inside%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-1

 

I hope your friend finds them helpful 

 

 

 

 

Thanks - much appreciated!

[urban.spaceman 33,185]

15 hours ago, rachhere said:

Hopefully you will get a nice boost with a win today. Weekends can be the worst I think, with less structure to them. Especially at the moment. 

It was definitely something to do with it being Sunday. Feeling listless while everyone else was up and doing something. Trying to relax when someone's making some kind of DIY noise. Was half as active as I've been the last few weeks so that was another kicker! Feeling OK this morning though!

[Wymsey 4,791]

Fair play, Billy. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54189703

Hope this is the start of a happier life.

[Ozwin 1,512]

Genuinely don't think things are getting any easier. 

 

I'm still in our house on my own for another week and think that isn't helping as I'm just by myself and the house is getting emptier day by day. 

 

Thinking of going to the GP but can't work out if it's just sadness over the situation or actually something's wrong with me. I just feel so ****ing low all the time. 

[HighPeakFox 12,198]

38 minutes ago, Ozwin said:

Genuinely don't think things are getting any easier. 

 

I'm still in our house on my own for another week and think that isn't helping as I'm just by myself and the house is getting emptier day by day. 

 

Thinking of going to the GP but can't work out if it's just sadness over the situation or actually something's wrong with me. I just feel so ****ing low all the time. 

I think that's normal my friend. I have been single nearly 8 years now, and there is rarely a day goes by that I don't feel a twinge of sadness - I lost my best friend by our separating. It was the right thing to do, but it's human to grieve. 

 

Be good to yourself - the next week will be tough.

[Paninistickers 2,488]

1 hour ago, Ozwin said:

Genuinely don't think things are getting any easier. 

 

I'm still in our house on my own for another week and think that isn't helping as I'm just by myself and the house is getting emptier day by day. 

 

Thinking of going to the GP but can't work out if it's just sadness over the situation or actually something's wrong with me. I just feel so ****ing low all the time. 

Sorry to hear it dude.. I actually looked up this thread to see how you were doing. 

 

Sorry this isn't too comforting, but this feeling is gonna likely to last for.months. I'm afraid there's no other cure than to strap in and occupy yourself for the rough ride ahead. 

 

Each to their own, but my 'coping mechanisms' were small and manageble; flat became tidy and clean...slowly updated my clothes...got fitter....took up hiking...got a nice tan

...became more into films ....did laptop work in my local with a coffee instead of at home and planned stuff- holidays, jobs, things to learn etc. 

 

Hang in there! 

 

 

[ajthefox 2,594]

On 27/09/2020 at 11:23, Ozwin said:

Genuinely don't think things are getting any easier. 

 

I'm still in our house on my own for another week and think that isn't helping as I'm just by myself and the house is getting emptier day by day. 

 

Thinking of going to the GP but can't work out if it's just sadness over the situation or actually something's wrong with me. I just feel so ****ing low all the time. 

I can't really offer any advice mate, but I just wanted to say I hear your struggle. 

 

Time heals all wounds (eventually) but no doubt this is going to take time - I'd try not to put too much pressure on yourself to feel or be a certain way.

 

Keep talking and try and keep the mind focused. Minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day. Focus on whatever is in front of you and can help you get through the day. Try and avoid going round and round in circles in your head.

 

As a little bit of positive news, I have recently become an Ambassador for the charity which paid for my CBT last year. In my first act as ambassador, I've arranged an online seminar tomorrow about the help they provide/mental health. I'm giving a talk about my story, a member of their team is talking about the help they can offer and another ambassador who I went to uni with is also giving a talk. I still have my ups and downs and Covid is testing me like it is all of us, but a little more than a year removed from my lowest point and I feel so much more resilient and positive generally than I ever used to. 

 

FT has played a not insignificant part in my story, and I'll be mentioning it tomorrow. Thanks again to everyone who has contributed to the thread, it will always be the best one on here in my book.

Take care everyone, and don't suffer in silence.

Edited 29 September 2020 by ajthefox

[urban.spaceman 33,185]

Bittersweet day for me.

 

Been doing PT for a month - weekly sessions, have taken a "tactical break" from booze, kept to a strict diet and haven't strayed off it, and have done a 4k walk every night. Have officially lost a stone now. Clothes are falling off a bit, and my PT says I'm doing really well.

 

On the other hand I've had to give up my car after nearly 4 years. I'd been lent it by a family member who's been living abroad, basically keeping the car running so she didn't have to sell it then buy a new one. She announced to the family about 2 weeks ago that she was coming home today, and didn't say a word to me about the car, until about yesterday. Obviously I expected she'd want it, but what's really annoyed me is that I wasn't ever explicitly asked nor was it even mentioned at all. Just feels quite disrespectful to put me in a situation where I'm left without my own transport, especially as they know that I'm not really able to work because of the pandemic. Maybe I'm taking it to heart too much but it's quite upset me.

 

Either way it just feels like, as usual, I’m taking one step forward but being forced to take 3 steps back. 

 

So either way, I'm commiserating and celebrating with a fine bottle of rum tonight. I feel like I've earned it.

Edited 30 September 2020 by urban.spaceman

[stripeyfox 4,271]

well it has been a turbulent few months for me so I thought I'd unload my thoughts here, maybe it will help a bit

 

Have spent most of this year trying to look after my dad who is failing health. He has had nine hospital admissions since New Year (although astonishingly has managed to avoid catching Covid!) mainly through falls at home etc. The frequency between falls was getting shorter and the most recent 999 call happened less than one hour after they brought him home. He has now been moved into a Care Home. He was having carers at home but being the stubborn old sod that he is would just tell them "no i'm fine" and then phone me when they'd gone saying "I can't get upstairs to bed, can you come round".

 

Now he's in the care home, though obviously we can't see him. Sporadic phone calls are the order of the day - sometimes he is fine and has a reasonable conversation, other times he can't answer the phone at all and other times he leaves messages on my voicemail saying "they've moved me to a militray hospital" or "all the staff have gone home" or "everyone in here is French"

 

Alongside all this I (like most of us) have been feeling very stressed and worried about coronavirus situation. I've been working at home since lockdown and trying to balance work with looking after the kids etc which hasn't been easy.

 

We had a nice family holiday in July and a weekend away with the missus which was great which is why it came as a massive shock when a couple of weeks later she told me "it's over - I don't want to be married anymore"

 

I was (and still am) shocked and devastated. Been together for 18 years and never ever thought this would happen. Some of the reasons given seem a bit unfair to me, but perhaps she is right that we weren't making each other happy - too busy lookig after the family maybe. I mean, when you're married with kds, especially at the moment, a lot of the time you're doiing "boring" stuff - like working, making kids packed lunches or cooking dinner, going shopping. But that's life right? When we do get away I thought everything was peachy!

 

I don't think I am getting the whole story and I have driven myself mad trying to check up on her (as she's been spending a lot of time away from the house recently). Maybe there is something going on, maybe it is all in my head - I just don't know.

 

We hit a big bump in the road a couple of years ago about money problems (and @Izzy was a tremendous help to me at the time) but I thought we'd worked through that problem. I can't afford to buy her out of the mortgage so it looks like we've got to sell the house, take what profit we can and go our seperate ways.

 

Have been waking in the night with what I assume is anxiety attacks (never experienced anything like it before). Drinking and eating too much. I need to get a grip. She seems to have effortlessly moved on into her "new" life. New hair, new clothes etc etc whilst I am sitting here wallowing a bit. 

 

I'm sure things will work out in the end. Plenty of people get divorced and come out of it ok. But I just can't quite believe it - it was so sudden (at least to me it seemed that way - she says she's beem feeling unhappy for a long time). Trying not to feel bitter but it is very hard!

 

 

[pmcla26 2,318]

Anyone else working within the NHS having to put up with a relentless amount of abuse from patients at the moment? I'm not a clinician but people talk to you like you're the one making themselves or their family ill. It's ridiculous how entitled (especially the older generation) are acting at this current moment in time.

[HighPeakFox 12,198]

I have good bad news. I've been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This answers a breathing issue mystery that nobody has properly addressed ever, and now it can be dealt with properly. I have a disease I can never get rid of, but it is a huge weight off my mind and I can get on with enjoying my 50th birthday on Saturday properly (along with Richard Smith!). 

[Paninistickers 2,488]

2 hours ago, stripeyfox said:

well it has been a turbulent few months for me so I thought I'd unload my thoughts here, maybe it will help a bit

 

Have spent most of this year trying to look after my dad who is failing health. He has had nine hospital admissions since New Year (although astonishingly has managed to avoid catching Covid!) mainly through falls at home etc. The frequency between falls was getting shorter and the most recent 999 call happened less than one hour after they brought him home. He has now been moved into a Care Home. He was having carers at home but being the stubborn old sod that he is would just tell them "no i'm fine" and then phone me when they'd gone saying "I can't get upstairs to bed, can you come round".

 

Now he's in the care home, though obviously we can't see him. Sporadic phone calls are the order of the day - sometimes he is fine and has a reasonable conversation, other times he can't answer the phone at all and other times he leaves messages on my voicemail saying "they've moved me to a militray hospital" or "all the staff have gone home" or "everyone in here is French"

 

Alongside all this I (like most of us) have been feeling very stressed and worried about coronavirus situation. I've been working at home since lockdown and trying to balance work with looking after the kids etc which hasn't been easy.

 

We had a nice family holiday in July and a weekend away with the missus which was great which is why it came as a massive shock when a couple of weeks later she told me "it's over - I don't want to be married anymore"

 

I was (and still am) shocked and devastated. Been together for 18 years and never ever thought this would happen. Some of the reasons given seem a bit unfair to me, but perhaps she is right that we weren't making each other happy - too busy lookig after the family maybe. I mean, when you're married with kds, especially at the moment, a lot of the time you're doiing "boring" stuff - like working, making kids packed lunches or cooking dinner, going shopping. But that's life right? When we do get away I thought everything was peachy!

 

I don't think I am getting the whole story and I have driven myself mad trying to check up on her (as she's been spending a lot of time away from the house recently). Maybe there is something going on, maybe it is all in my head - I just don't know.

 

We hit a big bump in the road a couple of years ago about money problems (and @Izzy was a tremendous help to me at the time) but I thought we'd worked through that problem. I can't afford to buy her out of the mortgage so it looks like we've got to sell the house, take what profit we can and go our seperate ways.

 

Have been waking in the night with what I assume is anxiety attacks (never experienced anything like it before). Drinking and eating too much. I need to get a grip. She seems to have effortlessly moved on into her "new" life. New hair, new clothes etc etc whilst I am sitting here wallowing a bit. 

 

I'm sure things will work out in the end. Plenty of people get divorced and come out of it ok. But I just can't quite believe it - it was so sudden (at least to me it seemed that way - she says she's beem feeling unhappy for a long time). Trying not to feel bitter but it is very hard!

 

 

Sounds real rough trot. 

 

Couple of very quick observations that might go against the grain. I think a temporary bit of bitterness and feeling sorry for yourself is allowed. Don't try and brave the new life overnight. You've a right to sink down and wallow a bit. 

 

Secondly, the novelty of her new life will soon settle down. She's prob been planning it for months, so doesn't have the shock to contend with. It's all a big adventure for her arm.

 

I reckon buckle up for a bit, concentrate on your dad and kids til Xmas and worry about the new life and house selling etc in the new year

 

[Suzie the Fox 5,345]

1 hour ago, HighPeakFox said:

I have good bad news. I've been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This answers a breathing issue mystery that nobody has properly addressed ever, and now it can be dealt with properly. I have a disease I can never get rid of, but it is a huge weight off my mind and I can get on with enjoying my 50th birthday on Saturday properly (along with Richard Smith!). 

Its for sure good/bad news but at least you got to the bottom of the issue and can now move forward and get the respective help needed. Sending you a virtual hug for Saturday you old fart and the 1st round will be on me if/when we get back into the stadium in the future. x

[HighPeakFox 12,198]

2 minutes ago, Suzie the Fox said:

Its for sure good/bad news but at least you got to the bottom of the issue and can now move forward and get the respective help needed. Sending you a virtual hug for Saturday you old fart and the 1st round will be on me if/when we get back into the stadium in the future. x

Thank you Suzie. I also got rid of the latest restriction here, too. 

[Suzie the Fox 5,345]

2 hours ago, stripeyfox said:

well it has been a turbulent few months for me so I thought I'd unload my thoughts here, maybe it will help a bit

 

Have spent most of this year trying to look after my dad who is failing health. He has had nine hospital admissions since New Year (although astonishingly has managed to avoid catching Covid!) mainly through falls at home etc. The frequency between falls was getting shorter and the most recent 999 call happened less than one hour after they brought him home. He has now been moved into a Care Home. He was having carers at home but being the stubborn old sod that he is would just tell them "no i'm fine" and then phone me when they'd gone saying "I can't get upstairs to bed, can you come round".

 

Now he's in the care home, though obviously we can't see him. Sporadic phone calls are the order of the day - sometimes he is fine and has a reasonable conversation, other times he can't answer the phone at all and other times he leaves messages on my voicemail saying "they've moved me to a militray hospital" or "all the staff have gone home" or "everyone in here is French"

 

Alongside all this I (like most of us) have been feeling very stressed and worried about coronavirus situation. I've been working at home since lockdown and trying to balance work with looking after the kids etc which hasn't been easy.

 

We had a nice family holiday in July and a weekend away with the missus which was great which is why it came as a massive shock when a couple of weeks later she told me "it's over - I don't want to be married anymore"

 

I was (and still am) shocked and devastated. Been together for 18 years and never ever thought this would happen. Some of the reasons given seem a bit unfair to me, but perhaps she is right that we weren't making each other happy - too busy lookig after the family maybe. I mean, when you're married with kds, especially at the moment, a lot of the time you're doiing "boring" stuff - like working, making kids packed lunches or cooking dinner, going shopping. But that's life right? When we do get away I thought everything was peachy!

 

I don't think I am getting the whole story and I have driven myself mad trying to check up on her (as she's been spending a lot of time away from the house recently). Maybe there is something going on, maybe it is all in my head - I just don't know.

 

We hit a big bump in the road a couple of years ago about money problems (and @Izzy was a tremendous help to me at the time) but I thought we'd worked through that problem. I can't afford to buy her out of the mortgage so it looks like we've got to sell the house, take what profit we can and go our seperate ways.

 

Have been waking in the night with what I assume is anxiety attacks (never experienced anything like it before). Drinking and eating too much. I need to get a grip. She seems to have effortlessly moved on into her "new" life. New hair, new clothes etc etc whilst I am sitting here wallowing a bit. 

 

I'm sure things will work out in the end. Plenty of people get divorced and come out of it ok. But I just can't quite believe it - it was so sudden (at least to me it seemed that way - she says she's beem feeling unhappy for a long time). Trying not to feel bitter but it is very hard!

 

 

Really sorry to hear that my friend, breakups are horrible especially after a long period of time being together and when there are kids involved. All i can say is time really is the biggest healer. If you need anyone to chat with drop me a PM, i may talk a lot of shit but i am a great listener.