simpsonajay's Blog

New WEBSITE

Please check out the new website bbb.co.uk/headroom and click on link to Ruby's Room

Re: Community Announcement from simpsonajay

REMEMBER- WE ARE NOT JUST FIGHTING THE ILLNESS, BUT ALSO THE ATTITUDE THAT SURROUNDS IT!  I BELIEVE THAT DEPRESSIVE ILLNESSES ARE BOTH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL, IT BRINGS A VEIL OVER YOUR MIND AND CAN CAUSE INTENSE PAIN TO YOUR BODY. WOULD ANYONE TELL A CANCER PATIENT TO PULL THEMSELVES TOGETHER, I THINK NOT!
SOME DAYS ARE SUCH A STRUGGLE, YOU FUNCTION, BUT DONT LIVE AND WANT THE PAIN TO END
I JUST WANT TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SEE THAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE SAME, THAT I AM NOT A FREAK AND I AM NOT ALONE  CHERYL XX

Hello and welcome to all new members, thankyou for joining and helping to break the Taboo of Mental Illness. To all Facebook users, why not pass this website address to all your friends. It all helps!! Also anyone that hasnt posted anything, please feel free, its in the strictest confidence, we would love your input. Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support. C xxx

-simpsonajay

Looking for advise!

Hi to all.

Looking for some advise. Does anyone know much about the drug Olanzapine? Been put on it,to help with sleep! But has completely numbed me, slurring words and now, would you believe, struggle to stay awake!

Anyone had experience of this?

Thankx

Cx

Re: fight or flight

Didn't think of it like that, but think your'e right, it really starts to take hold then!

Re: Effexor XR antidepressant withdrawls

Hi ya, jengalet. Is Effexor the same as Venlafaxine, if so my best friend Tinkerbell is on the same, so you might like to ask her. She hasn't been on here much as yet, because shes been going through a pretty bad blip(to say the least!). But, I do remember coming off of Seroxate, that was probably the worst time in my life. I went through about 2/3 weeks of hell, but it was so worth it. I cant beleive they still prescribe them here, as they are banned in the USA.
I think all antidepressants aren't the best at coming off, just remember to do it really gradually, under the supervision of your doctor. Ok not great, but diazepam will help for those first few weeks.
It still makes me laugh when GP's say theyr'e not addictive. I've been on so many over the past 16 years, its tough!
If fact, not been feeling the best at moment, big black abyss looming and all that, I'm sure you know what I mean, and they say no one should have to suffer anymore, I know what your'e saying about anger. It's so frustrating.!!
Anyway, keep me posted on how your'e doing and maybe send a message to tinkerbell.
Hang on in there!
C x

Re: Bi-Polar Disorder and the Celebrities.

Hi superdart,
Firstly, thanks for all your input on the site, it all helps! Sometimes I think these Psychiatrists just want to pigeon hole your illness, it helps them and their paperwork more than us. We just want to feel normal again, (whatever normal is!) Sometimes, I do wonder what I would be like without all this, I now realise its just part of who I am!
On good days, I can be very creative and innovative, other days just washing is exhausting!
I think its great  that you have a hobby that you are so passionate about, possibly your saviour. At the moment my kids are my lifeline and keep me grounded. I must have done something right.
I watched the documentry on Terry Pratchet, a remarkable man! Like his books.
Look forward to readingyour next piece.
C xx

Re: Community Announcement from simpsonajay

Hi Jules
Thank you so much for joining the site and sharing your story on CBT. As you said, it does certainly help, although sometimes it can be such a struggle!
For many years, I felt very alone and isolated, the only people who can really understand are the people who are going through it! Hence the website.
If ever you need to chat, please remember you are not alone, some of us do understand. Especially on those blibs.
I get them still, some worse than others, but no matter how bleak they seem, I always seem to get through them. It helps having a great support network.
Keep in touch.
C xx

Community Announcement from simpsonajay

Hello and welcome to all new members, thankyou for joining and helping to break the Taboo of Mental Illness. To all Facebook users, why not pass this website address to all your friends. It all helps!! Also anyone that hasnt posted anything, please feel free, its in the strictest confidence, we would love your input. Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support. C xxx

Welcome Message to New Members

Hi, this is a general message for all new members. Firstly, thank you so much for joining this new site!
If you have not shared your stories or any opinions yet, please do so, good and bad!!
Any ideas for new categories, feel free to get started. Also any links that you may feel be of use and helpful to others, please include in your message.
Finaly, good luck to all and lets Raise Awareness together

Re: Trying to Fit In The Community

Hi there, firstly I'd like to thank you for joining my site and hopefully help break alot of the Taboos associated with mental illness. It doesnt matter what sub category you come under, whether it be manic depression or schizophrenia and many other guizes, the end results form the same big Stigma. I still find it funny when I tell people I've had agitated depression all my adult life, and they say " Wow, but you always look so happy!!"
If only things were that straight forward, hey!!
I really commend you for writing your own biography, I should imagine it can be very cleansing to get it all out in black and white. Will have to check out the new Terry Pratchett book, too!!
Lastly thank you for your warm wishes and sharing your story with us. Hope for your continued support. x

Re: do they work???

Hi, and thanks for joining the site and helping me break Taboos!! I agree with you about the meds, its certainly not a cure(if only!!). But it does just take the edge off, just enough for you to start on the long windy road of recovery. I too have tried many antidepressants, old and new, 14 yrs IN FACT! Think I,ve been through most along with all the other talking therapies and now settled on Sertraline for a second time!!  I think the thing to remember with pills, is everyone is different. Prozac, for instance, great for some, sent me to the edge and beyond!
Important to remember, just hang on in there, things do get better, I now recognise the signs and try to do something about it, before slipping in!!

Re: YOU NEED SUPPORT TOO!!!

Hi Laura, firstly did miss first part of your story, such a pain, I know!!
Sounds like you been to hell and back and then back again. Im afraid this country isnt the best for mental health, I dont know where abouts you are, but if you go to your local GP, mention the word SUICIDAL they should refer you to your local Crisis Team, They then can start to look at meds and different therapies.Also there is a charity called MIND.org , try to get the nearest tel no. cause they are also great!
I can honestly say I know how you feel, and to be living in another country is scary for anyone. Do you know anyone else apart from hubby?, I know it sounds like im asking you to climb mount Everest at moment, but try local community centres and join a group that may be of interest to you. My best friend, also a sufferer, i wouldnt know what id do without!
people try to understand, but unless you've reached that hopeless, bottomless pit, you will never understand. At the moment you seem to be harbouring alot of self loathing and guilt about yourself, which is a classic symptom.
Hard to beleive now,but things will get better. You really have to fight to get help and I promise you once on the right track life will pick up again! I also suffer with alot of anxiety with depression and am on the SSRI Sertraline for past 3 years! For now, anyway!!! Apart from little blips, things have been OKish!!
Please remember you are so not alone, there is probably someone living down your street, that at least feels simular, people just dont like to say!! Hence this forum.
Anyway, hope this helps, even just for a bit! Keep in touch and let me know how you get on and thankyou for joining the forum.
Chat soon.
Chezxx

do they work???

Pills, SSRIs, *SEROXATE Experpiences* Are they a cure? I dont think so! But what do you think?
 
Have they helped you, or are the sideeffects worse than the problem to begin with!!!
 
Share your stories!!!

Community Announcement from simpsonajay

Please join www.time-to-change.org.uk Thanks C xx

PLEASE JOIN!!!

This is a plee to anyone just looking on the site.
 
Please register and join, you dont have to contribute, but if you can just become a member it all helps towards the main goal of RAISING AWARENESS!!!
 
Thankyou so much.
 
 
Cxx

YOU NEED SUPPORT TOO!!!

Feeling frustrated, resentful, angry, worried, mentaly exhausted yourself!! These are all common feelings of someone living with or caring for someone with mental illness. Talking to someone in a simular situation can really help. Hence having a category dedicated to you!!
Share your experiences and feelings with others, because its tough on you too! There may be things you just cant understand. Please post questions, it may just help! Unfortunately this awful illness can have a knock on effect to the rest of the family and friends too!
C x

Re: Community Announcement from simpsonajay

I am a strong minded, reasonably intelligent!! 34 yr old woman, I have a wonderful family, husband 2 kids, Dog and Cat. (So why dont I just pull my socks up, stop being lazy and appreiciate what I have! There are many so much more worse off than I!!!)
I have been told that so many times over the years, ive lost count, often by my local GP!! If I had a Tumor or broken leg or even bump on the head, I'm sure people would react differently. Unfortunatly depression is an invisable ILLNESS of the mind. There is no on and off switch(oh if only), or indeed a magic wand(Iwish), that will make everything OK!! Dont get me wrong, its not all doom and gloom(well maybe on bad days!!) But, over the years I have found coping mecanisms. Hence why I have started this forum!!
We need to banish the TABOOS of mental illness, share our stories, ideas, or just look and see you are not the only one and you dont need to go it alone.
After many years of research, I still cant believe that there is nothing in Swindon(other than the Crisis Team at Sandalwood Court) and a course here and there. Nothing to help with day to day life, ongoing. So this is my aim. RAISE AWARENESS, of the highs(sometimes extreme) and lows(ditto). We are not lazy, ignorant or selfish, DO NOT want pity, just recognision that this is an ILLNESS, nothing to be ashamed of! We are not weak willed, in fact I'm extremely stubborn!! We are any age, race or sex, Depression isn't choosey!!!
Please join and help others and maybe yourself!!!  

Community Announcement from simpsonajay

PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE!!! Help me raise awareness of Depression and any other mental health illnesses!!! Lets brake the TABOO together!!!