April Mental Health Check-in

b_1029

U.S: National Suicide Prevention :  1-800-273-TALK [8255]

Chat option:   https://chat.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx

Link to Canadian Resources:  https://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/

This is a safe place for more detailed support in mental health, struggles, and successes.  Whereas general stress and issues are often discussed in R/R of dailies, this place is for a more focused discussion of the impact of mental health.  Members are encouraged to use thoughtfulness and depth to examine feelings, barriers, and useful supports. 

This post can be replied to at any time during the month. Not limited to those with a mental health diagnosis, but please be sensitive to others. We will attempt to be as flame free as possible!

Feel free to share, vent, or support other members on this thread. Share a picture/gif that expresses how you feel or provides some comfort. 

If you need help getting started, consider filling out the form below:

Mental Health Diagnosis (if you have been) or What brings you to this thread today?:

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/TTA):

How are you feeling?

Where are you in your mental health journey? (in treatment, looking for support, on meds, in counseling, having a rough day, etc.)

inthewoods23

A friend shared this on FB yesterday and it can be so true at times

flowntheloop

Mental Health Diagnosis (if you have been) or What brings you to this thread today ?:Autism spectrum, OCD, PTSD, Avoidant Personality Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Seasonal Affective Disorder...the list goes on.
Just figured I'd check in here and let others with mental health issues know that they are not alone in their struggles!

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/TTA): TWW (testing a bit early, tomorrow)

How are you feeling? Overall feeling alright.  Note: I've been feeling extra emotional since Monday, so AF is possibly on the way. I've been crying/getting grumpy over everything really easily, so yayyyy. *sarcasm*

Where are you in your mental health journey? (in treatment, looking for support, on meds, in counseling, having a rough day, etc.)
It can be hard to pull back on obsessing over details (especially now that I'm TTC) but I have been giving myself gentle reminders to just breathe. Healthier habits (food and more exercise) seem to be improving my overall mental health though. I am not in counseling or on meds. I'm always looking for extra support or a good chat!

kpearse99

@inthewoods23 I saw that on FB the other day too.  It made me think of one of my best friends who is, well has been, going through some deep personal struggles lately (to the point where he doesn't really talk about it much anymore) so all I can do to let him know I'm here for him is be by his side, like that picture.  It speaks volumes! 

@flowntheloop keep breathing!  Sometimes it's all we can do, but it gets us through.  You're doing a great job at being you!

inthewoods23

@kpearse99 it's very difficult for me sometimes, even to DH to talk about things. His brain says that he's supposed to help solve my problems and I'm trying to get him to just be present and not a problem solver. I want a hug from him more than his advice! Especially since most of my emotions are my own default reactions that aren't always valid.

Sometimes I just need to cry, even if it's over something stupid and out of my control, and then I move on.

flowntheloop

@inthewoods23 I think the hardest thing for neurotypical people to realize is that mental struggles cannot necessarily be solved or "fixed" with logic. I hope you have told your hubby how you feel so he can better support you!

*hugs* I'm always here to listen if you need to vent/cry/rant/etc!

@kpearse99 Aww thank you!

kpearse99

@inthewoods23 for someone that's always trying to help her friend in anyway possible, and so badly wants to see them happy, (raises hand), what you said is extremely helpful and meaningful.  So thank you for that insight.  It's something my friend has not been able to convey but it's a sense I've gotten from him. So, since I don't see him every day I send him little messages every day to let him know I'm here (without actually saying "I'm here if you need me".)

I get how YH's brain thinks but I completely understand what you are saying as well.  A hug goes a long way and sometimes can seriously make everything better, especially when it's a hug from your person.  A hug from MH is the most comforting thing for me.  It's where I feel the safest.  I hope you have expressed to him too and that you're getting all of the hugs that you need.

inthewoods23

@kpearse99 yes he's gotten a lot better with it! But I'm also trying to be better at communicating that since I often just shut down and don't want to talk. Coincidentally he's doing some kind of emotional intelligence training for work lol.

@flowntheloop DH is very much an engineer in his brain so all his work stuff he ends up applying at home and it's like no hon, it doesn't transfer like that! You can't always be logical when you're discussing emotions

flowntheloop

@inthewoods23 My husband is the same. He's very logic-minded and works with computers/coding/controls in his field. It took him several years to figure out that patience and love (and sometimes some breathing space) are the only ways to coax me out of my dark places! I'm very lucky to have someone so understanding and willing to put up with me!

flowntheloop

Feeling like a complete mess today. Crying over anything and everything. My BFN (which followed a nightmare about a BFN) did not help this morning either. I have company arriving in an hour or so, and I do not feel prepared to entertain.

kpearse99

@flowntheloop I just wanted to send you some creepy internet hugs   I know you're "trying" the same approach as me... TTC without "trying".... it doesn't make the BFN's any easier though.  Hang in there!

cat765_8

Reading this thread is making me better, seeing that others are going through similar struggles. ( not that I want anyone to struggle!)  Every time I get a bfn it feels like my world has ended. I don't think I've stopped crying since starting ttc 6 months ago. DH says just calm down, which is not helpful.  I've struggled with depression my whole life, trying therapy, medication etc. Going through ttc and fertility issues has really been putting my depression to the test. Thanks for posting a mental health check, I needed to type that out.

b_1029

Hi @cat765_8 - sorry to hear you’re having a rough time. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Newbie thread so we can get to know you, this community is a great place for support!