The Mental Health thread

[Tredman]

I’m the same, up at around 5.30 most days and straight out for a run - stick an audiobook on and it starts me off well and stops the mind going, then get the post-exercise buzz too.

 

[AndyWolves]

I’m usually up between 5-6 each morning so getting exercise is a tough one.
I worry about the what if scenario all the time which seems to pop up very early on in the mornings.
My mind goes from working with a home and kids happy to being homeless and losing the kids in the space of 5 minutes. Basically turning any problem into a catastrophe.

I've been there, and still am sometimes and things got so bad I ended up getting some proper help. The catastrophising thing is me all over, taking any minor thing and turning into a disaster. The problem is that it can be really helpful as you think of everything!

I mentioned mindfulness earlier which I can't recommend enough. The other thing is to write thoughts down and then evaluate them as to whether they're true or not. Kinda hold the thoughts on trial and look for evidence as to whether they're true or not.

I found even just writing stuff down helped.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I have a million things to thank my Rachel for but above all else, I don't think I'd have got through the last year without her. I would have died, not even joking.

We talk for hours every single day, I'm sure we're quite sickening to watch when we're together but hey, that's not my problem.

I have to fight bipolar all the time and it isn't always easy (yesterday was a bloody nightmare for example) but we find a way.

State of those jeans, etc etc.

 

[EpsomWolf]

I’m usually up between 5-6 each morning so getting exercise is a tough one.
I worry about the what if scenario all the time which seems to pop up very early on in the mornings.
My mind goes from working with a home and kids happy to being homeless and losing the kids in the space of 5 minutes. Basically turning any problem into a catastrophe.

This has always been my weakness. It’s extremely damaging and will affect you in behaviours and outcomes you don’t necessarily attribute to it. I’d really ask you to look into Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). You can have a quick shufti on YouTube as an introduction but I can’t recommend it enough.

It‘s very cruel that your biggest adversary can be your own mind. CBT helps you identify and intercept those damaging thoughts that run out of control. You’re already recognising those thoughts and in danger of heading down that path so please at least take a look.

 

[lemonjelly]

I’m a little the opposite, usually start the day fairly happy and with loads of energy. I’ve been fighting waking up early for most my life but mostly embrace it now and try and use the energy. By mid-afternoon I’ve pretty much always had enough and am in a right fight funk.

i've never been any good to get to sleep, and also always used to struggle to wake up/get up. Not sure what, but that changed about 6 years ago. suddenly found myself able to wake up at a reasonable ish time. still struggle to go to bed and then go to sleep mind.

I'll be like you in the morning, energetic, though wouldn't say happy. But I do go downhill as days progress.

I'm up too late for early exercise, unless cycling to work in normal times. walk pretty much every evening regardless of mood, as I need the change of scenery.

winter was fucking difficult, especially when it was dark at 4.30. It felt like groundhog day all the time.

being able to go outside, and potter in the garden is such a boost.

 

[Tredman]

Wasn't sure if this was better placed in here or the coronavirus thread, but think here on balance.

This very much represents me at the moment, some good tips on how to deal with the feeling too:

Feeling Blah During the Pandemic? It's Called Languishing - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

 

[Haggstone]

Wasn't sure if this was better placed in here or the coronavirus thread, but think here on balance.

This very much represents me at the moment, some good tips on how to deal with the feeling too:

Feeling Blah During the Pandemic? It's Called Languishing - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Thanks for posting. That’s me I think.

I’ve been working from home for 14 months now. It blows my mind just thinking about it.

 

[lemonjelly]

we shared that at work the other day, feeling the article nailed a lot of things for us.
16 march I went home from work having taken a cal from someone I'd been in a meeting with the previous thursday who had tested positive over the weekend and was isolating. I went home to do the same thinking "I'll be back it 2 weeks".

 

[Tredman]

Thanks for posting. That’s me I think.

I’ve been working from home for 14 months now. It blows my mind just thinking about it.

Same, I’ve gone from every week a different and interesting place to 14 months in a small 2.5 x 2.5m room.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

You work in a cupboard?

 

[Haggstone]

we shared that at work the other day, feeling the article nailed a lot of things for us.
16 march I went home from work having taken a cal from someone I'd been in a meeting with the previous thursday who had tested positive over the weekend and was isolating. I went home to do the same thinking "I'll be back it 2 weeks".

I’d only been back in the office for a week after two weeks paternity leave. I remember going in on the Monday and phoning someone who worked for me on the way home that day to tell them that I was going to work from home the next day and she should perhaps do the same. That was 14 months ago now. I’ve changed jobs since too.

Im flagging......big time.

 

[Tredman]

You work in a cupboard?

Half a converted garage [MARKmode]technically it’s 2.85 x 2.74m I believe[/MARKmode]

 

[Tredman]

I’d only been back in the office for a week after two weeks paternity leave. I remember going in on the Monday and phoning someone who worked for me on the way home that day to tell them that I was going to work from home the next day and she should perhaps do the same. That was 14 months ago now. I’ve changed jobs since too.

Im flagging......big time.

Nearly there I think - we are opening offices up for flexible working on the 17th. Need a valid reason to go in, but it’s been made very clear mental health is a valid reason.
It’s weird - I’ve pretty much always worked from home with occasional office visit, those visits felt like a chore but I really miss them now.

 

[Stan Hullis]

I'm completely fed up with working out of my bedroom 5 days a week. I am actually about to hand my notice in (on a fixed term contract) in favour of a permanent role but still have to work out my 2 months' notice.

New job will get me back out onto the road and seeing sites/properties again and having to actually meet people and be up and down the country which I'm excited for as currently I'm just spinning the wheels without going anywhere.

 

[lemonjelly]

I’d only been back in the office for a week after two weeks paternity leave. I remember going in on the Monday and phoning someone who worked for me on the way home that day to tell them that I was going to work from home the next day and she should perhaps do the same. That was 14 months ago now. I’ve changed jobs since too.

Im flagging......big time.

winter has been infinitely more difficult, for all of us, compared to last spring/summer, when the weather was nice, and we could at least go outside.
I also feel that many of us have worked harder, as we've had additional pressures put on us by internal and external customers, as well as potentially ourselves. On reflection, I have no doubt that from july onwards I was experiencing high levels of stres that came to have a greater impact in october-january. and to an extent, which remain ongoing.

 

[Trips]

Bolt from nowhere as I've been pretty well for a while, but really struggling this morning and last night. Got to love how this thing just hits from nowhere

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Two weeks of bipolar hitting hard, and I mean fucking hard.

I'm glad I've got Mrs DW now because I'd have gone under otherwise.

 

[Haggstone]

As I’ve mentioned previously I’ve really been struggling since last autumn, however I think/hope Ive turned a bit of a corner the last few weeks.

Turns out I’ve been nominated for a people and culture award at work.....I know it sounds like bullshit but bear with me......

There are a couple of guys in my team who struggle with depression who I suppose because of my own issues and the prevailance of (far more severe) mental health issues in my family, I have connected with these guys and have tried to help them out as much as I can. This has obviously been recognised and someone has nominated me anonymously for an award.

The award is the sort of thing that I would normally brush off as a load of bollocks but I tell you what, it’s really given me a bit of a lift and helped pull me out of the rut I’d got myself into.

The irony is I’m not really a people person in general. But give me someone who shows a bit of vulnerability, who will open up about things and speak freely and honestly and I could talk to people like that all day. Learnt a lot about myself these past 12 months, kind of makes me think maybe things will be ok after all.

 

[darlowolf64]

Hang on in there Dave and Dan, you know that you have friends, mates that you can talk to. Keep going lads

Haggstone, it's a wonderful thing to be recognised for what you see is such a small thing, helping workmates, but you will have made a massive difference to them by being there for them by just talking. Your nomination is well deserved and, rightly, something to be proud of.

 

[The Bear]

Sounds like you genuinely deserve some recognition Haggstone. Well done.