PDA

View Full Version : Brief intro to me



Niffa
10-10-18, 01:38 PM
Hi,
I've suffered with depression and anxiety for over 10 years. Just over 2 years ago, following a year of psycotherapy and then a year of limited working I was coping well. I was ready to take more steps including getting a better job and applying to study part time. My Husband and I had decided to move from our small flat to a house first, so I focused on that. I was pleased that I was coping well with such a stressful time, buying/selling and moving.
Then on the day we moved out of our flat, I was hit by a car. I spent nearly 2 months in the hospital and 2 further months using a wheelchair part time.
Since then my depression and anxiety have taken over again completely, I find it hard to do anything other than watch tv and eat.
I take mirtazapine and speak to my gp every month.
I was seeing a CBT therapist but I did not find him helpful, so am waiting to get a different therapist.

Sorry for the long intro, just wanted to tell it to someone.
Thanks for listening.

Paula
10-10-18, 01:59 PM
Hi and welcome. I’m so sorry to hear about your accident, have you fully recovered or do you still have a way to go? I do understand how much something like this affects mental health as a fall some years ago has left me disabled. Are you still in pain? Do you still have to take medication to deal with the effects of your injuries? Both these will also impact your mental health.

Well done on both accepting your therapist wasn’t helpful for you, and on being willing to try CBT with someone else. Both of those things are hard to do. I know so many people who almost gave up with talking therapies, only to find having someone else guiding them through made a huge difference.

Jaquaia
10-10-18, 02:08 PM
Hi and welcome!

Niffa
10-10-18, 02:12 PM
Thanks for that, it was really difficult to accept that the therapist was not the right match.
I still have recovery to do physically. I still have damaged tissue in my left calf. I use a walking stick outdoors. I am on gabapentin for pain. I'm supposed to do physiotherapy every day, but for a while now I've not been able to make myself do it because it causes more pain. I know it will help in the long run, and that I won't improve without it, but motivation seems to be my biggest problem at the moment.

Suzi
10-10-18, 04:32 PM
Hi and welcome to DWD. I'm sorry about your accident. I have a list of chronic physical illnesses so have mobility, dexterity issues, brain fog and fatigue.... Have you heard of the spoon theory?
I've found mindfulness really helpful.

Niffa
10-10-18, 04:40 PM
Thanks, I've not heard of spoon theory.
I was recommended a book 'the compassionate mind' by paul gilbert which I'm slowly reading through. (I usually only read fiction). I found it interesting and some bits are helpful. I think he will cover mindfulness later in the book.

Suzi
10-10-18, 04:41 PM
Here's the spoon theory. I love it. I tend to mention spoons a lot - esp when talking to others who don't have to deal with chronic conditions...

https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/