How to start over again…….

Hey @Limitededition 

We wanted to take this opportunity to welcome you to the forums. We hope that you find the forums a great place to connect with other members, share stories and ideas, and find the support and connection you deserve. 

We hear there's a lot going on for you right now, and whilst you are new to the forums, navigating mental health is something you are well-acquainted with. Like any kind of recovery, mental health recovery comes with its peaks and valleys, and experiencing setbacks after a period of 'normalcy' is actually quite common. Being able to recognise these changes showcases great self-awareness, and this places you in a great position to get the support you deserve. It's during these times that connecting with professional supports is so important, as they are able to work with you in developing strategies to support your safety and wellbeing. If you are feeling comfortable and ready, then we encourage you to connect with a mental health helpline for some one-on-one support. We will link you with some services here!

It takes courage to share your experiences with the community, and you are being really brave reaching out to your peers.  We wonder if anyone else can relate, and can perhaps share what strategies help you to stay out of mental health crisis?

Feel free to Introduce yourself here if you haven’t already, and we look forward to seeing you around on the forums!  

Hi @Limitededition ,

Great to see you around. I read you have a suite of challenges, and the physical pain that comes with arthritis certainly doesn't help one's mental health!

Have you ever been able to map out preventative strategies, warning signs, triggers, crisis and recovery in a plan? I wonder if you have someone you can work with to map this out so that you have it on hand when things are getting a bit scratchy?

@Limitededition welcome.

"prevent the crisis or seeing it soon"

I agree with tyme that identifying the triggers (or "orange lights") has been really helpful for me. And sometimes my close family have also been in a position to notice them and check in with me if they are concerned I may be deteriorating too. 🙂

Have there been times when you have known you are not doing well but chosen not to seek help? If so, do you know what the barriers were for you to not seek help?
(e.g. for myself it has often been financial reasons at the cost of counselling support, but sometimes it has also been forgetting how helpful it can be to have someone to talk to even if they can't "help" or "fix" it).

It makes complete sense that you’re exhausted and frustrated — starting over again is tough, and anyone in your situation would feel worn out. Reaching out here shows a lot of insight and strength, and it says you do care about your wellbeing and your relationships.
With anxiety, depression, ADHD and chronic pain conditions, your system is constantly working overtime. None of this is a character flaw — it’s a lot to carry, and you’re doing the best you can.
Preventing a crisis doesn’t have to mean big changes. Sometimes it’s noticing the small early signs, reaching out to one safe person, reducing one thing on your plate, or having a simple plan for when things start to slip. Small steps can stabilise things more than you think.
You’re not alone, and wanting support is a strength.

Hey @Limitededition , I believe the post above from @Spencer71 was for you. 

Thanks @Spencer71  for your post. It was very encouraging! Nice to e-meet you.

@Spencer71 thank you hugely your advice & support has helped me a lot thank you 

@tyme @AlwaysMyself 
Thank you yes I have ignored a time that I knew I needed help & due to my kids wasn’t able to get it so I literally fought like hell through it but it caused repercussions that I’m still reminded about today I did my best with what I believed I had at the time but hindsight is a good thing but also it’s a hard lesson. Ppl that support me love me don’t understand why it keeps happening I hate it to they feel disrespected cause of it & omg I mean no disrespect to them at all I don’t want to be like this for them or me & im now scared I’m losing them too. I know im a lot that’s why I keep my hard stuff for my psychiatrist but I’ve had limited time with him & my sister has wanted to be in every session so when I spoke openly she disagreed cause I didn’t say it to her then my Dr got confused I have just found out I have lost my psychiatrist due to this so I now feel so scared so lost & without the one thing I have consistently had since 2008 the same Dr losing him has thrown me massively!!!

@Limitededition changing psychiatrist/doctor/counsellor is always difficult. Were they (or your doctor) able to refer you to another one to continue treatment under?

How do you feel about your sister being in sessions with your psychiatrist?  

I know myself I would find it hard to speak as openly or honestly with my counsellor if I had my family in the room also. But if I needed to tell my family something and wanted the support of the counsellor then that would be a good thing to arrange. 

I used to work for a psychiatrist and she would not allow family members to join for all of the appointment. I think she would allow them either the last half or the first half of an appointment only, because she wanted to make sure the patient could talk freely and honestly without concern for the family member knowing/hearing. And it meant that the patient didnt have to upset the family member by asking them to leave either.

Hey @Limitededition , I hear your challenges, struggles and anxieties around losing your psych. It seems so tough. 

Whilst life can throw curveballs, is there any opportunity you can turn this into an opportunity?