Mental Health Check-in [5/24]

[macaronmama]

{sanibel21 smallpotato iwantbacon mg0202 britta @kitchen fem penguin129 jillian }

As requested, my loves.


Diagnosis/personal issue or struggle:

Recent related difficulties/vent:

What you're working on/trying to do/would like to do to improve your recent difficulties/mental health:

GTKY: What is your favorite summer-time dish? (Or meal even.)

[sanibel21]

Diagnosis/personal issue or struggle: Anxiety

Recent related difficulties/vent:
Anxiety over whether I'm a good enough mom, divvying up enough attention between the two, if my lack of patience (to put it mildly) is negatively impacting them; its mom guilt but to the Nth degree.
Lack of identity staying home with the kids.

What you're working on/trying to do/would like to do to improve your recent difficulties/mental health:
I've been getting away more on my own, which is good, but also gives me anxiety that I should be with my family. I'm also trying to do something I want to do even though the kids are awake. So while DD1 was awake today, I put on a movie and we sat on the couch but I was crocheting. May not seem like much to some, but I legit never do anything but kid stuff or house stuff when the kids are awake.

GTKY: What is your favorite summer-time dish? (Or meal even.)
Does ice cream count?
I also love some good marinated, grilled chicken, either as is or in a sandwich.

[WittyLittle]

Diagnosis/personal issue or struggle: Avoidant Personality "Disorder" (still don't like that term)

Recent related difficulties/vent: I have a high-need, spirited baby to put it lightly, but I cannot function at a level to get both of us the help we need to be happy together... Z doesn't eat properly and wakes up every half hour-hour wanting/needing me. Three rounds of sleep training have been brutal. We're really struggling

What you're working on/trying to do/would like to do to improve your recent difficulties/mental health: We were assigned to an infant mental health coach. She immediately turned all of Z's problems on to me. ("Z had a rough start, how can we help YOU to let her go a little bit so she becomes more independent"). Rational me knows that this is right, the change starts from me, but anxious/avoidant me did not want to hear that when I'm already feeling so at the end of my rope! Sorry, that part turned into rant part 2!

GTKY: What is your favorite summer-time dish? (Or meal even.) Anything on a bbq! MMMMMMMM!!!!

[WittyLittle]

May 24, 2017 19:09:22 GMT -5 sanibel21 said:

sanibel21, I think that's a great start! Here it would be a big step also.
Stuck in the boxxxxx

[sanibel21]

WittyLittle nice to see you back around these parts! I'm so sorry about that awful sleep. DD2 was not waking even that much, but it was, and even her one MOTN wake-up is, affecting my mental health so negatively. Sleep training definitely helped us, but it was awful. I hope something improves for you soon.

[macaronmama]

sanibel21 I am so sorry you are still having a hard time with the guilt. You are an awesome mama.
WittyLittle Glad to see you back. OMG, though, the sleep issues sound sanity-breaking. Hoping you get some relief, though surely the advice could have been worded differently so now as to seemingly blame you?



Diagnosis/personal issue or struggle: Generalized Anxiety

Recent related difficulties/vent: I think the PPD has passed since stopping nursing and pumping. Not a single flash of not-be-understood blue feelings. LOTS more anxiety than before, but that's easier to realize what's triggering it and start working to fix it than just "oh hormones again." So, as frustrating as it is to keep waking up anxious MOTN, and feeling rushed and frayed at work, I'll take it.

What you're working on/trying to do/would like to do to improve your recent difficulties/mental health: PAINTING. I found out painting is really helping me with my need to do something for myself. I like art and I'm working to learn acrylics. Also making sure I'm recognizing my anxiety attacks and asking DH for help.

GTKY: What is your favorite summer-time dish? (Or meal even.)
Mexican-style street corn. In anything. On anything.

[smallpotato]

Nice to see you, WittyLittle. I'm so sorry for the sleep struggles.

Diagnosis/personal issue or struggle: Anxiety with depression

Recent related difficulties/vent: I'm winding down on pumping. I'm still sad about it, especially since we've had some rough days. I'm not sure if it's the transition to formula, the faster flow nipples, teeth, or a combination. G has been waking up overnight again, which has been tough. MH and I also got into an argument about housework and my being tired the other night. I also found out that my PCP is leaving at the end of July. I am seeing her one last time for a physical right before she leaves; this is the second time that my PCP has left the practice.

What you're working on/trying to do/would like to do to improve your recent difficulties/mental health: I'm trying to help out more around the house. I need to try to get better sleep.

GTKY: What is your favorite summer-time dish? (Or meal even.) Anything grilled or smoked, corn on the cob, and strawberry shortcake.

[WittyLittle]

Thanks guys. Sorry that I've not been around, we've really been struggling and I've been such a downer that I didn't want to check in. And no proboards at the office, womp womp.

Z is in a negative cycle that we can't seem to break. When she does eat she gets stomach and tummy troubles that keep her awake. Then she's too grumpy to eat and slowly started associating food with pain. Bit then she doesn't eat and constantly wakes up at night to BF. So I get anxious and exhausted, impacting her. We've tried sleep training 3x but at this point I'm so at the end of my rope I keep sobbing. It doesn't help that she completely loses her... shoes... the minute I lay her down. It's like nothing I've ever seen/heard. DS want a great sleeper but our sleep training struggles were just "normal".

Thanks for welcoming me back, I really am going to try to keep posting.

[fem]

sanibel21 I've started coloring in my adult coloring book while the girls are playing in a safe area too. I get the guilt but I think that's good for you to do!

WittyLittle I'm so sorry, that sounds just like my first. I didn't enjoy any of her first year. Hang in there, it DOES get better. Also is the fussiness from eating a reflux thing or do you think an allergy/intolerance is possible?

smallpotato tired fights are the worst.

macaronmama I'm glad the depression is better! One thing at a time, right?

[fem]

Diagnosis/personal issue or struggle: Anxiety

Recent related difficulties/vent: I don't have too much to vent about. I think being so busy at school is helping me. Check back in 1.5 weeks when I'm home with the girls 24/7.

What you're working on/trying to do/would like to do to improve your recent difficulties/mental health: Still want to exercise. I'm really getting into the adult coloring books as a way to relax before bed. Just bought new markers.

GTKY: What is your favorite summer-time dish? Really fresh corn on the cob. 🌽

[iwantbacon]

Diagnosis: anxiety plus history of depression

Recent stuff: Finally saw a psych and am back on meds. I really hope they help with my lack of focus and patience. Apparently my thyroid levels are also wack again, so a dosage change for that may also help. The inability to focus is killing me.

Working on: sort of addressed above (ie meds), but im trying to put away my phone during the day to help. Also trying to do more reading at night instead of being online, which im clearly failing at now

GTKY: watermelon!!!

[WittyLittle]

fem, she's indeed allergic to cow's milk, soya and maybe/probably peanuts (I decided to skip challenging that until they do it at the hospital but her reaction through my milk was already bad) and since starting solids her reflux has come back also. However, the hospital keeps bouncing her around between the pediatrician, dietician, logopedic(?) and the psychologist. And now the "eating team" for kids who refuse to eat. Poor kiddo has not caught a break, from IUGR to this!

[fem]

May 26, 2017 1:57:36 GMT -5 WittyLittle said:

fem, she's indeed allergic to cow's milk, soya and maybe/probably peanuts (I decided to skip challenging that until they do it at the hospital but her reaction through my milk was already bad) and since starting solids her reflux has come back also. However, the hospital keeps bouncing her around between the pediatrician, dietician, logopedic(?) and the psychologist. And now the "eating team" for kids who refuse to eat. Poor kiddo has not caught a break, from IUGR to this!

Aww I'm sorry, that's a lot!

[penguin129]

macaronmama Thank you so much for being on top of starting this thread. I tell my therapist about it almost every time and tell her how much of a help it is. I'm happy to hear the PPD is resolving. I'd love to see some of you paintings
sanibel21 The mom guilt is so real and magnified by anxiety. I hope you can find some relief soon. Is the medicine helping any? Maybe you need a dose change?
WittyLittle I'm sorry you've had such a rough go. Talk to that nurses supervisor. She shouldn't talk to you like that. Can you ask for another one?
smallpotato Sorry for the wakups and losing you PCP. That really stinks. Is there another doctor in the practice that could take you?
fem I'm glad the adult coloring books are helping. I actually just bought 2 to use for MOPS next year
iwantbacon I hope they can get your thyroid regulated soon.