Mental Health Check in 2/27

[penguin129]

Paging: sanibel21, britta, smallpotato, @kitchen, iwantbacon, mg0202



Please Feel free to join in, even if you were not tagged. The last one of these was 2/8. I think it is time to do a check in again



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:



QOTW/GTKY: What are 3 things you do just for you that you truly enjoy?

[smallpotato]

Diagnosis/personal issue or struggle: anxiety with depression

Recent related difficulties/vent: Things are going okay right now. I've been on the double dose of Zoloft (100mg) for about 2 weeks now, and I definitely feel an improvement. We are on the wait list to see a developmental pedi with N, and will be contacting the Child Study center to see if we can get in there more quickly.

What you're working on/trying to do/would like to do to improve your recent difficulties/mental health: The unseasonably warm weather the last few weeks has definitely helped improve my mood. I am just looking forward to spring.

QOTW/GTKY: What are 3 things you do just for you that you truly enjoy? I enjoy getting manis and pedis every now and then. I also like to walk around the outlets near our house, even if I don't buy anything. I guess stopping at Dunkin for breakfast and iced tea each morning is also something I do just for me that I like.

[sanibel21]

I'm glad the increased dose is helping smallpotato. Hope those Appts are soon and shed some light.

[sanibel21]

Diagnosis/personal issue or struggle:
Anxiety, depression



Recent related difficulties/vent:
Toddler discipline, nighttime sleep, monotony of SAHM, wanting more me time


What you're working on/trying to do/would like to do to improve your recent difficulties/mental health:
Started zoloft a few weeks ago. It's helped my irritability tremendously and has given me so much clarity on my unhealthy thoughts and actions. I'm on a low dose and considering increasing just to see how good it can get, but don't want to be disappointed or start chasing an impossible high.


QOTW/GTKY: What are 3 things you do just for you that you truly enjoy
Crocheting, tea, sitting in the sun

[sanibel21]

Also I feel like I'm in in the moment much more now on the zoloft, and less concerned with everything I think needs to be done. But I feel breakthrough anxiety and the unhealthy thoughts and actions trying to creep in.

[iwantbacon]

Dx: History of depression/general anxiety

Recent issues: lack of sleep plus stress at work is making me feel inadequate in everything I do. Plus stress eating is also making me feel gross (physically and looks). It's go go go all the time until I mentally can't, then I'm almost a sloth.

What I'm working on: reminding myself that this is only temporary and that I'm doing my best given all situations. I REALLY need to get back to meal planning for healthy food options and less stress in evenings. I'm not at the point where I think I need medical help, but I'm being very realistic with myself this time and not putting it off for as long as I did after having DS1. It can be a very fine line, but I need to put myself first when it comes to mental health.

QOTW: Reading, knitting, and planning vacations. Seriously, I will plan anyone's vacations--search for flights, read restaurant reviews, check out every Airbnb in a zip code. I used to love running and hope that my body is physically able to do it again in the future.

[britta]

Diagnosis/personal issue or struggle: PPD, GAD

Recent related difficulties/vent: Ongoing struggles with DS2 being a more "difficult" baby than DS1. This has been such a shock to our system. So much crying and unpredictability. Guilt over feeling like I'm always frustrated with him instead of enjoying/loving on him. There's been some changes and revelations recently involving my extended family that have made me realize there's some things from my past I haven't fully worked through yet.

What you're working on/trying to do/would like to do to improve your recent difficulties/mental health: I called my OB finally and started Celexa yesterday. I've been sticking to my nightly walks and have added in cardio daily, either Piyo or getting on the elliptical. Cutting out social media/time on phone and focusing on being present. I start my new job next week and hoping that's as fulfilling as I imagine it will be.

QOTW/GTKY: What are 3 things you do just for you that you truly enjoy? Oh boy...self care is not my strong suit. Umm...1) my nightly walks, 2) I do enjoy pedicures, and 3) I'm gonna steal sanibel21's idea and say sitting in the sun.

[sanibel21]

britta, because you mentioned being in the moment, and anyone else really, I can't say enough about listening to the audio version of the Power of NOW by Eckhart Tolle.

[sanibel21]

Feb 28, 2017 21:47:03 GMT -5 sanibel21 said:

britta, because you mentioned being in the moment, and anyone else really, I can't say enough about listening to the audio version of the Power of NOW by Eckhart Tolle.

Haha to say that I can't say enough about something and then not say anything struck me funny. But it is really good. And not only about how to be in the present moment, but why.

[penguin129]

Diagnosis/personal issue or struggle: GAD with a history of depression

Recent related difficulties/vent: I have to have things go a certain way. If I plan for something and it doesn't work out it messes with me. Also doing anything around the 1st of the month for some reason. I like to plan ahead that day. I'm coming down from whatever high I was on that had me thinking I could start a non-profit at this point in life. I'm embarrassed about all the things I did at the peak of my anxiety like grabbing all the books off the free table at the library. I even apologized to the librarian yesterday.

What you're working on/trying to do/would like to do to improve your recent difficulties/mental health: I'm going for walks when I can at night. I am still on the lower dose of Celexa. I try to plan ahead. This month I'm trying to make goals for myself to get more organized. I'm finding it hard thought. This Friday I have my first therapy session since my intake appointment Jan 24th.

QOTW/GTKY: What are 3 things you do just for you that you truly enjoy? My nightly walks, trying to start a blog, and taking pictures of my town and the girls.

[penguin129]

smallpotato I hope you can get N in to be seen as quickly as possible. Weather definitely has something to do with people's moods. I hope it stays nice for you.

sanibel21 I'm happy the Zoloft is working out for you. I hear you on being a SAHM. I try to get out every single day in the morning to do something. I do like having some down time to plan and stuff. It is to the point where Big P actually asks me where we're going today.

iwantbacon I'm sorry you are having struggle with work that are made worse by not getting enough sleep. I think it is good that you are keeping an eye on things with your mental health.

britta Sorry DS2 is so difficult. Is it just the GERD or is it other stuff too? I know I said this before, but I hope the Celexa and taking a break from some social media helps you.

@kitchen I hate that fears with ACA are preventing you from getting a diagnosis. I hope you are able to continue managing your busier than anticipated schedule. That is a huge increase in hours.

[britta]

penguin129 it started with the GERD, then it was the RSV, now it's just typical infant stuff-teething, growth spurts, and hating naps. With all those things, I just feel like he's done nothing but cry for 4 months. It's just been overwhelming for me; going back and forth between telling myself it's not our fault and feeling bad that we can't help him and sometimes get frustrated with him. And having another child to contend with and make feel special. Hopefully we're on the right path now.

[penguin129]

Hugs britta. That is rough. I couldn't imagine if Lil P would be as hard as Big P was. I hope it gets better for you soon.

[macaronmama]

smallpotato, sanibel21, glad the Zoloft is really helping out on your end. I really agree we need more sunlight and us-time all around.
iwantbacon, right there with you on the poor eating and feeling awful as a result. Really struggling to remember fresh produce, even when it's right in front of me in the kitchen.
britta, still glad you called and that they didn't punt you off to someone else. Hope the Celexa continues to help. Sorry the increased difficulty with DS2 is adding to your stress. Hoping the sickness and cry issues pass soon.
@kitchen, so sorry work and childcare is still a stress for you.
penguin129, big hugs during the transition down from the planning high, I get that. GL with your session this upcoming Friday!

[macaronmama]

Diagnosis/personal issue or struggle: generalized anxiety & PPD

Recent related difficulties/vent: I was doing pretty great up until yesterday when the world came crashing down around me stress-wise. I had even managed to wean off Zoloft for a week but I'm taking it today since yesterday almost had me break down.

The thing I need the most right now is for DH to start acting more like an adult. He is starting to get more comfortable with the being-a-dad thing, but his procrastination and ability to psyche himself out of doing things he needs to do is causing me stress at the least and anxiety when he's peak freaking out. Just so worried what would happen to him and DS if something happened to me.

What you're working on/trying to do/would like to do to improve your recent difficulties/mental health: I started writing down all my pswrds to my accounts and linking in all our assets and debts into a Mint account so I can begin to budget starting this month. Getting all our affairs is order is my goal by end of April: get retirement set up for DH, a college savings plan for DS, a will for us, etc. I think having that done will make me less anxious when DH goes off on another "I'm gonna lose my job, I hate the world" tangent.

Also trying to remember to exercise. This is the hardest because I have no energy in the evenings and DS is woke up again every 3 hrs last night which makes me feel like I need to go to bed when he does (9pm). That leaves me only four hours to play with him, feed him, get dinner, and somehow fit in two hours of telework to make up for leaving work early to pick him up from daycare. DH helps some, but his version of helping sometimes just makes my stress worse if he's obviously in a bad mood.

QOTW/GTKY: What are 3 things you do just for you that you truly enjoy?
Reading with a cup of tea.
Getting a massage or facial.
Trying new restaurants with DH or a friend. I love all the food.

[smallpotato]

sanibel21, I'm so glad the Zoloft is working well for you. It was the breakthrough anxiety, and the panic attack I had when N caught the stomach bug that pushed me to ask about upping my dose. If you think you can benefit from the higher dose, I would talk to your doctor about it.

iwantbacon, I am also a stress eater, so I get it. I also love planning trips, even if I don't actually take them. Maybe I missed my calling as a travel agent. I really hope you can get some sleep soon.

britta, I completely understand. G is a little more high maintenance that N was, and it's so hard to balance both kids' needs. I'm so glad you called your doctor, and I hope the Celexa helps out.

@kitchen, that is a big increase in hours. I hope you can make it work in a way that is good for everyone. I hate that the country is in a place where we have to worry about the ACA repeal.

penguin129, good luck with your appointment Friday! Anxiety makes us do things that we would never normally do. I also get wanting things to happen a certain way.

macaronmama, I'm so sorry about the stress and YH's behavior. I hope it gets better soon.