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Annoyed trying to stay positive

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 7:44 pm
by Oceanforest
Hi I'm new here, I'm 43 diagnosed ptsd and depression. I'm feeling annoyed because of the lack of mental health services and awareness when I was a child/teen. Because it was only 5 yrs ago I was diagnosed and struggled for many yrs wondering why I couldn't function like everyone else which would make me depressed. I'm glad it's more accepted and talked about these days. But I just discovered something new hence why I feel annoyed about lack of mental health when I was younger. So I watched a YouTube video that popped up on autism I didn't really know to much about it and I couldn't believe what they were describing was a light bulb moment I believe I'm on the spectrum, I did an online Dmv 5 test which confirmed it. So know I will have to seek help for that. If this had of been picked up earlier in my life I wouldn't of been so harsh and critical of myself, I understand know why I feel like I'm from another planet and why socializing is extremely challenging as well as sensory issues. I have had meltdowns when there is too many sounds, people, noise, cars etc and I finally understand what on earth that is. Thankyou for reading.

Re: Annoyed trying to stay positive

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:17 am
by Spleefy
Hi Oceanforest,

I like the name! Maybe because I love both the ocean AND forest :P

Hey, good on you for doing your own research. It serves as a good reminder and encourages us to take the same initiative.

I felt the same way. In my time with depression (over ten years ago), it seemed like the mental health support was sorely lacking. There was a lot of awareness about depression, but it often felt it wasn’t taken seriously enough.

In my case, I had therapy but I was expected to live like a “normal” person. If I could hold down a job and function like everybody else, then I wouldn’t be seeing a therapist for depression. It was something that health professionals could not understand.

As such, I was financially unstable, often going hungry and had substantial debts. This only compounded the depression and anxiety.

It got to the stage that I had to be my own therapist and health consultant to survive.

It took me many years to learn that, while formal support is important, what’s more important is taking responsibility for our own health and well-being. The only person that can help us to overcome depression is ourselves. Formal support can only facilitate the process.

This seems so logical to me now. But at the time, I think I depended on the formal support to cure me.

I find that many doctors are not thorough and too quick to prescribe. I once had sore, itchy toes. I couldn’t figure out why. I went to the doctor and he just gave me anti-fungal cream. When the cream didn’t work, I decided to do my own research. I discovered it was chilblains! I wear socks and slippers in winter and problem was solved.

Another time, I had psoriasis. Medical treatment was topical corticosteroids. When that didn’t work, I was recommended a coal-tar ointment. Both topical treatments did not solve the issue let alone help with symptoms. So, once again, I took matters into my own hands by doing research. Found cure by making dietary changes.

So it definitely pays to also conduct our own research, investigations, and be proactive in our own treatment. It is also empowering, and gives us more control of our own health that is typically displaced by the medical industry.

So, again, good on you for doing your own research and learning more about your own health issues. Once you get a diagnostic confirmation from a qualified person, you can start working on a treatment plan.

Thanks for sharing.

Re: Annoyed trying to stay positive

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 9:18 pm
by Oceanforest
Yes so true it is important to do the inner work too, counciling and antidepressants can help, like with myself with ptsd which is unpredictable, you have no control when it happens very often depression can follow, for me it's about acceptance and management.

I Love the ocean and forest too
Thankyou so much for your reply