coping with the everyday ups and downs., all my thoughts are my own, sometimes features poetry.
Sunday, 29 November 2015
misunderstood by MHT
Saw my psychologist last week and the cold reception I got I was not prepared for.
Yes I had missed two appointments but I was sick and had good reasons for not coming. But none of those reasons meant anything to this lady sitting opposite me. I felt judged, I felt that she saw me as a no hoper.
Does she realise how much I am struggling to stay alive!
I tell her just a portion of whats going on in my mind and automatically she's saying to me just make some goals, you don't want to have a career in mental health services do you.
My answer to that is I am doing everything I can to survive this illness but its too much for me to handle.
Im severely depressed, and not at a place where I can snap out of how I'm feeling, i wish i could. trust me. Goal setting is impossible right now its more a minute by minute thing.
Im not even sleeping - having insomnia. not getting to sleep till early hours of the morning. Despite good sleep hygiene
The way my psychologist talked to me it was like she felt that I was wasting her time, and not getting better.
I would like to see her be me for one day and see how she manages this its not a walk in the park!
The only good thing about my appointment was that I left the room with my DBT certificate for the programme i attended last year. Also she has put forth a referral to pathways for a support worker, to help me.
She has said theres not much more that mental health services can do for my circumstances, and that if i wish I can be discharged to my GP she has asked me to think about it carefully. Then I can be referred for EMDR and trauma therapy somewhere local.
I started going down this track but the lady who was taking the EMDR Therapy acknowledged she wasn't experienced enough to help me and my type of trauma. So back to finding someone who actually can help.
Tried to go to church on Sunday got dressed up for it, but had major panic attack and anxiety and couldn't get myself out of the door. Even still thats a win just to get that far when PTSD is majorly affecting me and my life.
have had to reach out this week to people as not coping well.
oh well Monday today.
Monday, 23 November 2015
I ponder (warning triggering post)
So when I consider how I'm feeling its not where I should be feeling wise at this stage of my life. People would say you have a lot to live for and a husband and children to bear but all I can see is the pain and suffering that I go through on a daily basis.
I wonder if this is enough reason to give up. I wonder how much more I can take and its starring me in the face the haunting question of suicide, whether to go down that route or to avoid it at all costs.
I know at a certain point the decision is no longer a decision and the desire is overtaken and you are speeding towards it at a pace. I know at a certain time that the decision will be out of my hands and I either live or die pertaining to my actions and the consequences of those actions.
I know that once I reach that point my life is done and i cannot go back, or change my mind. I cannot hug my family for the last time, I cannot plan to have or do anything as I will just be gone.
Yet that thought gives me peace, that I will just be gone, and sprinkled ashes.
Its not the cowards way out far from that its hard to make the decision. Its not selfish either as many would think it would be its a matter of self preservation by taking your life in your own way.
Its a matter of not waking up in pain everyday of your life.
I watch videos showing the consequences of suicide on the family but still that does not reach me. Im not stone cold but have put up with way too much pain and my heart is heavy with the burden of loving but not feeling loved. Heavy with the burdens of too many years of painful memories friends that left me and yet wanted to come back.
living with mental illness not an easy trek and some would say I have done well to stay as strong as I can for so long, but I really feel I am running out of my strength and what I can take thus far
so to leave would that be so bad if it finally enables me to find peace and rest.. and those around me will be better not having the burden of having an unwell family member or friend.
I ponder.
Thursday, 19 November 2015
unable to cry
Once again I am crying inside and want to show the emotion on the outside, but my tears won't come I'm staying staunch, Im trying to be brave.
Its horrible screaming and crying and knowing nobody can make you feel better, nobody can take away the agony that befalls you.
I don't know how to explain it in terms that the regular reader would understand.
When you have been let down so much by so many people that you thought you could trust and others that were your friends and have walked away and said goodbye
You try to survive day by day. But I know already that the suffering is too much and Im not sure how much more can be handled. By both my health and those who respond negatively towards it. When can I honestly turn around and say enough is enough Im out.
Seeking, searching for help and answers. Medication that actually does something.
but no answers to be found in medication, only in strategies to manage day by day.
but even that does not manage the Chaos of the mind
I ask myself often what is my purpose here, why was I put through all of this pain. Why does it have such a grip on me..
and it hurts.
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Smiling Depression
"SMILING DEPRESSION"
A person has this when they are deeply depressed but look on the surface to be functioning daily they laugh they smile, they act like nothing is wrong.
but something is!
It is often not picked up - ROBIN WILLIAMS - a comedian hiding his depression by laughter.
we did not know his pain until too late.
How many in our communities have this SMILING DEPRESSION.
its easy to hide it.
I know myself I've been guilty of this and mental health services haven't been able to discern the truth in the past. Its also hard to get services to believe you need help because your so called "high functioning" You "Look Good" "Pretty" "independent"
so how do you get the CATT team and those so called mental health sector professionals to view you differently?
Should it really matter that someone walks in unshaven, untidy, looking terrible.
do all Depressed individuals really need to look that way in order to be treated seriously?
Shouldn't there be less judgement!
Shouldn't a person be believed by what they say and do, not discriminated against because of the way they look, talk.
If I laugh it doesn't automatically mean I'm happy so don't assume I am! Im hiding how I feel but nervous laughter, I'm trying to lighten the way I feel...by telling a joke.
Ive been in hospital after overdosing and just because I'm a good communicator the Catt team have got the impression that Im fine, and can be sent home, despite a mental health advocate telling them how desperate this individual is and what a risk they would take.
Is there something I'm missing here. do the Catt team not know about Smiling Depression.
Over time you learn to hide how you feel cos nobody wants to hear it. So smiling depression is part of how you get on with it all. You try and get on with life like everyone else even though you don't feel the way others feel.
Im saying that Smiling Depression is not easy for the person living with it daily, but its also not easy to diagnose when your a clinican but its important to see whats happening below the surface and not always take people on face value.
ETC the journey of Energy, tranquility and courage
ENERGY
TRANQUILITY
COURAGE
E T C JOURNEY
What an acquaintance called the journey of being unwell to well ness.
I think it sums it up very well.
You need Energy to keep going - it takes stamina, it takes work, it takes endurance.
You need to see the tranquil moments and appreciate just the little things in a day whether its your cup of coffee in the morning or sitting in the sun, Its the moments of peace that you get that somehow help you when your facing crisis to reflect back on.
You also need Courage. Because its not easy to win a battle against your mind, it comes back to Energy. Realising this is your lot but not wanting to be defeated by it all but instead of being overwhelmed surprise yourself and others by enduring incredible odds and getting through.
I find the sun is just such a blessing to be immersed in its glowing rays and feel the warmth. This is often misunderstood and under valued when it really is such a delight to behold, and when you sit there embraced with the feel on your skin, you know thats what life is about.
I feel that way about a hot or cold shower the feel of the water of your skin is like nothing else. When everything is going down to step into the shower and let the water take you under its spell and change you. I find its a time of intimate reflection, and letting out the pain and anguish through the steam - that manifests itself. Crying because no one can see you and you know the weight of what your carrying on your shoulders.
But once you step out of that shower you have left that emotion behind and its time to get on with the next day, and you renew yourself, your person, you have clean hair, a clean body, you get into clean clothes brush your hair put on makeup and head out looking a million dollars.
I read an article the other day about what you call Smiling Depression. Its a type of depression thats often misunderstood and not viewed as depression as the person seems on the whole to be functioning daily. They are laughing and smiling, etc but inside they are completely jelly. They are the sorts of people you need to watch out for, because they hide it so well. Reminds me of Robin Williams, yes he was a comedian and laughter hid his unhappiness, nobody saw it till it was too late.
So why isn't this type of depression given more media time.? I do not know!
People have the "she will be right attitude" she may be but what if she's not
even the most strongest of individuals can lose it sometimes, and one time too many could be the death of them.
I just think as a society we could be doing more to help individuals and be more discerning of their needs.
food for thought.
mental health services Needs to be priority! * inadequate services.
So I am going to begin this article stating the truth about MOST of the DHBS in the country of New Zealand. They are not working for the people, they are proving in effective with stopping suicides from occurring so thats a fail.
I especially am talking about the mental health system in our country. Its a sham. It really is when there are people within a Catt team and others that have jobs but they are not serving the mental health consumer and providing what they need as an individual.
I say Individual because everyone has different needs, when it comes to the mental health sector we are not all the same. I belong to a group called Support complaints for Mental Health and time and time again there are posts on there of how individuals have been let down in crisis, families have been let down and suicidal children have come home to them or not come home in some cases, and then theres missing person reports, and some of those end up being victims of suicide.
Then theres organisations like Lifeline that just are overwhelmed and cant pick up all their phones, so phone calls get missed. What happens to the individuals that needed some support and couldn't get it in their time of crisis?
I know very well the state of the mental health system really is less than desirable, unfortunate to be a part of it since I was a teenager. I have seen good organisational skills in DHB's and very poor and reckless behaviour of DHBs
I wonder about the misdiagnosing that happens, how someone can be stigmatised for having a particular condition mentioned on their file. They are then viewed as an attention seeker when thats not the case at all, and if only these mental health clinicians could see the great emotional pain these individuals are in they just want to get out of their hell.
Because they are a certain diagnosis (in the too hard basket) they are not allowed to go to hospital because of the fear of the clinicians of their behaviour getting worse. Yes to these clinicians its a behavioural disorder and something that you can change. If only they knew what its like to live with Borderline personality disorder day in and day out. If only, then they would realise what a ride what a roller coaster and stressful and painful life. How it affects you as a person, and also your family and those who you consider your friends. How many of them walk away because they cant cope. Yeah not so simple now clinicians. Hospital is a last resort, trust me you don't want to be there unless you really have to. But even that is not open to a person with borderline personality disorder.
They send you to Crisis Respite if you beg and beg for it, sometimes. If theres a bed. Cos at the crisis respite centre only 4 beds are available. Its also usual to be tossed out after a few days thats okay if your ready to go home and no longer acutely suicidal. But tossing someone out when they have a suicidal plan, and a suicide letter at home, and a car there to carry it out with, yea not that smart. Especially when that person knows their intentions and begs u to reconsider. To no avail.
Trust me that person was not attempting suicide for attention that person was trying to get out of her hell hole.
Wish clinicians would see that clearly.
What concerns me more than ever is the careless behaviour of some clinicians.
someone with borderline personality disorder was told by the Catt team that they couldn't stop her if she wanted to kill herself, and basically egged on to commit suicide.
well if Catt cant stop you, why are they there?
A police officer also said if you want to kill yourself stay off social media.
Thanks for the TIP!
Should these people be working on the front line I ask you to consider ?
A well known celebrity suicide prevention advocate tried to get this person admitted by the Catt Team after a serious suicide attempt but they didnt even listen to him. Yeah apparently having borderline just means pain in the bum to the psychiatric services.
time to change that Me thinks.
this person just went on to attempt again.
Also just a pep talk on the phone when your suicidal is not enough Catt Team.
And being told off for calling emergency services when you need them so not on Catt Team
Should be allowed to call police ambulance if health is that bad.
Being escorted into mental health dhb BY POLICE and being told police officer can go, and just given a little chat and driven home yeah not adequate.
not allowed a support person yea thats not good enough either
I think its time the CATT team starts listening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE DHBS NEED TO START GETTING THINGS RIGHT.
THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO START SETTING PRIORITIES PEOPLES HEALTH
my points are below
Why is this occurring when these ones
1) Are first going through the right channels to access support
2) there are enough staff in the mental health sectors
3) there is money going into the mental health services from the government.
where it all going?
I wonder if the families of those who are suicidal are being notified of the status of the individual, before tragedy occurs?
I know in some cases they aren't - they cant
see the warning signs before a suicide occurs.
Why is there such a let down in the mental health sector, it shouldn't be just a 9-5 job,.!
Why are other organisations that are actually making a difference and reaching children stopping them from suicide and yet they are not getting funding?
why is our prime minister so interested in the damn flag, and his rep rather than worrying about whats actually important and putting money into that.
You can tell I'm really angry it is a subject i am very passionate about as personally I haven't received adequate treatment from mental health services and all I hear is negativity.
TIME FOR CHANGE !
Tuesday, 17 November 2015
In the darkness
Goodness me another tough night for me last night. Theres something wrong with being alone with the lights out, some nights its okay and others its really hard to handle.
Left alone with just yourself, and your thoughts. You might shout at me I should get a hobby - well i do have hobbies and interests, but late at night well those don't even come into my perspectives.
It is just me - and I am completely aware of the person - and I don't like that person.
Whether its that I want to run I do not know. Am I afraid.
But when these thoughts are strongest and trying to turn me towards making that thought a reality its me fighting for my life against the most pressing, convincing enemy that could ever make the history books or the pages of a novel.
He tells me its what everyone wants you to do, that your life is not going to be anything great so just give up now, heres the door.
It gives me a detailed way of accomplishing this task.
He is so convincing I know exactly why he's been so successful in getting victims but am i just a plaque on a grave, here lies, ........ age......died. Or am i something else?
I know if I Succumb for just a moment- or entertain the idea that I will be sucked into the snare within. Because the words are like sweet honey just the idea of being peaceful but its false hope and trickery as nothing is as easy as just taking a sleep.
Ive been told time and time again what the effects are on those around.
do i want to leave that pain?
If I'm not careful, and don't watch it I will be another statistic.
ultimately friends and family can be there for you but
Its only me that can stop that eventuality from happening.
Suicide doesn't have to occur- you can beat the beast! its getting past the moment of desperation.
Last night I almost gave up, yes i almost decided to take myself out of the running of living a life.
Last night I had thoughts that were dark, and would not make sense to you
My plan was desperate and my method
yes it would of been so easy to follow through,
but i chose to fight
with all my insides
to keep living
and i awoke to a sunny day
a blue sky
and a sun beating down its rays upon me.
I walked my dog I felt my feet on the pavement
I hid under my dark sunglasses.
I cooked myself a meal,
I dyed my hair
I watched the women of pike river talking their grief.
they miss their men.
I sat and wondered.
guess what Im saying is in one moment the desperation is real
but the next moment the next day there always some sunshine
whether its only the weather.
suicide doesn't have to occur
you can beat it.
The Women of Pike River the 29 Men lost but not forgotten.
Watching the women of Pike River on Channel 1, what a horrible journey these people have been through and what Hell.
It was interesting hearing reports from some of these women that their men were coming home sick because of the gases in the mine. They tried to complain about the conditions in the mine but were ignored by management.
This was before the terrible occurrence 19 November 2005
There has been no accountability and those who should of been charged with the murder of these men and having unsafe work environment just walk away scot free because there are not the people available to give witness reports, etc.
They have had promise after promise made to them regarding getting those 29 Men out of Pike River, but nobody has delivered on their promises!
Even the fact that they have been promised action and then when the day comes for decision reentering the mine, the other parties have backed out.
The question is now its 5 years down the line - When are these folks going to have their men out of that Mine?
What happened to dignity, respect, and treating these families with kindness, not getting their hopes up time and time again and breaking promises.
Now the decision is that Pike River is their grave site.
Theres been no justice
no accountability
everyone deserves some closure!
We have to learn from these past mistakes, we need to not to ignore a gut extinct that something is not right.
we need to speak up and not back down.
Someone has to listen - before its too late...and theres another tragedy....
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
a broken vessel that stands and those that try to fix it
When you have serious mental health issues, its easy sometimes to look around for someone to save you from yourself. You don't trust your own abilities and see your own worth through what you have been through in your past, and what you see in your present.
A saviour - you put some people on a pedestal because they have been kind to you, have helped you out of a jam.
They become the one you go to.
You don't want to be a nuisance you just want this person to take away your pain, your burden, your incredibly bad luck that life has thrown your way.
You want to scream and shout and tell everyone off and you get frustrated at yourself and the way you are. Who you are when you look in the mirror
you wonder whom that girl is - who's the reflection.
she looks so put together.
so capable.
You cant see that gorgeous girl, capable girl that others can see.
You forget that you are strong and can handle anything thats thrown your way. You have managed before and you manage time and time again.
you forget that others have problems too.
everything becomes about you. your world is circling, and limited by a narrow viewpoint.
all conversation becomes revolved around you
your sucked into self pity and hatred.
Yes you want someone to take your burden from you. You want someone to tell you everything is going to be ok., even though you doubt it will ever be.
That person becomes your hero because by their words or what they have said it has given you a day longer living your life.
the influence of good - of positivity your sucked in. Because your so scared and terrified of what its going to be like without that positive voice in your corner.
how can you ever stand on your own!
its a vicious poison though as that person gets tired of you, tired of your struggles, wonders why you haven't got it together.
views you as in the too hard basket.
walks away
and your there wondering why?
how did a friendship become so toxic.
maybe there are no answers
they can never understand just what its like to walk in your shoes.
the most painful thing to know is that they cannot fix you
only you can fix whats broken. Or make the most of the broken vessel that stands.
john key/ desperate state of NZ
I hear that the DHB in Auckland is on strike, so good luck if you get sick this week.
I am so annoyed at our Prime minister who seems to have his head up his ass when it comes to priorities for the country. They should call him the Donkey prime minister. We do not need a new flag, its a waste of financial resources that need to be put into healthcare and the mental health system to make it better and functional for those who need to use it.
John Key is so worried about choosing a new flag, and pandas for NZ and changing the currency. What the heck?
is this man living on another planet?
Or is he only going to get that the state of services are in dire need, low and behold if someone close to him needs to use them!
I just do not understand how he can go to bed at night and sleep knowing the suicide rate for NZ is so high and that his citizens in his country are suffering, and struggling to make ends meet, even feed their children.
The organisations that should be getting funded are not getting the funds needed.
Alot of these are voluntary organisations, such as The Key To Life Charitable Trust go into schools and talk to the youth. Yes being on the frontline.
I read something this week that made me very sad. A 9 Year old girl committed suicide. Now i don't like the word committed, but it was a serious thing and at her age to be that desperate, I just wish someone had reached out to that little girl before life got too hard for her to handle.
I wonder the reasons behind a 9 year old making such a desperate statement. I hope it wasn't just a cry for help that went wrong.
to think that I'm still alive despite all I have gone through I feel grateful in part.
I wonder if she was being bullied, or her home life was tormenting her, whatever it was we need to find these answers so other children can be saved and do not become as desperate and go to the lengths that this little darling did.
RIP Sweetheart.
anyway thats me if you have any comments feel free to share below.
Monday, 9 November 2015
invisible Illness
How different is Depression to other mental health conditions.
Very different because Depression can actually be treated.
Some conditions cannot
its just a matter of waging war with your mind and your heart.
deciding its more important to stay for your family and friends sake
rather than find peace
even just keeping on breathing can be such a struggle
and people who have never felt that agony
will never understand
that pain
finding solace in your struggle
maintains that you keep your distance
when your hurting no body wants to hear
its just swept under the carpet
with a broom
Stigma and discrimination
also how can you keep believing yourself
worthy and capable of this life
when others have given up on you
and see you as a lost cause
Theres no words for the invisible illness
that you grapple with
and try to contain
everyday you try to put a lid on a pot that is steaming
about to overflow
when will you rest?
poetry descriptive the runaway
Agony
Anger
tension
heartbreak
finding
solace
in
intimate
moments
with no
reason
looking
for
hope
when
it
doesn't
seem
to
show
hating self
loathing
desperation
running
away
from
the
soul
catcher
PTSD
Today was a nothing day for me I had a very stressful day yesterday and couldn't sleep,
I experienced an anxiety attack last night after going to church during the day. If you have had an anxiety attack before you will know that they are not pleasant, and even though I was trying to do deep breathing etc that didnt quite work to calm me, because it reminded me that I was alive when i was doing the deep breathing techniques, I haven't got the gist of it yet, but I tried. I also put on some calming music, restful sleep songs. But that didn't seem to help in the slightest.
I know the anxiety attack was to do with my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from being ostracised a long time ago by the same church and then I went back, now i went back for the right reasons, I do believe the teachings etc, its just getting past my own emotional turmoil.
I believe that I had psyche myself up so much during the day for the meeting I was to attend, that by the end of the day I was exhausted emotionally and mentally.
The flashbacks came back to me, and the uncomfortable feelings, of being ostracised. I mean how do you tell your brain that its not occurring now, that you are safe. I kept repeating those words over and over to myself when I was laying in bed and couldn't sleep and was the middle of a panic attack.
Im Safe, that part of my life is over. your ok
These words you say them but to get your mind to believe them is quite a mission. Anyhow I continued, and realised that I couldn't go to sleep cos every time I tried to close my eyes an image would flash of me being ignored, and ostracised by members of the church.
I gave up on conventional panic attack solutions after googling how to cope in a panic attack it had come up with distraction techniques etc that i had already tried, and deep breathing so I took matters in my hands and decided to take some PRN instead so i would get some sleep.
It still took me time to sleep after taking the PRN but it was better to get some sleep in that way.
Woke up late today but I needed the sleep.
I'm in a racy way due to the memories being brought to mind, and flashbacks so I am using what strategies I have learnt through Dbt etc to hold it together.
Tonight distraction by the tv and the show The Block, watching a movie upstairs with granny and Mum and after that coming back into my flat and putting loud music on, positive inspirational songs and doing my dishes, and cleaning my kitchen.
It doesn't sound like much to some people but when you are trying to wage a war with yourself to keep yourself alive well you got to use everything at your disposal.
Saturday, 7 November 2015
thoughts on the day
Tonight I feel full of emotion not sure if its because I watched a film about a man buried under ground or whether its some other reason, but I feel compelled to write on here what I'm thinking.
The last two nights I have had to deal with firework displays going on at the neighbours, and the field behind where I live. I know its the time of the year for fireworks but my poor animals get so upset, and I end up having to comfort them.
Tonight brought my rabbit inside for attention and noticed that under her mouth she's got orange stuck, so note to self no more oranges and orange peel for my bunny.
Today has been quite uneventful for me. I was very tired after my adventure and journey into Wellington yesterday to see the All Blacks Parade so I ended up sleeping in, waking up and watching tv. I did venture out into the sunshine and saw that the Wairarapa had once again put on a beautiful sunny day with blue skies to enjoy - hot. So out went the furniture that I had to bring inside only a few days prior because of the wind gusts. I have put weights on it so that my furniture doesn't blow over.
Had friends over this afternoon so that was lovely and a nice cuppa. Some encouraging thoughts which was nice as well.
It was random yesterday cos I sat next to a lady who owns a publishing company I didnt know that of course before I sat with her, but the random fact about it was that I have been thinking of publishing a book that comes from the place of resilience and strength within tremendous obstacles.. and all of a sudden she's there and we are talking and suddenly trying to come up with how much would cost.
I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason, and I don't think that it was by accident that I met this individual she was very enlightening in other ways as well, and I really believe that everything is pointing to the fact that I need to release this book, and tell my story, or some of it anyways because it can help others to get through what they are coping with and give them strategies to help.
I want to be able to provide some sort of hope to those who have none, such as teenagers, and others. If I can dust myself off day after day and keep going and not give up well then you can too.
Another random thing happened today not so positive, well I was blocked on twitter, and it was entirely out of the blue and not expected. I made a comment on this persons account which was a positive post about an organisation, and then not long after that I find out I am blocked.
I don't understand. But I take this as this person does not want to communicate with me any further. So I accept it. Im sure its not the first or the last time I've faced rejection or exclusion.
so with that all done and dusted.
I'm off to bed now, will post something tomorrow
goodnight.
Friday, 6 November 2015
Welly goes all Out for the ALL Blacks Parade
Yesterday was such a great day! Took the train down to Wellington and met up with a friend of mine down there.
The All Blacks Parading through the street was EPIC! the crowds there cheering them on and clapping, there was barely space to walk around town was packed in at the seams!!!!
At Civic Square the All Blacks were positioned on the steps, and they were cheered on one by one, to the roar of the crowd!
I wasn't able to get very close as well there too late as the train only came in at 12 and the parade had started already but myself and my friend were running up to basically catch up with the team.
I was happy anyways saw my two favourite players Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.
Then once the whole All Black Parade was over I went to the Art Gallery and spent time building a tower with the lego upstairs.
We then went and had a late lunch.
The weather was brilliant in Wellington I was so surprised didnt need a jacket or anything.
The sun was shining
Got the train home after some afternoon shopping and some little momentos of the day!
This morning I was wiped out, and my feet are sore from walking around Wellington yesterday but I am satisfied that I was there in the moment and part of the crowd and not just watching it on the Television.
One of the best days I have had in a while
Thursday, 5 November 2015
when those with mental health issues are treated as criminals
My question is
How many individuals with Mental health conditions are treated as criminals instead of being given the help they need?
I think instead of judges sending these ones to jail or fining them they should be given the treatment they desperately need to get through.
This may mean putting these ones under the mental health act, MHA compulsory treatment order. Or just recommending they go to some sort of rehab programme.
Ive just recently had to go to court 3 times now in total and Im a person with serious mental health issues that affect my life everyday. Can I say the stress thats put on me overtime of waiting for court appearances, and going to court appearances really is not fair on someone with so much on their plate already, especially when this court case is regarding actions that took place because a severely suicidal person was trying to end their life on one particular day.
I did not mean to put people in the situation they found themselves in, and wish i could take back what happened, but the desire to end my life overtook everything else. My reactions, and the way I conducted myself that day was not whom I am day to day. This came from a place of a girl who was so desperate to get out of her life.
Instead of being given the help I need I have been charged with an offence. Which I don't feel is fair treatment. Police are even starting to feel that I need supervision which is just the icing on the cake and when you try to explain to your lawyer and your lawyer tries to explain that to the police the police have their back up like they are trying to prove a point.
I told my lawyer I am not a danger to anyone else but myself please pass that on!
even still I feel very uncomfortable in this situation and the fact is now I am being judged by the police and they are viewing me in a negative light.
I wonder how many other people have been in this situation where they have been treated as a criminal rather than got the help that they need because they were in a state of desperation caused by mental health issues.
Please if this blog article has raised issues for you feel free to comment.
Or if you have an opinion on this subject matter feel free to let me know.
thank you for taking the time to read this.
one big mission.
Another night down in the game of life.
I.m upset im in tears, I'm fighting back the thoughts of death and ending it all, I'm hugged by my father and mother, the tears rolling down my face. I feel that I am treated as though I am 16 years of age, its very hard because with a mental illness I display behaviour that impulsive and scary to those around me. I try not to be this person.
I know Im not ready to drive yet, but it hurts that Im not driving around like everyone else instead i am coping with the fall out from my suicide attempt and losing my license.
Im crying but then an hour later I'm laughing thats how confusing this disorder is.
I do my best to keep it under wraps. But the thought of escape is always upon me.
Hard to explain to those who don't understand the prologue
Talking about life saving methods, well its hard cos I don't want my life to be continued in that circumstance but others feel different.
So who makes the decisions.
so difficult because sometimes Im for life and other times I'm against it. So how do you make decisions when your mind is cloudy.
Living or Dying.
what a choice
the fireworks are displayed outside my window so inside I sit with my pets, and make sure they are calm and collected whilst the festivities continue.
I really need supportive people around me people that can get that I need a listening ear.
because my life feels like one big fuzzball.
but its not cute and cuddly wish it was.
instead it is one big mission!
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
letter to my readers and those who struggle.
Dear Readers of this blog.
Please feedback if you like my posts, because this lets me know where your heads are at in relation to the issues that are highlighted.
The posts that are on here are 100% real and true and nothing is hidden from view. The girl you read about on here is the girl that I am the woman I am who is struggling with her identity with herself as a person surrounded by mental health issues.
I have been let down by the health system at times and that is touched on as well through my posts. So if you have any experiences relating to mental health or the health system in general please feel free to post a comment, or many comments as the situation arises.
The struggle of a brain who wants to die, but family and friends want you to stay alive is very realistic to how it is everyday. The extremes in mood and temperament. Not able to find a middle ground despite therapy that has been undertaken. Now in more complex therapy treatments for PTSD.
I have issues with social media and my viewpoint of twitter and Facebook and such things. They can be positive in the right context but also can be very negative to individuals in other contexts.
People say what they like over a keyboard not really seeing the person behind the screen who may be crying or in torment. Bullying is rampant, so are posts of people crying out for help that aren't always attended to.
Social Media can be about showing off, showing how wonderful your life is. Well how does that make the person feel that doesn't have life worked out in such a way as you do. The ones with mental health difficulties, the ones on benefits through the government, the ones that are struggling to get through minute by minute hour by hour.
I have issues with people that say having depression is hard enough, what about having to live with a trio of mental health issues, and having all that trauma coming up in your everyday life? could you live with that then?
I don't believe that suicide is the easy way out i believe its the way that finds itself to the consciousness when all other ways have been explored and the pain is so deep that you cant go on. Its a way of survival and to the individual involved, a very emotional and terribly hard decision but you feel that you can no longer live one more day.
Its very hard to explain that to people who have not been in that space. The dark clouds, the walls, the darkness without any light you don't see hope, you don't see anything but your pain and yourself. Severe depression is something I would not wish on anyone, as well as other mental health issues.
So how do you stay alive you may wonder?
You learn what it takes to survive when you have no other choice but to be strong within your circumstances, when your starring death in the face and know its either go this way and break hearts of your family and friends or keep strong and fight through the hard times.
I have to say for me its been the reminders I have got from The Key to Life Charitable Trust started by Mike King - suicide is not okay thats what sticks in my mind.
Also The Nutters Club Started by Mike King. Reminding me that others out there are struggling too and giving me strategies to keep going.
Also Rats Riders Against Teenage Suicide - well for me they have been there when others have not.
Also using such services such as Lifeline where you can talk to someone about whats bothering you.
Ive been lucky in that I have been through DBT as well. Which gave me strategies that help me cope.
I still lose it though from time to time.
thats why I say to all of you out there. Look out for your friends, family and complete strangers.
a word spoken at the right time is a lifesaver!
so many times I've been so close to committing suicide and its someone who's
reached out to me thats stopped me in my tracks and helped me to stay strong.
you can be that person for someone who needs you!!!!!!
and if you need that person well remember you are strong too, and reach out. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength not weakness. Its okay to say Im not doing okay I need support.
Lets take Care of our Whanau.
Social media Poem
So i don't want to post on twitter
or facebook
I don't want to send a selfie
or even take one.
I don't want to be a part of your group
or your organisation too
Im struggling enough in life just to hold on
to living
I don't care about the latest fashions
or the trends on the catwalk
I really don't care that you lost your shoe
Im not wanting to hear your excuses
for not wanting to socialise
im sick of you blowing me off
making me feel inadequate
Im not wanting to be a pain
im not fighting for attention
I'm definitely not seeking sympathy
know I'm just lonely and tired
of fighting an illness that you cannot see
I pray and I fight every single day of my life
so my family don't have to bury me in the ground
I pick up any self help books I can find
to make my day a little bit more liveable.
Your status updates.
Your show off displays
you act like your life is easy
just know true courage is living when you don't want to live no more
so don't hate me social networking bunch
for not posting a status or a tweet
I run out of things to say that you actually want to hear.
my life isn't as glamorous
and I'm tired of the blocking, and the ones who don't reply
just realise the mental stabbings hit just as deep as physical ones.
How can I get you to understand.
social media might be your life, but to me its a sideshow.
My reality requires strength to get through everyday.
social media platform poem
Social media
why be so controlled
why do i NEED to check my status
why do I need someone to retweet my post
or favourite it.
Why do I need followers
it doesn't matter really how many are following your account
does it make my life better having people watching
analysing my social media profile.
I don't understand the need
to update your status every two seconds
its confusing
when you don't feel your accomplishments aren't appropriate
for mentioning.
they are just the small things
like getting out of bed,
or taking medication
or walking your dog down the road.
the small things
don't seem to matter to ordinary people
they wonder why you cant just make it in the real world
how can you explain to them
that the social media platform
is just that
a platform
a showoff station
it can be used for the good of the people
causes and fundraising
but it can also
be a place of bullying
and social torment for some.
some just find it difficult when their followers disappear,
or others block their tweets,
block them
its not something should take personally
but its hard not to feel some sort of pain.
the real reason for social media
should be to reach out to people
to keep in touch with family and friends
to support them and remain a influence in their lives
and brighten their days
so why do so many give up on those they follow?
and why do some delete their social media profiles and choose to live in the real world
the suicidal club
Ok I know I have a battle on my hands its not a battle like a warfare but a battle of the mind.
My mind is still telling me to end my life. Despite others trying to tell me to give myself a chance and stay alive.
So whom do i listen to? Who do i trust? can I trust my mind is telling me what is correct and true?
am i taking the cowards way out if I go down the suicide path. A friend of mine recently said that was the easy way out of life, and giving up was giving up quitting when it gets too hard.
What does he know though? he's only dealt with depression as an affliction, and even though I am not making light of how much of a annoyance depression can be and a problem Im also stating that when you are dealing with severe depression plus other mental health disorders, well life gets complicated and strangely unwelcome to live.
Its not that you give in too easily but if that person thinks he fights to cope with his negative feelings imagine what its like dealing with the confusion that comes from compounding mental health issues.
You are saturated and challenged day after day as to whether you can overcome your feelings, and your thoughts, and your impulses.
Some days Im strong and I can get through and ignore these impulsive thoughts, and feelings of wanting to end it, but other days I am sucked into their power, their powerful hold over me is clear to see and I become very secretive and in private i am planning my next move, its not a move that leads me towards life but towards death towards getting out of the pain that I am in.
Nobody can understand unless you are in that place, that mental anguish that you are tortured by your own brain. Even without dwelling on thoughts you feel like you cant beat this thing thats got such a hold on you. That others would be better off without you here.
Its a lonely place and a place I wouldn't wish anyone to visit, because once your in this place its very hard to find your way out again. Its like your stuck down a deep well a hole you can see everyone at the top and they are telling you to climb up but you still cant see the light
You cant climb why cant you climb cos your in limbo you don't know if you want to come back out because you are so tired of struggling.
the finality of death is a scary place but is a peaceable place as well thats where the struggle here in lies you just want your suffering to be over. It doesn't go through your mind whom u may hurt in your race to get free of your pain its only when you wake up in that hospital bed that you realise how many people are standing around you, crying for you and in anguish because they thought they would never see you again.
So who wins in this war.
Who gets the victory. Its a black place to enter and many are entering its doors.
why you may say?
one of those things you can never understand until your a member of the club.
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