Category: mental illness

Cinderella in disguise time to take a holiday

From my ADHD medication. WHAT? I have only been on it a short while true, and it did come as a bit of left field for me when my GP suggested it. The logic was that it would allow me to see and remind myself of how I function on and off..me well its only be a month I sort of remember very well Doc!
She went onto say that as I had discovered for me that varying my time of when I take my longer acting medication helped me with anxiety, enabled me to actually make it to functions, such as the Mad hatters Dance we had to celebrate Winter Solstice this year, that I made it too though I was an hour early for my duties. If I had not gone when the urge hit and it was no issue rather than wait another hour the potential was I may not have made it at all. Which would have been horrible as it was a brilliant fun night. It made no difference to how I did my job nor did it upset anyone or anything me being an hour early.
Similarly I was invited to dinner where I only met the hosts twice, and a couple who are my friends were going, I was really uncertain as to going to this dinner. It had been so long since I had been invited to a dinner. I decided to go, and like the Mad Hatters Dance I took my medication at about 3pm instead of first thing in the morning. This helps me to get to the function, and reduces anxiety to a really low level. Both evenings were great fun, and I really enjoyed myself; turned out the other guests at the dinner were people I sort of know so far less scary than if unknown people. It was not far from my home so I chose to leave my dogs at home for both functions. Normally if I go out they come with me and stay in the car which generally works well for us all. They love driving home after in the dark and seeing all the wildlife.

I left the dance at about 9pm I just knew I needed to leave and as this was a large function with a wonderful jazz band and lights, I was really overstimulated and weary. The dinner on the other hand a small group and again I really enjoyed myself, loosing track of the time totally. Another couple were chatting and saying they should leave as their older dog would need to go out and this hit a nerve with me as Miss Treacle 15y old also would be needing the same. I asked the time and it was after midnight, (yep sounding like I am Cinderella here folk), and my brain just kicked into overdrive. I had to leave I had to leave, I knew she would have had an accident and I was blaming myself and massively worried about her and Busby. My dogs are my world they are the reason I am still here on the planet for which I am eternally grateful they gave me a reason to get up and to live during my darkest days, I now am so delighted to wake every day..no matter how it may turn out.

Focus Tazzie..So the adrenaline kicked in my brain was in hyper-drive and I knew I was having a panic attack. I had to leave right now RIGHT NOW. I just went to my car no saying thank You for a lovely night to my hostesses, or bye to anyone. Just straight to my car and then WHAMMO, I was parked in!
SHIT GOT BAD. I actually wet myself. I was mortified and so embarrassed, but this is the truth of how bad this panic attack was. I now definitely could not go back to the dinner guests or hostesses and say thanks and could the car blocking me be moved. I began to hyperventilate cry and rub my head and forehead so hard I actually rubbed skin off. I was sitting in my car in wet jeans, its wintertime and I have to get out and I CAN NOT! Then the what if people think I am doing this for attention, or what if no one comes or leaves and I am stuck here for hours. What about my dogs, my timber floors round and round my head full and no space for anything else.
I do not know how long I sat there in my car, I recall the tap on my window, and one of the hostesses concerned and me sharing what had happened. NOT explaining why I had the panic attack just I had and had wet myself. Oh the added shame and mortification. She offered to have the car blocking me to be moved me says “Oh No Thats OK”. WTF Seriously, my good manners kick in NOW?
It seemed like an eternity but probably half an hour when the other guests began to leave and the car blocking me left.
I drive the short distance home, seeing it is after 1am and exhausted and beating myself up still, I go inside and sure enough I have wet area to clean up So thankful she urinated on some papers so the floor was ok. Let both dogs out, and then took myself to the shower. Chucked a load of washing on and somehow made it up the stairs, remembering first to get the dogs inside, and fell into a deep sleep.

Has this experience stopped me from the acceptance of any future dinner invites. No, but it has demonstrated several factors in how I need to manage my needs. I have to ensure I can leave, so park where I can not be parked in. Or I take my dogs, and go out and let them out for a wee and go back and continue the gathering. Or I acknowledge that for me the optimum time for me to be at something is about 21:30.
As to managing my medication, sure if I feel it could be a later evening than 22:00 take it at say 16:00 and this is where it can become a bit tricky do I then take the next dose in the morning or later. Well that is something I work with each day. Even if it might mean I take a short holiday off the tablet.

This is where I go full circle and explain the holiday I took off my ADHD medication and well done if you read through so far. I chose to not take my medication for four days after this not because I was fearful or distressed. Actually I explained to the other guests over the course of days exactly what had happened and my apologies for not saying bye and my thanks to my hostesses for a lovely night.

I realised that for me I was so overloaded with other emotions and the exhaustion of the events of the night I needed to deal with it. Not saying the medication would stop me from doing this, but I was juggling the time thing and just decided to not take it that day, which became the following three too.
Was it a good thing, in some ways yes as I can see and feel how the medication works for me. I can see how it tempers my impulsivity..TEMU packages will be arriving for a couple of weeks. So far happy with all my purchases, of course the majority I could live without and I am not really sure where the idea of creating mystery boxes to sell locally online came from. So when that stuff arrives I will be definitely having my medication regularly. Again I am so thankful I do not have a credit card, or debt, and the money I have spent has been spent, and as now back on my medication, it is done I choose to chuckle at this wonderful demonstration of how my medication Helps ME.
The holiday from my medication was helpful, and I will do this when I feel a need or choose to . What I now understand is:= was this the appropriate time to have a holiday from my medication? Hindsight well no. I was already very ADHD, overloaded, having had such a massive panic attack, and berating myself for all the shit..I had created blah blah blah..negative self talk swirling in the crowded whirling wired brain of mine.
I dont know if I had stayed on the medication rather than take a holiday off it for 4 days would have made a huge difference, personally I feel it would have helped. Yet I am not beating myself up about the choice I made.
I managed to apologise and explain. I felt far less embarrassed as everyone was very kind. I noted that I was eating more sweet stuff when I did eat. (One of my major side effects of my medication is I don’t feel hungry nor crave/binge sweets/cakes/biscuits/icecream as I did prior to beginning the medication or I note whilst on my holiday off the medication (thankfully the binge component is not so present.

Going back on my medication I take for ADHD well I have decided Temu is an addiction yes it is an addictive thing for me. I am not normally a shopper (as in I hate shopping malls and centres too much noise, lighting and music oh and people),but they have so many weird and wonderful things I certainly can not get here in Huon Valley. The difference as I have shared before is on my medication I can walk away from the cart for days and not buy anything. Not so off the meds.
For me this is not major thing. I do not go into debt or impact my life ie bills are paid and all in my home are fed and healthy.

What my medication does for me and I will continue to take it, as I need it making it work best for my lifestyle. That of no children, and I do not work. If I decide to take another holiday off my meds it will not be after any stress, a panic attack or when I am feeling down. As in normal day to day life down.
For me being on the medication the positives:-
being able to focus on a task without excluding every other aspect of my life and needs of my animals

From my ADHD medication. WHAT? I have only been on it a short while true, and it did come as a bit of left field for me when my GP suggested it. The logic was that it would allow me to see and remind myself of how I function on and off..me well its only be a month I sort of remember very well Doc!
She went onto say that as I had discovered for me that varying my time of when I take my longer acting medication helped me with anxiety, enabled me to actually make it to functions, such as the Mad hatters Dance we had to celebrate Winter Solstice this year, that I made it too though I was an hour early for my duties. If I had not gone when the urge hit and it was no issue rather than wait another hour the potential was I may not have made it at all. Which would have been horrible as it was a brilliant fun night. It made no difference to how I did my job nor did it upset anyone or anything me being an hour early.
Similarly I was invited to a gathering where I only met the hosts twice, and a couple who are my friends were going, I was really uncertain as to going to this dinner. It had been so long since I had been invited to a dinner. I decided to go, and like the Mad Hatters Dance I took my medication at about 3pm instead of first thing in the morning. This helps me to get to the function, and reduces anxiety to a really low level. Both evenings were great fun, and I really enjoyed myself; turned out the other guests at the dinner were people I sort of know so far less scary than if unknown people. It was not far from my home so I chose to leave my dogs at home for both functions. Normally if I go out they come with me and stay in the car which generally works well for us all. They love driving home after in the dark and seeing all the wildlife.

I left the dance at about 9pm I just knew I needed to leave and as this was a large function with a wonderful jazz band and lights, I was really overstimulated and weary. The dinner on the other hand a small group and again I really enjoyed myself, loosing track of the time totally. Another couple were chatting and saying they should leave as their older dog would need to go out and this hit a nerve with me as Miss Treacle 15y old also would be needing the same. I asked the time and it was after midnight, (yep sounding like I am Cinderella here folk), and my brain just kicked into overdrive. I had to leave I had to leave, I knew she would have had an accident and I was blaming myself and massively worried about her and Busby. My dogs are my world they are the reason I am still here on the planet for which I am eternally grateful they gave me a reason to get up and to live during my darkest days, I now am so delighted to wake every day..no matter how it may turn out.

Focus Tazzie..So the adrenaline kicked in my brain was in hyper-drive and I knew I was having a panic attack. I had to leave right now RIGHT NOW. I just went to my car no saying thank You for a lovely night to my hostesses, or bye to anyone. Just straight to my car and then WHAMMO, I was parked in!
SHIT GOT BAD. I actually wet myself. I was mortified and so embarrassed, but this is the truth of how bad this panic attack was. I now definitely could not go back to the dinner guests or hostesses and say thanks and could the car blocking me be moved. I began to hyperventilate cry and rub my head and forehead so hard I actually rubbed skin off. I was sitting in my car in wet jeans, its wintertime and I have to get out and I CAN NOT! Then the what if people think I am doing this for attention, or what if no one comes or leaves and I am stuck here for hours. What about my dogs, my timber floors round and round my head full and no space for anything else.
I do not know how long I sat there in my car, I recall the tap on my window, and one of the hostesses concerned and me sharing what had happened. NOT explaining why I had the panic attack just I had and had wet myself. Oh the added shame and mortification. She offered to have the car blocking me to be moved me says “Oh No Thats OK”. WTF Seriously, my good manners kick in NOW?
It seemed like an eternity but probably half an hour when the other guests began to leave and the car blocking me left.
I drive the short distance home, seeing it is after 1am and exhausted and beating myself up still, I go inside and sure enough I have wet area to clean up So thankful she urinated on some papers so the floor was ok. Let both dogs out, and then took myself to the shower. Chucked a load of washing on and somehow made it up the stairs, remembering first to get the dogs inside, and fell into a deep sleep.

Has this experience stopped me from the acceptance of any future dinner invites. No, but it has demonstrated several factors in how I need to manage my needs. I have to ensure I can leave, so park where I can not be parked in. Or I take my dogs, and go out and let them out for a wee and go back and continue the gathering. Or I acknowledge that for me the optimum time for me to be at something is about 21:30.
As to managing my medication, sure if I feel it could be a later evening than 22:00 take it at say 16:00 and this is where it can become a bit tricky do I then take the next dose in the morning or later. Well that is something I work with each day. Even if it might mean I take a short holiday off the tablet.

This is where I go full circle and explain the holiday I took off my ADHD medication and well done if you read through so far. I chose to not take my medication for four days after this not because I was fearful or distressed. Actually I explained to the other guests over the course of days exactly what had happened and my apologies for not saying bye and my thanks to my hostesses for a lovely night.

I realised that for me I was so overloaded with other emotions and the exhaustion of the events of the night I needed to deal with it. Not saying the medication would stop me from doing this, but I was juggling the time thing and just decided to not take it that day, which became the following three too.
Was it a good thing, in some ways yes as I can see and feel how the medication works for me. I can see how it tempers my impulsivity..TEMU packages will be arriving for a couple of weeks. So far happy with all my purchases, of course the majority I could live without and I am not really sure where the idea of creating mystery boxes to sell locally online came from. So when that stuff arrives I will be definitely having my medication regularly. Again I am so thankful I do not have a credit card, or debt, and the money I have spent has been spent, and as now back on my medication, it is done I choose to chuckle at this wonderful demonstration of how my medication Helps ME.
The holiday from my medication was helpful, and I will do this when I feel a need or choose to . What I now understand is:= was this the appropriate time to have a holiday from my medication? Hindsight well no. I was already very ADHD, overloaded, having had such a massive panic attack, and berating myself for all the shit..I had created blah blah blah..negative self talk swirling in the crowded whirling wired brain of mine.
I dont know if I had stayed on the medication rather than take a holiday off it for 4 days would have made a huge difference, personally I feel it would have helped. Yet I am not beating myself up about the choice I made.
I managed to apologise and explain. I felt far less embarrassed as everyone was very kind. I noted that I was eating more sweet stuff when I did eat. (One of my major side effects of my medication is I don’t feel hungry nor crave/binge sweets/cakes/biscuits/icecream as I did prior to beginning the medication or I note whilst on my holiday off the medication, thankfully the binge component is not so present.

Going back on my medication I take for ADHD well I have decided Temu is an addiction yes it is an addictive thing for me. I am not normally a shopper (as in I hate shopping malls and centres too much noise, lighting and music oh and people),but they have so many weird and wonderful things I certainly can not get here in Huon Valley. The difference as I have shared before is on my medication I can walk away from the cart for days and not buy anything. Not so off the meds.
For me this is not major thing. I do not go into debt or impact my life ie bills are paid and all in my home are fed and healthy. I also have purchased items I needed for work I am doing about the house so I have not placed myself in any financial hardship/risk with my actions.

What my medication does for me and I will continue to take it, as I need it making it work best for my lifestyle. That of no children, and I do not work. If I decide to take another holiday off my meds it will not be after any stress, a panic attack or when I am feeling down. As in normal day to day life down.
For me being on the medication the positives:-
-being able to focus on a task without excluding every other aspect of my life and needs of my animals,
-the shopping stuff, if I go onto buy something for Temu or any website when I am on my meds it is because it is fun, makes me smile, or is something useful.
-life helps me to create routine and order in my day to day life setting up alarms and reminders to do things not always accomplished or even started but the regular necessities are undertaken daily.
– I shower and tend to go to bed at a regular time that is beneficial for me, my dogs our life.
-not craving or bingeing sweet food and preparing meals and healthier eating mostly
-doing small things daily that have been left i.e. putting nails into something that
kept slipping and hitting me wow simple and effective. Cutting a rose bush that hit me everytime I went into the chook run.
-realising that the likely hood of me doing all that is needed and hiring a lovely person to come and get the things done such as transplanting trees, and removing blackberries clearing other bits is making me feel more in control of my home and the land I enjoy.

there are other positives for me in taking this medication, and I am very fortunate that the adverse symptoms are low for me. I am on a very low does 10mg and as described in another post this is great for me.
Thanks for reading this if you made it all the way. Let me know if it helped you in anyway. Medication regardless of what it is, is a very individual thing, and again what I take and the amount, its impact on me are very much my experience so can not be looked at how it might impact you.

I am not sharing this information for children or younger people with ADHD this is from the perspective of a 60year old female and is my personal experiences.

blessings to You, Tazzie.

4

Lil Bo Weep another who fought to keep her spark alive!

Another young Australian life whose spark has now been extinguished died on the 5th March this year Winona Brooks better known as YouTube Rapper star Lil Bo Weep died at only 22 her last video on tiktok, shows a very sad Mamma. Who almost on the anniversary of her babies death lost her own battle “This weekend we lost the fight for my daughter’s life against depression, trauma, PTSD, and drug addiction that we have been fighting since we got her back from America through emergency repatriation DFAT but broken.
Announcing the news on his Facebook account, her father Matthew Schofield said: ’02/01/2000 to 05/03/2022.

You can look for the video yourself. For me as a blogger about my own journey with mental illness CPTSD, the loss of such a beautiful creative woman who was clearly loved by her family, who did all they could to care love and support her is a horrendous tragedy!



The damage that is being done to those with mental health issues who live in remote rural areas of Australia, and I can only talk in regard to my own personal experience I was on unemployment benfits which were back then a year ago, was just $500 a fortnight since covid it has gone up. I now am on Nationally disability services receiving roughly $900. I want to have an assessment by a psychiatrist for ADHD.

Single, no children$629.50
Single, with a dependent child or children$676.80
Single, 60 or older, after 9 continuous months on payment$676.80
Partnered$573.30
Single principal carer granted an exemption from mutual obligation requirements for any of the following: foster caring non-parent relative caring under a court order home schooling distance education large family.$862.10

The cost used to be by the only available telehealth service that provide psychiatric and psychology in my area as there is a sever shortage of both in Tasmania and probably Australia wide. Psych 2 U bulked billed those of us on Health Care Cards. Students, Unemployment, Disability , pension and not sure if Vetrans are included. My Gp made a referral for the organisation originally I was advised by Psych 2 U that I would have to pay on invoice $200, today 15/03/2022 I was contacted by Pscyh2 U to be informed that because of the sort of appointment I was seeking I would have to pay $600 up front. Fortuantely my appointment (which the GP referral went in back in February 11th approx. ) will be in mid May 2022! Better than I anticipated. I at least can save for it hopefully. Having just used all my savings for new brakes, and four new tyres, I will be watching every cent. I have rates, house insurance coming along too. I can afford it I am thankful and lucky. How many others could find that sort of money up front. Sure a rebate is there I think I would get back a bit over $140 not sure. I may not be well enough to follow up on the rebate. that is part of my illness. Dealing with paperwork/bureaucracy.
HOW IS ANYONE on it supposed to be able to pay upfront for this service be it for themselves or a child?
This is NOT the only issue at present with mental health as of 3 days ago!
Critical support for an increasing number of Australians with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression has stalled, as the states and federal government argue about the details of a multi-billion-dollar funding plan promised more than a year ago. 

The five-year national agreement was meant to be finalised last November but discussions have hit a roadblock, with some states accusing the Commonwealth of shirking its responsibilities by failing to properly fund the deal. 

The spat means hundreds of millions of dollars in funding is not flowing, with federal officials revealing in parliament last year $770 million had been tied up in protracted negotiations between governments. 

https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/covid-19-481-million-for-national-mental-health-and-wellbeing-pandemic-response-plan

not sure what is happening with this.

Additional $20 million for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research

The Australian Government is providing more than $20 million additional funding for research to improve mental health care and reduce suicide rates in Australia.

Portrait of Greg Hunt

The Hon Greg Hunt MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care

Date published: 

25 May 2020
Nor what happened with this money!

and now this
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/government-to-prioritise-mental-health-support-for-flood-victims/xtfpdbfnj

So there is help as there should be for those people impacted by the massive floods. Many of who are rural communities, and some remote rural.

Health Minister Greg Hunt says the focus of support will be for children through the national youth mental health foundation Headspace.

https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/sites/default/files/publications/nrha-mental-health-factsheet-july2021.pdf
this no longer is relevant but remains on this rural health site.

But there will also be support for adults via the primary health network in each area. DOES THIS FOOL NOT realise that many of those primary health networks have been impacted and potentially have no equipment, no offices suitable, no computers, phones…sigh..as for only giving money for one youth organisation well that may not reach all communities!


This government has given so much money to Beyond Blue and Lifeline which when I have been suicidal in the wee small hours a long while ago now I was put on hold for too long. I ended up laughing about it. As It could have been enough to make a successful suicide. When I have held and spoken to someone, responses as my anxiety depressed loaded voice speaking ninety to the dozen not listened to by the ‘supposedly trained counsellor’ told to take a breath, slow down, breathe How would that work for YOU when you were in crisis guys?
Another one had no idea what living in a remote rural area was like. My car was stuffed and I was in a bad place… the response of this ‘counsellor ‘ who I had attempted to explain was get a taxi, or a bus!! Oh how I laughed.
When I attempted to get the $1000 interest free loan for low income earners ..I could not use it to purchase a car! When I spoke to the highest person I could in regard to this ridiculous situation I asked why. His response well we do not want you driving bombs. My response to him. Have you ever lived anywhere you did not have access to public transport ANY AT ALL! his comment what about taxis or uber?? I attempted to describe it would cost me $90 one way to get into my grocery shop. I was on at that time $250 a week! How does your organisation expect rural and remote rural people to get around if not for a bomb? My latest vehicle $1000 had it over two years going strong. Older model but brilliant! IDIOTS
Now back to impact on more young people with the inability to access any psychiatrists face to face now not even via telehealth..how do you think they are going to be coping MR HUNT? Having to have several hundred dollars to pay to see a psychiatrist or psychologist and then do all that is required afterwards when you might be severely depressed to get your rebate well that is unlikely to happen!
Most people with depression sever enough or being unwell enough to be seeing a psychiatrist are going to be generally not great at paperwork. No matter what is involved. NO IDEA THESE PEOPLE!

Now money being spent on our youth? fair enough but it almost seems to the detriment of the older population NOT FAIR EQUITABLE almost discrimination on age MR HUNT!

There will be people who will die or self harm in rural and remote rural areas because of this change to costs for health care card holders!
These deaths should be accountable to the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA!

I feel for those who are not so fortunate as I am, so much. Knowing where I have been and only for the benefit of the continuous care of the same Psychologist over several years due to what she did for me and now being on disability support pension, I am able to continue seeing her as part of my plan. It is the only thing I need as I could not afford to pay her fees every three weeks. My thankfulness for this ongoing support has been a huge part of my moving through and learning strategies and management along with learning my triggers, and my somatic responses. I am thankful to now know I have this support regularly and do not have to fear it being discontinued unexpectedly. Continuation of care with specialist in mental health is in my mind when the person with the illness connects with the professional and vice versa. Something that is not generally acknowledged those of us on low incomes are forced so often to stop suddenly with no real reason seeing one professional and have to begin again with a new face. Very destructive particularly in the time when the person begins to move forward..

I am stopping here and voice my thoughts with all those who may be in despair please if you read this, you are worthy, you are not alone, you are important and you deserve to be heard and supported. I am happy to be living today. I am privileged to be able to share my personal story of my mental illness and how I live with its warts and all. There is hope.
blessings to You, Tazzie

1

Pristiqu withdrawal P4

Warning please seek medical support prior to going off any mental health medication. Withdrawal from medication/s is a very individual experience and my experience is mine alone. I do not encourage anyone from stopping any mental health medication without support of your GP, Psychiatrist and Psychologist. I worked as a mental health qualified Registered Nurse RPN and RN I did not mean to do my cessation like this this it was very much situational.

Day 12 withdrawal from Desvenalfaxine).
I slept very well last night, no pain relief for my broken toe, feelings of overwhelming sadness and frustration that I actually hit my boy Busby. He is such a gentle loving soul and he has always always chased chickens and wallabies and I have followed all guidance on how to manage. He is a Staffy/Boxer/ Ridgeback cross it is in his genes. I know this and yet I punished him way over the top and it was my own fault. Talk about tears of guilt as I write this. Yes the labile withdrawal symptoms continue. As do the fluctuation in body thermostat. (past menopause so definitely not that)lol

A little bit of background in regard to me and what medications including ‘natural/herbal ones I take.
I have only ever smoked grass in my life and that was not until I was 30. (probably a very positive thing now with the mental health issues I have had all my life but never had diagnosed or been on medication until now in my more mature (age not attitude). I have alcoholism on both sides of my family as in both maternal grand parents were alcholics and my maternal grandmother addicted to BEX powders (which were coloured hot pink so alluring for little ones, and yes I certainly wanted to taste this gorgeous stuff!.. VILE VILE, Will Robinson (excuse my Lost in Space reference). It turns out that this humble little powder advertised as follows ‘Headache, Neuralgia, Rheumatism, Sciatica, Lumbago…Influenza and Cold in early stages’. and a saying in Australia perhaps from the advertising was ‘a cup of tea a Bex and a good lay down’ aimed at women mostly in OZ, this over the counter powder which came in boxes from memory bright deeper yellow and navy blue was actually the RED Bull of its day. The recommended daily dose of caffeine is 250mg per day and yet Bex packaging advised taking at least two powders, containing 320mg of caffeine. Government Health Departments and nurtritional guidelines recommended daily amount of caffeine is 250mg (per day). One Bex powder had 320gms and the dosage on the pack for treatment was 2. In my Grandmother’s case she would have perhaps 20 a day. Not an uncommon situation for women in that time. When you consider that the suggested drink to have with it was tea and average cup of tea (many variants of how much in a cup of tea) is approx 43gms My Grandmother would also wash this vile tasting powder down with alcohol. Soft drink (my Grandfather was working at a local soft drink making company at the time) and on the very odd occasion water.
They had been on the market since 1920s and were taken of in 1977. Also contained a substance called phenacetin Phenacetin is an odorless fine white crystalline solid with a lightly bitter taste. Used as an analgesic medicine. So found the bitter taste. It is derived from opium. This chemical’s role, as a non-narcotic analgesic establishing it is the main ingredient for pain relief in BEX. There were many adverse side effects with the product addiction NO 1, risk of major kidney disease when over used. (My Grandmother died of kidney issues and cancer. (She was also a a very heavy smoker.
Woah went down that rabbit burrow deeply.
My father is an alcoholic but he would deny it. (he and his current wife drink 1-2 bottles of wine most nights and he will generally have several scotches a night). Since my early twenties was very aware of how much he drank.
(so yep addiction rampant) I guess being addicted to sugar is a bit less risk taking.

The above is a symptom of what is going on in the withdrawal stakes at present. Overly thinking, and not able to stay focused. Very easily distracted and where interest is aroused will just follow that and forget the actual issue or what I was really meant to be doing.
Lost my appointment card for GPs appointment today, normally would get reminder text but have not charged my phone and it is out of credit plus struggling to locate the phone. (not necessarily a symptom of withdrawal the not charging or mislaying it).
My anxiety is increasing as I now am distressed that this new GP seemed to assume I was suicidal/self harm risk last week no matter how much I reassured her. Fear if I can not get the time of appointment the police will be called to do a welfare check. (do not get me wrong I believe that this is a very important community job the police do undertake. (though if we had enough specialised mental health qualified nurses and community teams working 24/7 it would be not the polices job but the community nurses to do welfare checks on mental health clients. Calling for police support if felt/deemed necessary there I go again..seems like today is off on adventures not planed day.

Withdrawal symptoms I have been more aching in my joints. (something I rarely deal with so fortunate)
Oh and medications I am on . The only scripted medication I have been on is my Desvenalaxine. I have got medication that requires a script for nausea as I have had issues with severe vertigo and labyrynthitis. I take paracetamol and ibuprofen mainly for pain, yet for me two of each gets me to sleep when I struggle to turn of the thoughts, and ruminations in my head some nights.
I take 5000u of vitamind D meant to be every day. I succeed most days. Even on this does my test returned last week I was on the very lowest level of vitamin D in my body and I had been walking and sitting in sunshine. (Australians due to the great success of melanoma warnings and advertising to slip slop slap where a hat and tshirt , no hat no play in schools has seen most of us low in vitamin d) my level is absurd and no one can explain it.
I will also take a multi vitamin tablet when I am not eating well. I also at times have to have iron boosts. (even though I do eat meat,liver, green leafy and other iron rich products along with nuts.

So off to look for the card for my appointment and hopefully find my phone too. Not even 9am .

I did find my phone, and found the time of my GP appointment. 11:15 so plenty of time. I decided as it was to be another hot day, the dogs and I would go into Cygnet and have a walk, I would have some brunch go to the GP and then get a few things I needed.

The dogs and I enjoyed our walk, I find that gentle exercise and getting out doors is beneficial for me during withdrawal. Thankful the lightheadedness is no where near as often or bad. Nausea is also lessening a lot which is great. What is not so good is the increase in triggers. My responses are out there. I can not seem to stop as explained yesterday.

I am so relieved that today I have not been triggered at all. I have not been angry, or short fused so thankful. I do not like who I am when this happens.

My visit with my GP was excellent today. She was great and had obviously read my notes. I have been anxious that she is not permanent. When you have a mental illness as anyone knows who has one, every time you have to go through your story, it brings up its own issues. For me today I just talked, and shared, for ages. My appointment went for almost an hour. (where do you get that kind of care)? I am so thankful for this and her generosity. I hope who ever was waiting understood. It is often the way in smaller towns the GPs work.
I was very teary and actually needed to stop the appointment as I was overwhelmed. I had to leave. Yet all in all I felt a real connection with her(otherwise I would not have shared so much).

After the GPs, I had to go to the Hardware shop, our privately owned independent (IGA) supermarket. It was so hot the dogs were panting. I had intended to take them for a swim, life took a different direction. One of my neighbours messaged to say that they had two stray dogs in their paddock. (they are not dog people), It was hot and dry , I walked with my painful toe through a paddock with liver and kangaroo tails, watching the dogs, and looking out for snakes, thumping down my feet as hard as I could. Poor dogs were so hot and tired one was coming towards me the wind changed and the smell of the liver had begun to reach them. However the owner turned up down a few paddocks a way, and the dogs took off away. I got to meet the owner, and we walked and called for them up the hill. (Yes my broken toe is throbbing).
I went off to let neighbours around the area they were that dogs were around and were lost but friendly.
I got home about 6pm to find the dogs had returned home 40 mins ago. Must take phone with me next time..lol
So thankful they are safe and home.
My withdrawal of Desvenalfaxine seems so far so different to many others. The negative withdrawal side effects are outweighed by the positives return of what I recall feelign before my breakdown and going on this medication (which I am so thankful to have found worked for me).

It is still apparently still early in the withdrawal process.
The fact I have not tapered of and went cold turkey (again due to unforeseen circumstances), seems according to all the information I have been reading I should be having far greater symptoms. As I said it is early days.

so thankful for having a great day, for connecting to my new GP and discovering that she is permanent. YEAH.
Happy to answer any questions you might want to ask.

blessings to You, Tazzie

2

Being Content in My Discontent

I have been working so hard the last few days to not get bogged down with all that is going on in my life. I am so incredibly grateful for all I have and for where I live. It kind of feels like I am not really a part of the rest of the world.

My valley in the southern part of Tasmania (island state of Australia), in fact the whole state I live in has been incredibly fortunate in regards to Covid and the Delta variety especially. I am halfway vaccinated and will receive my second dose in a few days. It feels inevitable that the Delta strain will reach its tentacles to our island and the valley at some point.

It would be so very easy right now for me to be saying why why why, Busby my large dog has torn his cruciate Ligament, and having had a previous experience with the surgery and recovery of another dog I am reluctant to put him through this surgery. Right now he is basically on house rest, lol lock down I guess. He is not in pain as he is on a once a week for four weeks injection and another medication a syrup that is for inflammation and also helps relax him. Cost is certainly a huge issue, instead I am looking at the success rate of braces for stablising the joint.

My plumbing needs some work in the kitchen and I have still have a leak that needs to re-repaired as the previous repairer made it worse.
My stove has stopped working because mice have made a home in it and taken all the insulation out making it too dangerous to use. (rural stoves hot plates and oven all in one are supposed to be sealed to prevent this). The hot plate is usable thankful for that and I purchased an Instant pot/air fryer which has been the best kitchen item I have purchased in years. Especially if you are a family of one or two. Mine is 8 litres (quarts?) which sounds large however it gives me food to freeze or eat over a few days. I love doing a roast in it. It slow cooks and is a pressure cooker, sadly not suitable for doing canning. The window frames need sanding, undercoating and painting. My car needs new tyres and a service.
Instead of wallowing or allowing myself to fixate and sink back I am looking instead at being thankful for the fact I have a car that is working, I have a solid roof over my head with a small leak, Busby is happyish (not being able to play with his best friend Toby up the road is really hard for him but he is doing well so I am grateful for that.

Mice have invaded my home, its not unusual in the countryside in winter, but add to that my hoarding issues they are so damn hard to get rid of. I am not going to use any poison as we used to have owls but a couple of years ago my neighbour and I both used poison and sure got rid of the pests but also the owls it seems. I also worry my chooks might eat one mouse that is poisoned.
I have captured many in peanut butter baited traps, and I have an electric one that was also baited with peanut butter. The bait had gone but no mouse. I am weirdly grateful in a way, to the best of my ability at present I have been removing stuff out of the house.
I took boxes and electronic waste to the tip where the e-waste went in a special bin but the books were sadly found by the mice so they were put in the paper recycling. These were books my partner had and they were second or third hand as he rarely purchased new books. It had taken me 11 years to remove the books from the house. I am so pleased I have accomplished these two things.

It is impossible to describe to anyone who really has not any comprehension or understanding of what being a hoarder is like. I hate it, I don’t want to live like this yet I am moving forward as now instead of fleeing the house, and calling it the house, I am content in my discontent. I have been talking with my psychologist regularly through out the time I was not blogging. I also was not following my routine. This is always a symptom of my discontent.

What I am finding really hard right now is that I am not depressed I know I am not. Yet I feel a bit like when your car battery is going flat. You know when the engine does not turn but tries too and you keep trying to get it too but it does not and you end up flattening the battery completely. I feel like my mind and body connection are in that situation. I keep trying and begin something finishing it or get distracted by something else it remains incomplete.

So now my Psychologist is feeling that I now my depression and even my anxiety are more stable she feels it may be ADHD. She would like my GP to refer me to the Psychiatrist again. When she shared this I dissociated I basically blacked out…which on a zoom call where I am on my own was worrying for her. I was not out for very long I was able to bring myself back and emailed her to let her know. I know why this happened as when I was going for the Disabilty pension the original psychiatrist wanted me to take medication for ADHD (I could not get the script filled so he became frustrated with me and would not see me anymore, I was at the point in my illness to give it a try ). The whole situation with this psychiatrist was horrible he never called me by the right name and would ask me how my job was going. I had not worked for several years at the time I was seeing him. Now I need to see a psychiatrist again. It brings ups emotions however instead of allowing myself to become overwhelmed I am saying to myself look at where you are now to where you were then, I am so thankful for that, I am also content with the discontent.

Each day I aim to complete one thing. On top of my routine. For example today I went in the garden for a while and was looking at one of my fruit trees where grass was encroaching. I began to pull the grass out as I did the temperature dropped and I was going to go inside. Instead I completed the task. It did not take long I came inside and had a shower. I made myself a meal and was content even though I sit surrounded by mess.

As hard as it has been to become content with my home/financial/personal issues I am happier. I am achieving things as slowly as it may be and the people who may say just get up and do it/your are just lazy take me back to the beginning of this post. No one who has never experienced mental illness/hoarding will have not understanding or comprehension of the reality of living like this.
I DO NOT WANT TOO LIVE LIKE THIS. BUt right now as I improve I am content with my discontent.

I am grateful for not being ill physically, I am for clean air, rain, full rain water tanks. For being able to budget for bigger costs. I am grateful that I continue to move forward no matter how miniscule the distance.



blessings to You, Tazzie

2

Coming out of the darkness.. may be triggering

A lot has happened in the time since I have posted anything there are many reasons.

As many of you would know I ceased all contact with my family for my own well being and mental health. I can not in all honesty say that the following was the thing that sent me on a downward spiral. I had been posting prior to this that I had not been traveling well. Out of the blue my brother, the only member of my family who has my permission to contact me in extreme situations.
As a person in her mid 50s I saw his name in my missed calls( I do not answer any phone calls only responding to those who leave me a message, or I have been contacted by someone to say they will be contacting me. Even when I have the caller id. I listened to the message requesting me to contact him urgently, and made the connection that one of our parents was seriously ill or had died.

I was wrong, my 38 year old nephew had died unexpectedly in hospital. He had a heart attack. On hearing this and hearing the anguish in my brothers voice. My nephew had been born with issues in regard to his kidneys. We were also aware that his life expectancy may be shortened. He had transplants in his younger years to improve his chances. Even though you know the chances are there denial and hope are the mainstays. He left behind a wife he adored and three incredible sons.
Due to Covid on the mainland I was not able to attend his funeral it was wonderful that the funeral company was doing live video streaming so I was able to attend.

I also learnt that one of my neices had had a baby, and he was 16 months old. I had not heard anything my choice.

I could do little for my brother and sister-in-law. I felt outside and began to wonder at my decision to not be in touch with family. Even dealing with this and all the things I am missing out off in my family I sincerely know that for me my life is better as skewed as all the feelings and emotions I dealt with over the next few months.

I have to say I DID NOT go down into the deep pit of blackness. I did resort to comfort eating, Making my own home made Baileys and drinking it all in one night. I did get addicted to a game on line (not a gambling one or spending money on it). I did spend some money on wish…sort of getting a bit of buzz out of winning so many limited items I had no real need of. I gave them to a local organisation to give to others. I was not and still am not super keen to see my psychologist. I do but tend to end the meeting early.

I have been dealing with aspects of my hoarding, a very small amount, I am proud of this. We have had a lot of rain and wind, my house leak is worse and that overwhelms me. I have mice and they have learnt not to go to my mouse traps. I watch them climb up between the lining of my curtains. I occasionally manage to catch them. I am working to get rid of the mess more and found mice nests with babies.

I have begun to realise each time I have a issue in my life, my home that I can not resolve myself I fall. I have not been following my routine at all. I have not been sharing here.

My aim is to reconnect to my blog and the community here.
I am thankful to be able to see these things that trigger me, I am thankful for having the ability to share here, I am thankful for the rain as so many areas are in need. I am thankful for all I have my home, plenty of fire wood, a roof over my head, food for me and the dogs, clean water, plenty of warm clothes, and a wonderful community I live in.

blessings to you all.
Tazzie

7

When you really go backwards.

May be triggering and language some may find offensive. Please do not share or use any of the following without consent of Echidna Home. (C)

Living with a mental illness such as Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is so shit at times. I have been moseying along living life in way that has been good. I was out for a day with a friend on Saturday all day and it was really lovely we went to a town further a field. I was so exhausted afterwards. I have to say being with her is quite relaxing as their is nothing like being with someone who really understands what having a mental illness is like. We shared a lot it was really interesting, though at one point she mentioned that she often felt suicidal. This just blew me away, we talked and shared (as we both have had too many people we know and love succeed in suicide. )

Yesterday Sunday (it is a long weekend here in Tasmania). I was just at home and perhaps just switched totally off I am not sure even what I did. Yet I woke feeling good.

I needed to go and get some chook food so drove int Huonville. I did the little bit of shopping I needed too, and stopped for a bite to eat and coffee at one of my faviourite cafes. Sitting in the lane with my dogs, a small disagreement with another dog, sorted and my dogs under the table. His dog near his and all fine. Thy moved the dog and it blocked the access for the staff to bring drinks and food out. One staff member spilled coffee another almost dropped a dish, then the dog jumped up and tried to take food from a plate a staff member was bringing to another table.
These people made no effort to move the dog, they never apologised to the staff. I suggested they move the dog form between the stairs and table, they saw no problem.. I was triggered and ended up just loosing it. I could not believe anyone would put anyone else at such risk to conducting their work. I even said it was a health and saftey issue. They just laughed at me and my escalation telling me I should leave. Of course I responded and it went on..I just could not shut up and fucking was used by me numerous times it seems to go with the course. Then one of these people said in a loud voice that I had obviously missed my medication as I was crazy. Well that was just the final trigger. Mocking mental health! I just kept on at her. I was shaking and crying red in the face.

When they were leaving after a very uncomfortable silence had settled whilst some of them finished their food.

It was ugly and horrible and I feel so ashamed, I lost it completely I was so so disappointed as I have not had anything like this occur in over a year. Sigh. I know I know I have a mental illness. I get triggered and when I am triggered I say fucking a lot. Positive is I will be speaking to my psychologist later on this week.

I feel so ill and so tired from all this. I hate this illness. Not being in control and all the work and effort is so tiring so all consuming. I feel I am growing I know I am moving forward I know all this. Yet an experience like this is just frustrating and now takes so much work to not let my self loathing feelings of shame and disillusionment and all those delights that come after such an episodes.

For me where I am now right now is that I do still have insight, I still know that I am so much better than I have been. I am still moving forward. I know I am improving and this is just a small set back.

It taught me that there are some truly wonderful people out there who when someone with a mental illness is falling a part I had someone who stood bye me and cared. For this I am so very thankful.

blessings to You, Tazzie

8

Hello again. Its been a while.

Having a mental illness such as CPTSD really can stuff up so many of your plans..then add the crazy summer weather here in my part of Tasmania and how my garden is somewhat neglected. I am doing OK though.
It is a rough period in my treatment of my illness. Things coming from out of the blackness of my brain where for so long they have been stored. Being shared with my psychologist and now me working on how to manage the impacts of these. New symptoms such as nightmares, and grinding my teeth. Nightmares that are similar to ones I had as a child. This is the truth behind what it really is like when you are dealing with mental illness and attempting to keep moving ever so tiny amount forward.

This is my life, here on my little acre.

Rain is falling again as I type music to my ears. It is lovely to hear the rain on my metal roof, gurgling down the gutters and the water running into my tanks.

The garden will be very happy. I am very happy and the chooks will be ecstatic in the morning to go out and hunt for worms.

The chooks have been happy as we had rain last week so the grass was showing young green shoots.

At least five of my six hens and Roopert the rooster have. Sadly it seems I have lost one of my hens. I live in hope she is sitting on eggs somewhere and will return, there were no feathers to show bird of prey or animal took her. I have seen no sight of her in four days. It is Frieda my larger black hen with the frizzy top knot. Sigh I love and appreciate them all so much. She is a sweet nervous hen who was just getting to the stage of coming and eating out of my hand. I know at least it was not my dog Busby loving her to death. He has been incredibly good around them. I have been working with him to minimise harm to them and the wallabies.
I am remaining hopeful.

Today was a lovely morning. The joy I feel when I go off to do my weekly bits and bobs in my local town is always pleasant. I meet and catch up with so many people. Today I had breakfast at Cygnet Port Hole Cafe which does a delicious menu. Very reasonably priced menu. Pretty good coffee too. It is lovely to sit outside with my dogs and look at the gardens about the cafe that grow herbs and some veggies flowers and I think there is an apple tree and plum.
It has been several cafes in my time of living here most memorable and original was The Lotus Eaters, but this new cafe is equal to it as a meeting place and good food at reasonable prices.
On Friday nights they do Tacos and music.

I really enjoy taking my library books back and looking for new ones. We have an amazing library with such a plethora of reading material available state wide. I know I am feeling somewhat more competent as I have picked up some books that are more emotive ie the rise of feminsim in China, and a few others that are of interest to me. One about the impact of social media on society. Depending on how they are written and if my brain can manage them with out to much frustration I look forward to enjoying them.

I am getting organised for winter. Though some days and nights here lately you can think winter has already arrived. A few people have had their fires going. I just turn my electric blanket on and head to bed with my laptop..lol or put on my Ugg boots and winter trackies. I ordered wood for winter. I have a good amount left over from last year and the year before I need to move and stack under cover. So the new wood can be put where this is. My mind says plenty of time for me to attend to that. It is no due until February. UNTIL I suddenly realised February is this week!

As the next day is just as likely to be super hot. My house if I put the fire on takes a day to cool down.

Routine wise I am eating better, and averaging out getting to bed earlier. Showering has improved and I have walked twice this week up the road and more when we have been out.

I also changed my bottle gas LPG provider. I was also able to provide my research information on the local community pages so people can see the differences. I have saved over $190+AUS/145Us /106.34GBP a year minimum by going with the new company who also delivers down here three times a week where as my old company delivered only once a week. So if you ran out of gas, which only happened once for me as I do have two bottles 45kg/99lbs ea,
It was when I was really ill. Of course it happened on the day after I would have got the delivery. I had to wait a whole week for gas. Y ou pay rental yearly for the bottle and then each bottle of gas costs so much.

The new company had a great new customer deal so even without that I still save a lot of money a year with the new company.
With my old company if you did not know to check what others in the area were paying you would get charged heaps more I saved money on each bottle just by doing this. Yet their price and rental were still dearer substantially and they have a yearly administration fee.


I have noted that I received a notice in my facebook thread today something that may have triggered my Obsessive part. A lady was travelling on the boat The Spirit of Tasmania (which connects Tasmania to mainland Australia arriving in Melbourne), it is an overnight trip and carries cars our trucks with supplies food and other things, holiday makers campervans etc, you can take your dogs on it. You can place them in their horrible metal crates, or you can pay extra and have them remain in your car, though the company makes you sign a waiver of rights even though it would not stand up in a court of law (since you paid for a service), if something happened. This poor lady was traveling with her much loved doberman, who was put into the dog crates, and somehow the dog escaped. (vanished) No trace so far has been found. You are only allowed down once on the journey if you want to check your dog, otherwise it is locked area only staff are allowed there. The dog this poor dog has not been found, and this woman I can only imagine is devastated.

My own experience of bringing my cat over when I moved here was bad enough I worried all night if my cat would be OK. When I picked him up he was in a huge metal dog crate with a dog bowl that was like a swimming pool that had flowed all over the place and he was saturated. He had also been one crate away from a very large German Shepherd. (most likely a lovely dog) my cat had never been around a dog at this point.
Sigh when we took our dog over to the mainland he travelled in the car we still worried but all was fine with him as he knew where he was and obviously felt safe.

Now I have put posts out to all sorts of groups asking people to contact the Premier Peter Gutweins office and the Minister Michael Fergusons office. Explaining that my dogs are my family they are the reason I am still alive and if this had happened to one of my dogs well who knows how I might have reacted. I explained about my mental illness and the woman at the premiers office said oh like a companion animal yes exactly but not officially.
I went on to say they should have dog friendly rooms available so dogs could travel with their owners in the rooms.
That the cost of all the issues pertaining to animals that have had issues (16polo horses died a few years ago, traveling on the Spirit the court case is still happening I believe), but this is a cost that the Tasmanians people will have to pay someway. As I am sure the legal ramifications of this latest episode.

Plus the many people who travel with their dogs when they come here, will be fearful.

My problem is as much as I want to keep pushing this. For me it makes my mental health and physical health worse.
So I have done what I can as one individual. I must not keep pursuing it or I will get ill again. As I have before when I obsessively operate.
I am well enough to observe the potential for this to happen. I am pleased and proud of myself that I am happy to have done something, and must leave it for now. Hoping the dog is located, and reunited with its owner. Hoping that regardless something will change in the transport of dogs and rights of owners on this trip.

wow this has gone a bit all over the place, but this is how my head is working tonight..

Yet that is pretty much how my day has been.
I am content and happy, I am thankful that I have tools helping me manage the things that are coming as I work through issues. I am thankful for the rain.

blessings to You. Tassie

12

Living with CPTSD

Wondering sometimes if sharing so much of my own life and experience with this mental illness can cause some anxiety.
I ponder often if I just kept living my life in private would I be better off.

My answer is a resounding No.

I have not posted for a while and that is partly due to life, and more to do with not being so well. As for many people the holiday period can be unsettling. Yet mine personal experience has been more about what I have been hiding from myself.
I missed the time with people I care about and love, those I have welcomed into my life not necessarily those by birth. I do not celebrate ‘Christmas” the church holiday, nor am I a big fan of the commercialised concept.

After gorging on almost 3.5kg of Toblerone (darn supermarket had the huge huge blocks so cheap)plus a whole lot of other highly processed food. Over a couple of weeks, I realised I was not well. Yes physically but also mentally.

I had been with people on boxing day (26/12/2020) and it was really lovely.
Yet I had a dark area forming in my moods. I began to sink slowly not wanting to be but not really being able to stop. Feed my face feel angry, eat more, feel upset, eat more, yet no comfort did I feel from my emotional eating.

I feel my psychologist was aware that I might have been heading for a bit of a backstep. In combination with COvid and all the lockdowns seeing an increase in mental unwellness our Federal Government increased the number of visits to a psychologist/psychiatrist/counsellor you could have to 20 a year. Prior to this it was 6 having over the past few years gone from being 12 to 6. So I am seeing my psychologist more often.

Shortly into the new year I had my first appointment. I really did not want to do a zoom, or talk to her. In the morning as the approaching time came my neck began to itch unbearably. As our meeting began, it became to so extreme I could not talk all I could do was rub my neck, jawline and cheeks. I had welts and rash from this, and it just was so intensely and utterly uncontrollable I just had to scratch. She offered to reschedule but I knew I wanted, to no needed to talk about what ever this was.

As I began to talk I just let the words come and what I discovered was I really wanted to have people over, to decorate my home for Yuletide(even though here it is summer). I wanted to celebrate the season, to share in what is in the northern hemisphere the returning of the sun and longer days. (Maybe I need to look at celebrating it in winter down here..lol ). Now we can not celebrate sitting around a fire (total fire ban) and daylight goes until nearly 10pm. But..the idea of just being a group and yes of women friends. Sitting sharing and talking about their passions. Being thankful for all we have.

As I really thought about it, the itchy remained and I was scratching and rubbing. Very aware of it, but also of the feeling or overwhelming sadness. tears rolled down my face as I began to have memories of wonderful times at my grandparents home. 40dC/104dF the combustion (wood fired stove) going cooking Christmas lunch in a tiny 2 bedroom fibro house with 9 people inside around the fan and a water filled air conditioner.
It was not just about being with my grandparents. It was something more. It was not perfect. It was simple it was hard work for my grandmother and mother.
I think it was that my Grandparents had decorated their tiny home with so much delight. There was a real feeling of wonder.
Perhaps that is just a simplistic childlike memory of a better time in my childhood. Yet it is a deep memory that has come out and changed me.

It was not instantly. I did not toss or give away the remaining highly processed food, nor get immediately back on my routine. (Yes I was totally off every aspect of my routine). Are you sick of my routine yet?

I have been kind to myself. I have not punished myself, or done the negative self talk as much as possible. I have sat with the feelings, working through them now rather than emotionally eating in an attempt to keep what ever my mind and body needed me to get out. As small and simple as this new knowledge been to me as I worked through all that was happening internally and externally, yes the hives continued for a week even with anithistamines. I now know more about what I need for myself.

Pushing myself to talk and work through the incredible discomfort of this as with so many other times on my path towards managing and maybe healing my mental illness. Is hard, intense, extraordinarily emotional and confronting at times yet worth it. For me my life now is about living my best life. MY LIFE.

What my CPTSD has taught me so far is that as a child my brain was so incredible at creating ways to keep me safe and living by just pushing all the screwed up shit that was my childhood so often deep inside me. I lived two lives the one at home an the one at school, the one where I tried to make friends, to be a friend yet even as a small child I was filled with rage and anger at what had been done and was being done to me.

Finally I am really aware that I love being alive. Even on my really bad days. I love that I am moving through so much that has happened in my lifetime, but especially in my childhood and adolescence. As hard as draining and scary sometimes letting these hidden experiences feelings and emotions out is, the understanding that each time this happens is a step forward for me to BE ME. As corny as that sounds.

So yes I will keep sharing my personal journey. My life. Its warts and all that happens. I am currently a mature aged woman who has Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, who is not so afraid of the blackness as I was because I am learning that the blackness is all my trauma, all my fears, known and unknown. That part of my healing is working bloody hard to accept and let these fears,and emotions of my life experiences out. To just burp the bottle a bit at a time. Not every appointment with my psychologist is such. However for me it is the time after where I really develop understanding and can really explore what has happened in the appointment are where the biggest shifts in my life are. Where the new strength is and where my adult self is able to speak up. Say and do what I want not just need to live my life as I chose.

The other reason I keep sharing the good the bad and the unwell, is that not so many years ago the word Cancer was never said, then it was whispered about if someone had it as if it might be contagious. Well I see similarities with mental illness. As statistics say
•Mental illness is very common. One in five (20%) Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year. The most common mental illnesses are depressive, anxiety and substance use disorder. These three types of mental illnesses often occur in combination. For example, a person with an anxiety disorder could also develop depression, or a person with depression might misuse alcohol or other drugs, in an effort to self-medicate. Of the 20% of Australians with a mental illness in any one year, 11.5% have one disorder and 8.5% have two or more disorders. Almost half (45%) Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime
. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 4326.0, 2007. ABS: Canberra

By Rubina Kapil on February 6, 2019

Mental health and substance use challenges can take many forms. There’s depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, addiction and the list goes on. Some of these challenges are more visible and you might recognize them immediately. Others can be harder to see when you’re not looking for them. But, they are still there.

These statistics provide a look at how many people face a mental health or substance use challenge, whether we see it or not:

  1. In the United States, almost half of adults (46.4 percent) will experience a mental illness during their lifetime.
  2. 5 percent of adults (18 or older) experience a mental illness in any one year, equivalent to 43.8 million people.
  3. Of adults in the United States with any mental disorder in a one-year period, 14.4 percent have one disorder, 5.8 percent have two disorders and 6 percent have three or more.
  4. Half of all mental disorders begin by age 14 and three-quarters by age 24.
  5. In the United States, only 41 percent of the people who had a mental disorder in the past year received professional health care or other services.


So when you look at these figures my personal feelings are we need to be talking openly and honestly about our illnesses. This brings more understanding to others going through it, to family and friends of people who are dealing with CPTSD and PTSD. It makes the politicians more aware of the impacts on work experiences, prejudices of some employers, how difficult life really is, costs to individuals and families emotionally financially, more one on one services and packages for those of us unable to afford access to psychologists and psychiatrists. It may help to reduce suicide. Family issues. Our own issues. Employers/businesses will really understand why we might behave or respond in situations. Also Schools may begin to realise that so much of how and what they encourage as ‘normal’ is really not for everyone.



It may also help those younger folk who are not ‘fitting in’ to what society says is ‘normal life’ If I had known for me living out of town and not having heaps of social activities and lots of friends was perfectly normal and OK for me at a much younger age it may have been helpful.

blessings to You, Tazzie




15

Reality of Living with CPTSD Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and unexpected reaction.

Having a mental illness of any kind is so frustrating and hard at times. Even when as I have been feeling really well, and yes I would still say that I am pretty well in the mental states compared to where I have been even now. Yet this does not stop being hit hard, knowing that I need to fight with every tool I have learnt and utilised in my treatment of CPTSD management too remain moving forward no matter how miniscule that move is.

I am waiting for a colonoscopy. Here in Australia you will only have you have symptoms that may be indicative of problems or potential cancer concerns in your colon. I have been listed as a priority. Which means my symptoms are concerning enough that I need to be seen within a fast time frame. I have a friend who was told needed a colonoscopy. My friend has been placed on a lower level of priority and has up to 12 months to be on the waiting list. (It may be sooner it could be longer). Depending on lists and what happens to my friend’s symptoms.

I was a Registered Nurse and no that the majority of colonoscopies are benign. Yet even with this knowledge for me with my anxiety my mind catastrophises. Of course it will be bad, I am going to die.

I mention this as the trigger for my mental health decline. I have again resorted to sitting on the lounge, and eating comfort food. I have huge insight into this as being a starting point to heading towards the darkness and am struggling but fighting it. My house is going backwards, I have been driving my car and the dogs run ahead. Instead of walking them. All my normal reactions to things I can not handle. I am trying not to think about what is ahead. So loose myself in Youtube and games. All normal for my mental health illness. All symptoms of my illness flaring up.

I look about the house, garden and routine and am very aware that I am not following my routine. Which for anyone who has not read previous posts is pretty simple. Walk my dogs everyday. Have a shower every two days. Go to bed lights out 22:30. Do one thing in the house to improve it every day. Eat healthy. Be thankful.
nothing extreme in that list. Yet for me it is as if I am attempting to climb Mt Everest every day without oxygen.
How do you explain that to anyone who does not understand? Fortunately I do not have to explain it to anyone else. I no longer have to work due to my mental illness.

Yet this morning I woke after going to bed bye 22:30 and up after a good sleep, though I am sleep well most of the time. Once the dogs rose, I went and let out the chooks.

I decided to walk the dogs. I don’t walk them miles it is just up the road and back about 1km or a bit less. We did this, and as usual I felt so much better for doing it.
My well mind says this is so easy and has such benefit for you Tazzie. Then I hear other voices of my past and have to fight them. The berating of parents and teachers the pressure when I could not do what they expected. When I am unwell it is these voices and memories I struggle with. Along with if you lost weight you would be so pretty.. and you are lazy, you never finish anything, you are a slob, you don’t care, why cant you be more like your siblings if you had been the first there would have been no other children in this family, you were a lot of trouble before you were born and still are. I become their expectations. I hated myself and never felt a part or accepted. (that is a whole other story).
Even as I type these words, I have tears for the smaller me and for Who did defend herself and was beaten viciously and punished.

When I reread these words above I realise that I am falling under the battery of abusive demeaning words that were the background of my childhood. Along with other physical abuses. I continue to work constantly daily to let go of these and know that these words no longer have power over me. So it is hard to realise for last month or two this is playing over in my head again, “see you got what you deserved..you are all these things”. So subliminally along with the fear of what if I have cancer, no one for support, I am all alone (which is not fact) but reality and logic kind of go out the window here. Fear and tapes in my head are so detrimental and the response to withdraw and comfort eat, is my treatment.

Filling in the hospital paperwork, next of Kin? I do not have any next of Kin that I want contacted. I do not want anyone to know not because I am ashamed or embarrassed just because I do not. Privacy is important to me. I have told one or two people and here that is enough. Then who is going to pick me up and be present in my home overnight post the colonoscopy? Well I was going to drive myself but know that I can not rationally. (Thankfully a friend has offered to take me and bring me home.) No one will be with overnight. As No One comes inside my home.

These are things I believe that hospitals just do not understand. So I will probably be less than truthful about filling this in if I am not allowed to leave it blank. This is part of my mental illness that is difficult for even hospital administration to understand.

Just sharing this here, writing it all down has always assisted me to really see how my illness is the cause of my reactions and responses.

I have forgiven all the people (mostly family members) for the way I was treated and abused. Not for them and they are not aware of this fact. It was only ever for me. As I hated the anger that accompanied the tears and frustration of my triggers. The triggers still happen as I have documented and no matter where I am on being able to manage my responses to them. It is only with insight that I can process accept and move forward.

So my personal treatment plant of withdrawing and comfort eating, being aware that my routine is slipping but not gone are all OK and acceptable. I have not failed I have not fallen back into the deep hole I have been climbing out of. I have loved and soothed myself in perhaps not the best way, yet every day I have had insight and awareness that it will be OK, and I will be able to get back into the garden and connect again in ways that help me as seen by writing here again. Living with a mental illness is an ongoing thing.
Like being a diabetic if I can stick with my life time treatment plan medication, routine and utilising my management tools I will be living a great life for me. I know this from when I am even better than I am right now. It is worth it and for anyone who is finding the best medication, the psychologist, what works for them as an individual to live the life you want and no one else’s. It is a lot of effort and there will be I am sorry to say periods where you are not doing as well as you have.
You will have gained insight and know that you are unwell due to your illness and triggers, through no fault of your own. You will be able to move forward and live the life you want.

I have struggled for too many years attempting to fit into family, school, work, and community. Where I am accepted as I am is my community and when I go out into it when I choose is wonderful. When I withdraw they generally understand. I have people who check in on me, and wonderful unobtrusive neighbours.

I like who I am and am very proud of who I am. I am thankful that I am doing well even when it feels like I am not. When I read back my jottings over the years I see where I have been and where I am now. I love waking up each morning and going to sleep each night. I am thankful I did not kill myself when I tried. I am thankful for all I have. I am thankful to be able to share my life with my mental illness warts and all.


blessings to You, Tazzie

23

Life’s like that.

May be triggering. All words, experiences and photos are mine please do not share or copy without my permission.

We have been having stunning winter days here in the Huon Valley Tasmania. It is so lovely that even though it may only be 15dC/59dF you can work in the garden in a t-shirt. My plans to work in the garden today went out the window.

In a interesting and somewhat horrendous experience of dealing with living with my mental illness. Yet the out come of the experience is positive for me. It will get more and more positive as I work through it as is my normal process.

It is hard to believe it is the end of July. I am at least feeling some what improved mentally living with CPTSD/PTSD and learning to move forward, whilst dealing with so many historical things which trigger me are tiring. I do believe the overwhelming tiredness is something that so many people just have no comprehension of for those of us living and working through our mental illness.

I had an appointment with my wonderful psychologist today. Which was timely. I could not work out why I had ceased my walking my dogs. I had been really enjoying doing it regardless of the weather. (OK being truthful) the dogs would make me get up and go, and the feeling of enjoyment after the walk and lift in my spirits were such a great benefit, I was thankful that I had got up and done the walk. This has not happened for over a month now.

I realised I was triggered by someone who I do not really know (lovely older lady who had been staying with her family up the road and has been stuck here in Tasmania due to the borders of the state she is from being closed. Due to Covid -19) . She was being encouraging and I understand this when she commented on how wonderful I was doing walking every day.

For me though that was a trigger. Weird but true. I just stopped.

It has been on my mind and frustrated me as I could not understand why her kindly meant words of encouragement floored me.

So glad I shared this with my Psychologist. In our discussion she asked me what would occur in my family situation when there was any sort of comment. Generally it would be a kind of backhanded one. You would be so pretty if you lost weight. Is the one that is embedded in my mind. Yet as a child I swam competitively representing my local region at the town/ city region meet. I played competitive hockey, did gymnastics, including uneven bars, and beam.

So when my psychologist began to take me through what appears to be happening, and asked me how I responded to these sorts of comments. Did I rebel and do the opposite. I began to get a feeling of being really nauseous. I felt like I was going to be ill. I really went into a weird sense of my mind being totally blank. I shared all this with her. I experience somatic issues often when dealing with the things I have blocked.

As I have dissociated in previous meetings, she thought it best if we moved away from this area and came back to it in another appointment. I for some reason just could not move anywhere. I am not saying I dissociated. I was very aware of everything happening and it was just blankness in my head, and the nausea and an overwhelming tiredness was coming over me.

I pushed through it to let her know I was present, but just not able to think and it became obvious as we moved away from the topic. I struggled to find the right words yet I was not aware of what I was thinking. I was just so ill and exhausted. Perhaps part of this was my making a serious effort not to dissociate. I want to deal with it. I even said that I am sure. Yet I knew I was not able to and had to say I could not do any more today. Which was perfectly OK. I have complete control in our appointments Which is something that helps me and I know I am always safe.

We ended our meeting(internet) and I just lay on the couch dozing. My dogs were outside today, and for once I feel this was a good thing as I know Miss Treacle would have been extremely concerned. She was anyway when I did let them back in an hour later.

I lay on the lounge just overcome with this blankness, nausea and tiredness. Where as before the appointment I had been busy and planning my shopping and attending the washing. Intending to go and do some work in the garden afterwards. It all came to a stop.

I must have dozed off. I roused due to Miss Treacle barking to be let inside. Both dogs kept looking at me wanting their run. I took them for their walk/run. I drove and did not want to meet anyone, or have the neighbours dog play with Busby today. Thankfully that did not happen. It was a quick trip.
I spent the afternoon on the lounge unable to do much at all. The blankness of my head began to clear and I began to review what I could of this mornings appointment.

As my psychologist had indicated I had reacted to this lady’s comment as I had in the past to family comments. I rebelled and that was to do the complete opposite.
It was quite interesting for me, as the nausea went even though the tiredness is still present even as I write. Obviously my mind is no longer blank. I will be going to bed early after my shower.

I am so thankful to have had this experience as hard as it has been today, yet again there has been an ahh haa moment.

I understand why I do the complete opposite now when someone comments on something I see as just everyday thing. I will as with every ahh haa moment over the last few years spent working with a psychologist and my own abilities move through this slowly but with a whole new understanding and appreciation for how incredible our minds are! How even when I was traumatised so often in my young life and onto my adolescence and even adulthood often powerless it seemed to cope. My mind developed a life saving tool. I appreciate it so much.

As I do believe this has been what has kept me here alive. It is also the reason I am becoming me totally me. Sometimes beginning , be brave enough to share and begin working through these horrendously hard dark moments takes so much out of me. Yet the moment the connections are identified in that ahh haa moment, I feel real, I understand sort of, and I feel a moment of connection with the child, the adolescent and me the adult.

I value all the parts that make me who I am today.

It is not the last time I will walk this bumpy path. With its rabbit holes dark and long that I could venture in. Into the black hole. I have no desire to go back their. I still struggle not to follow the winding rabbit path leading to the blackness. I have tools now, which help me. I have been in the shelter of the rabbit hole opening but I am sticking my head and body back out and moving away. Back into the colours. Moving forward again.

I am finding that it takes effort and strength of mind to listen, to fight, and to be thankful to all that has protected me throughout my life. For me to be in control, in charge,applying boundaries and acceptance that I choose. I am stronger than I thought, and I am so proud of where I am. I realise there will be more times like this last six+ weeks.

I have come through it feels, with things to work through and move on from. I am being very kind to myself. I am OK. It has been a good day! Crazy but true it has been a good day.

I appreciate everyone who reads this. If you are someone with CPTSD/PTSD it is important to be kind to yourself.

I am so thankful for my psychologist. I am thankful for today. I am thankful for all I have.

blessings to You. Tazzie

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