Mental ill health

[ailbhe]

Oh, so that's what a mental health crisis is like when one seeks help for it!

Unlike when I had postnatal PTSD six years ago, or depression four years ago, I've asked for help.

The major differences are...

More crying. Much more crying. More feeling like an undeserving fraud. Fewer, less detailed suicidal thoughts. No suicidal planning. No infanticidal thoughts at all, which is fabulous. Some irrational, paranoid thoughts, but awareness that they are irrational and not shameful. More crying. More visible external symptoms of anxiety, which may well be directly connected to the less suicidal thoughts thing.

It is hard not to say "Oh I'm fine, I'm fine," but it's so worth the effort. There are awesome resources available I wasn't even aware of before, when I felt that I shouldn't bother Rob with my problems, and we're going to use them.

Comments

[ailbhe]

I had no idea. The NHS. I mean to say. It's like it's healthcare. That people can just have. If they need it. Like wow. My life would have been so different if we'd had this in Ireland.

[serene]

This right here. May I quote you, either straight or with the serial numbers filed off? Something like:

"The [National Health Service]. I mean to say. It's like it's healthcare. That people can just have. If they need it. Like wow. My life would have been so different if we'd had this in [place I came from]."

[ailbhe]

Of course you may!