One of the issues with mental health is you second guess yourself all the time; am I over reacting? Am I being a pain? Am I right to be this upset? Should I be more upset? Am I being a pushover?
I guess that is how I feel at work. A colleague is leaving and those in power have decided not to replace her. Last week with a couple of people on annual leave we felt what it would be like when she goes. Lots of people came in early and stayed late. I rarely get angry. Frustrated or cynical or snappy but not angry. Yet I feel angry about work. I am worried. Other people seem to share my concerns but just take it in their stride. If I cannot cope now, supported by a NHS and an occupation health report, how am I going to in a few weeks? If those 2-3 days last week is even a vague simulation - I won't.
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Today, in our final session, we discussed how trying to do the opposite of what an emotions asks us to do can help starve the emotion and prevent it overpowering us. For example, when we are sad or upset I isolate myself. My theory is that I cannot hurt anyone else. I feel like I want to cry and scream but I can't. I feel like I don't deserve anything let alone time and love. If I isolate myself then I cannot be a burden or I won't have to act normal or look after others let alone myself. Yet, the tool is to do the opposite of whatever feeds the emotion. So I should force myself to be active and not hide in bed and spend time with people?
I don't like it. I really don't like it. Acting is so hard.
It feels much safer and less pressurising to isolate and harm myself. Surely that's better than hurting others?
That said, looking back over the past few weeks I have made progress. If last week had occured earlier in the year, I would of self harmed. As it was, I was isolated myself and slept a lot but I did not pick up my blade. There's no way I will get rid of my kit. Part of me is worried it is over. Is that it? Am I meant to be fixed? Or at least patched up?
Along with what is happening at work, I am scared. Anxious. I'm going to get worse?
What should I do? Do I leave and let my world fall apart with no wage and nothing to pay my mortgage? Or do I continue and keep trying? One day will I just snap and be hanging from a motorway bridge or will I steadily get worse and end up in a hospital bed staring into space?
Life is unfair. I really frustrates me that some people drive like idiots, undercutting you at twice the speed limit, never getting caught. Other people have the perfect life with the perfect wife and pet cats. Yet we all get caught and fined for doing 5.77 miles per hour over the limit and I'm rotting away like balding unfunny Robin Williams. I've not been caught speeding by the way - its an example.
Life is such a battle and I'm really jealous. You all seem to be winning. With a smile too.
Still, compare this post to the last few months - I should be proud of what progress I have made.
@mattstreuli good work bro!! X— Aidan Parr (@aidanparr) August 23, 2015
@carolcampling @mattstreuli well done! xxx always feel free to talk to us before taking that step. Three weeks is amazing keep going x— Claire (@clairelouisef89) August 23, 2015
@mattstreuli doing well. Each day you don't hurt yourself is progress&power - you won't let the dark stuff win&nor will your friends let it!— Sandy O (@SparklyBe) August 23, 2015
But I'm male?
Mostly...
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I have a temper pillow, when I feel like screaming & crying I use that pillow. I cry into it, punch it, throw it even. Instead of bottling up how I feel I let it all out.
ReplyDeleteWith work, my biggest mistake and the main reason I had to stop working was I didn't put boundaries in. You have contracted hours, work those hours, take breaks/lunch to ensure you get time away from desk to relax & de-stress. When your time is up walk away. If the work isn't getting done because the powers don't replace someone, that is their problem! They are very good at making the worker bees feel responsible which is how they get away with stuff like that. But you have to look after number one! If you find full time too much consider dropping your hours, I spent years working 3/4 day weeks to help manage. You will be surprised how a few small financial adjustments make it fairly easy.