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Old Jul 11, 2023, 05:29 AM
Soupe du jour Soupe du jour is offline
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Member Since: Jun 2015
Location: Czechia
Posts: 5,172
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosi700 View Post
Hello! I am not doing so well as I hoped. The end of week one was not good, and week two has started at the same way as week one ended.

I desperately need somebody to talk too, so that is why I am into "the Check -In" thread now.

The program I am using is generally based on being in the now and to try to shift focus when thoughts drift (and they do a lot). I think I have already told that I also try to do relaxation exercises, physical exercises, try to eat healthy, try to have a social life and so on and in general try to find a balance between rest and work activities

Well, I find myself sitting here staring into a wall as if I am some sort of unmovable statue. My memory is troubled and I feel that nothing helps. I call myself a fool and that is not good. To call oneself "a fool" is like a feeding tube for depression in general.

I hope you will not overlook my post because nothing big and scary has happened! To be in the start of a mental training program can be scary enough. It is hard to do so.

It does not help to make a six week plan if I don't follow it. For the most part it is drifting thoughts or failing to eat that disturbs the process. I try the best I can, but have failed for some days now and feel desperate.

You can say that why does it have to be six weeks, can't it be seven or five? The reason I count six weeks is that that is what I have experienced earlier, that repetition of the combinations of tools I know work for me takes six weeks to settle down; to become a daily habit that guides me through my days and helps me to become almost "depression-free". Less then six weeks will not strengthen the bonds that need to be strengthened in my brain, but of course I can put on an extra week if I feel the need for it. May be I'll do that in the end, but now I need to work against depression from where I am now ...

I decided to come here and talk and at the same time I decided what to do for the rest of the day: Repeating tools, do relaxation exercises, do work in the home, go for a walk, make dinner and rest. The evening is free to see a movie or read if my concentration span can take it.

I think we all can earn some health if we come here to get support at using our unique tools.

Thank you for reading!

I send good wishes for the health of everyone here!

Hi Rosi. First off, thanks for your kind response to my thread, and good wishes to you, as well.

The program you describe sounds very good. I like how it includes an emphasis on what I believe is "mindfulness" in CBT/DBT. Your ideas for activities are good ones for that. I find when I need to focus my "world" on positives, nature helps about the best. I love birds and gardening. Observing in all ways (visual, auditory, and in some cases touch) is soothing for me. Seeing new things is also good. I also enjoy cooking. It particularly focuses my attention. They both provide a bit of exercise. I haven't been up to doing intense exercise, but for now that's OK. I hope you won't be hard on yourself if you achieve only some of what you plan.

I try to live "in the moment" as much as possible. Also part of mindfulness.


You are not a fool, Rosi. That's called "labeling" in CBT. You have some many positive attributes that I've observed even here on a forum. Please remind yourself of those many things. In addition, I think it's been helpful for me to simply be "an observer" in the world. I'm a person who absorbs the beauty of certain sounds (music, bird song, clothes washer swishing, breezes), is rewarded by the sight of trees. It's fine to just "be". Or as I walk down a road, my presence plays a part in the song of the world. Do you know what I mean?
__________________
Dx: Bipolar type 1

Psych Medications:
* Tegretol XR (carbamazepine ER) 800 mg
* Lamictal (lamotrigine) 150 mg
* Seroquel XR (quetiapine ER) 500 mg

I also take meds for blood pressure, cholesterol, and tachycardia.
Hugs from:
Rosi700
Thanks for this!
Nammu, Samicat