Couch 82: If you're happy and you know it, be a number!

When you're ready, we'll be here.

My T is always telling me to be more open with my H. Or no, he isn't telling me to do anything as such - he never does that - but he keeps asking me pointed questions that suggest that he thinks it would be a good idea, and when confronted, he admits that he does think so. I keep working on making him understand that it is not possible and would not be a good idea, but it is uphill work. I'm glad he doesn't talk about accepting love, though. That would be too embarrassing. (And he shares my dislike of Brene Brown. That woman rubs me the wrong way - I have tried watching a TED talk with her but I had to switch off after a few minutes.)

No new election to Parliament in March. I am so relieved.

I will have think about that...

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Well, I wish that was the case. Believe me, I'd rather just fit in. There is one aspect that is very identifiable to anyone I know. Even with leaving out personal info and birth date.

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People are unique, that is the only universal common denominator we have... but that doesn't mean that it can't be possible to find things one has in common with others.

And there are things that I have posted that would identify me without a doubt to a small group of people. The key is, I think, not to post words that would come up in an online search, such as names of places or people or pets.

This is probably my anxiety medication speaking... Maybe I'll delete it later when I come to my senses.

I have a child who was recently born with a very rare disease. I am her caregiver and will be for life. I have to see things I'd rather not see. She has to endure things that no child, or person for that matter, should. The future is muddled with different visions that are of varying degrees of difficulty and only time will tell how it really goes.

There are regular every day things that we can't do with her and others that we have to be incredibly careful of. We have to be cautious daily to ensure she never requires hospitalization or suffers worse consequences.

The things I want for her life are lost in the mix along with the visions of our family doing various things over the years. We will still do things, yes, but they will be different.

I struggle to deal with all this. I find myself wrapped in a mess of depression and anxiety and I am very alone. I wish I could find someone who knew how I feel and truly understands exactly what I am faced with.

I hate to say it, but I've never had mental health issues in my lifetime. I have always gotten through whatever I'm faced with, but for the first time ever I can't just get through it as it is my life. I have lost grip on myself and my mind. I struggle with how out of control I feel. I am worried that I will never gain that control back.

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That's about as vague as it gets, however so much is left out.

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You find voting stressful?

No, this is nothing to do with me personally - it is difficult to decide whom to vote for, but that's not a big problem. The March election was to be an extra election. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_S...Cabinet_crisis ) I am relieved because I cannot see that a new election would lead to a more stable situation in Parliament, and there is a real risk that the neo-Fascists would gain from another election.

Thank you for sharing that, catonyx. It sounds like you're in a really difficult situation.

It sounds like an extremely difficult situation in which you find yourself. Your reaction and feelings, although very painful and disorienting, seem like normal ways of trying to cope with and handle it.

You say you're on meds but I hope that you're able to have a therapist to talk with on a regular basis. PC can be a great support, too.

I know a lot of parents of children with special health care needs, and what you're sharing is painfully familiar. If you were in the US, you could get matched with another parent through a support program (Parent to Parent). I can't find any in Canada, but often hospitals have parent support groups. Or find a P2P on facebook to join. The good thing about a program like P2P is that they match parents who are further along in the journey, even if it's not the exact same journey. The emotions are the same. The fears and struggles and exhaustion.

Thank you for sharing what you can of your story. I hope you get the support you need, not just here and in therapy, but from other parents like yourself.

Yes. I only take them when I have bouts of anxiety.

I realize it is normal, but still not fun at all.

I have been seeing a T. I'm on a three weeks break for the holidays. Only 1/3 of the way through. 2 weeks to go.


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Yeah there isn't anything here. My T suggested some contacts to try and find a group of parents in similar situations, but no luck.



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Today I am trying a new bread recipe. And a new egg poaching technique.

Mmmmm now I'm hungry.

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You can find them online.

I've looked locally.

As far as online goes, I've come across a few blogs written by parents of children with the same disease... However the child has either passed away or has a more severe case. And the blog is outdated.

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You don't need to find parents who have a child with the exact same condition in order to get support and understanding. You might be surprised by how similar the challenges are. If you are on facebook, do a search for parent to parent or special needs children or parent support. I'm sure there are also yahoo.ca groups. You don't need someone in your community in order to find support and understanding. You can find it throughout the world. It doesn't diminish the specific challenges and pain you're going through, but the commonalities will help you feel less alone.

True. I guess I was hoping to find someone dealing with the same disease. It's rare though so I kind of expected not to find anything.

I'll have a look.

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How do you poach your eggs, sd?

Usually very badly. This method is to tie them in a piece of wrap and place in the water.
How to Poach Eggs in Plastic Wrap. Perfect Poached Eggs Every Time!

I don't think she's the greatest thing since sliced bread but I found her helpful for me. What helps one person may not help another I have vulnerability issues, severe ones. I think I appreciate her neurotic take on things which is funny because I absolutely wouldn't want a T who was like her. I didn't watch her TED talk so I can't speak to that.

It's like those ASMR videos. I had someone suggest them to me. Some people feel a weird sensation and they love it. Other nothing. I listened to a video and I couldn't make it through ten seconds, I wanted to reach in and punch her repeatedly to make her stop doing whatever the hell it was she was doing.

I just closed the window instead O.o I tried a couple of those videos and they just pissed me off.

Yet apparently millions of viewers love her whispery voice. Just thinking about it is like nails on a chalkboard :: shudder ::

I find Brene Brown soothing to listen to and she puts me to sleep. The actual meaning of what she is saying I find worthless, but her speaking voice itself reminds me of my grandmother and is quite comforting to me.