I find this time of year (mid-autumn here) wonderfully invigorating and good for my soul. The brisk mornings, the chill in the air... Spring is a time I've needed to be wary in the past for some reason... The brilliant colours of the trees on campus, including some glorious yellows outside my unusually large) work windows currently, give a boost too.
Do you get mania is spring? Seasonal affective disorder is common in people with bipolar disorder and a manic boost in Spring is a recognised phenomenon (called March mania this side of the globe). Mania responds to stimulation so perhaps it’s not surprising with all those bright colours and nature coming to life. I always have depression in February and hypomania in March.
My favourite time is autumn, as a child it took me into my own private world where I imagined different kingdoms living within the swirling leaves. I’m also a fan of walking in the early mornings.
Thank you...I had never heard of that. Specialists I've seen told me it was more common in winter, but not unheard of for extreme reactions in the warmer, or warming, months. Thanks again; I always think it shouldn't need to be identified as "a thing" if it impacts me, but somehow it helps.
I love your childhood autumn reminiscing... lovely to think of different kingdoms in the leaves.
Climacus, I have noticed particularly vivid red leaves this autumn and they have lifted my spirits and helped keep the slug at bay. Today is fine and clear, perfect for walking. I'm going to the Botanic gardens to see if the Korimako (bellbird) is in residence.
Actually Loth I was wondering about that. I looked up NZ birds online and it said that genus of Bellbird was endemic in NZ, but there were similar birds in other places. Looking at the photos online they look different, and their songs sound different too. Possibly early settlers with a lack of imagination.
... spring seems to last a very short time here ...
When we lived in Newfoundland, I used to reckon that spring happened at about half past two in the afternoon of the third Tuesday in May (give or take a week or two). We seemed to go straight from snow and gales to a (literally) overnight blossoming-forth of leaves, and then straight into the heat and humidity (ugh!) of summer.
Spring lasts a little bit longer here (crosses trotters), but like some of you on here I find autumn a more pleasant prospect - apart from it having eventually to lead to winter (which this year lasted nearly six months).
Hello hello. Peeking back in after a very long absence, to send my love to all those battling the black slug / dog / beast / animal of choice.
It would appear that the thing wrong with my brain, brought to light after a really, really grim winter and early spring, and a trip to my GP, who I think is actually a saint, is OCD. Fancy that. So I have embarked on a 9 week group CBT course. 2 weeks in so far....
St John's Wort works, but the active ingredient is used in some medications and clashes with others. It's something to be used very, very cautiously, if at all, as it's difficult to dose yourself correctly from herbs and you need pharmaceutical knowledge to advise on drug clashes.
The main premise of CBT is that problems develop as a consequence of learnt ways of thinking (cognition) and behaving, and that learning new ways of thinking and behaving will have more helpful impacts on emotions and well-being.
When I was diagnosed with manic depression in 1998 I was told the wait for CBT was several months so I taught myself (I had the advantage of being a nurse with experience of counselling and psychiatry). It is now the mainstay of my mental health management and I’m a big fan.
IANAD, but, as others have said quite correctly, please DO NOT take St John's Wort without professional advice, ESPECIALLY if you are already on some sort of anti-depressant.
I recall being summoned urgently, by her GP, to take to hospital a certain patient who had taken a mixture of chemicals and herbs, and had (temporarily AFAIK) lost the use of her limbs. Her depression was understandable, her husband having died young a year or so before.
Having said that, my sister (who ONLY uses herbal remedies) finds that SJW works well for her (bouts of depression, like noses, run in our family).
I live with persistent low mood. I have been doing quite well recently, feeling a bit more positive about things generally. But I have had a poor review at work, (some of which I agreed with) and it is threatening to tip the balance towards the dark side again.
I live with persistent low mood. I have been doing quite well recently, feeling a bit more positive about things generally. But I have had a poor review at work, (some of which I agreed with) and it is threatening to tip the balance towards the dark side again.
Things like that are horrible. We’re you able to take some positive targets from the review?
Hugs to you, St Everild. Stress and criticism are common triggers for depression.
As suggested, is there anything positive you can take from the review? Will making an achievable plan of action towards the other issues help? Small goals though, so that you can build up your self confidence.
Make sure you are looking after you health too, walking outside and regular meals.
So sorry to hear about the poor bits of your review, St Everild. Are there people to support you at work, if that’s what you would like?
Thank you everybody for your welcome back, and encouragement. And apologies piglet, I should have explained what CBT is - thank you Climacus for stepping in! It’s early days in the course - I think it will help but goodness me it’s tiring teaching your brain to work differently. I’m finding it all a bit of an emotional rollercoaster- there’s the relief of finding there are people with similar problems and experiences, and a bit of grief that I’ve had this so long (25 years, I reckon) and how much time I’ve wasted with it. Blah blah blah. 😉
No need to apologise, Jt9 - when you're sitting with the entire sum of human knowledge in the palm of your hand, there's no excuse not to look something up!
I'm glad you're feeling positive about it, and hope it goes well.
St. E, I'll add my prayers to the chorus - I hope you can find some useful support at work.
[with congratulations on the house repairs...and I can understand the challenges of it ending...]
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Coming off some medication (on advice), slowly; but the headaches have started. And are making concentrating difficult. I realise this is not of the level as the comments above, and I am not attempting to compare...but it does make getting through a work day (or any day) tricky. Time for some more pain relief...which dulls it a bit, at least.
{{Firenze}} uncertainty is not easy and I guess the house being completed has removed a distraction.
I hope you can get some relief from the headaches, Climacus, and that it soon settles down and you can get some work done.
Thank you for the support. Yes I need new projects.
Sympathy for the headaches Climacus. They’re like toothache - right there in your head with you, and you can’t ignore them.
Things I have used - those microwaveable bean bags. Alternatively cold compresses. Acupuncture. Physio. Wine (if I’m going to have a headache anyway...)
I tend to get headaches in batches* - I had a few just a few days ago - and I'd be lost if I was regularly on medicine (of whatever nature) that meant I couldn't reach for the extra-strength paracetamol.
Today has been a really bad day for me. Don’t know why particularly- kid A has just started exams so perhaps the overall stress levels are higher to start with. Anyway. Grim grim grim.
{{ Jemima the 9th }} : I hope good sleep comes and tomorrow is a better day for you. :i:
Thank you for asking... The headaches are infrequent and duller. I'm not drawing a link yet, and I may be returning to the meds on medical advice, but I find myself filled with rage, utterly exhausted yet unable to sleep, and struggling with communication. On the latter, I'm going to take a break from some threads here...I read what people quote I have written and the number of spelling mistakes or wrong word choices is a shock to behold. I think I need to rest a bit.
Comments
My favourite time is autumn, as a child it took me into my own private world where I imagined different kingdoms living within the swirling leaves. I’m also a fan of walking in the early mornings.
I love your childhood autumn reminiscing... lovely to think of different kingdoms in the leaves.
Ha ha Huia. Very different songs to me too. I don't think I've ever seen an Australian bellbird in the wild...
For those playing along:
NZ bellbird, with autoplay songs: https://www.theguardian.com/science/punctuated-equilibrium/2011/nov/24/1
Australian bellbird (bell miner) song: https://www.graemechapman.com.au/library/sounds.php?c=332&p=80
Australian bellbird (miner): http://www.australianbushbirds.info/infm/manorina_melanophrys.html
Australian crested bellbird: https://youtu.be/8G94UeRoRpA
I hope the Antipodean visuals and chorus bring some light to any darkness.
Spring lasts a little bit longer here (crosses trotters), but like some of you on here I find autumn a more pleasant prospect - apart from it having eventually to lead to winter (which this year lasted nearly six months).
Bellbirds apparently failed to copyright their songs.
It would appear that the thing wrong with my brain, brought to light after a really, really grim winter and early spring, and a trip to my GP, who I think is actually a saint, is OCD. Fancy that. So I have embarked on a 9 week group CBT course. 2 weeks in so far....
<trots off to Google CBT>
Jemina the 9th - good call about trip to dr.
CBT has been very helpful for friends of mine; I hope it can help you in the same way.
I recall being summoned urgently, by her GP, to take to hospital a certain patient who had taken a mixture of chemicals and herbs, and had (temporarily AFAIK) lost the use of her limbs. Her depression was understandable, her husband having died young a year or so before.
Having said that, my sister (who ONLY uses herbal remedies) finds that SJW works well for her (bouts of depression, like noses, run in our family).
I repeat my warning, however!
Things like that are horrible. We’re you able to take some positive targets from the review?
As suggested, is there anything positive you can take from the review? Will making an achievable plan of action towards the other issues help? Small goals though, so that you can build up your self confidence.
Make sure you are looking after you health too, walking outside and regular meals.
Thank you everybody for your welcome back, and encouragement. And apologies piglet, I should have explained what CBT is - thank you Climacus for stepping in! It’s early days in the course - I think it will help but goodness me it’s tiring teaching your brain to work differently. I’m finding it all a bit of an emotional rollercoaster- there’s the relief of finding there are people with similar problems and experiences, and a bit of grief that I’ve had this so long (25 years, I reckon) and how much time I’ve wasted with it. Blah blah blah. 😉
I'm glad you're feeling positive about it, and hope it goes well.
St. E, I'll add my prayers to the chorus - I hope you can find some useful support at work.
I find myself saying ‘I just want it to be over’ which is not good.
[with congratulations on the house repairs...and I can understand the challenges of it ending...]
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Coming off some medication (on advice), slowly; but the headaches have started. And are making concentrating difficult. I realise this is not of the level as the comments above, and I am not attempting to compare...but it does make getting through a work day (or any day) tricky. Time for some more pain relief...which dulls it a bit, at least.
I hope you can get some relief from the headaches, Climacus, and that it soon settles down and you can get some work done.
Hoping the headaches improve soon, Climacus.
Sympathy for the headaches Climacus. They’re like toothache - right there in your head with you, and you can’t ignore them.
Things I have used - those microwaveable bean bags. Alternatively cold compresses. Acupuncture. Physio. Wine (if I’m going to have a headache anyway...)
* mercifully not too often
IANAD - consult your GP first!
Seriously, I do hope it helps with the pain. I read it can be quite a marvellous aid.
The benefit from the bone marrow transplant only lasted a year. Current therapy has been good for 18 months, but may be starting to fail.
I wish I could say more. But I don't have words currently, sorry.
Today has been a really bad day for me. Don’t know why particularly- kid A has just started exams so perhaps the overall stress levels are higher to start with. Anyway. Grim grim grim.
Thank you for asking... The headaches are infrequent and duller. I'm not drawing a link yet, and I may be returning to the meds on medical advice, but I find myself filled with rage, utterly exhausted yet unable to sleep, and struggling with communication. On the latter, I'm going to take a break from some threads here...I read what people quote I have written and the number of spelling mistakes or wrong word choices is a shock to behold. I think I need to rest a bit.
Sending virtual hugs (and virtual paracetamol).