Lockdown/Mental Health

[chris lee]

One of the biggest achievements of the last decade has been removing the stigma of Mental Health, it is great to see guys now comfortable talking about it openly.
Living with depression is so much easier when you learn to accept and understand it, and listening to others who have walked the same path is a major part of that.
Similar to the poster earlier. I am single, living and working from home, so not a great lockdown experience for me, but have really been able keep my head in check by actively working on it.
I posted the other day about my experience de-cluttering and letting go of stuff in the thread 'minimalism'. This has been a great distraction, and purposeful way to spend time instead of dwelling in the house... clear room clear mind and all that

[Tuerto]

One of the biggest achievements of the last decade has been removing the stigma of Mental Health, it is great to see guys now comfortable talking about it openly.
Living with depression is so much easier when you learn to accept and understand it, and listening to others who have walked the same path is a major part of that.
Similar to the poster earlier. I am single, living and working from home, so not a great lockdown experience for me, but have really been able keep my head in check by actively working on it.
I posted the other day about my experience de-cluttering and letting go of stuff in the thread 'minimalism'. This has been a great distraction, and purposeful way to spend time instead of dwelling in the house... clear room clear mind and all that

Moving about helps as well. If people just went outside and increased their heart rate even for 10 minutes they'd feel so much better.

[life on mars]

I have found music is a wonderful outlet for depression and being around your friends and grandkids , and of course never underestimate the great outdoors.

Another helpful behaviour is set yourself a challenge like renovations in the garden or house .

My mum god bless her survived the blitz and those awful times , she left her beloved London home for the safety of Wales , which was mentally tough for a young woman, she always said though strength it comes from within, and that has staid with me .

My thoughts go out to all sufferers, get some Zepp , Floyd, Sabbath ?or whatever floats your boat, but play it loud lads.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

This place can help as well. Let's face it, most of us when face to face with another bloke wouldn't dare open up on how we're feeling, it's usually ' I'm fine' then back to the usual jokey stuff. On hear it's anonymous, plenty of us middle aged who haven't got a clue how to express ourselves and put our thoughts to the back of our mind with sometimes awful consequences.

A little bit of support and solidarity on hear can make a difference, it can show that we're not alone, what worries us is quite common and that there are loads of blokes out there feeling the same way at different times in their lives.

Everyone's circumstances are different, what isn't different is that suffering with mental health can be a very lonely place where there is no pleasure, difficult for people on their own and the same for those who have dependents around them who look to that person to be strong and reliable. It ain't easy folks.

So if you've got something to get rid of then do it, bin it off like a piece of crap, if that place is here amongst similar people then ****ing crack on. Don't keep it to yourself, share the load brothers!

rock and roll to all that

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Gabriel or Jones? Nice of you to remember. It was a momentous occasion, as was the cup final.

Kind of you to list the various helplines. Hope you're keeping well.

I was eating a burger . I felt a strange entity had arrived .

The helplines are very good , I use the CALM one frequently .

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

One of the biggest achievements of the last decade has been removing the stigma of Mental Health, it is great to see guys now comfortable talking about it openly.
Living with depression is so much easier when you learn to accept and understand it, and listening to others who have walked the same path is a major part of that.
Similar to the poster earlier. I am single, living and working from home, so not a great lockdown experience for me, but have really been able keep my head in check by actively working on it.
I posted the other day about my experience de-cluttering and letting go of stuff in the thread 'minimalism'. This has been a great distraction, and purposeful way to spend time instead of dwelling in the house... clear room clear mind and all that

Nice one mate

A really good book out there on positive approaches to well being is the happiness trap by russ Harris, my consultant uses its approach a lot . The happiness book pocket guide is great too .

For general self help the STEPIAU website is a brilliant source of information and support , its run by cardiff NHS Trust but anyone can use it

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Moving about helps as well. If people just went outside and increased their heart rate even for 10 minutes they'd feel so much better.

exercise , healthy diet , avoid conflict or major decisions if possible etc

Exercise is the cornerstone

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

I have found music is a wonderful outlet for depression and being around your friends and grandkids , and of course never underestimate the great outdoors.

Another helpful behaviour is set yourself a challenge like renovations in the garden or house .

My mum god bless her survived the blitz and those awful times , she left her beloved London home for the safety of Wales , which was mentally tough for a young woman, she always said though strength it comes from within, and that has staid with me .

My thoughts go out to all sufferers, get some Zepp , Floyd, Sabbath ?or whatever floats your boat, but play it loud lads.

music is vital to me

Singer songwriters, bit of indie , reggae , rock , metal , cant fault it

You are right about getting outdoors , even if its just to listen to the birds singing or a walk to the shop

However I do not suggest you listen to skeletons of society or Angel of death by SLAYER when you are feeling depressed or stressed

Its not the best option

[goats]

exercise , healthy diet , avoid conflict or major decisions if possible etc

Exercise is the cornerstone

Cycling is good, particularly now with county boundaries so you can’t drive to places. Not much to stop you going out on a bike and we rarely see that many people. A few people I know are struggling, the types that never spent much time at home before, work, pubs, gigs etc...big changes for them. Let’s hope another 6 months will see the end of social distancing

[dandywarhol]

my stepson left Uni laat year.Now doing his masters from home.looking for work.Almost every application there's no reply.
He suffers from mental health at the best of times.This virus has had a huge impact on his mental halth and job prospects.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

my stepson left Uni laat year.Now doing his masters from home.looking for work.Almost every application there's no reply.
He suffers from mental health at the best of times.This virus has had a huge impact on his mental halth and job prospects.

I am really sorry to hear that

I hope he and you are getting support

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Cycling is good, particularly now with county boundaries so you can’t drive to places. Not much to stop you going out on a bike and we rarely see that many people. A few people I know are struggling, the types that never spent much time at home before, work, pubs, gigs etc...big changes for them. Let’s hope another 6 months will see the end of social distancing

I am missing live bands but it is what it is

I urge anyone who is feeling depressed or anxious to reach out

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

This could and should be a thread that is both interesting and helpful. As someone who has been diagnosed with depression twice in the past and has been struggling recently, I would love to have shared some thoughts and observations. However, the usual suspect is going to hog the thread as he always does when the subject of mental health is touched upon, so it's a waste of time.

Here is a link for you

http://www.stepiau.org/self-help

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Nice one mate

A really good book out there on positive approaches to well being is the happiness trap by russ Harris, my consultant uses its approach a lot . The happiness book pocket guide is great too .

For general self help the STEPIAU website is a brilliant source of information and support , its run by cardiff NHS Trust but anyone can use it

http://www.stepiau.org/self-help

[rs3100]

I’ve gone through hell and back over the last year or so, marriage breakdown, moving home, currently going through divorce, father has just been given three months to live, but I’m actually starting being at peace with myself.
I have been extremely lonely at times and that is horrendous, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, and the current situation can magnify that. One of the things that women do far better than men is talk, ideas such as red tent groups are an amazing idea to offer safe spaces for people to talk and discuss and to help. These environments rarely exist for men though. If anyone would like to talk at all, about literally anything, I’m more than happy to listen. I’m happy to organise a group zoom to offer a safe space environment.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

I’ve gone through hell and back over the last year or so, marriage breakdown, moving home, currently going through divorce, father has just been given three months to live, but I’m actually starting being at peace with myself.
I have been extremely lonely at times and that is horrendous, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, and the current situation can magnify that. One of the things that women do far better than men is talk, ideas such as red tent groups are an amazing idea to offer safe spaces for people to talk and discuss and to help. These environments rarely exist for men though. If anyone would like to talk at all, about literally anything, I’m more than happy to listen. I’m happy to organise a group zoom to offer a safe space environment.

You have had a lot of stuff to deal with fair play

The mens shed movement is popular , CALM have a forum I think but if they don't they should be able to put you in touch with one .

As for your group zoom thats a fantastic idea

[the other bob wilson]

I have found music is a wonderful outlet for depression and being around your friends and grandkids , and of course never underestimate the great outdoors.

Another helpful behaviour is set yourself a challenge like renovations in the garden or house .

My mum god bless her survived the blitz and those awful times , she left her beloved London home for the safety of Wales , which was mentally tough for a young woman, she always said though strength it comes from within, and that has staid with me .

My thoughts go out to all sufferers, get some Zepp , Floyd, Sabbath ?or whatever floats your boat, but play it loud lads.

Not got much to add to this conversation, but I agree about music - my mood NEVER gets worse when I switch on one of my p,laylists and often gets better.

Also agree about walking, but having gout return for the first time in more than twenty years in the last month has made that difficult lately.

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Financially and physically I've nothing at all to feel depressed about, however the relentless, never-ending diet of gloom, threats, warnings, instructions, restrictions, statistics, all start to weigh heavily on you, even if you are able to 'work around them'. What I will say is a lot of posts on this thread about depression, organizations that can help, which is fine, but there's a big difference between being low and depressed at times, and actually suffering from something that you need to seek help for. Many a day the Mrs and I have spells where we feel genuinely down, anxious about 'nothing', etc., but - as others have said - being outdoors especially, is a wonderful medicine. Maybe if you live in Cardiff and want to go for a walk over Barry Island you should do it - the adrenaline rush of not knowing if a prat in a high viz jacket is going to question you, may do you the world of good..

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Financially and physically I've nothing at all to feel depressed about, however the relentless, never-ending diet of gloom, threats, warnings, instructions, restrictions, statistics, all start to weigh heavily on you, even if you are able to 'work around them'. What I will say is a lot of posts on this thread about depression, organizations that can help, which is fine, but there's a big difference between being low and depressed at times, and actually suffering from something that you need to seek help for. Many a day the Mrs and I have spells where we feel genuinely down, anxious about 'nothing', etc., but - as others have said - being outdoors especially, is a wonderful medicine. Maybe if you live in Cardiff and want to go for a walk over Barry Island you should do it - the adrenaline rush of not knowing if a prat in a high viz jacket is going to question you, may do you the world of good..

Very true , fresh air , healthy eating , sleep, walks are great

But depression and anxiety as illnesses need to be treated by doctors with medication if suggested . For those who suffer repeated episodes a referral to a psychiatrist might be needed as they are the experts in this field .

The self help and phonelines are useful but if depression is a long term problem in your life you need expert help , starting with your gp .

Take care everyone , if I can point someone in the right direction I will

Bluebirds ! Bluebirds !

[JamesWales]

First time I've posted on here for ages..

The lockdown has been absolutely horrendous for me. I've found myself googling things, I really never thought I would.

The working from home has been the killer, but the general lack of socialising, feeling unhappy, loss of nearly every enjoyment I have (football, pub, gigs, meeting friends etc), the way society is fragmenting, the anger, bitterness etc..its so depressing.

Horrible time, by far the worst period of my life.

[UNDERHILL1927]

First time I've posted on here for ages..

The lockdown has been absolutely horrendous for me. I've found myself googling things, I really never thought I would.

The working from home has been the killer, but the general lack of socialising, feeling unhappy, loss of nearly every enjoyment I have (football, pub, gigs, meeting friends etc), the way society is fragmenting, the anger, bitterness etc..its so depressing.

Horrible time, by far the worst period of my life.

So sorry to hear my friend. Please reach out on here should you ever feel the need.

[UNDERHILL1927]

What I have found that helps break the general fog of Coronavirus bad news, is to regularly do a gratitude list. Just reminds us of all the good things in our lives that we really do take for granted.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

So sorry to hear my friend. Please reach out on here should you ever feel the need.

seconded

[delmbox]

First time I've posted on here for ages..

The lockdown has been absolutely horrendous for me. I've found myself googling things, I really never thought I would.

The working from home has been the killer, but the general lack of socialising, feeling unhappy, loss of nearly every enjoyment I have (football, pub, gigs, meeting friends etc), the way society is fragmenting, the anger, bitterness etc..its so depressing.

Horrible time, by far the worst period of my life.

Can you find other ways to socialise mate? Go for a walk with your friends rather than to a gig for example. Also it's important to remember, especially for those who've struggled with their mental health during lockdown, that we're not in a lockdown right now - we're under restrictions and there's a world of difference. You can see your mates for a beer, you can go out for a meal, go to the cinema.

Don't sit at home reading bad news about society fragmenting, spend time with people and think about the actual society you live in - you can look at twitter, here, read the news etc and think that it's civil war out there. Then when you go outside you have a chat with your neighbours/the shopowner/guy that fixes your car, all of whom could have very different opinions to you about stuff but you're not constantly arguing about it because the reality is that in actual day to day society people aren't.

I'm not a psychiatrist by any stretch of the imagination but seems to me that it's sensible for everyone right now to avoid looking at the bigger picture "a vaccine will take X amount of time", "this will be here for X long" for example, just take it day by day, or what can I look forward to next. Bit by bit

[rs3100]

seconded

Definitely. I've found that discussing things on here has been helpful previously, and completely non-judgemental (sometimes surprisingly given some of the personalities on here). Usually there is someone who has been through something similar, and if not there are plenty with empathy.
Sometimes it's easier to talk to strangers than it is to family and friends.