- Joined
- Dec 30, 2019
- Messages
- 53
- Purraise
- 126
Does anyone else here struggle with their mental health?
I struggle a lot with pretty bad anxiety and on and off again depression (thankfully that's not as severe as the anxiety). The anxiety has probably been much of my life, through more severe in recent years. The depression has been developing in recent years, and was at its worst about a year and a half ago when I was going through some new health issues (a benign heart rythym problem, and CIS, which is basically pre-MS and required me starting an injectable medication). Lately, while I still deal with depressive moods, it's mostly been my anxiety that's been bothering me. Super sky-high at times, and my job as a teacher is very stressful and overwhelming nearly constantly. Ugh.
That being said, I am getting help. I am on a low dose of medication (room to go up if I need to), and am working with a wonderful counselor online - which is great because it fits well with my schedule with being about to "email" back and forth each weekday, and we do video chat sessions when I happen to have a weekday off that she's available. It's been very helpful.
I also found that getting my kitten (foster fail ) has been helpful. Not a miracle cure for sure, but as an introvert especially, it's nice to have a warm, furry creature to come home to who doesn't expect any conversation, has no needs/expectations/judgements of me other than to be fed, watered, and stroked. Purrs are oh so soothing, and he loved to lay on top of me/my chest at times (lying down in bed on computer) and his weight can be comforting (though I'm a bit worried how he'll "fit" once full grown, lol). I don't think he senses when I've had a rough time, but I've also only had him a little over a month now so who knows.
Anyway, not sure why I'm writing all this. Does anyone else struggle with mental health issues? What has helped you? Do your cat/cats help?
I struggle a lot with pretty bad anxiety and on and off again depression (thankfully that's not as severe as the anxiety). The anxiety has probably been much of my life, through more severe in recent years. The depression has been developing in recent years, and was at its worst about a year and a half ago when I was going through some new health issues (a benign heart rythym problem, and CIS, which is basically pre-MS and required me starting an injectable medication). Lately, while I still deal with depressive moods, it's mostly been my anxiety that's been bothering me. Super sky-high at times, and my job as a teacher is very stressful and overwhelming nearly constantly. Ugh.
That being said, I am getting help. I am on a low dose of medication (room to go up if I need to), and am working with a wonderful counselor online - which is great because it fits well with my schedule with being about to "email" back and forth each weekday, and we do video chat sessions when I happen to have a weekday off that she's available. It's been very helpful.
I also found that getting my kitten (foster fail ) has been helpful. Not a miracle cure for sure, but as an introvert especially, it's nice to have a warm, furry creature to come home to who doesn't expect any conversation, has no needs/expectations/judgements of me other than to be fed, watered, and stroked. Purrs are oh so soothing, and he loved to lay on top of me/my chest at times (lying down in bed on computer) and his weight can be comforting (though I'm a bit worried how he'll "fit" once full grown, lol). I don't think he senses when I've had a rough time, but I've also only had him a little over a month now so who knows.
Anyway, not sure why I'm writing all this. Does anyone else struggle with mental health issues? What has helped you? Do your cat/cats help?