Mental Health

Quoted from promotion plaice

I've suffered with anxiety and panic attacks for decades, still stops me in my tracks at times even now, just saying.

Sorry to hear that! I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I really wouldn’t. Hard to get that over to people who don’t suffer with it.

As I’m sure your aware, Fundamentally, Anxiety is a defence mechanism for survival so at a basic level is there to prevent you dying, the trouble is anxiety like that doesn’t stop you dying, it stops you living!

Quoted from Sandford1981

Mental health has many different guises and can effect anyone of us at any given time, to different degrees.
Whatever form it takes, the effects can be unique and devastating to the sufferer and their families, because mental illness is rarely encountered only by the direct sufferer of it.
The coronavirus pandemic has focused a lot of minds on psychological illness and although not ideal, the attention can be a good thing.
What has surprised me is just how pervasive it is. The sharp focus of Ian Holloway’s friend committing suicide has demonstrated this, with a large amount of contributors highlighting their own struggles or those of people close to them.
As I mentioned on that particular thread I have ongoing issues. I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder, suffer from bouts of depression and have toiletry issues around leaving the house. That sounds funny but it’s a pain the bottom (excuse the pun) however, I’m not above being needled about it either for those that may feel the need. Humour I feel is important and sometimes laughter whilst it may not be the best medicine, it can be an effective one nonetheless.
I am very lucky to have an amazing partner who supports me but at times I can feel very ridiculous and very alone. I’m aware not everyone has someone and it can be very isolating to have mental illnesses. In itself this becomes a an ever perpetuating cycle.
Connection can be the key to gaining relief and if you are like me I find face to face contact difficult to get treatment for my problems and so a forum is a good safe place in which to communicate with people. The release in realising you are not alone or abnormal can be hugely uplifting and should not be underestimated.
So I am starting this thread purely for people to have a safe space in which they can talk and share and hopefully gain some sort of relief from their mental health battles.

This bit is so so true.

I've had Ulcerative colitis for approx 9 years now, and i'm still only 27.
It affected me alot at first, with stays in hospital whilst it wasn't under control, and constantly needing toilets stopping you from doing everyday stuff.

It took me a good year or so of having symptoms before reaching out to a doctor, and that was a big step in the right direction.

I'm now under a regular medicine, 1 which isn't pleasant, as you don't swallow it.... if you get where i'm going with it.

But it helps, and the best thing i did, was start laughing and joking to family and work colleagues, whilst at the same time, remembering i have a life long condition that won't go away.

Everyone around me is supportive, so laughing about constantly going to the toilet stops me slipping into a sad mindset.

Happy to talk to anyone about any symptoms of any bowel problems.
And 1 last thing, if you think somethings not right, and you get told IBD, don't let it drop, because you might have something else, and i personally, fell the whole 'IBD' is an easy cop out for dr's.

Brilliant thread started by Sandford.

In society there is still so much to be done on mental health. I  remember doing an assignment on this for my studies where there had been a lot of stigma surrounding mental health. Likewise those with mental health problems in varying capacity's were often at the bottom of the pile and government funding reflected that.

Furthermore I wish people judged others only  if they were in their shoes. Often there is ignorance on this issue as some people have no idea whats it like. Added to this  there is mockery and sarcasm by a few which doesn't help that person at all. Good natured banter I feel is fine though in the context of normal conservation. .

Then  there is the genetic interplay between mind and environment. Some with mental health problems have tough environments where they have come from eg no father figure for most of their life  and  their stepdad beating them up. I know this was the case of Lenny Mclean the famous bareknuckle boxer who it transpired had bipolar .In his era it wasnt diagnosed. Similarly my best friend who has a lovely innate persona but is  shy and a bit dim was brought up by a foster parent. The love it transpired wasn't always there and he was left to drift and he lacked self esteem. You got people who saw him as a weak touch and bullied him verbally. This wound me up as that sort of thing dont help him at all.

Support I feel is whats needed and clear desire to want to heal or contain mental illness on that persons part. With these factors I think most can go a long way to improving their lives.

Quoted from Rick12

Brilliant thread started by Sandford.

In society there is still so much to be done on mental health. I  remember doing an assignment on this for my studies where there had been a lot of stigma surrounding mental health. Likewise those with mental health problems in varying capacity's were often at the bottom of the pile and government funding reflected that.

Furthermore I wish people judged others only  if they were in their shoes. Often there is ignorance on this issue as some people have no idea whats it like. Added to this  there is mockery and sarcasm by a few which doesn't help that person at all. Good natured banter I feel is fine though in the context of normal conservation. .

Then  there is the genetic interplay between mind and environment. Some with mental health problems have tough environments where they have come from eg no father figure for most of their life  and  their stepdad beating them up. I know this was the case of Lenny Mclean the famous bareknuckle boxer who it transpired had bipolar .In his era it wasnt diagnosed. Similarly my best friend who has a lovely innate persona but is  shy and a bit dim was brought up by a foster parent. The love it transpired wasn't always there and he was left to drift and he lacked self esteem. You got people who saw him as a weak touch and bullied him verbally. This wound me up as that sort of thing dont help him at all.

Support I feel is whats needed and clear desire to want to heal or contain mental illness on that persons part. With these factors I think most can go a long way to improving their lives.

I’ve read McLeans autobiography, watched his documentary and seen the film. Book is brilliant, the documentary very good and the film bang average (the lead actor was not great for my money-shame).

It’s a good example that shows how mental health health issues don’t discriminate. The archetypal hard man is as vulnerable as the meek and mild woman. I’m sure there are hundreds of other people that we could use too.

The good thing is that mental illness is being talked about more.  This will gradually increase wider understanding of it by non-sufferers.  The future king lost his mother and has been very vocal in supporting understanding of mental health. His documentary about sufferers in football was a landmark step forward.

Increasingly stressful lives, Covid, unemployment, health issues, uncertainty and higher expectations in society all contribute to reduced mental health.  In my.view anyway.

I did not even mention seeking material possessions, social media pressures, body-shaming, identity theft, revenge porn, dodgy photo’s, reduced career prospect, unaffordable housing, being in debt, homelessness, poor fitness, poverty, poor diet, bad non-mental health issues and lack of hope for the future.  We have many things trying to deal with that try and trip us up.

There is a reducing stigma.  This helps.  I have worked with some excellent managers and
professionals who very empathetic and understanding.  However, if they have not suffered from clinical depression themselves then they cannot fully understand what it does to you.

When ill you would want your arm or leg cut-off to get better now.  When better you want your arm back.

A broken leg and someone on crutches is easily understood.   Sympathy offered.   We have no such luxury.  A. Simply analogy is carrying a tray with an increasing number of items on it.  One small additional item can result in dropping the tray.  You cope under pressure but too many items is too much to bear.

Suffers of mental illness are often of above average intelligence.  Their emotional intelligence is also very good.  The exception to these rules is Gazza.

Before got married I told my wife about my illness.  She checked with her GP who advised her not to marry me!  We have now been married for 38 football seasons.  (Although I should probably discount the NL years).  My wife has also suffered from poor mental health for many years.  This combined impact makes our relationship very difficult at times).

It is important to do the best for yourself that you can to remain healthy.  Suicide rates are very high for young men. Reduce all risk elements.

The key way forward is to find the right medication for you.  Aligned, or instead of,  good support measures, good friends, openness, being able to talk to people when you need to, support groups - physically or on line, a simple life with reduced stress where possibly, good food and plenty of physical exercise.  Good doctors help if you are fortunate to have one.

For anxiety, I find listening to John Tonder nearly impossible,  Not that I believe that we will concede from every opposition attack.  It is just that John gives this false impression!

Sorry, this post is longer than I intended,  Yes, a great topical thread of significant importance.
















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community.

Increasingly stressful lifestyles,

Well put TownSNAFU. Many, many issues involved. Have some people very close to me who are prone to mental health issues.  It can be very difficult to deal with if you’re not used to it or don’t understand what is going on. Have had the odd minor episode myself. It’s very common and covers a wide spectrum.

Quoted from Sandford1981

https://www.grimsbytelegraph.c.....tm_campaign=sharebar

Thanks for posting this Sandford
Have you had any thoughts about reminding people from the main Fishy site to keep looking at and adding to this thread?

Quoted from AussieMariner

Thanks for posting this Sandford
Have you had any thoughts about reminding people from the main Fishy site to keep looking at and adding to this thread?

I don’t really know how the forum works to be honest but the more people are aware of this thread, the better in my eyes.