How are you all?

My week seems to be going well at the mo. Some high moments and some low. Hopefully there will be more high moments to come. I'm looking forward to the weekend now and generally feeling a bit more positive. I hate feeling great one day and a mess the next. It really messes with your mind.

I hope the meds sort themselves out soon for you deborah. There is light at the end of the tunnel, its just sometimes the tunnel seems to go on forever.

I'm glad things are going well for you and you feel more positive. It really does mess with your head, never knowing what to expect, or when it's going to hit you. I hope things stay steady for you.

I hope so, too. It's taking forever.

Alot of my problems come from expecting things to happen. CBT helped me quite a bit with becasue it made me realise that awhat I was expecting to happen, didn't normally happen, but eventually I always slip back into a negative frame of mind. One day I'd like to think I'll be back to what I should be. A

re you working at the moment Deborah? I think being at home while going off or on medication is best. Working in a stressfull job and going through side effects is not a good idea.

I think I can relate to that. I spend a lot of time worrying about how things could go, and it's rarely how they actually turn out. I haven't had CBT, though.

I don't have a job, but I'm at university. I wish there was less pressure in terms of deadlines and stuff, especially right now, but I'm not sure I could handle taking time out and always being by myself, either.

I can understand that. What are you studying? deadlines stress me out too. The university will probably have a counselling team for students such as you. Do you think it will improve once you've left University? I was slightly the other way with being left alone, I loved it. I actually took up woodwork when I was on sick leave for three months last year and I'm now persuing it as a career. although I cant find a course that would allow me to work full time too.

I'm studying English, so it's American literature and Shakespeare this semester - full of presentations and performances. They do have a counselling team, but they'll only offer you six counselling sessions per year (which I had way back in September) so now I'm seeing a different counselling service while I'm on the waiting list for CBT. I still have another year at uni, so I'm hoping it improves before then. That sounds cool. I wish I was more like that, I can only spend so much time by myself before I just have to get out of the house or go to bed. I hope you find a way to fit in everything you need to.

CBT isn't a quick fix, I dont suppose any form of counselling is but CBT especially requires you to look at you own thought processes and see where you're slipping up. It does help but you have to work at it. There are plenty of books you cold read before you get to go to CBT if you cant wait that long. I think I have an idiots guide to CBT somewhere.

I grew up spending most days alone to be honest. I had some friends but didn't really want to hang around them all the time after school. I always kept myself busy with hobbies like drawing or paying the guitar and got quite good at them both. Now I wish I had the time to do those things again but life seems to get busier. At least wood work can be functional and creative. I like to zone out while I do something, it's kind of theraputic.So if I can get a job which allows me to be creative then great.

Also, try to stay off of coffee or cafeine in general. I found cafeine makes me a nightmare. A few weeks off of it all and you feel the difference in yourself.

Yeah, any kind of counselling does take a lot of work, I think, but it should be worth it. I will admit I'm not great with reading up on stuff or using online services or whatever, though - I always just focus on work and run out of time, or just distract myself with TV.

I was the same when I was at school, there were probably people who'd never even heard me speak, and I liked having my nights to myself - for me it was writing, or reading novels - but I felt like when I had a full day at school around people, it was easier to do that - now that I only have a couple of hours at uni per day, it gets a lot lonelier. I'm also a lot less content with my own company since I've started having anxiety, I feel being around people more reassuring.

I know what you mean about the coffee. I still have a cup now and then, but I've cut right down, it really doesn't help with anything.

Sorry I never replied to your last message. I'm at work so got busy with something then went home. How are you today?

I read quite a bit. I used to have a 2 1/2 hour jouney into work so went through massive novels in about a week. Sometimes less. I went through so many books I eventually bought a kindle so I could save space .Stephen King is my favourite

I think having an outlet like a hobby or trying to be creative in general can be very theraputic. I play instruments, record music I've made up, I used to draw alot but not any more and now I do the woodwork. It all helps but I think it is probably just me distracting myself too. I like making decorative things, at the moment I'm doing a small jewellery box for my wife.

I meant to say yesterday. You said that you dont feel content with your own company. If you are ever alone and feeling worse off for it you can always come on here or message me.Everyone is freindly so you should get a reply quite quickly.

Hello Tonyfield,

Thank you very much, that is such a lovely thing you did there & is nice to know people are there to help & support one another.

So thank you

Butterfly1 xx

No problem at all. I'm doing okay today, a little panicky, a little nauseous, but coping. How are you?

I used to be like that, but with actually studying literature I don't have time to read anything that isn't on my course. That sounds so nice, I'm not really so good at making things.

Thank you. I might have to take you up on that at some point.

Hi everyone...communication is good....im 49 now and realize that D is part of me,mind you,im comming to terms with the fact that we dont all have to be socialites.i am not but used to try and be,i like nice people and dont waste my energy with not so nice people...hence the fact i am not working at the moment...but...whats w

rong with stopping ploughing through miserable people...nothing..good luck out there...if there are any like mind people...please get in touch..x.