Wyllow3:
"If you are under the care of a psychiatrist then I wouldn't suggest particular drugs, because they know a lot more than me: I have cross checked with the one that helps me and ones I know have helped others, and it harms the kidneys."
Aye! Unfortunately, my medication limits have been already reached, so it's down to CBT/Behavioural Activation, I think, now. That should be interesting. To gently expose myself to my former interests and not to expect anything...not to look for any actually result: just to do the exposure work and...basically, wait and see, seems to be my way forward. A fresh therapeutic approach might be just what I need - I suppose I'll find out, later this year, if I get any glimpses of life, again.
"And most of all, serious talking therapies that might be suitable are now very very restricted indeed on the NHS - they were fine when I needed to access them but that was 2008. Yes, it is very hard to get them unless you can self resource. If you can self resource, and have a decent NHS psychiatrist, they may be able to suggest which sort. Some people can get visits from a Community Psychiatric Nurse, thats via a psychiatrist again."
I won't be investigating the Talking Therapies route, again, given that they've told me that my condition (which wasn't as bad, back then, as it is, now) is too tough for just talking therapy. I understand that.
CPN: Last year, after a clear set of events that reeked of incompatibility, and incompetence, I had to sack my Community Psychiatric Nurse. He did a few things that ran against my principles and flew in the face of my ability to understand extreme behaviour by a professional in a position of responsibility. The details have shocked a few people, when I've told them - some didn't even believe them.
BUT: I have, since a fortnight ago, however, been set up with a "Key Worker", called Jean*. She's already made first phone contact, last week, and we're starting our official phone chats on Tuesday of next week, in fact. I look forward to that.
"With your agoraphobia difficulties I know it's harder to go out to places or even leave the house at times."
I'll be working on the agoraphobia, during Summer of this year. I'm cautiously optimistic, because the agoraphobia is weaker when the Sun goes down and I think that I can use that.
"I think searching for Zoom groups might be helpful if you are confined to the house. Do try those mens group references."
The given groups involve a whole bunch of guys getting together and that involves me going out when they meet and being in large groups of guys, somewhere, and I'm just no longer up to that. As nice as it sounds, I couldn't do that, right now. For a while, last year, I was...at the psyche hospital, but I couldn't do that, now...things have got much worse for me, mentally. But, one day, I'm hopeful that that, too, will change. I saw it change, last year...I know it will, one day, change again.
"Church - thats difficult one. Sitting there when it seems meaningless is very difficult, and you feel those around you cant understand. All I can say is try when you feel you can. To expect it to be difficult, but to try when you can get out of the house. To see if it can possibly just be "good enough" as opposed to the warm heart that is able to be fully engaged."
When things maybe, one day, change, all of these outdoors things will be reconsidered. I'm going to take things slowly, at first, and work my way up the ladder of activity.
Thank you, very much, for your reply. I am genuinely grateful. I've been given a genuinely encouraging set of replies by folks, here.
I thought such greetings and welcomings had died on the Internet, to be honest!
What was your favourite board game as a child?
