Friends that depress you!

nfk dumpling, Ariadne, joyfuljenn thank you all for your kind words. It still amazes me how caring people can be even when they too are not in the best of places . to all you lovely people.

Bags I do hope my children don't think I depress them on the phone. I think perhaps its the other way around. My heart sinks sometimes when they ring at "that time of night* when you just know it's not going to be anything to smile about.

Joyful - yes, it is quite likely that your daughter's though processes and personality have been skewed by drugs. Of course, she would never admit that and if you ever challenged her you would be met by anger, resentment and denial. There is a 'hidden' plague of drug abuse - many people never consider the dangers of drugs they are prescribed. Most GPs are now much more aware of the addictive properties of things like Valium, which were prescribed so readily for depression (or boredom?) and packets of Nytol can be bought over the counter, as well as all the painkillers which contain codeine.
Having seen the gradual destruction of my daughter's personality, I am now reluctant to take even one paracetamol for the occasional headache although I have never been addicted to anything, as far as I know.
My sister reminded me that our mother used to take what she called her 'happy pills' but we cannot remember what they were.

I hope you manage to put some useful arrangements in place for your care, and that you and your daughter get back on good terms.

Couldn't possibly read the long, long page of comments & digressions, but thankyou for the welcome you've given me, they quite warmed the cockles of my heart! Greatnan, you've given me food for thought, re prescription drugs. I can barely believe it hadn't crossed my mind, as I know my daughter has been on amytriptylline for years, given to her by her Gp for depression. Ten years ago after breaking my spine, in Addenbrookes', I was given them, with frightening, dreadful effects; nobody realised they were causing me to experience continual hallucinations, I had no idea where I was, where I was even; I was convinced a giraffe stood next to my bed, which sounds funny, but was a deeply weird thing to have alongside you. Even after discharge the hallucinations carried on, but I was at least aware by then, that the visions I saw were not real. After a year I stopped taking them abruptly, & within days the visions disappeared, never to return.
Well, having said all that, is D being mentally twisted too? It never struck me, what an idiot I am! I know her though, she would not give them up, she depends on them psychologically. I had to send her the info today, that as from the 12th. I shall be officially terminating her employment; I have to have a Carer, I'm unable to physically do things like vaccuuming or changing the bed-linen. I'm stopping the childminder fees too; no reply of course, haven't told her that I've asked our best friend to come back & work for me, she's been like a daughter to me for 39 years, & we get on well, she's perfect at the job. It's only 2 hours a week, so easy to fit into a busy life, & the pays not bad at all, £11 per hour. Hohum, good job I've now got a computer - only got it in Feb this year, clever son customised it for me in particular, taking into account my particular foibles of course! He visits for an hour once a fortnight [lives a mile away! & adds something new every time, causing me an acute pain between the eyes, trying to remember it all.

I still haven't found an hotel for the dates we want at a price we want and where we want (in the Gothic Quarter). Back to the drawing board.

Gosh - a stiff drink! I'd never have thought of that myself - good idea, jeni!!
(I meant to say obtuse but came up with a hybrid of obtuse and obscure)

gracesmdont worry your pretty little head dear!
Just go and lie down with an ice pack and a stiff drink!

Actually, it GN wondering what to do with her depressing friend!

stansgran could you or somebody please tell me the relevance of the Apartments Gutenbergreference? I am feeling I have totally lost the plot or something and it bothers me! If I am merely being obcuse, well, no surprise there

Yes, thank you , Ariadne. I have been looking for hotels on line and my friend is also doing some research.

Well! I usually love our digressions, but have read through some of the pages on this thread, and became very confused at one point! I am glad that the original poster is getting the supportive and helpful response she deserves.
I hope it has helped.

angie I think there are a few of you in MK

Oh jeeeeeez; my spelling ....

gillybob........you are not alone,,,,,try to go out and do something for you,,,i have had severe depression for a long time,,,i think i am getting better thank heavens, go swimming if you can do your hair...paint your nails, put some make up on,,,,start crafting,,,,,,,im in milton keynes,,,,im sure a lot of us here will meet you for a coffee ....its awfull i know to have a black cloud over your head,,,but there is a light ahead,,,,so be blessed.

Me too - thanks, Crimson!

Thanks crimson- you've really made me laugh today

crimson I think that they are just called companions.

Thanks for the suggestion, Stansgran, but a private bathroom is a sine qua non!

I stayed in Apartments Gutenberg some years back-a bit studenty but cheap and clean and well sited off the Ramblas near the port and a stop for the tourist bus .Wouldn't go down the back alley way tho' on my own at night-

I would never take advice from someone like me!

The hard part is actually taking it!

Ella sometimes the best advice comes from talking to yourself!

sorry if forgot anyone else who kindly supported me!!

I too hope it has gone away but it was unpleasant and I am very thankful for the support shown to me by Ana, Greatnan and Whenim 64

jeni; I've often thought about having one of those wooden figures that you see in Stately Homes [can't rememeber what they called them; probably 'wooden figures that you see in Statley Homes']. Could have a jolly good converstaion with them I think. Could have a word bubble coming out of it's mouth, the words of which could be changed according to the mood of the day. 'There, there, never mind' or 'ho ho, good joke that'.