Mental Health Issues- Venting

[Vampiric_Conure]

For those who don't know, I've got a small list of mental health issues, ranging from Schizoaffective disorder, anxiety, and depression. The depression is mostly under control (YUM! Meds!), and the anxiety is mostly under control (YUM! Even more meds!) except for flare-ups. But the schzoaffective disorder.... if I remain stress free, the noises in my head shut up and leave me alone. Tonight *isn't* one of those nights. It feels like everyone I've peeved off and hurt or has hurt me has parked themselves in my apartment and is naaaaagging me about everything I've ever said and done. I can't sleep, I can't relax, and last of all, I'm miserable. Then I'm feeling guilty for not caring for all my pets the best way I could over the years .

If the birds were awake, I'd be playing with them. It's, unfortunately, past 2 am, and the dog is playing tag with the cats, which is stressing me out. I've made tea and I might pop on some YouTube vids. That usually cheers me up . Just put the dog on her leash to keep her from getting the zoomies. Gonna be a long eve.

Just needed to vent. Thanks for listening

ETA: There is peace in the apartment finally. Thank GOD, LOL!!

 

[Pickle's Mom]

Hope tomorrow is a better day, sending hugs. Hang in there with it, this too shall pass.

 

[Corkscr.ew]

I’m sorry. That sounds very difficult to deal with. I hope things will get better soon.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Insomnia certainly intensivies any negative feeling you have. Right now I'm having to take lots of prednisone for a medical problem and it has lots of bad side effects including insomnia. My husband falls asleep almost instantly while I'm up half the night, so I understand your situation somewhat.

Getting your mind focused on something else like binge watching a good TV drama series helps my sister who is intensely grieving for her husband who died suddenly back in February. She gets overwhelmed by thoughts about his suffering, where is he now, never seeing him again, and being alone for the rest of her life. Redirecting her mind to focus on something else seems to be the best way to stop her negative racing thoughts.

 

[rheashard2]

Have you thought about an activity that can engage your mind and body? Not TV or movies. Word find, puzzles(limited pieces), crochet, etc. You're engaging your mind, giving your body an activity with results you can see. Your mind can wander but you're forced to get back on track. It's noiseless so you won't disturb neighbors, pets. I have different problems with similar results. Emphasized by the fact that I am a true insomniac! Been that way since since age 12. I worked midnight shifts. Before COVID I would go to 24 hr stores and shop. Yes even after retirement. TV, movies didn't help. I couldn't focus. I needed to do something. In my case I crochet or loom bead. With a row goal. Easy projects required more rows. I have to place 5 puzzle pieces. Or do one (easy) word find. I have other things depending upon vent needs. My daughter has threatened to lock her door. She (and I) have lost count when I have rearranged house in the night. Only bird room is safe. She claims that I won't care if she's in or out of bed if I move it. I've gotten counseling to find constructive activity. But left on my own to discover what that is. I even wrote children's stories for a while. Sold one but it was not published. Try different things. Pay attention with your diet and fluid intake. The equivalent of 1 cup of coffee or 1 normal serving of candy will have my brain hyper for 48+ hours. Be aware, and redirect that energy. It can be (is) difficult.

 

[TiredOldMan]

Insomnia certainly intensivies any negative feeling you have. Right now I'm having to take lots of prednisone for a medical problem and it has lots of bad side effects including insomnia. My husband falls asleep almost instantly while I'm up half the night, so I understand your situation somewhat.

Getting your mind focused on something else like binge watching a good TV drama series helps my sister who is intensely grieving for her husband who died suddenly back in February. She gets overwhelmed by thoughts about his suffering, where is he now, never seeing him again, and being alone for the rest of her life. Redirecting her mind to focus on something else seems to be the best way to stop her negative racing thoughts.

Prednisone is awful. I absolutely hate it. Was on high dosage for over two years and really messed me up. Still have to at times take it to deal with flairs. Avoid it as best I can.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Unfortunately, I can't avoid it for this problem. I'm dreading having to take high doses for two to three months but there aren't any other options.
I hope you don't have to take it like that again!

 

[TiredOldMan]

I really feel for you.
The side effects are absolutely awful as you are no doubt aware.
My RA Dr. makes sure I keep it on hand to take to minimize long term damage due to inflammation.
I think I would rather have my teeth pulled without pain meds

 

[TiredOldMan]

Vampiric,
I apologize for taking your thread kind of off course.
From what you described I may need additional help as I have experienced similar difficulties for years.
My feathered and furry friends are absolutely what keeps me going. Most humans suck

 

[rheashard2]

It doesn't matter the medication, herb, etc. All have side effects. Your individual need and medical advice are biggest factors. Use caution with them. It's the long term side effects that worry me about steroids. Yes, I have been on them for varying periods of time. I ask doc and myself what is the expected outcomes? Use this to help decide. The doctor is making a recommendation based on your condition. The decision is yours. Please read and look at all information out there. Not just pharmaceutical companies information. EVERYTHING you can find. Your knowledge and awareness is there 24/7. Your doc is about only a few minutes in comparison. Be aware! My medical and personal experience have me with prejudices. Imagine being put on a common blood pressure med. Then imagine losing vision after a few months. This isn't unexpected with age and medical conditions. Then you, not doc or pharmacist investigate all medications. You discover that 2% of people on that med develop that problem. Med stopped. Eyesight returns. It was the returning that showed me how much I had lost. Again be aware!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'm about the most proactive person I know about my medical issues and those of my loved ones because of lifelong education and career in the scientific, pharmaceutical, medical and medical legal fields. I have a new eye problem called an orbital pseudotumor. It's rare, hard to treat and it's ONLY initial treatment is very high doses of Prednisone for a couple months with a long taper. They thought it was orbital lymphoma and that would have been almost easier to treat than this.

 

[rheashard2]

Sorry to hear this. Wishing you all the best.

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

Insomnia certainly intensivies any negative feeling you have. Right now I'm having to take lots of prednisone for a medical problem and it has lots of bad side effects including insomnia. My husband falls asleep almost instantly while I'm up half the night, so I understand your situation somewhat.

Getting your mind focused on something else like binge watching a good TV drama series helps my sister who is intensely grieving for her husband who died suddenly back in February. She gets overwhelmed by thoughts about his suffering, where is he now, never seeing him again, and being alone for the rest of her life. Redirecting her mind to focus on something else seems to be the best way to stop her negative racing thoughts.

I have to say that is me. When it is time for bed I am out like a light. It is my saving grace. If I do not sleep I can not process. Also when I ran into mental health issues this past year I was surprised/shocked/scared at how fast the birdies took a back seat.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Sorry to hear this. Wishing you all the best.

Thanks.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

We've gotten away from Vampiric's issues and I want her to know that we're still offering our support for her mental health problems. They're such a burden. How are you, girlfriend?

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

We've gotten away from Vampiric's issues and I want her to know that we're still offering our support for her mental health problems. They're such a burden. How are you, girlfriend?

LOL... No Worries! It was an interesting read!

As for me, ... feeling a lot better today! It must have been the insomnia triggering a psychotic episode. Fun. Like angry hornets . Thanks for being there, folks! **HUGE HUGE Hugs**

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Are Yvons "attacks" triggering any mental health episodes? It must be distressing for him to be acting like this but I know you are a very experienced parrot person so you may be taking that in stride.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Are Yvons "attacks" triggering any mental health episodes? It must be distressing for him to be acting like this but I know you are a very experienced parrot person so you may be taking that in stride.

Thankfully, no! Since I've been giving him more sleep, he's calmed down quite a bit and hasn't been a red-tailed velociraptor, LOL! If he did the lunges daily and dinged me, especially frequently, I'd be having mental health issues worse than they are now :O

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Thats what I hope doesn't happen because of Yvons behavior. Being "attacked" by your own parrot is distressing enough to anyone- having mental health issues can make it even tougher emotionally.

 

[rheashard2]

A statement; Nameliss can sense what's going on with me. Not unlike my service dog. She can tell my moods results either from physical or mental causes. If I am reacting because of physical origin; pain, migraine, sugars, I am treated gently. Spoken to softly, even allowed to stay in bed later. If my behavior is from mental problems I get the exact opposite. She yells, destroys, lunges etc. I have to make a big change in my mood and attitude to get her on track. It has to be a big change. Not merely going through motions. I can be up all night sick, cleaning, crochet etc and I am ignored. Her sleep appears normal. If I am up restless, ideas floating, (no matter if I'm quiet) she struggles to keep an eye on me. I get the angry bird treatment, noise, yelling etc. I use her and my service dog behavior to determine physical or mental root. Could Yvonn not knowing you well be picking up. He doesn't have your baseline. He doesn't understand or know what to do. So he is reacting aggressively. Fortunately time and learning techniques that help has decreased my episodes. Find a way to document your mood and behavior with Yvonn's behavior. I don't know if it's a Grey thing. But Nameliss is sensitive to moods of everyone around her. Her reactions depend on the person. When my daughter goes into a rant: Nameliss goes into irritating mom mode with chastising voice. If daughter is ill etc; daughter's name is called progressively louder until she responds.