Best Friends Club

[Spirit_Healer]

Definitely a 'let's chill and slow down' mode @Jynx !

My anxiety is the root cause of my mental healthy problems in the first place, even though it wasn't the first thing to be diagnosed. That's what happens in families and cultures where mental health is so strongly stigmatised - an eating disorder (which I had in primary school) is simply a digestive problem or a weak stomach, etc. Lack of education is another big problem, too.

I've tried to reign back the panic/fight/flight response to help-seeking, but it's hard when I'm usually go-go-go. I just got a call from my private psychiatrist's hospital's intake team - I vaguely remember completing an online form, but I selected an irrelevant-to-me option on the drop-down form. I don't know whether the intake staff member or I was more confused! In fact, I wanted to investigate Day Programs. Anyway, they've texted me the Day Programs contact number and it opens a 8am tomorrow morning.

Is anyone here familiar with Private Hospital Day Programs? From the brief phone conversation I had with Intake, it sounds like there might be a gap fee beyond what is covered by Private Health Insurance. I pay Basic Hospital Cover, but have never drawn on my insurance for any of my health needs before.

I still think PARC will be the best option for me: free and gives me a chance to have a break from my 24/7 carer, whose anxious behaviours are rubbing off on me and fuelling my anxiety in return. For the past two days, he has been obsessively giving a running commentary on everything I say or do. So that even my sibling overseas gets multiple updates in a day. It's totally unnecessary and breaches my privacy! And he's also micro-managing the dosing of my medications, especially the PRNs. He's a perfectionist and doesn't understand that mental health treatment is not an exact science; and it's not just about the medications!

So I'm anticipating my medical review appointment with the CATT team first appointment tomorrow. They had promised to call my Mum to tell her the time so she could take the morning off as I wanted. But when Mum got home, she had not received that phone call, so she will now go to work as usual. And I'm stuck with getting a lift/intrusion into my medical review apppointment with my Dad, whose interference I'm so sick of.

Fingers crossed I finally get a bed at PARC tomorrow.

@Oaktree @rav3n @Shaz51 @Glisten @Ru-bee @tyme 

[rav3n]

@ArraDreaming ohh i don't think i've tried risoni before but i do love risotto! sounds delish, the creamier the better in my opinion 😋

[Jynx]

@Spirit_Healer yes fingers very crossed!! 🤞

Thanks for sharing hun. Just out of curiosity, your full time carer is a paid role, or is it like a person from your own family/friends? Because that sounds awful, and not even remotely helpful or caring!! I would be anxious too 😳

That sucks about your dad. Do you have... I guess, ways to manage his behaviour or recover from its impacts?

[Spirit_Healer]

@Jynx I was being vague: My dad was made redundant in March and so he is my full- time carer. Mum is retirement age and still working full-time. Usually I am a full- time worker, too. 

I can tell he's overwhelmed by his caring for me, I can even hear the weakness and denial in his voice when he says he's doing fine. I think he doesn't want to accept that he can't do a perfect job of looking after his 'baby'. And I'm in my thirties!

We both need a break from each other. 

[Shaz51]

I am not surprised anymore @rav3n , @Jynx , @Ainjoule , @tyme , @Ru-bee 

[rav3n]

@Spirit_Healer having a family member as a carer can be hard, sometimes those boundaries are harder to set because of that familial relationship - makes a lot of sense why you'd want space!!! 
got my fingers crossed for you as well, hoping that PARC comes through with that bed for you! 💜

@Shaz51 not sure if i'm following, what aren't you surprised about?

[Shaz51]

Sorry @rav3n , it is about the weekend getaway being cancelled 

Hubby has cancelled things many time in the past that I really should not be surprised anymore 

[rav3n]

ohh yes, my brain sometimes mixes up threads oops! @Shaz51 

even though its not surprising, it still hurts. it's okay to be upset about it, sending you hugs 💜

is there anyone else you holiday with besides your hubby?

[Jynx]

@Spirit_Healer Oh! Sorry if I kinda, pushed you to be all reveal-y!

That is so true what @rav3n says too - the boundaries can get pretty blurry when it's family!! I am the 'baby' of my family too, they're always trying to protect me from stuff and I'm like... Umm not only am I in my 30's but I'm pretty sure my mental health and resilience is better than any of ya's! Lol 

What if you kinda... put the boundary in for him? Obvs depends on your relationship but something like, "Hey, I'm really noticing the impact this is having on you, and whilst I am incredibly grateful for all the support, those impacts can now be felt by me as well, and it is actually having a negative impact on my recovery. This isn't sustainable for either of us, so let's work together to find a different approach. I still want you to look after me, but I need you to look after you first." something like that?

@Shaz51 aww hun, that's rough! Maybe you gotta plan a little Shaz holiday, where you don't have to cater to anyone but you!! Or would you miss him too much? Teehee

[Shaz51]

No just hubby @rav3n  😊 @Jynx 

I will be OK,  we enjoy being together with whatever we are doing which is good 

Go shopping for some goodies for the weekend 

Amd getting my hair done tomorrow which will be great 👍 

🤣🤣😂 @Jynx 😊👍