What do you do when all your coping skills only help a little?
Image view of blue sky from hole in ground
I am in a pit. I know it will pass, but it feels agonizing. My dog and husband try to comfort me, it helps some. I had thoughts of not existing but I have decided against that. I am here to stay, even if I am miserable. I want to quit things that cause me stress. My husband wants me to wait a month to make Important decisions.
I am not sure what I would do with more free time. My therapist moved my appointments further and further out because I was doing well and had trouble coming up with things to talk about. So, he moved me to “as needed”. Now, I need it but I have to wait for a time he can fit me in. I see my third psychiatrist this year next week. My insurance has been denying claims.
If you have any tips on how to ride this out please comment
I saw my therapist today telehealth. One thing he asked me was what do I do for fun or to relax. My knee jerk reaction was that I don’t know how, but I corrected myself. I am a couch potato but I enjoy computer games. I am happy on my couch with my dog typing right now. He asked what is one thing I have always wanted to do, for example, travel, and would I be disappointed if I never do it. I rarely travel, and would like to, but I don’t have a dream destination that I would be upset about not going. I can vacation in my backyard. We go on short overnight trips about an hour away that I enjoy.
It did get me thinking, though, I want to visit my sister in Boston when the weather is nicer. She suggested summer or fall, I have been there once when she first moved but it was a different house. She has a lake she likes to go to that I want to see. I can start planning that trip. My nephew is getting married out of the country but I don’t think I will go. I would like to but it won’t upset me not to be there. Just the coat is too much.
I have new health insurance and took a survey and the result said I am depressed but I feel fine. I am going to ignore that result.
I joined this zoom journaling group through the Mighty. I know everyone has a health condition, not sure if it is all mental health. They list prompts, give 10 minutes to write, share and then repeat. It goes for 3 hours but I leave early because I have another zoom, DBSA later. I feel like my writing is rainbows and puppy dogs and other people go deep. They are nice to me, I can’t go this week but I think I will continue. I know I have other emotions they just aren’t being prompted.
i zoomed with endocrinologist after therapist.My labs were good. I told her I stopped keto in dec and don’t want to go back to where I started but I don’t like logging food and counting carbs. She said I can visually see if my meals are less than 1/4 starchy carbs. I fill myself up with veggies. Beans are my main starchy food. I can do that.
I got a call from an old co worker. we worked at an activity center for adults with mental health issues. we have both moved on. he is now working at a new peer advocacy non profit, I don’t know if it is the grass looking greener. I am content where I am but get antsy when I am not busy I have a lot of down time that should change once I can get trained on some more tasks.
Image: Yorkie with words you just won a free pet portrait from I’ll shoot your pets a $250 value!
I was at a Halloween event at Hala’s Paws pet store in Mission Viejo, CA. I entered raffles and won 2 prizes. A Target gift card and a photo shoot of my dog by I’ll Shoot Your Pets located in Temecula, CA. They came over to my house to take pictures bringing a toy and treats to get his attention. Raider was pretty cooperative, but grew restless by the end. He was laying on the couch so the photographer took pictures of him there. The pictures turned out great. I had the choice of a large canvas photo, 3 8×10 prints or a ceramic mug. I have a large picture my niece made with pastel on wood, so I opted for the 8x10s. Here is the link to the photos.
I own a small amount of shares from a company I used to work at in the 1990s. I received a package in the mail of documents that they want to buy the shares back. I want to sell. The only thing is I misplaced the certificate and it is over $100 to replace it. Then I can sell and make a small profit. My friend says it does not sound legitimate. The company is definitely buying the stocks back. He just thinks I should be able to do it all electronically. I have never sold stock or tried to replace a certificate. I have the holdings statement. I am going to look through our files this weekend and try to find the certificate.
The hearing aids are in limbo, my primary dr got them authorized but it is not with the right company, so they are working to get that straightened out. I will have them by the end of the year. I just don’t know when. They can’t order without the insurance authorization so for now I am just waiting.
I am going on a walk for NAMI Orange County, CA tomorrow. I am bringing a friend and will see people I know there. I have a fundraiser on Facebook and the Nami walks website. I have met my goal and will add to my collection of T-shirts.
The position I applied to transfer to changed from full time to per diem weekends so I withdrew. I will keep my eyes open. Fortunately, I like what I am doing now. When I told my friend I was anxious just deciding if I should apply he said “ don’t suffer twice”. I wish I knew how to turn off precipitatory anxiety. Now, I can relax.
I will keep blogging. The reason I was drawn to TikTok is that I went to an online NAMI CA conference and someone recommended a few users on TikTok. I liked what I saw and would like to add to that. I am older and not very technologically adept so we shall see how long I last. I did make some periscope videos when those were a thing, but few people came.
I am doing well. I just took my dog, Raider, to a Halloween event at a pet store. They had treats for dogs and people, lots of dogs dressed up, raffles, an artist, a dog rescue with the cutest puppies. Raider gets nervous but he seemed to have a good time meeting the other dogs. I just put a bandana on him. I entered the raffles. One prize is a portrait of your dog which would be awesome. We have one that my niece made that I love.
My health insurance, including behavioral health, changes Jan 1. My psychiatrist takes the new insurance. My therapist doesn’t but can apply for continuation of care and if it is approved the new insurance will cover her. Otherwise, I found someone highly recommended who takes the new insurance but retires in 2023. I was really anxious at first but now I am calm since it should work out.
ETA: hey I won the pet portrait from I’llShoot Your Pets (gotta love the name). So excited! and a Target gift card.
I have had sinus congestion and headaches off and on for a couple of weeks. It is finally starting to clear up. I swear I have a barometer in my head and get headaches when it is about to rain. We had a storm with thunder and lightening and then my head started to clear.
My husband and I went to San Diego for a couple of days to celebrate 25 years of marriage. Mental health issues can be hard on relationships and I am glad we have been able to get through all of these years. My daughter stayed home with the dog. I don’t think she missed us but the dog did. We mostly relaxed and ate. Everything was walking distance from where we stayed.
The first night we went to a restaurant, Rockin’ Baja Lobster. We were there at happy hour. I went way off my keto diet and even had a few drinks. The next day we had lunch at a Brazilian steakhouse, Fogo de Chao. It was fancy but we just had the salad bar. It was pretty filling. That night we went to a dueling piano bar, The Shout House. That was a lot of fun. They called people up on stage which would have embarrassed me.
Now we are home and getting back into our routine. My mother in law is taking us out tonight and then I go back on keto. I plan on going alcohol free until April. I belong to some Facebook groups for moderate alcohol drinking. I asked about any live groups and was told about one over zoom. I went, but when I told them I drink twice a year the host was surprised and I felt like I did not belong. My issue was, I am not sure if I want to expand on that, but I think I figured out what I want to do on my own. I am keeping alcohol out of the house, but if we go to an event where I am not driving I am giving myself the option to drink. With Covid there have not been many social occasions.
I have health insurance through my husband’s work. They decided to change insurance companies coming in January. Our PCPs are in network but behavioral health is different. As far as psychiatrists, I have been on the same regimen for years so I mainly just need someone to refill my prescriptions. But, I have so much trouble finding a therapist I click with. I like the one I have now, but she does not take the new insurance. I have been searching but I don’t know how to look. I found one therapist who is great, but is retiring in 2023. I am not sure if I want to start all over then.
(I was told he was shih tzu X poodle by his previous owner)
His estimated weight is 33 lbs though and he is full grown and about 20. I don’t know how accurate that result usually is.
I am very pleased with the results. He is also clear of 165 genetic conditions.
I discovered he has a trait for low ALT (a liver enzyme they use to test liver function). It is not harmful, but it is useful to know so they can interpret his test results properly.
I have been lookng for a dog that matches with my family and I finally found one. He is a poodle/shih tzu mix. His previous owner was moving to an apartment that does not accept dogs.
He has made himself at home and seems to be adjusting well.
It will be good for me to have to get up to walk him. And he is comforting
My children are teenagers and excited that he is here.
I am excited to go shopping for him tomorrow. We have food and some suppies already.
I found a website with a forum on dogs called http://www.dogforum.com
Stronger Than You Think 