Sometimes my frame of mind prevents me from stringing 2 coherent thoughts together. Rather than fight it I’ll try and work with it.
This depression is kicking my tail. I am not suicidal, but I just can’t do anything. Having a hard time getting out of bed, going to work, or doing much of anything. Music is bringing me little pleasure, I’m not laughing at my favorite TV shows, and I don’t have the motivation to exercise or work out. I did take my youngest daughter fishing on Saturday and got a lot of enjoyment watching her catch a few small fish. But by and large, I’m not enjoying much of anything. My wife has been exceedingly understanding over the last 2 months, but her patience has to be wearing thin with a husband who has no motivation. I hope this turns around quickly.
My son Kyle has hit a rough patch. I don’t know if it was him, or if his girlfriend slipped and dragged him with her. But things were not good for him, or us, over the last week. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he works through this bump in the recovery road.
A few news stories caught my eye in the last week.
Police, Family Disagree About Events After Call
"A 911 call for help from the family of a teenager early Sunday resulted in … family members claiming that they were abused by police…(The mother) called for help with her 17-year-old son, Dakota, about 1 a.m. when he began ‘acting strangely’ and ‘making statements about hurting himself’. "
I’ll be the first to stand up for police in most scenarios, I can’t imagine putting my life on the line every time I go to work. But something went horribly wrong in this scenario. The police lost control of the situation, and ended up arresting the mother, other family members, and even a minister that lived next door when he tried to assist. It’s a wonder nobody was seriously hurt or killed. NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness) sponsors CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training. According to local contacts, many in the Omaha Police Department have completed the training, but it’s never a large enough percentage, is it? I can’t help but feel if the responding officers had been CIT trained, the problems would not have arisen. What’s unfortunate is this family, and many others, will hesitate to call 911 in the future if a family member is in crisis. THIS is the tragedy in this situation.
(Senator Gordon H.)Smith Unveils Legislation to Improve Access to Mental Health Care
Senator Gordon H. Smith (R-OR) introduced legislation today aimed at improving access to community-based mental health care facilities. The bill, the Community-Based Mental Health Infrastructure Improvement Act, provides federal funding to create and expand facilities that offer local access to mental health treatment.
"Mental illness is just as deadly and serious as a physical illness," said Senator Smith. "Suicide takes the lives of more than 30,000 people each year, with more than 700,000 attempts. While effective treatment exists for most people, access to care continues to be a challenge in many parts of Oregon. A federal commitment is needed to ensure care is available when and where it is needed."
This depression is kicking my tail. I am not suicidal, but I just can’t do anything. Having a hard time getting out of bed, going to work, or doing much of anything. Music is bringing me little pleasure, I’m not laughing at my favorite TV shows, and I don’t have the motivation to exercise or work out. I did take my youngest daughter fishing on Saturday and got a lot of enjoyment watching her catch a few small fish. But by and large, I’m not enjoying much of anything. My wife has been exceedingly understanding over the last 2 months, but her patience has to be wearing thin with a husband who has no motivation. I hope this turns around quickly.
My son Kyle has hit a rough patch. I don’t know if it was him, or if his girlfriend slipped and dragged him with her. But things were not good for him, or us, over the last week. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he works through this bump in the recovery road.
A few news stories caught my eye in the last week.
Police, Family Disagree About Events After Call
"A 911 call for help from the family of a teenager early Sunday resulted in … family members claiming that they were abused by police…(The mother) called for help with her 17-year-old son, Dakota, about 1 a.m. when he began ‘acting strangely’ and ‘making statements about hurting himself’. "
I’ll be the first to stand up for police in most scenarios, I can’t imagine putting my life on the line every time I go to work. But something went horribly wrong in this scenario. The police lost control of the situation, and ended up arresting the mother, other family members, and even a minister that lived next door when he tried to assist. It’s a wonder nobody was seriously hurt or killed. NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness) sponsors CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training. According to local contacts, many in the Omaha Police Department have completed the training, but it’s never a large enough percentage, is it? I can’t help but feel if the responding officers had been CIT trained, the problems would not have arisen. What’s unfortunate is this family, and many others, will hesitate to call 911 in the future if a family member is in crisis. THIS is the tragedy in this situation.
(Senator Gordon H.)Smith Unveils Legislation to Improve Access to Mental Health Care
Senator Gordon H. Smith (R-OR) introduced legislation today aimed at improving access to community-based mental health care facilities. The bill, the Community-Based Mental Health Infrastructure Improvement Act, provides federal funding to create and expand facilities that offer local access to mental health treatment.
"Mental illness is just as deadly and serious as a physical illness," said Senator Smith. "Suicide takes the lives of more than 30,000 people each year, with more than 700,000 attempts. While effective treatment exists for most people, access to care continues to be a challenge in many parts of Oregon. A federal commitment is needed to ensure care is available when and where it is needed."
and extreme mania lately and really battling it with great efforts to avoid the hospital.
..seeing therapist everyday, tweeked the meds, and seem to be well doing some better, still see and hear things but the skin sensation of when someone touches you feels like their punching you has faded somewhat, NOT gone, but fading it seems..
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...for obviously it got worse, I got worse, I went on spending sprees,suicidal thoughts rampid and I basically was on the edge when finally got some help....but the "stigma" kept me away for almost TOO long...
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My bp has been wrecking havoc on me since I had a hysterectomy 6 weeks ago. Spent the last week stuck on stupid, just can't think at all. But it is what is for now. Just don't ask me to remember or do anything beyond a bare,minimal function. I am very depressed but if I don't laugh at being in this state, I'll lose it. The police and courts do need more training on menal illness and resulting behaviors. Would help us alot. I myself have been involuntarily committed due to throwing a phone in the er after cuttin my wrists. they didn't like me being angry at my husband who wasn't supporting me at the time. Another friend lost it and spent 5 months in jail after spitting in an officer's face while depressed. Makes no sense to me. May you feel better soon and know you are not alone and your thinking seems just fine in print. So write your heart out!!
wow Greg I hear you and i thought the same things about my hubby when he went on meds. at last he gave it a try none of them worked really well I think it is rule of thumb and play it safe .If it is putting people into more jeropody and sending them back to the doctor in worse shape cut it out ..I almost think it is better to go through an episode then to dilute the whole person with stuff that does not work suiccidal thoguths are nnot uncommon for any one but with Bipolar it can reach climaxes of disorientationa nd sweating it out then the average person.
what a life it really stinks for the depressed souls like yourself maybe a brisk walk even if you cannot get off your butt to do it imagine it till it starts to happen. And a good cry about stuff only you could cry about it it is alright to be a bit selfish when you hit a bottom and a strong insight from the God up above he wants to help ..he has seen this stuff going on for years now he knows what a dump we live in emotionally.My Mom just died and I cried like a baby in front of my whole family for an hour.... we had a family meeting and I was fine till something was said and I had just spent 3 days with her till her last breath and I was exhausted so I broke like a pallet board in artists studio I bawled my eyes out I asked for part of her ashes I went all weird then I was fine... ... then I cried again then I was Ok ...but it sure helped me and I felt like an ******* to my family but they did not care it was natural ..........do not blame yourself for the illness and just know the light is around the corner and this to shall pass ...who cares if if the depression locks you in to much fight it like you are fighting for your kid's right to stay alive .
Polarlight,
First, I love your name. It might be a reference to your location, but even though we may be at a "pole", we're a light shining.
You made an interesting statement:
...I almost think it is better to go through an episode then to dilute the whole person with stuff that does not work...
When I started my treatment I was very afraid of losing who I was due to medication. I found a medication that handled many of my symptoms without changing me too much. It can be painful to find that right med, but it can also be worth it.
Thanks for taking the time to read and leave a comment.