I'm bored....

I don't often get bored but if there is a normal I am guessing this is it. I don't feel anything but I actually quite like it...

throwing away the pills....

I just flushed away the pills I bought the other day. I had to think about it for a little while tho'. I know you can not buy more than one box at the time. I was going to collect one box at the time until I had enough. I thought I would just start a collection incase one day I want to do it. But today I am in a good place and the depression has once again passed. I may collect some again in the future but today I don't want them in the house today...

Paranoid...

I have just read through my posts for the last month. When I getreally low I do get a bit delusional and paranoid. I was convinced someone would read my blog and no it was me. I was also so convinced that my line management hated me, I was a nuisance to the department and they were trying to upset me as much as possible in the hope I would resign. It seems a bit silly now but I was so upset and wanted to know what I had done wrong. In reality nothing had changed.

I still feel my ex-boss is a total idiot. I have managed not to even make eye contact with him all week. I feel so much better. I think it is just a personality clash but as I do not report to him any more I don't think I will make the effort to be civil anymore. I will say good morning and be totally professional when we need to work together. I will not try and help him at all or try to make him understand when he gets the wrong idea. He is no longer my problem as I am no longer his.

I feel released as I no longer care for what he thinks of me, he can do and say what he likes now and as I no longer have one ounce of respect for him, I don't think I care!! I have got more from my new supervisor in 2 weeks than he has given me in 12 months!

My blog may vanish again tomorrow, I've been up and down so much I don't know where I am. Today I feel calm tho' and this is the first time for quite a long time.

I've missed everyone, I hope you all come back...

I think I have got through 12 hours without a major cry or an hyperactive period. I hope all the hell is starting to pass...

Mixed Episodes....

I'm cycling all the time at the moment. One day I am buyng extra pils and the next day someone says something nice and I feel that lovely flight in my stomach. I'm going round and round every other day! It has to end somewhere...

They say rapid cycling is four episodes in 12 months. What the hell is this then!! I'm guessing the depression has turned into a mixed episode :o(.

I thought this was nice..

There comes a point in your life when you realize
who matters,
who never did,
who won't anymore...
and who always will.

So, don't worry about people from your past,
there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.


'Be kinder than necessary
because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'

Just been to the pub. I had to come home because I could not stop shaking. I'm definitely unstable and I do not think I will ge to work this week. I am sitting next to my mother and she has no idea how shaky and unwell I am. She still denies there is anything wrong with me.

I am not sharing my blog incase I decide to end it all. No one will take that decision from me! I will not allow it! I have no definitive plans at the moment!

NO ONE WILL TAKE AWAY THE LITTLE CONTROL I HAVE!! I WILL NOT ALLOW IT!!!!

The happiness was short lived. I can't remember what I called my ex boss on Friday but it was not polite. It was followed by "I am glad I no longer report to you, and I will keep all comunication minimal and professional from now on". I almost hope I am disciplined for this. I do not think it would be grounds for out right dismisal but a written warning would not surprise me at all!

My mood is so low I just keep staring at the walls. I keep getting dressed and going through the motions just for something to do. I bought a box of paracetemol at the garage when i filled up with petrol. I think I'll collect a few more so I have a way out if things don't get any better.

I'm shouting and screaming for someone to talk to me at work but the more frustrated and upset I get the less I can comunicate. My boss is in Germany now, the languauge and geographical barrier is far greater than I ever dreamt it would be. I can't keep going like this much longer.

Happier...

Yesterday I got home from work and suddenly felt a lot brighter and happier. Everything at work came more easily today and I even participated in the meetings. I hope this is the start of a happier period. I hope it lasts a while...

I didn't like being private, the therapeutic value of telling the world disapeared!

Gone Private

As I have now shared my diagnoses with my management the risk of someone from work stumbling across my blog has significantly increased. Therefore I have gone private for a while. I liked being public, it was good therapy talking to the world. I'm thinking of talking about work less and goingpublic again in a few months. I'll just see how it goes...

Anger!!!

My ex-boss is either a complete total tosser or he is taking advantage of my low mood and lack of confidence. I like to think good of people so I am going with the first option with a little bit of ignorance on his side. But God I feel vulnerable and unhappy. I did not realise people could be like that and I have never felt such hatred for anyone before. I have never hated anyone so much....

Everytime I talk to my sister she naggs that I m not talkative, that I sound tired and tells me off for not looking after myself. Is this what family support is suppose to be like!!! I want to throw things at her.

I don't feel there is anyone in the world who I can talk to :o(

Life is so much easier,
I'm getting through my work,
eating sensibly,
keeping the place tidy.
But GOD I AM BORED!!!

Sedated...

I have been taking extra Quetiapine and today I have reached a happy state. I think about all the troubles, all the changes at work, the closer supervision and the thoughts leave my mind as soon as they enter. To hold any thoughts in my mind I have to struggle and put some effort in.

I'm happy for now. I feel so much better and relaxed. I'm still a little concerned about work but maybe not concerned enough rather than too much, or maybe just the right amount of concern, who knows!!! This is bliss. I can rest. It is just like my brain has gone on holiday.

I'm starting a list of things I need to talk to my new supervisor about next week. My manager has not said anything about my diagnosis, I'd prefer to know a little about whether he is being sympathetic or just looking at this as another problem to overcome. Still a little anxious here.

I've decided to ask for help when needed and believe me if their attitude towards me changes I will take it all as far as I possibly can through any courts that will listen and the legal system. I'm sedated but not stupid and not a push over. This being patient and waiting is only possible because of the meds.

I'm worried that I am too self centred too! All my effort goes into managing the illness I don't often get time for anything else. I went to see my friend tonight but I could not talk to her and she did not appear interested.

Positive Action

I took 300mg of quetiapine again last night. I took 200mg at 9.30pm but when I was still awake at 11pm I took another 100mg. I finally got to sleep after midnight but I did sleep well.

I got to work quite late. This morning I sent my health details and the 'reasonable adjustments' I think would help me to my manager. I mentioned the flexible working hours for the mornings when I am drowsy as well as the need to be clear when giving feedback and putting all feedback into context.

I found this website really helpful...

• Mental health and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
• Mental health and work

My manager thanked me for my openess, said there is no need to apologise for getting upset the other day and said he would take sometime to think about it all carefully.

This afternoon I went to see my psychiatrist and discussed recent events. I am going to permanently increase the quetiapine and it is ok to take a little extra when needed to help me sleep.

I'm going to the gym tonight! I hope I have hit rock bottom now and things will start getting better!

That's it!!

I'm sick to death of fighting. I'm depressed, fed up and give up!!
I've had enough of fighting this depression and I am now going to do nothing. I don't want to be a vulnerable victim so I will just give up and take loads of medication and sleep!

a bit better today...

I've had a better day to day but I still feel so low. My confidence has had a major knock as it all relied on work and my success at work. Now I know that those who built my confidence did so on a wonky foundation. I am not good, at least not as good as anyone else in the office. They have been so patronising saying yes you are good, just not as good as me and not as good as anyone else because they are just better. So where does that leave me!!!!

I've had friends round this afternoon, we went for dinner. One of my friends stayed a bit longer and we went for a drink. I talked a bit and again it is helping me get things back in perspective.

I took extra quetiapine last night to help me sleep. I do not like the dizzy sensation it gives me. I'm staying completely off alcohol for the time being. I will take extra quetiapine again tonight just to make sure I sleep. When I woke up this morning my limbs were so heavy but today my mind has rested.

Tomorrow I am going to the gym and in the evening I am going o a pub quiz with a friend. I am still trying to keep busy and get things back into perspective.

Work sucks and I am angry at some people. I guess it is better I am hating them than hating myself. I like my job and other colleagues just a few have been arseholes.

I have been let down by those I rely on....

I finally managed to pin my supervisor and line manager down and discuss my job title. I learned that they have no problem with my performance or my ability but it as just not as good as anyone elses in the department. I also learned that they have every faith in my ability but I have not been given the opportunities to develop further. And whose bloody fault is that!!!!

At least I now have something solid I can work with and now I am extremely angry with those I trusted. I blame them. I was stupid enough to trust these people and when they told me I was doing well I believed them. When it came down to putting anything in writing they could not show I was as good as any other. They say I am good at what I do but have not been given the opportunities. I am so angry with these people. Why didn't they tell me I could do these things better and show me how. I feel so vulnerable and I feel these people have taken advantage of me and my need for their approval.

I have a job I love and they are asking what they can do to help. Or some anyway. A colleague rang me when I was very upset this week and his concern both surprised and showed me that on some level he cares. Even if he was more worried it was personal than for my welfare he has been kind. My old supervisor although caring does not hide the fact that it is a part of his job and any support stops at 5pm. My manager has seen childish aggressive behavior from me and I do not think he understands why. My new supervisor is yet to realise what hell she is in for.

The sallary is good, the flexible working is essential with my medication and this is all in the past. I believe altho' this mapping process is tough and unfair there is now a structure to change things. Do I flee in anger and start job hunting or do I stay in an enviroment I feel has been bad for me and stay with I have taken advantage of me. The interview process maybe worse tho'.

My Plan for getting help...

If there is cause for stress,

1. I will approach the person who can help.
   I will listen to the response and try not to think too much.
2. If can not take a rationale approach I will talk to my new supervisor.
3. If this does not help I talk to my old supervisor
4. Next the occupational health nurse
5. Next an emergency appointment with my psychiatrist
6. Next my GP through the usual roots
7. NHS direct
8. A & E
9. Psychiatrists emergency number

In all instances I must break the cyclie of automatic negative thoughts! I'll read up on some techniques for doing this myself too!

Loosing Control.....

I came so close to loosing control and letting things run away with me yesterday. I don't know what to write first, there is just so much. All my senses are now on edge to try and recover what is true and what thoughts have been the result of my mind racing and going over automatic negative thoughts.

Here's a few thoughts I have which I think are still rational...

• I get just enough strength to do the next task, no more and no less.
• My job is in no danger from any of my actions, despite any current changes in the department.
• My tasks may change but my sallary is secure
• My sallary is secure and therefore my flat, gym membership and independence is secure
• I will not give up any of my control or independence without a fight. I will not let anyone take these from me.
• I will not work past 6pm during this stressful period
• I will continue to ask for and demand help as needed. I will be specific about the help needed to prevent any over crowding.

I WILL KEEP CONTROL OF MY LIFE!!!