Tag Archive | Health

Beware the saboteur…..

May15

Losing weight is hard enough, but to have a saboteur waiting in the wings is rather galling. Especially when it’s my husband who has promised his support in my quest to be a little slimmer. 

Mmmmm….it didn’t last long.

Inspired by my Facebook friend who will soon  be half the woman she was by the time I next meet her for lunch, I forced myself to change into my new (bigger) running shorts and trainers and headed for the treadmill in the garage armed with bottle of water and sweat towel. (It made me feel good even if I knew that I wouldn’t be able to do much first time out.)

I struggled to remember where the “on” switch is :( but managed to sort myself out with a suitable speed (not very fast) and incline (not very steep) and a quiz programme to watch on the TV so I could get going.

I had only walked for 2 minutes when I realised that hubby, bless him, had come into the garage and lit up a cigarette! I don’t like smoke at the best of times, but after psyching myself up to start exercising, I didn’t need to be running through a fog of nicotine and my clothes to smell of smoke. So, I stopped. And I swore. And I shouted. And I stormed off in a sulk.

I’m still sulking but sanguine. Hubby’s still hiding in the Doghouse (local pub).

Tomorrow’s another day.

Here we go again!

May15

Portion control, planning, plenty of water and Pro-Points. It can only be WEIGHTWATCHERS!

The time has come to knuckle down and shift some of this excess blubber. It has to happen before it’s too late and becomes a permanent fixture into my dotage. I almost started my latest weight-loss journey yesterday, but an attack of the shakes travelling home on the train  (low blood sugar) scuppered my valiant attempt and desperately searching through my handbag I miraculously found a bar of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk!

Now I could have got away with that (I get 49 points a week to spend on misdemeanours) if I hadn’t then heard the news that Alex McCleish had been sacked by Aston Villa.  Celebration was a must and so we stopped off at the pub on the way home for a couple of “pints on Alex”!  More misdemeanours and points running short in supply.

This morning however, a friend of mine posted on Facebook that she has just lost 3 stones, and is starting out on ditching stone number 4. WOW! What an achievement and so inspirational just at the right time for me. Back on track and a successful day. I need lots more successful days.

Determination, discipline and dedication.

It must be WEIGHTWATCHERS.

I’m fed up…

Jan12

no, not with life. With the constant stream of celebrities and high-profile sportsmen and women admitting to having depression. In itself this is not a bad thing, it’s just that it’s getting boring. Those of us who suffer with depression know how debilitating it is; know how it affects work and family and even with the spurt of admissions from well-known people over the past 12-18 months has anything changed?

I’m not sure. It all seems very “old hat” and repetitive. So what we need now  is for someone to highlight the next steps. What has the Government, NHS, businesses, charities, anyone done to improve treatment of depression and eliminate the stigma attached to mental illness? Undoubtedly it helps if more people talk about mental illness but someone needs to listen to the man and woman “on the street” too. Everyone who is struggling to cope under difficult circumstances not just those in the public eye.

I have particular sympathy with sportsmen and women with the ultimate in competitive personality  who don’t get the psychological support required in this day and age to cope with the extreme ups and downs of competition. That is a failing in our sporting structure that we are aeons behind other countries in looking after the mental health welfare of our sports stars but even so, they are only a small minority when considering the impact of depression on the population as a whole. Have Freddie, Stan, Brian et al had to endure a “fit to work” assessment from ATOS?  I’d be interested to know what the GB Olympic Committee have done to minimise the risk of post-Olympic depression as suffered by some after Beijing. 

I’m lucky. Having admitted to my depression 18 months ago, my employer has made mental health it’s priority for 2012 and is involved with several initiatives to try to help all employees who are debilitated by mental illness and to educate all employees in how to avoid stress-related depression. We are not perfect but we are trying. I hope that the recent revelations by the likes of Freddie and Stan lead to positive action being taken to help everyone.

Afterall I believe that this is no longer an illness suffered by the minority. It is more widespread that anyone can imagine.

Let’s DO something about it.

Devastating depression

Jan10

As Mental Health Champion at work I regularly get calls from my colleagues asking for information, support and guidance about depression either for themselves or for others they know who are suffering. I am often talking to people in confidence about their life, friends and family and privy to sensitive and personal information revealed as a result of their low mood and obvious symptoms that something is very wrong. All this in the hope that I will be able to help in some small way.

Thankfully I am pleased to say that I can usually help if only by giving them information about where to get the help and support offered by our employer, friends, family and mental health organisations together with the clinical support critical to early diagnosis and improved chances of complete recovery. I pride myself on my ability to listen without judgement and to offer practical solutions to immediate concerns. By being open and honest about my experience with depression I am helping others fight and come to terms with their own battles against mental illness and importantly fighting the stigma still attached to mental illness.

Not a lot shocks me any more. As Indiana Jones quotes in Raiders of the Lost Ark, “It’s not the years, it’s the mileage” and I have covered a good few many miles over my half a century so all in all I tend to take things that people tell me in my stride. Since being back at work after the Christmas and New Year holidays however I have been truly shocked. Shocked not with what people have confided in me, but bowled over by the sheer number of calls, texts, emails and meetings I have had with colleagues asking for help. This is so sad. January is always a difficult time for many with long, dark days. Too much month left until PayDay and an overall deflated feeling after the over-hyped celebrations of Christmas and New Year but somehow this year feels worse than usual.

For me personally I have already seen a good friend signed off work for a month with suspected BPD; A team trying to deal with open and misguided prejudice against a colleague off sick with depression; someone else re-admitted to The Priory Clinic just 5 months after a failed suicide attempt. If I know this number of people and a lot more besides who are suffering with depression, anxiety or other mental illness how many more are out there? You may know a few; a lot; no-one if you are lucky but please spare a thought for those in despair and try to help where you can.

We all know that the economic situation ain’t great. People generally have less money than before and reading the newspaper headlines can be depressing in itself. But remember. You don’t need money to show compassion and help others who are struggling to cope. Depression is non-discriminatory and is no respecter of riches or achievements. Depression can strike anyone at anytime and I for one would like to know that in times of trouble I can rely on my friends, family and colleagues to be patient, kind and understanding so I can get back on my own two feet as soon as I possibly can.

Bear this in mind, not just this month, but all year. It’s not too late to add another resolution to your tally.

“Be kind”

The Samaritans

08457 909090

Goodbye 2011, hello 2012

Jan1

Like many people I found 2011 a challenging and demanding year for a number of reasons, the most frustrating of them was feeling below par mentally, physically and emotionally. Good health should never be taken for granted and I realise now that I am “at that age” (as everyone keeps telling me) when I have to work at keeping as healthy as I can. It’s not so easy maintaining a sensible weight and building sufficient exercise into my daily working routine. I need to relax more and look after myself if I am to see in many, many more New Years to come!

So.

My New Year’s resolutions are just that. Look after myself. Eat healthy foods. Exercise a little more and enjoy whatever life brings along the way. I’m not setting targets or deadlines as I can find them counter-productive if not met so I will try my best to keep my resolutions at the forefront of my thinking so I don’t lose the overall focus of just being healthier all round.

Fingers crossed that this time next year I will be lighter, healthier, buzzing with energy and “looking forward” to celebrating my half-century!

Fat & fifty?- No thanks.

Fighting-fit, fabulous, feisty and fifty?- absolutely.

Bring it on! 

 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2011

Nov15

We are fast approaching International Day of Persons with Disabilities recognised each year on December 3rd. The 2011 theme?

“Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development”

A great committment for sure but I prefer something a bit more simple and closer to home so for 3rd December 2011 I am going to pull together some inspiring stories and artwork (photos, paintings, crafts, musings) from some very talented people who suffer with mental illness and collate them in a celebration of our combined and extensive ABILITY.

This is assuming of course that we think that depression and other forms of mental illness are disabilities and we consider ourselves disabled.  It would seem that the majority of people surveyed in research carried out by the Depression Alliance and RADAR during 2009/10 thought that depression is a disability and are prepared to badge themselves as disabled in order to tap into a number of resources only available to the disabled community.

And what do I hope to achieve by showcasing this talent produced by the “mentally disabled?”

  • Mental illness should not be a barrier to achievement and success.
  • With encouragement and support we can live normal lives and recover to hold down jobs, look after our families and enjoy ourselves.
  • We are resilient and loyal
  • We are exceptionally talented and we should exhibit this talent freely.

I know lots and lots of very talented people across all spheres who have mental illness of one type or another so I may have to dedicate all my posts during December to this cause. I will enjoy doing that and I will be in touch with you soon…….

Big Ben on a winter evening - Drawings - Gallery

Big Ben on a winter’s evening-by Stephen Wiltshire

Contrasting fortunes-the cycle of depression

Nov15

Yesterday I spent time with two of my colleagues and the difference in their moods could not have been more marked. I had lunch with the lovely “K” who was bubbly, brimming over with newly found confidence and self-approval, smiley, chatty, shoulders back and eyes glinting full of mischief. A woman on a mission to make the most of the moment. Only “K” could come to the table with a glorious salad piled high only then to reach into her bag to find the cheese, salad dressing and croutons/sprinkles/crispy bits (whatever they’re called) to complete the spread! She kept me entertained for a good hour and it was great to see her so full of life and energy after so many tearful and difficult times.

This is the wonderful side of the human mind. With the right encouragement, treatments, inspiration and motivation, the support of friends, family and colleagues it has an amazing ability to recuperate and regenerate positivity from the pit of despair and despondency.

 Simply amazing and long may it last!

Unfortunately, “A” isn’t in such a good place right now. Overwhelmed and under pressure, tears welled as she spoke of her current low mood. Each problem individually manageable but collectively insurmountable and with little energy left over from fighting the depression she faces a constant stream of routine daily battles just to get through the day. All those things that people take for granted; having a shower, cleaning your teeth, eating breakfast, driving to work, facing the crowds on the train. Struggling in vain to concentrate with a mind that wanders and flits unproductively from task to task. Tired and worried. A vicious circle and a negative downward spiral awaits unless the self-critical behaviour is arrested.

Hopefully, “A” will find the strength and courage to face the battles with hope and belief that all will be well in the end given time and gets the support she deserves from her friends, family and colleagues. “A” is usually the strong one. The carer and nurturer. I just hope that she takes some time out for herself and gives herself a chance to regain her positive and capable self soon.

She’s taken the first, and often most difficult step in talking about it. It’s onwards and upwards from here “A”.

You go girl. We’re with you all the way. :)

Can a leopard change it’s spots?

Nov10

After some deliberation I have come to the conclusion that metaphorically speaking, although it would be amazing to think that leopards could change their spots, tigers their stripes, and Ethiopians the colour of their skin, fundamental change will only happen if the  leopard/tiger/Ethiopian really wants to change their ways. There has to be huge effort on their part to achieve change and no amount of persuasion, comfort or reassurance by others can overcome a lack of desire to change permanently if comfort can still be found in the normality of sadness, frustration, anxiety or depression.

Do some people “chose” to be sad, depressed, or anxious? Consciously I think not. Who would go through  the misery and upset that negative and low mood brings to a person, their friends and family? Subconsciously however, it may be a little more tricky to be so sure. There is often some comfort to be found in retreating into familiar negative territory of low mood, anxiety, depression and general malaise. It feels normal. It’s a good excuse to “duck out” of certain situations and there is always the back-up of ”some people just don’t get IT” when you need to justify anti-social behaviour.

Can people change? Really change?

Depression, anxiety and fluctuating moods can be overcome and yes, I believe that once you come to terms with this and believe that you can change, it can happen. It takes a lot of hard work. It takes courage and it takes humility and trust in others.

You may need to change your lifestyle choices, your attitude and your routine.

You will certainly need the help of your family, friends and colleagues so don’t be afraid to ask.

Be yourself. Even if at heart you are a leopard with no spots to change.

A lion.

Extremes

Sep14

The past two days have been blighted by extreme mood swings which resulted in a dismal, despondent and very tearful Sunday evening followed by a wary start to Monday, ending happily on a very positive note. For someone who takes regular medication with the expectation that it keeps my mood upbeat but stable these swings are unwelcome and totally unpredictable.

I have started to keep a diary as I suspect a visit to my GP/psychologist may be required to discuss these huge variations in my mood but I need to identify some sort of pattern if I can.

To help me do this, I will be returning to Moodscope, the online mood monitoring tool in the hope that it will help me shed light on the patterns and causes. I suspect that there is something going on apart from my depression but we will see in a few weeks time.

In the meantime, my friends once again came to my rescue and helped me through the desperation and I thank them most sincerely for their patience and forbearance.

No elephants at our picnic!

Jun6

The topic of  depression can often be the ultimate “elephant in the room“. When depression is mentioned or revealed people often react by looking at their feet, up at the ceiling, anywhere but looking you in the eye and instead resort to shuffling their feet in embarrassment and fear of what to say in response. A rampaging elephant on heat in the room would be more welcome.

Whilst the reaction I have received over the last 12 months to my admission that I have depression has been nothing but supportive and positive, I recognise the “elephant” syndrome from previous experiences.

So how joyous was it yesterday to meet up with fellow Depression Alliance members, depression sufferers, friends, Samaritan volunteers and representatives from MIND for a picnic and to be able to talk openly and honestly about our personal experiences of depression with our “tribe”. It was fantastic and we should do it more often.

If only we can get more people to talk about depression, accept it as an illness like any other, realise that those who get depression are usually the nicest people around and the most dedicated to their work, and that one day we will surely be part of the  majority not the minority so be nice to us NOW! we will have done a good job by educating those who are lucky enough not to have the Black Dog sitting on their shoulder.

In the meantime, picnics like this, social gatherings arranged for like-minded people and their families are the perfect way to embrace this illness and get real support from those who understand.

Picnic now! It’s fun, therapeutic, an opportunity to soak up the rays and boost those Vitamin D levels and to eat healthy summer salads and fruit. If you do what we did and play rounders and indulge in Space Hopper racing, you can also get some exercise too and boost the much-needed endorphines!

What’s stopping you? Picnic this weekend and you will feel better for it!

  

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Picnic