Posts by Lara
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Authentic.
Most overused word of the year.
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Thank you for this Emma.
I have just recently had a work colleague in what *I personally* would describe as an abusive situation. Your piece shows me the stuff I did right, and the stuff I did wrong, so thank you. Unfortunately I will almost certainly need to refer back to this multiple times in the coming years. Again: thank you so much for (hopefully) helping me to be a better support to people around me, it means the world to me.
I had to gravitate towards those friends who were able to simply (hah!) give support. Those friends who couldn’t, I had to forgive because lord knows I’m crap at it so why should they be good at it, but I did need to spend less time with them.
This mirrors my own lived experience with depression. I have since become much better at sitting down and shutting up haha. It is the greatest gift that being unwell has given me - the ability to listen and refrain from giving advice in similar cases.
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Thank you so much for this post Judith.
When I was seen for panic attacks by my GP I was offered the choice of medication or free talk therapy sessions (through the liaison service that Ian refers to). I took the talk therapy and, when I did not improve, was referred to a private provider. The panic attacks were dealt with through introceptive exposure, but I was later diagnosed with depression. I can not understate how much talk therapy has helped me. It is like being given a new set of eyes to see the world through. It has been the best thing I have done for my own self. Having said that, without the addition of medication (fluoxetine)*, the task faced would have been immeasurably harder. The medication helped to take the edge off the brutal low, and gave my brain some space to process the therapy. However, it is the therapy, not the medication, that has allowed me to stay more well.
I have always been offered the choice of medication and/or therapy by my GP, and I would have expected this experience to be universal given the evidence that exists around the efficacy of both options.
*I do appreciate that I am very fortunate that I have not had to play medication roulette. That is a special kind of hell.
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Re: reactions
Mine have differed quite markedly over time. During the September quake I thought incredibly clearly and practically. I remember the thought 'this is an earthquake' alerting my sleepy mind like lightning before I dived under the bed.
I didn't feel the February quake (horse riding) but once I found out I didn't think very clearly at all for um....a long time. Irrationality was the order of the day/week/month/s.
June: was paralyzing, seemed to go on forever and, again, I couldn't think clearly afterwards (kept forgetting who I'd checked in with etc etc).
Big quake out our way sometime before June - I couldn't stop shaking, couldn't form sentences. That was a nasty one.
Dec 23rd quake - I didn't even get off the couch for the first one, head stayed marvellously clear. I believe this is what is known as complacency.... I was biking during the second and was more concerned with the steering than anything else!I think I react better to them when we haven't had one in a good while. Otherwise I am just constantly waiting for the damned things. It's nice to forget for a time, to feel safe.
Generally I am good in a crisis. But since the February quake I need to put a lot of effort into constantly overriding the part of myself that is descending into panic, and success has been very mixed. It's hard work, arguing with your brain! I'm now a lot better if there is someone else telling me what I should do. The little inner voice that usually tells me what to do seems to have gone on hiatus (and I can't say that I blame it!).
I'd re-write this but I'm just too tired, sorry!
The photos are lovely Lilith, thank you.
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To speak only for myself, to not use the camouflaging “we”, makes me feel intensely vulnerable.
This. And this:
commemorating the anniversary of something that’s still happening
Thank you, Emma.
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Fine. Yet to hear back from some family, but will hopefully be fine. Was really hoping it was out this way but back on the east again :S
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The self-censoring I do in matching the tone of this community is totally swamped by the self-censoring I do because I know the internet is public medium which never forgets.
This. Also, while I'll do myself the courtesy of saying that while I'm probably as clever as ya'll, I am far less articulate, and far more conflict (or even criticism) averse. Should you wish to talk about the politics of Antarctica, however.... no, even there the collective knowledge of PAS would walk all over mine. That's why I like this place.
Russell: I think you really do do an absolutely fantastic job here. I love this space (I mean it!), and there aren't many places on the 'net that I'd say that about. Thank you for all the effort you put in here. Merry Christmas!
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Capture: Colour is the new black, in reply to Ian Dalziel,
Haha very good! :D
No, not a Shetland, although he does a good imitation of one over winter. He's a trotter who didn't make the races. If they'd hung a carrot in front of his nose it could have been a different story!
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Oh hurrah! Was dreading the car park....
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I'll experiment with this shall I? If this works, it is a picture of my horse Tony after Christchurch's July snowfall.
It captures an unusual situation for him - usually nothing can distract him from food!
Loving everyone's pictures! It's as if I am traveling around the world.
