Tag: mental-health

I’m struggling but I am still here trying to do the best I can day after day

~ joannerambling ~ 14 Comments

Hi, everyone, I guess you would have noticed that during the last few weeks my posting hasn’t been up to scratch but that should be changing as I am going to start setting apart one day a week to write up posts which is what I have done for years but recently I stopped doing that and was writing the post the day I was posting it.

Now for a bit of honesty as I am sure most are aware I have Parkinson’s Disease well the last couple of weeks I have felt overwhelmed and in so much pain day after day, in the evenings I often feel so tired it is an effort to focus and stay awake but when I say I am going to bed early Tim will say something that makes me feel that I shouldn’t be and I know he doesn’t mean to make me feel bad in any way but I do.

My day starts at 5am and yeah, I know some would say why get up so early, but I like the quiet of the morning and I am most productive first thing by 10am I am starting to feel worn out and need to put my feet up and rest for a while. I am thankfully able to do most of the housework there was a while there before I was medicated that I could do bugga all.

During these really cold days I have been getting a lot of headaches and body aches and having moments when everything seems too much to deal with.

I have daily pain and stiffness, at times I have insomnia (but thankfully I am sleeping well at the moment), weakness, and stiffness when standing and walking for a bit till my legs come good.  I have to stand and get my balance, and the first few steps can look odd but once things start to work, I am ok. I have had times when sitting is uncomfortable due to my body aching or me starting to feel stiff all over.

I often struggle to get words out the path between my brain and mouth is often blocked and can make things difficult. I will often jumble up what I am trying to say, and it is frustrating to me.  Tim often comments that I take too long to answer him but I’m doing the best I can.

Swallowing can be an issue at times and yeah, I know I should take smaller bites, and I do try to do so but there are times I don’t remember to do so, there have been many times when food gets stuck, and I am chocking and coughing trying to dislodge it.

I have gained weight again and this is very depressing for me, telling me to eat less doesn’t help reminding me how much weight others in the family have lost doesn’t help, it just depresses me more.

My body can get very cold during winter and very hot during summer and having someone comment oh you’re cold or oh you’re hot with that shocked tone is also depressing for me. I can’t change how I am all I can do is try and cope the best I can.

Life at the moment is a roller coaster that is moving slow, my emotions are all over the place some days and I feel that the cold wet days are affecting my moods, making it more difficult to deal with the depression.

I cannot thank my sister Sue enough for giving me back a sense of a normal life, I get to go shopping regularly, I have someone to take me to appointments and someone who I can laugh with, and we do laugh a lot when together.

I am blessed with a loving and supportive family and none of them say or do anything to intentionally upset me but there are times when I feel some do not want to take the time to read and understand how Parkinson’s having is affecting me.

Some may think I should take a break from blogging, but it is a big part of what keeps me going day after day, like having to ring Sam 4 or 5 times in the morning to make sure she is up and getting ready for school.

There are days when everything feels like such a struggle and way too much effort is needed to do anything and everything.

Anyway I am hoping that I will continue to improve and I will make sure each Sunday I will take the time to write up posts  for the following week.

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Week 32 of 2025

~ joannerambling ~ Leave a comment

Slept well didn’t wake at all during the night got 9hrs and 18mins sleep and the watch says I was awake for 21 minutes.

It is still wet outside and the temp is 13C

Tim and Jess went to Bunnings as Tim is going to move one of her security cameras but not today due to the wet weather. It stopped raining long enough for Tim to work on the security camera.

Jess also helped her dad do his tax return and it looks like he will get a small refund.

I have done bugga all in the way of movement done some stuff on the computer and vacuumed three times but that’s about all.

BGL: 7.1

Steps 3,445=1.7Klm’s

Slept well didn’t wake at all during the night got 7hrs and 52mins sleep and the watch says I was awake for 8 Sue drove Sam to Tafe and went down and bought me postage stamps.

It’s a nice day, we have had some rain but not all day.

I have felt sad this afternoon due to how much I can feel my body and jaw moving.

BGL:6.1

Steps: 6,682=3.40klm’s

LILLIANA BIRTHDAY SHE IS 8 TODAY

Slept well didn’t wake at all during the night got 8hrs and 54mins sleep and the watch says I didn’t wake at all.

Although I woke up with bugga all energy I brushed my teeth and washed my face went into the bedroom to dress and just sat on the bed I didn’t feel like doing anything.

I have improved by 9am but still don’t have a lot of energy.

By 1pm it was quite warm, and I needed to change my clothes as I was hot. I also went through the clothes in my gift box and labelled them.

I went to wear thongs to walk up and meet Sam, but I stumbled a few times and ended up taking the scooter, no more wearing thongs for me.

BGL:6.1

Steps: 5,669=2.85Klm

Slept well got 7hrs and 17mins sleep and was awake for 28 mins. I did wake with a headache.

It has been a warm day, I have had a productive morning, ran the dishwasher and unpacked it, did a load of washing and hung it up to dry.

Kathy rang me she is off work sick and feels shocking, she said she will ring Tim tomorrow night.

I walked up to meet Sam this arvo without any issue.

It has been a lovely day.

BGL:5.6

Steps: 7,404=3.77klm’s

Slept well got 9hrs and 15mins sleep and was awake for 58 mins. I did wake with a headache.

It was fine when I got up but had started to rain by 6am.

It was raining heavy when I went up the top to wait with Sam.

I am going shopping with Sue, she thought she would drive up Hillsborough Rd, that wasn’t a good idea after 30mins we weren’t even halfway up the road, so Sue turned around and we drove up Bayview which was better but still slow. Took us an hour to get out of Warners Bay it should had taken no more than 10 minutes.

It has been a cold day and this arvo I ache all over and have zero energy and concentration.

I am having an early night

BGL:5.9

Steps: 6,637=3.38klm’s

LANDON’S BIRTHDAY HE IS 13 TODAY also

TOM’S BIRTHDAY HE IS 30 TODAY

Slept well got 9hrs and 51mins sleep and was awake for 23 mins.

It has been a cold but dry day Tim will be home late.

Tasha brought me a finger bun which she dropped off this afternoon. I will eat it tomorrow.

Another early night for me.

BGL:6.1

Steps: 6,755=3.44klm’s

Had a not so good night well it was ok till 2am when I got up to pee and had a lot of lower back pain, this kept waking me up after 2am and I ended up getting up at 4.20amm as the pain was so bad. I placed a heat pack on my back and that has helped a lot.

I had in fact 8hrs and 29mins sleep and I was awake for 59mins.

It has been raining since I got up.

Tim got up at 9am and he is in a mood, complain about a sore throat and other stuff.

Tim and I went shopping at Big W, I bought a new top and new socks.

Had a visit from Blain and Ta’lia it was nice to see them, they are moving into a shared house with 3 other people, I hope it all works out for them.

It has rained on and off all day.

BGL:5.9

Steps: 6,946=3.60klm’s

Week 29 of 2025

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I slept well had a good 9hrs &24 Mins and I didn’t wake at all I even had 2hrs of deep sleep.

At around 9.am I started to feel really cold and super tired but after a couple of hours I was feeling better.

Tim cooked crumbed steak and veggies for lunch, it was nice although I did have trouble swallowing twice and Tim told me to stop putting so much food in my mouth.

Tim spent most of the day outside working on the back yard and his veggie garden.

BGL:6.1

Steps:5,521=2.79Klm’s

I slept well had a good 9hrs & 16 Mins and I didn’t wake at all I even had 2hrs 54mins of deep sleep.

Tim and I went to see our GP this morning both of us had no issues with our blood test results.

I had an appointment with my neurologist it was a video appointment she has made no changes to my medication and since the dyskinesia is often and doesn’t last generally for too long, she is not worried about it but would like me to keep a record of when it happens. My next appointment is in January that one will be a face-to-face appointment.

BGL: 6.5

Steps: 3,365=1.69Klm’s

I slept all night again, getting 9hrs and 11mins of sleep.

It is a cold day been raining on and off all day.

Blain came to see me he said he and his girlfriend have moved into a hotel in Adamstown as they don’t feel like they can live with Tasha anymore, why that is I don’t know.

I went and checked the letter box I had three letters, there was one for Jess and one for Tasha.

Tim cooked chicken kiev and chips for tea and it was nice, I liked it and so did Tim.

BGL: 5.4

Steps: 6,893=3.48Klm’s

I slept all night again, getting 9hrs and 19mins of sleep and was awake for 14mins.

It is currently 4C here so pretty cold, should reach a top of 16C.

Tim is working he will leave here around 10.15am and should be home by 6.30pm.

The day did warm up somewhat and I managed to get off my ass and vacuum and get the clothes off the line and folded and put away.

Sue sent me a text about going to see our sister Jeannie tomorrow, I said that will be fine with me, it is Jeannie’s birthday on Saturday.

BGL: 5.1

Steps: 5,522

I slept all night again, getting 10hrs and 39mins of sleep and was awake for 36mins.

It is currently 2C here so pretty cold, should reach a top of 17C.

Noticed Jess car gone this morning found a text from her she is working.

Saw on FB this morning that my niece Temika is having surgery today, what 6,379the hell no one told me she was having surgery. Turns out Sue didn’t know either and Jeannie only found out a week ago when she watched Sandy’s kids.

Sue and I went to see Jeannie and give her birthday presents from me and Sue it was nice seeing her.

It seems Temika was born with something wrong with her arm and need surgery to repair it, it is a big opp they have to break the arm to rest it right, she will have pins and plates in it. I hope it all goes well.

BGL: 5.4

Steps: 6,379= 3.27klm’s

I slept all night again, getting 8hrs and 39mins of sleep and didn’t wake at all.

It’s not as cold this morning with the temp being 7C.

Jess asked if she sent over the stuff would I do a casserole for her lunch. I said yes and have already put it on to cook, I do it in the slow cooker.

Jess & Sam came down and had lunch here that was nice.

This afternoon I started getting stabbing pains in the top of my head which has turned into a headache across my forehead and behind my eyes.

BGL: 5.4

Steps:5,979=3.05Klm’s

JEANNIE’S BIRTHDAY SHE IS 57 TODAY

I slept all night again, getting 8hrs and 56mins of sleep and didn’t wake at all.

It’s a cold morning again temp is 8C.

Tim is working this afternoon and bight he thinks he will be home around 1am.

Sam came over around 7.45pm to use my toilet and then she stayed awhile, and we had a chat about her day out in Sydney with Bailey. She said she had a good day, no issues with transport or anything else.

After Sam left, I went to bed.

BGL 5.4

Steps: 5,423 = 2.76 Klm’s

Week 25 of 2025

~ joannerambling ~ Leave a comment

I slept straight through the night again 7hrs and 24mins and I was awake for 8mins.

Been a good day, turned out warm and Tim did a lot more work in the back yard and it is starting to look good.

Me well other than getting the clothes of the line, folding and putting them away, I ironed the work shirts and that was a bitch of a job because we soaked them overnight in wash booster stuff, they were extremely wrinkled, and I hadn’t put them in the dryer just hung them out to dry. I won’t make that mistake again. I also vacuumed but that’s all the housework I did.

I spent the rest of the day watching YouTube and reading blogs.

BGL:5.8

Steps: 6,946=3.60

I had a rough start to the night it was around 11pm when I finally settled so only had 4hrs and 54mins of sleep.

Sue drove Sam to Tafe and I went with them as I had a 8.36am doctor’s appointment, I was home by 9.30am.

What an afternoon, at 1.40 I tripped on the mat under my computer chair and fell flat on my face, splitting above my left eye open. I managed to call Tasha who thankfully was home, and she was here in less then a minute. She helped me up and onto the lounge, she cleaned the wound and rang people.

Sue took me at first to my GP then to Belmont Hospital where I was for 4.5hrs. I did not want to go to the hospital, then did a ct scan which was normal. I had a mild concussion and wasn’t with it for around 2.5hrs, by the time I was called into be seen by a doctor I wasn’t doing good as I hadn’t taken my afternoon meds and had an internal tremor as well as an external tremor.

The doctor wanted me to have blood tests and an ECG but I said no there is nothing wrong with my heart and my bloody pressure was normal and I just wanted to come home. Sue got very firm with them telling them we would be leaving and if she had to sign something she would but that wasn’t needed, and we left can came home at 6.45pm.

When I got home, I took my meds and within 15mins I was feeling much better.

BGL:4.6

Steps: 5,194

I was asleep pretty much as soon as I went to bed, I slept for 8hrs 54mins and didn’t wake at all.

This morning, I didn’t want to get up, but I knew I had to in order to get Sam up and see her off to school.

By 7am I was awake and feeling ok and yeah, I have two black eyes and a sore head but I’m doing ok.

Had an okay day didn’t do as much as I would normally do with blogging and housework and by 5pm I am completely exhausted and fighting to stay awake I will be in bed by 6.30pm.

BGL: 4.9

Steps: 4,519=2.31klm

I was asleep pretty much as soon as I went to bed, I slept for 8hrs 56mins and didn’t wake at all. I am feeling ok this morning.

Tim rang to let me know that it will be around 8.30pm by the time he gets home.

I had a good day but another early night for me as it is 6pm and my eyes are stinging.

BGL:5.2

Steps: 4,633=2.36klm

I was asleep pretty much as soon as I went to bed, I slept for 9hrs 13mins and didn’t wake at all. I am feeling good enough to have a shower this morning.

I’m feeling more like myself today and even vacuumed and washed the towels as well as folding up the clothes and put them away. I cleaned the kitchen twice and ran the dishwasher.

My eye area can be touched without me wincing in pain.

BGL: 5.4

Steps: 5,487=2.83klms

I had another good night remember waking once to pee, my watch says I slept for 7hrs 19mins and was awake for 15mins.

Another cold morning temp is 2C or 35.6F

Tim felt so sick this morning he considered calling in sick but ended up going to work anyway.

Sam rang and told me she felt too sick to go to school, so I went up and told Joel when he arrived.

This afternoon Sam was so sick she was vomiting and so unwell that she has come down here for the night, as Jess doesn’t want her home alone tonight.

I am also not feeling well this afternoon. 

I had to have a nap as I was so tired.

BGL:5.4

Steps: 5,551=2.90klms

I slept for 10hrs and 22mins and I was awake for 21mins, at 5am when my alarm went off, I got up went to the loo, took my medication and went back to bed for an hour.

Another cold morning temp is 2C or 35.6F.

Jessica came over to check on Sam when she got home from work at 6.10am, Sam was sleeping and didn’t wake up when Jess checked her temperature and covered her with a quilt.

I ordered pizza for lunch, when Sam woke up, she came out looking for food and decided to make herself scrambled eggs.

It has been a warmish day.

BGL: 5.2

Steps: 5402=2.93klms

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

First up there are two new posts over at my Random Stuff

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/03/just-bit-of-hodgepodge.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/03/just-bit-of-hodgepodge.html


Today we are looking at a condition called, rejection sensitive dysphoria or RSD, this is a condition that my eldest daughter has been diagnosed with along with ADHD.  This condition isn’t something I have ever heard of till now.

It is a condition that causes intense emotional pain when someone feels rejected, criticized, or fails.

People with RSD may avoid situations where they might fail or be rejected it can affect children, teens, and adults. 

RSD is not an official medical diagnosis, but there are treatments that can help 

Symptoms of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

Rejection can, and often does, provoke an emotional response in all of us. What marks RSD is that this response is inappropriate for the circumstance and can last for days or longer after the rejection. Symptoms of Rejection Sensitive dysphoria can vary from person to person, but some common symptoms include:

  • Chronically low self-esteem 
  • Inability or trouble containing emotions after being rejected – such as fits of anger or tears
  • Sudden drops into depression or anxiety, such as those typically hallmarked by bipolar
  • Avoidance of tasks, big or small, that could end in failure 
  • People pleasing behaviour 
  • Fear or apprehension of authority figures
  • Perfectionism or overcompensation for internal feelings of shortcomings
  • Isolating behaviours 
  • Stage fright, fear of public speaking or social awkwardness even around friends and family

RSD can impact many aspects of life, including relationships, academics, and professional endeavours. It can also lead to anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts or behaviours. 

Causes

  • Differences in brain structure that make it harder to regulate emotions and behaviours related to rejection 
  • A deep-seated fear of negative judgment 
  • A sense of falling short, failing to meet one’s own high standards or others’ expectations 

Treatment is a combination of medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes. A big part is learning how to manage and cope with RSD can help people live fulfilling lives.

Process Delay Disorder

~ joannerambling ~ 6 Comments

Hi everyone, this week we are looking at a condition that my eldest daughter told me about, it is called Process Delay Disorder. Has anyone heard of this?

What is it, well it’s a condition that makes it difficult for people to process information from their senses. This can include visual, auditory, or sensory information. 

It is a time-relating characteristic that determines an amount of time during which a scheduled process or activity is stopped or idle. It is an unplanned extension in the process’s duration caused by some circumstances that impedes the process’s commencement or continuation.

The symptoms include. 

  • Difficulty remembering new information
  • Difficulty following multi-step instructions
  • Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy places
  • Difficulty completing math operations
  • Difficulty interacting with others

There are many things that could cause it, including. 

  • Physical illness or injury
  • Lack of sleep
  • Reaction to medications
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Learning disorders
  • Emotional factors
  • Fewer neurotransmitters in the brain
  • Epilepsy

There’s no cure for auditory processing disorder, however, there is treatment.

When it comes to treatment, it seems something called auditory training, this means to undertake activities that will improve someone’s concentration and listening.

Reading regularly, is thought to help as reading exercises your brain muscles like any other muscle, and the more you read, the faster you might be able to process information.

Playing brain games, also help as there are many brain-training games and puzzles that can help improve your processing speed.

Processing disorders can affect a person’s ability to learn, work, and socialize. They can also lead to low self-esteem and anxiety. 

Bipolar Disorder Treatment

~ joannerambling ~ Leave a comment

First off there is a Hodgepodge post  here:http://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/01/its-hodgepodge-time.html

Now for today’s post

This week we are looking at the treatment for bipolar disorder. There are two major parts to managing bipolar disorder: acute management and long-term management.

Treatment needs to be ongoing and tailored for each person.   

You also need to remember that treatment for bipolar disorder needs to factor in any conditions you have such as anxiety or substance use disorder. Other medical illnesses such as hypertension, obesity and thyroid problems sometimes occur together with bipolar disorder.

Mental health practitioners need to work out your treatment according to whether you’re experiencing hypomania, mania, depression or euthymia (absence of depression or mania). A highly qualified mental health practitioner needs to prescribe your treatment. Each person needs a treatment plan tailored for their individual needs, as everyone with bipolar disorder experiences it differently.

Do not try to self-medicate or develop your own treatment plan.

Acute management aims to stabilise someone currently experiencing mania or depression.

Medications like mood stabilisers and antipsychotics are the main focus of acute management of bipolar mania and depression. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be effective for treatment-resistant acute mood episodes, especially in people experiencing depression with psychotic features.

Long-term management involves maintenance and prevention of relapse, and optimised functional recovery socially and at work. Medications and psychological and lifestyle approaches are aimed at providing long-term prevention of relapse, building resilience, and improving quality of life.

There are specially trained mental health professionals such as psychiatrists and psychologists who can help you with bipolar disorder

You need a thorough check from a health professional before treatment is prescribed and specially prescribed medication is the most effective way to treat and manage bipolar disorder. However, psychological and lifestyle therapies can be helpful additions to your treatment.

Some may experience ‘rapid cycling’ can go between depression and mania a few times a week (some even cycle within the same day). While others might have mood changes less often and less severely.

There are also some who can have very severe episodes of mania with psychotic symptoms (hallucinating or delusions) and need hospitalisation.

Some people can experience normal moods in between their swings, though the majority of individuals experience some low-level symptoms between episodes.

Week 1 of 2025

~ joannerambling ~ 5 Comments

I had a so-so good night, woke at 11.30pm to pee, couldn’t settle so got up and used the powerfit at 12.30am then went back to bed and settled straight away.

It is a cool morning with the temp being 20 degrees, my BGL is 5.0.

Tim and I went to Aldi and to the Plaza this morning.

This arvo we attempted to set up the new sound system and after trying and trying I got fed up. We will try again tomorrow.

Tim taking in Jess’s black work pants they are to lose around the waist.

Steps: 9,652

I had another good night, sleeping straight through the night, it is a nice 19 degrees this morning my BGL was 5.1.

By 10am it was 27 degrees, and I turned the air con on.

Tried again to get the sound bar to work, tomorrow I will check out instructions on YouTube.

I went to bed at around 9pm but wasn’t able go to sleep so I got up at 9.30pm and stayed up for an hour. At 10.20pm Blain walked in looking for butter and shredded cheese, I gave him the cheese and a tub of margarine as the only butter I had was in the fridge rock hard.

10,108

After I went back to bed at 10.30pm I went straight off to sleep, getting up once at 3.40am to pee then straight back to sleep till my alarm went off.

As I have breakie it is a lovely 20 degrees, my BGL was 5.2 and I have the front and back sliding doors open.

Tim is at work; he will be home around 9am.

I turned the air con on at midday, around 1pm I got a headache and started to feel tired.

I went to bed at 8.50 but I was unable to settle so I got up at 9.30 and used the powerfit and update the diary entry

Steps: 9,408

After I went back to bed at 10.30pm I went straight off to sleep, getting up when the alarm went off.

When I took my tablets this morning it felt like one got stuck somewhere in my chest causing discomfort, but I can still eat and drink and hopefully the feeling I have will go away.

It is 19 degrees and my BGL was 4.8

I had a hot flush come over me, so I wet and applied the cooling towel it makes a big difference.

I turned the air con on at 9am just as Tim was getting home, the way he said are you hot annoyed me, yeah, I’m hot, why because it is 27 degrees.

New Year’s Day

I had a good night, and this morning I am doing ok, had my shower and I am now dressed and fed and ready for my day.

It is 17 degrees and my BGL was 5.1

It has been a stinking hot day. The temp reached 35 degrees.

Tim hung the framed photos gave us for Christmas, I need to buy a few more photo frames.

At 7pm because A Current Affair wasn’t on Tim put a movie on without asking me if it was ok, when I asked why he did that he got really pissed. I explained we normally watch something we are both interested in between 7 & 8pm. He started going that he is always watching my shows, which is wrong he may tell me to pick but I always pick something I know he is interested in, when I said that he naturally got even more pissed. Tim is a sulker and won’t talk to me when in a mood, so that’s fine I will not talk to him either. By the time I went to bed at 8.15pm he was over it.

Steps:4,908

Another good night I don’t remember waking at all. It is a much cooler morning temp is 22 degrees, but the wind makes it feel colder. It is only expected to get to 23 degrees today. My BGL was 5.3

I am warm then cold and then warm again and now cold again, it is 3.45pm and I am feeling so tired and drained.

Tim said he could take me to my appointment tomorrow, but I told him I would rather Sue take me as she doesn’t make me feel like I am putting her out when I ask to go somewhere else while out. Tim said he doesn’t mean to make me feel like that which I know but still he does.

So, 7.30pm rolls around and I go to tell Tim thinking he was either out the back or in his office but couldn’t find him. So, I started watching some dashcam clips on YouTube and he walks in at 8.20, he was at the neighbour’s place. I knew he was going to check on Kevin, but I was sure I had seen him come back.

Steps:7,311

I had a reasonable night; I woke up two or three times but each time I went straight back to sleep.

It is a lovely morning the temp is 20 degrees, and I have both sliding doors opened. My BGL was 5.0

Sue came and took me to the podiatrist, and we also posted off all the mail I had ready to be sent and we also went Miller’s to get a couple of tarts, caramel for me and a custard for Sue, only to find them closed.

This afternoon Tim replaced the light bulbs in both the front and back outside lights these lights haven’t worked in around 20yrs and now they do.

Didn’t count my steps today

I had another good night, sleeping straight through. It is a pleasant 19 degrees here although we are in for another pretty hot day.

I walked up and checked the mail yesterday arvo and a neighbour was there who told me there was no mail. I thought just because you have no mail doesn’t mean I won’t. Anyway, I open my mailbox and there were 10 letters in it, 8 for me and 2 for Jess.

I am sitting here at the computer, and I am starting to feel cold, I look at the temp and it has dropped to 16 degrees, time to get up and shut the front door.

Around 2pm my nephew Dawson arrived, he left around 5pm, while he was here, he managed to get the sound bar working.

It has been another hot day with the temp reaching 29 degrees.

Steps:4,489       

Bipolar Disorder

~ joannerambling ~ 9 Comments

 First off there is a new post over here:https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/01/its-hodgepodge-day.html

Now today’s post

Good morning, all this week we are having a brief look at bipolar disorder, a condition I expect most have heard of but how many know anything about it, I know bugga all.

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. It is also known as manic-depressive illness or manic depression. It usually requires lifelong treatment and does not go away on its own.

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but a combination of factors may contribute to its onset and how it progresses. 

These include genetics as it often runs in families, the way a person’s brain functions as well as its structure as people with the disorder may have a different structure to those without it. The chemicals in our brains are involved in psychiatric disorders as an abnormal functioning of brain circuits that involve serotonin may contribute to bipolar disorder.

Of course, drinking alcohol or using some recreational drugs are believed to increase your risk of developing bipolar disorder.

Then there are environmental factors meaning things that are considered an adverse or life-altering event, such as bereavement, violence, or the breakdown of a relationship, can trigger or exacerbate symptoms. 

The condition has many symptoms that include the following

  • Overwhelming sadness
  • Low energy and fatigue
  • Lack of motivation
  • Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
  • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
  • Uncontrollable crying
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Treatment includes medication such as mood stabilising drugs, antipsychotic and antidepressant medications, psychological therapy and some lifestyle changes may be called for.

This is a condition that requires lifelong treatment and is complicated and often will involve many assessments sometimes with different doctors in order to be diagnosed. There are no blood tests that will diagnose it, nor is there any medical or brain scans that will make a diagnosis easy.

Week 50 of 2024

~ joannerambling ~ Leave a comment

I had a good night slept straight through up with the alarm at 5am, it is 23 degrees my BGL was 5.3 and I am feeling great.

I had to have a nap between 11.30 & 1pm as I was falling asleep while sitting in my armchair.

Tim did crumb lamb chops and veggies for our lunch, it was really nice.

No steps today, I forgot to put my counter on.

I changed the sheets on my own despite the knee problems I am having.

I had a good night slept straight through up with the alarm at 5am, it is a pleasant 20 degrees, my BGL is 5.5.

I had to change from shorts to longer pants for around 3hrs then I changed back into shorts.

It is a cool overcast day, I walked down and posted of a stack of letters and Christmas Cards.

I went to bed at 8.30pm settled fast, woke at 10.15pm due to a hot flush, couldn’t settle again was just too restless so I go up and used the powerfit now I am just doing a couple of things on the computer before I go back to bed.

Steps:10,971

After I went back to bed at midnight, I slept well till the alarm went off at 5am, I would have loved to stay in bed longer but that would throw out my day.

It is 21 degrees and my BGL is 5.0

Not as hot today, my upper body is constantly moving, and it is so frustrating.

I walked down and post off a heap more Christmas cards.

I have had very little issue with my left knee today.

Steps: 4,571

A pretty good night, I don’t remember waking at all last night, it is 18 degrees this morning, my BGL is 5.5 and even though I am up, showered, dress and doing stuff I don’t feel that with it.

When I returned from seeing Sam off this morning, I found 2 cockatoos in my lounge room eating birdseed out of the bag, after they flew off, I cleaned up the mess they made. Well, I was sitting at the computer when I heard a noise and turned to find a cockatoo eating birdseed straight out of the bag again.

This afternoon we received a new TV, this is Jessica’s Christmas present to me and Tim.

Steps: 7,780

A pretty good night, I don’t remember waking at all last night, it is 18 degrees this morning, my BGL is 6.5, I wonder why it is so high.

After I did the washing and hung it up to dry, I was drenched in sweat, checked the temp and it was 27 degrees so turned the air con on.

By 3pm I was feeling really drained of energy and very tired, but I am sticking it out to at least 8pm before going to bed.

Steps:5,290

I had a shocking night woke at 11.50pm needing to go to the toilet, then for the next 3.5hrs I was unable to settle. I may need a nap today.

It is 21 degrees at 5.30am and we are looking at a top temp of 30 degrees. My BGL was 4.3, which is better than I expected as I woke with hunger pains.

I asked Sue if she would take me shopping and to drop some Chrissie Pressies off for Tom’s girls and Samantha’s kids and she was happy to do that for me.

Damn it is a stinking hot day at midday it was 32 degrees.

Steps: 4,522

I had a god night slept straight through but when I woke at 5am, I went to the loo and took my tablets and found myself just standing there trying to keep my eyes open, so I went back to bed for another hour.

It is 22 degrees and my BGL is 5.0

This afternoon Kathy and family came over and Michael helped Tim install the air con in the bedroom.

I asked Kathy is she could hand deliver some things to Kelli as she lives closer than us, she said she would.