Hi I'm Deana I'm a noob.
I guess it's only right to reply to this post & introduce ourselves, though not that easy for me as I was hacked a few years ago & still get quite paranoid because of it, thinking someone will read what I wrote & try humiliate me with it.
It seems a lot of members are quite young I feel old here now as I'm late 40's

Oh well age isn't important and mental health certainly doesn't discriminate or isn't choosy!
I have been reading a few posts about some people's struggles here and can empathize and relate to a lot. It's lonely, scary, unpredictable (and at times very annoyingly predictable). I suffer mainly with depression and anxiety. though without wanting to sound too negative, I do feel that mental health issues rarely roll alone, they usually bring a few relatives along for the ride

so I find myself with quite a few issues these days, or rather, in some cases, only just identified them.
I now believe that I have aggravated depression and I was not aware that I had psychotic episodes until several months back when somebody on another mental health forum actually identified it for me when I was asking about my behaviour and thoughts

! They may be fairly mild episodes, but are still scary for me, especially as to me it is real. As for the aggravated depression.I am not usually an aggressive person but lately I have found myself struggling to tolerate people and being irritated by them & reacting to that.
This can be really draining and a vicious circle dealing with the guilt and shame afterwards

when I feel like I have stepped out of my mind and body to imitate a dragon for a while!! Not good. I'll get through it, I haven't been looking after myself too good and that is when things go awry and get a bit crazy, self care is a must for mental health as I am constantly reminded and I am always glad to get back to looking after myself properly and feeling better for it...healthier. I'm quite down this morning, haven't slept at all ( I suffer with chronic insomnia too) and I didn't think I'd write much at all but thought I'd try & here I am, steam coming off the keys

It's good to get it out though eh, it really is.
I just read a post by someone saying they don't feel like they have had a life & I can so relate to that! It really is half a life, if that. Though, in a weird way, I believe that makes us grateful for things that others are not so aware of, the small things in life that get overlooked and are really not so small. I read that someone said they feel invisible and I hear that too. One thing I do tell myself that I believe does help for the most part "This too shall pass"...and it does, it always does. I know, I know it's a cliche, but it does help me to bear it in mind. Anyway, I have banged on for far too long here! Somebody stop me! Thanks for reading guys and thanks for sharing yours, love & positive vibes to you today. I hope this day is a bright one for you & that black dog stays to heel xxx xxx