If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Best Of
Re: Rant about my intrusive thoughts
Hey @Amy22 , how are you this afternoon?
Thank you so much for trusting us in opening up about this, and I hear you too wanting to take a risk maybe with seeing how 'venting' makes you feel. What was it like to post this message? How did it feel to put these feelings into words here?
You mentioned that recently you've been feeling pressured by intrusive thoughts in your brain to do actions that might create problems for you, like turning your laptop on and off. I noticed you said that you hate yourself for this, and that sounds extreamly hard, Amy - on the one hand feeling as though you must act on these thoughts, and at the same time, really wishing that you didn't. I can imagine that feeling like a battle sometimes, and that sounds tiring. Again, you're doing really well to talk about this.
You mentioned that sometimes you will do self-destrcuive behaviours and it hurts too. That sounds painful, Amy, and I just wanted to check how you're feeling in your body right now. Do you need any medical attention?
It's okay not to have the answers right now or to know where this rumination is coming from. I hear you saying that its been hard recently to have a lack of structure or to be unemployed, and you wonder if the lack of routine means your brain feels the urge to do things. That is valid, Amy, and we're here to explore this with you.
Can I ask, how does it feel to talk with your mum about this? And when the intrusive thoughts or impulses do arise, how does this make you feel emotionally?
What is your sense of what you might need going forwards to support yourself with this?
With lots of care,
Sian
Hi Sian thank you so much. I guess talking to my mum helps at times to be fair. I did it again today pressing the refresh and power off button on my chromebook and I thought I broke the habit almost today. My body is feeling fine at the moment apart from menstrual cramps. I think for me I post on here because I find it easier to write how I feel than to put it into words sometimes but I find communicating hard as an autistic person.
Amy22
1
Re: ADHD Medication - Thinking about going on them again
Thank you so much I really appreciate it. For me when it comes to self destructive behaviour, its basically say if I wrote a story or did an artwork I really liked, I would then have a complusion to ruin the said artwork. Also recently I had been pressing the refresh and power off button on my chromebook a lot eventhough I shoulden't because I could lose my stuff on there. I will definitely speak to my GP about medication options.
Amy22
1
Re: Back to laying awake all night
@Rose113 - sending you the biggest of hugs and hope you're feeling a bit better this afternoon 
The corners I stand
In the corners I stand Carved from silence
Hiding in the shadows where protection speaks
A quiet and shy voice hidden in a void too deep
My heart is bruised and struggles to speak
The world around me speaks too loud
Blasting me with overwhelming fears
The truths lies behind whispers too weak
You see the smiles I paint to wear
Not one seeing the cracks of dispair
Each step I take feels disarranged
I feel like a ghost wandering in an open space
Confined thoughts overcrowded my brain
Endless battles trapped in the depths of my mind
Shattered continuously by the barrages of life
Now I flinch at the tiniest movements
Leaving safety to being alone at night
My silence, my shyness are all hiding secrets
To hide the anxiety and fear dawning near
Hiding in the shadows where protection speaks
A quiet and shy voice hidden in a void too deep
My heart is bruised and struggles to speak
The world around me speaks too loud
Blasting me with overwhelming fears
The truths lies behind whispers too weak
You see the smiles I paint to wear
Not one seeing the cracks of dispair
Each step I take feels disarranged
I feel like a ghost wandering in an open space
Confined thoughts overcrowded my brain
Endless battles trapped in the depths of my mind
Shattered continuously by the barrages of life
Now I flinch at the tiniest movements
Leaving safety to being alone at night
My silence, my shyness are all hiding secrets
To hide the anxiety and fear dawning near
Rose113
1
Re-Introducing Support Circle
Do you:
If you answered yes to any of those questions, we might have the perfect space for you!
What is Support Circle?
Support Circle is a group chat of around 4 people, where everyone takes it in turns to get support while the rest of the group listens. The order is randomised and communicated to you before the session begins. It works similarly to how you might picture an AA meeting.
The room is password-protected and facilitated by a moderator. Everyone arrives at the start and stays for the whole session to make sure everyone in the group is supported equally.
In Support Circle, you can sign up to get support or be a listener for others.
When is it?
Support Circle is every Tuesday from 7:55pm - 9:30pm
What should I expect when I join?
Support Circle is broken up into these segments:
Do I have to support others?
For Support Circle to serve its purpose, it relies on members supporting each other. This also means the moderator can focus more on running the session and keeping time for everyone. If you're not in the head-space to support others, then maybe Support Circle isn't the place for you.
If you're not sure what to say, just making it clear you're listening can make a big difference.
What if I can't stay for the whole session?
Think of Support Circle a bit like a face-to-face support group - it can come across as disrespectful to others if you leave in the middle and also messes with the flow of chat, so try your best to stay for the whole duration. If you don't feel well or you're finding something triggering, it's okay to leave your device for a few minutes.
We also ask that if you do step away from Support Circle for a short while, please refrain from entering another one of our group chats as this can be quite confusing for the mods and affects the structure of the chat!
If you regularly leave Support Circle early, you may not be given a place in future sessions.
How do I sign up?
You can sign up for the next session any time using this link: https://bit.ly/33TeM6L
After you sign up, you'll be sent an email telling you how to confirm your space. If you don't confirm your space it will go to someone else, so make sure you do that ASAP.
What if I can't make the session or experience tech issues?
If you can't make the session, please let us know ASAP so that we can offer your place to someone else. If you experience tech issues, let us know and we can offer you a space for the following week.
I'm worried I'm taking a space away from someone else
You're just as deserving of support as anyone else who might want a space. We really want to encourage those who haven't tried Support Circle to come check it out and see if it works for you.
Can I prepare what I want to say beforehand?
Sure thing! However, please refrain from copying and pasting big paragraphs of text as it may use up some of your time for the others to read it. We want you to get the most out of your time so instead maybe prepare some short bullet points.
And lastly, what's said in Support Circle stays in Support Circle.
- find it difficult to be heard in Support Chat or on the discussion boards?
- prefer to get support in smaller groups where you get more attention?
- like supporting others?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, we might have the perfect space for you!
What is Support Circle?
Support Circle is a group chat of around 4 people, where everyone takes it in turns to get support while the rest of the group listens. The order is randomised and communicated to you before the session begins. It works similarly to how you might picture an AA meeting.
The room is password-protected and facilitated by a moderator. Everyone arrives at the start and stays for the whole session to make sure everyone in the group is supported equally.
In Support Circle, you can sign up to get support or be a listener for others.
When is it?
Support Circle is every Tuesday from 7:55pm - 9:30pm
What should I expect when I join?
Support Circle is broken up into these segments:
- 7:55 - 8:10 | Arrivals and opening round question
- 8:10 - 8:15 | Creating a group agreement
- 8:15 - 8:45 | Support time Part 1 (split equally, usually person 1 and 2)
- 8:45 - 8:55 | Break
- 8:55 - 9:25 | Support time Part 2 (split equally, usually person 3 and 4)
- 9:25 - 9:30 | Closing round question
Do I have to support others?
For Support Circle to serve its purpose, it relies on members supporting each other. This also means the moderator can focus more on running the session and keeping time for everyone. If you're not in the head-space to support others, then maybe Support Circle isn't the place for you.
If you're not sure what to say, just making it clear you're listening can make a big difference.
What if I can't stay for the whole session?
Think of Support Circle a bit like a face-to-face support group - it can come across as disrespectful to others if you leave in the middle and also messes with the flow of chat, so try your best to stay for the whole duration. If you don't feel well or you're finding something triggering, it's okay to leave your device for a few minutes.
We also ask that if you do step away from Support Circle for a short while, please refrain from entering another one of our group chats as this can be quite confusing for the mods and affects the structure of the chat!
If you regularly leave Support Circle early, you may not be given a place in future sessions.
How do I sign up?
You can sign up for the next session any time using this link: https://bit.ly/33TeM6L
After you sign up, you'll be sent an email telling you how to confirm your space. If you don't confirm your space it will go to someone else, so make sure you do that ASAP.
What if I can't make the session or experience tech issues?
If you can't make the session, please let us know ASAP so that we can offer your place to someone else. If you experience tech issues, let us know and we can offer you a space for the following week.
I'm worried I'm taking a space away from someone else
You're just as deserving of support as anyone else who might want a space. We really want to encourage those who haven't tried Support Circle to come check it out and see if it works for you.
Can I prepare what I want to say beforehand?
Sure thing! However, please refrain from copying and pasting big paragraphs of text as it may use up some of your time for the others to read it. We want you to get the most out of your time so instead maybe prepare some short bullet points.
And lastly, what's said in Support Circle stays in Support Circle.
TheMix
4
Re: Back to laying awake all night
I know this song well hon and I understand why it's so familiar and hits home for you. I'm sorry you have to be able to resonate with a song such as this but. You're so strong and amazing and never forget how proud of you I am xx
Lucy_21
1
