Who to contact in Victoria for non-emergency help?

[Appleblossom]

Good news @down_not_out 

Finding what is safe enough and what we can do, when there may be a lot holding us back.

Finding a way to Live a life ... and slowly adding value to that life. 

If the car is a safety zone, then enjoy some country drives ... I often drive towards the west and enjoy a lot of sunsets on the freeway driving home from this and that.

Take care

Apple

[down_not_out]

@Appleblossom 

hello, 

Yeah, I am quite happy with my progress at the moment. I'm on the edge of Melbourne and plan to drive to the countryside where I can relax and sit by a river.

It feels great to see my wife (carer) lighting up with life again, as her husband gets out of the house again. 

[hanami]

Hi @down_not_out 

I'm so happy for you! Really really happy. Such a big step considering you haven't left the house since January. Can you see yourself venturing out of the car at this stage? Totally understandable if not! I think it's great you're leaving the house at this stage. I bet you're happy with yourself.

Hanami

[Appleblossom]

Enjoy the river. @down_not_out I am the same with my son ... happy he is out and about.

Glad your wife is lifted ... funny how subtle and mysterious are the ways of feelings and relationships.

[down_not_out]

@hanami 

Hello,

I'll definitely be getting out of the car someplace quiet. I did get out at the shopping centre car park on Sunday, but I started to get quite anxious.

[down_not_out]

@Appleblossom 

It is amazing at the joy I feel of hopefully just being able to do simple things like I used to take for granted.

My long-suffering wife left a stable career to move here about 5 years ago and I have been unwell for the majority of the time.

I kinda feel bad for wanting to do this for her and not me. I would have given up a long time ago.

[hanami]

Your wife sounds like she cares so much @down_not_out . I remember when I was unwell with horrid anxiety, my husband was amazing. He never pressured me. I used to say to him he'd be better off without me. He never once indicated that, it was all in my head. He just persevered and said there was hope for me and he knew I would get better eventually. Your wife sounds the same. And yes, partly I did want to get better for him and my kids. I think that's ok. I think the feelings of happiness that you're experiencing are proof you also want it for yourself, which I'm sure you realise. Driving to a little quiet park and getting out might be nice for a start. 

[down_not_out]

@hanami 

Thanks for sharing some of your life experiences. I've told my wife several times to leave me, especially when I first stopped the meds back in Nov 22'.

It has been a bloody long time since I felt this well-unmedicated.

[fluffylight]

Hi @down_not_out

This is so great to hear!! So nice to read your post and hear about your good week! Such a big step for you to take and achieve. It's great you can recognise it for yourself 😊 

Thank you for sharing with us the positives and struggles you go through. It reminds me that recovery is non linear. 

Sending lots of light for your better days!

fluffylight xx

[down_not_out]

@fluffylight 

Thanks for sending me some nice light 🙂

You are not wrong about recovery being far from linear. I do worry about having to deal with any daily life stressors that may hit me now, but I am getting stronger each week. I'm going to live life without using clonaz to dull my anxiety. 

I only reflected the other night on just how sick I was when I stopped medication

last Nov. I didn't want to stay in the private clinic any longer (8 weeks) but felt too ill to be discharged. My vision was literally double for the whole summer. Fortunately, I knew what I was in for and can understand why people going through protracted w/d think that they have brain damage.

Have a wonderful week.