Mental health issues?

[Luke Barnes]

Me and my wife enjoy camping alot. We have a good tent and air mattress and all the add ons. We would go more if the kids were older or we had more than one sitter in the roster to watch all three kids. 

 

Been going to counseling at the Vet Center and its been helping. Ive gone for years and years but have taken breaks from going. I'm going to stay going and not stop when I feel I am "better".

[schplurg]

On 5/21/2022 at 3:28 PM, TnRiver46 said:

I smell what you’re stepping in. Just wait til you’ve been hiking for years and people start talking about this gear and that gear. The hiking monkey is as bad as the bait monkey! Especially for women hahahahah. My wife has to have all the special stuff, and of course makes me tote it all 

 

Ya with backpacking it's all about going as lightweight as po$$ible, for some it's an obsession. My backpack, tent, sleeping bag and pad are 9 pounds. Maybe I said that already? LOL. I threw in 3/4 gallon of water and a few other things for weight last night.

 

I got the lightest best budget equipment I could get. My camp stove (like a jetboil) is less than an ounce haha. May not use it a lot.

 

I was thinking about you guys when I hiked last night and I think it's just me pushing to improve every day that keeps me happy. I intended to do a short hike with no climbs because I had my new pack on, a headache, and slightly sore back. 

 

But of course, when I got to the turn around point my back wasn't sore and my headache was gone so I went up the hill instead. I was surprised I did the whole hike with my pack on. It felt GREAT to accomplish that, and I watched the sunset by myself. Gonna do it again in a few hours.

[TnRiver46]

3 minutes ago, schplurg said:

 

Ya with backpacking it's all about going as lightweight as po$$ible, for some it's an obsession. My backpack, tent, sleeping bag and pad are 9 pounds. Maybe I said that already? LOL. I threw in 3/4 gallon of water and a few other things for weight last night.

 

I got the lightest best budget equipment I could get. My camp stove (like a jetboil) is less than an ounce haha. May not use it a lot.

 

I was thinking about you guys when I hiked last night and I think it's just me pushing to improve every day that keeps me happy. I intended to do a short hike with no climbs because I had my new pack on, a headache, and slightly sore back. 

 

But of course, when I got to the turn around point my back wasn't sore and my headache was gone so I went up the hill instead. I was surprised I did the whole hike with my pack on. It felt GREAT to accomplish that, and I watched the sunset by myself. Gonna do it again in a few hours.

Love the sunrise and sunsets, on the water, on the mountain, or on my back porch 

[schplurg]

Sorry but I decided to delete this post. For those who saw it, me and some family are going to meet with this person next Friday and see what we can do. I won't let him come to harm. The wrong person could see this thread.

 

I guess this post was mainly about life kicking you in the butt no matter how much you hike. Sounds stupid. But you work and work, everything is great, and then bam! Life smacks you upside the head. How this (this post) helps anyone I don't know.

 

Thank you very very much, @jbsoonerfan (below). That is very kind of you. I'm cool, thankfully the family is pulling together. Rough day.

[jbsoonerfan]

PM me your number if you need to talk. I'm not a therapist, but I will listen and help any way I can. 

[schplurg]

I don't know if I can fish anymore. My tendinitis is getting worse, my doctors have misdiagnosed me for a year and a half. I had to tell my boss I can't work right now (computer) and I'm already on temporary workers comp and barely working as it is.

 

So I'm almost 55, can't work or do anything much without pain in my arms. Nothing depressing there LOL.

 

I'm just saying this because I don't know if I'll be hanging around here at BR much. I haven't been anyways. I'm not fishing so not much to say.

 

I want to do more hiking anyways and trout fishing. I haven't enjoyed bass fishing this year much. Kayak just gathers dust. So does my favorite creek now.

 

I have a new camera for hiking so I've been using that every day. At least hiking is mostly legs!

 

I don't look forward to bass fishing these days...the pain is part of it, the crappy fishing here is part of it, but I just don't daydream about it much these days. I daydream about being outside in general, maybe fishing a nice stream, being away from people.

 

I did fish yesterday, but I spent half the time with the new camera. Saw no fish.

 

I am depressed because of all this (and more), so we'll see how I feel later, but for now I dunno.

[Will Ketchum]

We all have good days and bad. It's just a normal part of life. Weather can affect us for instance hence a term like "gloomy weather". The quality of your sleep makes a difference.

 

As far as tiring of what we once enjoyed, I think that's normal too. I'm getting that way. It's part of aging.

[NavyToad]

As much as I’d like to isolate myself from all the political insanity in the world, I believe that a big part of the reason we’re in this position is because most of us were indifferent and uninformed for way too long.

My mental health would probably be better if I tuned it all out, but I won’t do it. It’s the reality, and  it ain’t pretty, but at least I won’t be taken by surprise.

 

[ThatZX14Fella]

Personally, aside from the medication, staying busy has been the best thing for me. If I’m working, I’m thinking about that. Not all of the other bad stuff that’s happening in my life. And if you’re not busy, then dive into your hobbies. Doing things you love and staying active are both very good for your mental health.

[GTN-NY]

On 3/19/2022 at 6:27 PM, ThatFishingGuy said:

I can't be the only one on this site that suffers from mental health issues. I currently take medicine to manage my depression and anxiety, and for the most part they really work, but sometimes the low days hang around longer than I'd wish. Lately I've been feeling very disinterested in my hobbies, including fishing - the weather has been beautiful and I feel like I should want to go fish and take my kayak out, but I just can't find the motivation. It seems like too much effort to be worth it. 

 

For those that sometimes feel similarly, do you have any tips? I did recently start a new job, which might explain the stress and worsening mental health, but I'd be very glad to hear what some of the people here do when they're feeling this way. Do you have any fixes that work for you? Ways to change your mindset and overcome these feelings?

2021 and beginning of 2022 I have been the same. I would beat myself up for not going fishing in the kayak which would make the depression worse. 
I finally decided to just not got anymore and find something else to do. I’ve been helping a friend rebuild a house out on his farm. It gave me something to do. He would call when he needed me so I had no excuse not to go. And he paid me in cash. 
It’s really helped me a lot. I still haven’t gone fishing except while we were on vacation but that’s ok

[schplurg]

On 8/6/2022 at 3:36 PM, NavyToad said:

As much as I’d like to isolate myself from all the political insanity in the world, I believe that a big part of the reason we’re in this position is because most of us were indifferent and uninformed for way too long.

My mental health would probably be better if I tuned it all out, but I won’t do it. It’s the reality, and  it ain’t pretty, but at least I won’t be taken by surprise.

 

 

I spent almost 20 years on a discussion forum arguing politics, I recently quit. It's a site for critical thinking but I got sucked into politics (which is funny because there is little critical thought in politics  ). 

 

From my years there it is obvious that many people in this country are politically illiterate, especially compared with people from other countries. They know more about our own system than many of us do.

 

Yes, the state of our country is one of my big concerns now. It's reality, so it's hard to just turn away from it. But I stopped participating in discussions for the most part. No point.

 

@GTN-NY I feel guilty with my kayak not being used. It bugs me. But there are reasons outside my control keeping me from using it as I want. Well that's part of it. The rest is just not really wanting to I guess. Pain changes attitudes.

 

My inability to work, and maybe fish too, is depressing. There's still hope for getting better (my arms). But the health care system takes forever, and quite frankly my doctors suck.

 

My Dad is doing stupid things right now (all I can say here). I can't talk sense into him. I almost did once so I haven't given up. 

 

May as well be honest...I stopped taking my meds because I'm sick of the problems with getting them sometimes and I ran out (long story). The generics are sometimes ineffective, it's well documented and known, and FDA doesn't care. I've had bad reactions from them.

 

But I see stopping was a mistake, especially right now. Gonna cough up the cash for the brand name from now on. $1500 in the US vs $100 in Canadian pharmacies. Guess where I'm shopping from now on? 

 

And thanks USA for making mental health management so ******* expensive and difficult. Need hardon pills or something to grow hair though? No problem. Cheap and available.

 

Sorry I'm not in a great mood  

 

BUT all is not lost! Having fun with the new camera and I'm taking it on a backpacking trip soon.

 

These are photos I took all in San Jose last week. It's juts a $400 camera but it has 60x optical zoom and does 4K video very nicely. Lumix DC-FZ80

 

 

 

 

 

[PressuredFishing]

Depression and anxiety are not mental illnesses, they are a part of life and natural, we had a time tested culture in the west that prevented these issues, it was destroyed long ago. I won't go much further into detail for obvious reasons.

[slonezp]

32 minutes ago, schplurg said:

 

I spent almost 20 years on a discussion forum arguing politics, I recently quit. It's a site for critical thinking but I got sucked into politics (which is funny because there is little critical thought in politics  ). 

 

From my years there it is obvious that many people in this country are politically illiterate, especially compared with people from other countries. They know more about our own system than many of us do.

 

Yes, the state of our country is one of my big concerns now. It's reality, so it's hard to just turn away from it. But I stopped participating in discussions for the most part. No point.

 

@GTN-NY I feel guilty with my kayak not being used. It bugs me. But there are reasons outside my control keeping me from using it as I want. Well that's part of it. The rest is just not really wanting to I guess. Pain changes attitudes.

 

My inability to work, and maybe fish too, is depressing. There's still hope for getting better (my arms). But the health care system takes forever, and quite frankly my doctors suck.

 

My Dad is doing stupid things right now (all I can say here). I can't talk sense into him. I almost did once so I haven't given up. 

 

May as well be honest...I stopped taking my meds because I'm sick of the problems with getting them sometimes and I ran out (long story). The generics are sometimes ineffective, it's well documented and known, and FDA doesn't care. I've had bad reactions from them.

 

But I see stopping was a mistake, especially right now. Gonna cough up the cash for the brand name from now on. $1500 in the US vs $100 in Canadian pharmacies. Guess where I'm shopping from now on? 

 

And thanks USA for making mental health management so ******* expensive and difficult. Need hardon pills or something to grow hair though? No problem. Cheap and available.

 

Sorry I'm not in a great mood  

 

BUT all is not lost! Having fun with the new camera and I'm taking it on a backpacking trip soon.

 

These are photos I took all in San Jose last week. It's juts a $400 camera but it has 60x optical zoom and does 4K video very nicely. Lumix DC-FZ80

 

 

 

 

 

Life happens when you've made other plans.

 

I don't trust antidepressant meds when the side effects are depression.....

 

I'm 52. Had a career ending injury 10 years ago. The injury cause debilitating headaches 24/7 and I lost 90% use of my left arm. Talk about wanting to put a bullet in my head.... Worked with my hands my entire career and now only one of them works.

 

I kept at it and found a doctor that was able to perform a surgery on my shoulder that made life livable again. I continue to suffer pain and discomfort all day every day...but I've accepted it. It's no longer debilitating mentally, the physical limitations are still in force. I can live with it.

Gave up tourney fishing in 2013. It crushed my son as he was my partner. Stopped targeting bass and became more of a multi species fisherman. 

 

Guess what I'm trying to say is there are always alternatives out there. I can sit and wallow in my pity or I can get on with my life. 

 

I don't post here nearly as much as I did when I was healthy. When I had a "real" boat. Don't matter. 

I still take my 82yo dad fishing and his arthritis is horrible. I have to help him in and out of the boat and sometimes to get on his feet at the dock. Crawling on all 4's on the dock hasn't stopped him from fishing. 

 

I'm not minimizing your physical ailments, just stating where there is a will there is a way, and showing up is half the battle.

[DogBone_384]

On 3/23/2022 at 10:18 PM, Koz said:

stop watching the news and stay off of social media.

‘Bout sums it up.  

 

Stress & bad things are part of life.  Accepting that is 99% of the battle and dwelling on it only makes it worse.

 

Look at the WWII generation and live by their example.

[Luke Barnes]

21 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

‘Bout sums it up.  

 

Stress & bad things are part of life.  Accepting that is 99% of the battle and dwelling on it only makes it worse.

 

Look at the WWII generation and live by their example.

Those were some tough soldiers back then.  I wish they had the ptsd awareness back then though. It's helped me and I was just in Iraq. 

 

I agree with everyone that admitting it is the biggest hurdle to overcome. Once that is done you can work on getting better. 

 

 

[Darth-Baiter]

several years ago, i thought i was depressed.  my doc sent me to group therapy to talk things out.  i went for a month as prescribe.  i promised my wife to take it seriously, so i did.

 

after a month, my doc called and asked if i went to every session.  i did.  she asked what my takeaway was.  "i guess i am not depressed".  she said, "yup".  i had no idea what true depression is.  my heart goes out for those that suffer it.  i learned more in that month than i have in a long time.  i learned an appreciation.  i'll know it if i see it. 

 

i do know to not believe everything i think.   i wish all those that do suffer from it the best.  

[Luke Barnes]

One of the worst parts of depression for me has been the lack of interest in things that I usually enjoy. Fishing has falled victim to that, but it's also ruined relationships, jobs, hobbies, and on and on. People make it sound so easy when they say, just get out there and do it. Well on a day I can't pry myself out of bed, let alone get dressed, just forcing myself doesn't always work.  So it's frustrating but it has gotten better and anyone who truly wants to get better, therapy has saved me and I recommend it to everyone. I fought it for years. I was a newly back to civilian life war veteran when my family started asking me to go to therapy and it took many many years. 

 

Don't waste years like I did if you even think you are depressed, go talk to therapist. You will not regret it. 

[schplurg]

I took one of the generics I had and I felt better within an hour. So I'm back on them, where I should be. Sucks, but I've been doing this for decades and I guess I just have to take this stuff.

 

I can't stand the way I feel without it. Everybody who knows me would say the same thing....Mike is way better to be around this way.

 

It's actually ADD for me mainly. I have mild depression as they say, but the ADD is part of why I think.

 

Whatever though. I've done therapy, I've done it all since 2nd grade. This is nothing new. It isn't "Oh something bad happened yesterday get over it"

 

I'm a talker (as you can see) so I have no problem talking to a few good friends and my family about my issues. If I get bad I'll see someone.

 

Still working on healing my arms. I took the week off work. Not fishing. Even taking the photos hurts. Sleeping hurts. Showering. Everything.

 

Sorry for the previous post it was a bad week. Well, not sorry maybe, but I wish y'all didn't have to see that.

 

On 8/7/2022 at 7:02 PM, DogBone_384 said:

Stress & bad things are part of life.  Accepting that is 99% of the battle and dwelling on it only makes it worse.

 

Look at the WWII generation and live by their example.

 

I'm 55 and have been through plenty of crap. Kinda hard not to accept that's part of life. It's okay though, many people don't understand depression.

 

As for the so-called WWII toughest generation ever example though: Just pull up those bootstraps, let your depression run deep and affect everyone around you, hiding the realities of mental issues for another generation. There was shell shock or PTSD back then too. It affected them deeply and I know first hand (Great Uncle for one).

 

Maybe I just need a good blood letting.

 

On 8/8/2022 at 4:24 PM, Luke Barnes said:

Those were some tough soldiers back then.  I wish they had the ptsd awareness back then though. It's helped me and I was just in Iraq. 

 

I agree with everyone that admitting it is the biggest hurdle to overcome. Once that is done you can work on getting better. 

 

 

 

Yes, more mental health awareness is good  

 

I don't think people are less tough today. Maybe, but they had something important to fight for then. We haven't fought a war we should have been involved in since then, my opinion. 

 

A soldier returning from Vietnam had a different experience upon returning home than our WW2 boys did, for example. Far different. They were called Baby Killers and had little support from home.

[schplurg]

 

 

Anyone who stumbles upon this thread please don't hide your depression. We have a very high suicide rate in this country and the long held stigma of mental illness is a big reason why.

 

This stigma = less funding for mental health issues and less awareness, which in turn leads to more suffering and suicides. The more we accept mental illness the better it is for everyone. You aren't a tough guy for hiding it, you may be making it harder on yourself and everyone who cares about you.

[Luke Barnes]

On 8/10/2022 at 6:47 PM, schplurg said:

 

 

Anyone who stumbles upon this thread please don't hide your depression. We have a very high suicide rate in this country and the long held stigma of mental illness is a big reason why.

 

This stigma = less funding for mental health issues and less awareness, which in turn leads to more suffering and suicides. The more we accept mental illness the better it is for everyone. You aren't a tough guy for hiding it, you may be making it harder on yourself and everyone who cares about you.

Yes please don't hide it or tough it out. DM me if you need to talk or anything, that goes for everybody. Just speak up somewhere because you are worth it. 

[Darth-Baiter]

I'd like to point out the Depression isn't the only Mental health issue.

 

another crowd pleaser is Anxiety.  I seriously hope this isn't genetic or learned...gah.  

[LrgmouthShad]

Caught up on reading some posts on here. @schplurg I reach out in support of you and am very glad to hear that photography and backpacking and more have been other ways for you to enjoy being out in nature and enjoy life. And @slonezp so glad you've found a way to frame your outlook on your injury towards positivity - just doing what you can with what you've got.

 

Totally agree with sentiment inviting anyone who is struggling to reach out for help. If really struggling, talk to a professional.

 

I think anyone who is in a good state mentally should never take that for granted and be kind to people.

 

Also agree with @Slipknot_Fan666 that immersing yourself in work and hobbies you love can be a great way to focus the mind. 

 

Also @Slipknot_Fan666 what's this new Slipknot album gonna look like ya think? I am liking Yen and The Dying Song ?

[Luke Barnes]

On 8/12/2022 at 9:38 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

I'd like to point out the Depression isn't the only Mental health issue.

 

another crowd pleaser is Anxiety.  I seriously hope this isn't genetic or learned...gah.  

I second that. There are actually many mental health issues That all need awareness. 

 

But yeah anxiety is a doozy and can be down right crippling. I have no advice but if anyone has any, I need it as well. 

[schplurg]

Too much salt can lead to hypertension and anxiety (high blood pressure). Just one of a thousand causes but we have a hypertension problem in the US.

 

My 80 year old Dad has been having a hard time (Luke you know a little about this I think). He asked me if he should try CBD (the good stuff not the crap on Amazon or in regular stores) so I sent him some gummies. I've taken them.

 

He is NOT a pot person at all. He was starting to drink every day to cope so I figured heck ya try it, can't hurt.

 

He said it seemed to have a calming effect. He's a skeptic like me so he tried it for a month. He really liked it. A lot safer than booze and it doesn't even get you high. He stopped after a month or so when things settled down. Not addictive.

 

I'm not suggesting anyone take any medication though, see a doctor. CBD - he could eat the whole bag and not overdose. Can't say that about most prescription stuff.

[GTN-NY]

12 hours ago, schplurg said:

Too much salt can lead to hypertension and anxiety (high blood pressure). Just one of a thousand causes but we have a hypertension problem in the US.

 

My 80 year old Dad has been having a hard time (Luke you know a little about this I think). He asked me if he should try CBD (the good stuff not the crap on Amazon or in regular stores) so I sent him some gummies. I've taken them.

 

He is NOT a pot person at all. He was starting to drink every day to cope so I figured heck ya try it, can't hurt.

 

He said it seemed to have a calming effect. He's a skeptic like me so he tried it for a month. He really liked it. A lot safer than booze and it doesn't even get you high. He stopped after a month or so when things settled down. Not addictive.

 

I'm not suggesting anyone take any medication though, see a doctor. CBD - he could eat the whole bag and not overdose. Can't say that about most prescription stuff.

Where did you get the gummies? Online link?