My progress - and trying to meet new people

[clickaway]

Hi there

Just updating you on my progress, so here goes!

Since I’ve been on my anti-depressants (Citalopram) my various pains have receded and enabled me to get out more – I have posted here previously about odd trips to London etc. However, I now seem to feel more tired and over the last two to three weeks my insomnia has been really troublesome – often not nodding off til 4 or 5 and sleeping during the morning.

I’ve also noticed that I get back pain after walking out for 10 to 15 minutes. However, I have noticed that I don’t get this at all if I’m with others, even if I’m out for several hours with a camera bag on my shoulder! So I’ve concluded this to be a symptom of separation anxiety, although I’m thinking my back can’t be great!

And since I have Separation Anxiety and have never had a natural gift in making friends, I’ve been attempting to rectify this as much as I can, which is difficult when you have anxiety and can’t easily commit to socialising because of how you feel. So I joined a photography group last year which is informal and sociable. This crowd meet up in pubs, rather than sit in a boring meeting hall looking at other peoples pictures and talking all technical. After 10 months of being a silent member, I eventually joined this bunch of strangers on Saturday up in London. I was made to feel very welcome and I didn’t feel the need to admit that I had anxiety at all! I really like it when you can appear to be normal on the outside!

Of course, I felt whacked the day after, but there again I’ve been fragile lately as today marks two years since my mum died – my brother and I went to the crematorium earlier today.

Another positive is that I now have a new co-facilitator to help my run self-help group here in Woking. She is a young psychologist and is very keen travelling up from Gosport for the sessions. This arrangement is taking the pressure off me, and we now have a regular clientele and I see the group getting stronger.

Oh well, I seem to have written quite a lot, so I’ll sign off now and let you get on!

[Karen]

Well done Ray It's not easy making the effort to get out and meet people. I realise the effort you've put into joining the photography group and going along .

I'm glad you've got some help for the self help group and that it's doing well.

Karen

[Nibbles]

Well done on those fantastic achievements Ray

Sounds like you're still enjoying your photography mate, it's a great way of letting your mind wander. That's great news on the self help group too.

Have a few hugs at this sensitive time.



Take care,

Mike

[honeybee3939]

Hi Ray

You can have a BIG WELL DONE from me too
I think its marvellous all the progress you have made recently, you have done so well, even when you have had times when you have felt awful you have made every effort to get on with things Your a true fighter Ray, and im so proud of all the successes you are making .

never had a natural gift in making friends

Ray, im so pleased to have you as one of my close friends, thankyou too for your continuous support, your more than natural hun your a star!!

hugs to you as always
Andrea
xxxx

[groovygranny]

Wow, Ray

Your phenomenal efforts seem to have paid just rewards!

Well done you for running a self-help group let alone belonging to one!

The photography group sounds great - something I'd love to get involved in if I had the time.

If you felt like I did when I first joined my BD classes then you have every reason to be very proud of yourself......

We all are!!

[kazzie]

Wow Ray you are doing sooooo well matey

Have some hugs

Hope to see you again soon

Luv Kaz x x x

[jill]

Hi Ray,

Just want to say well done mate, your doing great,

I know I have never met you but your personality shine's Ray, You come across as a kind caring and loving person. I have always called people on here speciel people, you ARE one of those special people Ray, NEVER forget that.

I wish you more and more progress every day

TAKE CARE

LOVE JILLXX

[Piglet]

I'm so proud of you hun and I bet your mum would be too - you're a good un.

Love Piglet

[clickaway]

Hi peeps,

Just want to thank you for your kind words - they mean a lot.

I actually met up with a couple of other friends in central London tonight. Went to a busy pub in Whitehall just after everyone came out of work and then had a meal near Leicester Square. Busy busy busy, but had a good time!

Cheers,

[jill]

Its great to hear you had a good time Ray

I have just looked at your fab pic's, there great, Hay, everyone, I have just seen Ray NAKED LOL joking aside, you have alot of talent Ray.

You take care

LOVE JILLXX