WELCOME LOST LAMB

[Rhonda]

WELCOME LOST LAMB TO THE GROUP

I look forward to getting to know you

I hope you feel free to look around and post and ask questions

Again welcome
Rhonda

[lostlamb]

Thank you!

I joined originally to find out more about a condition that I don't have myself, but it's ended up being very helpful in answering some questions on the one that I do!

[parsnip]

Dear 'Lost Lamb'

I apologise for my previous post - I've edited it out. Not a very friendly welcome here for you that.

Now I'm paranoid on top of everything else

Take care.

[lostlamb]

I'm sorry,

I think my original question has been misunderstood. I'm a good person, who has had a bad experience, like many other people. I don't seek reconciliation, or retribution. Just understanding. It's easy to forget the profound effect that someone elses destructive phase can have on those around them, and I think it's something worth highlighting. Often they don't get the same level of help as the person with the disorder. Often they know nothing about the disorder and then feel guilty for not being able to cope with it properly.

Only very recently, someone close to me tried for the second time to take their own life. They have no history of mental illness. Instead the feelings were brought on by a partner they live with, who was going through a bad stage in his own illness, and putting everyone else through hell. He's not to be blamed for his illness, but you can see the knock on efffect these things can have.

This was the first time I had had to cope with certain behavioural traits or a disorder I had no experience of. I don't like to think badly of people, and as I say, a greater understanding may help me in my own recovery. Parsnip is right in thinking I need help. Sometimes the victim of a disorder isn't the person with the disorder, but they suffer just as much, and deserve the same level of understanding and help. If you have a disorder that affects those around you, you will probably be the last to realise it, and most likely won't understand. That's why I'm interested to learn how these disorders are treated.

I certainly have not posted on any other sites, or discussed/invented specific incidents. It would be offensive and pointless, and I don't think would help me understand anything... but finding out about the condition in general would.

[lostlamb]

parsnip said:

Dear 'Lost Lamb'

I apologise for my previous post - I've edited it out. Not a very friendly welcome here for you that.

Now I'm paranoid on top of everything else

Take care.

Well,

I know what depression can be like. I felt as if no one understood, and they always said the wrong thing. Now I know it didn't mean they didn't care. I expected them to know how to deal with me despite them never having had any information on how to do so...quite a task for anyone. It got so bad that my mum ended up ill, thinking that somehow she had contributed to my illness. When I have a bad day now, I always make sure to let people know that it's my bad day, that I'll be OK soon, and they're not responsible for it. I feel better more quickly when I don't have the added burden of knowing I'm making everyone around me miserable! It's a cliche, but there really are people much worse off, and focusing on others' happiness instead of becoming a "victim" really does help put everything in perspective.

Hopefully I have the ability to free myself of this illness at a young age, and educate myself about it. I'm not prepared to label myself for life as having mental illness. I'd rather be able to look back on it twenty years from now and say "I was ill for a while, but got better," than wishing I hadn't let life pass me by while I sat and waited for things to change - without actually doing anything to change them! It's my theory anyhow...

I think I've uneccessarily been beating myself up over someone else's illness, which is what my mum did over mine! I've realised now it's not my fault, and no matter what's happened, I couldn't have done anything to stop it - even if I were a saint - any more than anyone could have stoped mine. The only difference was the type of illness involved.

I do feel better for thinking out loud. Sorry it's been so long! If anyone actually stuck with reading all that - you're very patient, thanks

All the best

[Rhonda]

Hi lost lamb

never meant o make you uncomfortable--just was worried that it might trigger something
in others

am sure you are both good people ---and please don't be afraid

~Rhonda

[Mel]

Hey Lost Lamb ANd parnip Its Melissa I am the owner of this group. Sorry I haven't been here sooner. I have just read up on things and have been following along. I think letting your feelings and thoughts out here are perfectly find thats what we are here for. The only thing i aksk is that if you are letting feelings outs and think that it may be trigger for someone else inthe group that you let it be know in your subject line that way other group members int the group will be alert when reading the post. For your subject you can puting something like TRIGGER or just ALERT to others. Don't be afraid to post anything here feel free to post anything just make it be known if its something that could trigger someones feelings.

Anyways if there is anything I can do to help you both in anyway let me know.

Rhonda is a very good friend of mind and hgelps me run this board. SHe can help you also with any questions you may have.

Thanks again Melissa Ethan