So that's why I took some time away from social media because while I've been handling this disorder without anti-psychotic drugs for the past 10 years, it's not an easy thing to do. I have tried the drugs but the side effects from them are actually worst than seeing things that aren't really there. I'd rather deal with the whispering and hallucinations than deal with those side effects again. I do take 2 different antidepressants and that does help a bit. I also have something called Schizotypal Personality Disorder and having both at the same time makes things a little harder for me but I've been dealing with it for a long time. And because mental health disorders have such a stigma attached to them, I think it's good to bring things like this out in the open whenever possible because there are a lot of people out there suffering from mental health problems that could really be helped if only they would open up and seek out the help. So now you know.
Thanksgiving...
My brother and sister in law came in from California and stayed for 4 days and my dad and step mother as well as my daughter and grandson came over for Thanksgiving. I had a full house in my small 1 bdrm apartment. lol
Everyone seemed to like the dinner I made so that was good and everyone got to visit for a while since we hadn't all been together since last year. So it was nice to get together.
But now that it's over and everyone has gone home, it's nice to be able to settle back down and get back to normal...whatever that is. I have a couple more pictures and I'll be sharing them in the next couple of weeks on Wednesdays, when I share my favorite picture of the week.
I also took this time to put the Christmas tree up and wrap some presents.
And then we had to contend with Falcor urinating on our bed, my shredded memory foam pillow that would cost $50 to replace and even though I washed it, it wouldn't dry and took on a terrible smell so I had to toss it and get a cheap uncomfortable pillow. *Still pissed off*
Then he decided to pee on the couch, the box I had on my side of the bed, the chair and the couch pillow. So we are in the middle of trying to re-train him not to pee on our things. I don't know why he started doing it all of the sudden. He's my first dog so I really am stumped at this. So we don't leave him alone. If I'm outside, in the bathroom or cooking, Ken keeps an eye on him and vice versa. He's not allowed in the bedroom except at night to sleep and when that didn't stop him...I got these....
Yep, doggie diapers. So far there have been no accidents in the apartment for 2 weeks and he only wore the diaper for a few days. I'm thinking that maybe he felt left alone when Ken went away to dog sit for 2 weeks and then we had a lot of people over for Thanksgiving so maybe he just got all messed up emotionally. I dunno. But so far so good and I think he's glad not to have to wear the doggie diapers anymore. lol
It was nice to have a break from social media but it's also nice to be back.
I hope everything is ok, I can understand it was stressing. That's weird for your dog... mainly all that sudden... I always had dogs and they never did that so I don't know. Mine starts to poop inside but I think it's because he is quite old and starts to loose his head.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Now that everything has calmed down he's not peeing in the house. So I think it as just stressing him out.
DeleteThanks for being open about your struggles. I don't do well in crowded rooms and situations especially when there are several conversations at once so I understand a smidge of that.
ReplyDeleteOh neat that you saw all your family and had a great Thanksgiving together. Pool Falcor. You're probably right about what upset him.
Glad you had a break and glad to see you returned. Love your family pictures.
Thank you. Being in crowds is a problem for a lot of people. I did have a nice break.
DeleteYou are so brave, Mary, for being open about your struggles and for hosting Thanksgiving while dealing with it all. I understand about the meds. My daughter with autism tried a medication and it turned her into a zombie. We said no thanks to that.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm glad you are back and I hope you are able to enjoy the rest of the holiday season. The most stressful part for me is the snow, so I'm glad you don't deal with that, too!
Thank you. Sometimes the meds can be worst than what you're taking them for.
DeleteWelcome back. Being able to control it with out much medication is sure a win indeed.
ReplyDeletelmao he looks severely pissed off. It was most likely all about attention. He wasn't getting what he felt he wanted so he knew peeing everywhere would get that.
Thanks. I think he was acting out too maybe. But he seems better now.
DeleteMy dog was luckily good on never peeing in the house. We never had to train her. She just never did. Except a few times where she was left by herself for too long and she couldn't hold it for whatever reason. Which was only like once. I think she ate something bad that day.
ReplyDeleteThat kind of why I don't know if I want another dog. I have no fence, and I don't like leaving them in the house for who knows how many hours. If they had dog litter boxes that'd be different
That's good and understandable about not getting another dog. I won't be getting anymore animals.
DeleteGlad you're back, Mary. I would have never guessed you had any kind of mental illness because your blog posts always seem so down to earth and sensible! I hope you keep managing without medication.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's easy to write, rewrite and take your time online about what and how you post things. In person I'm a bit different but for the most part unless I tell someone that I'm seeing things or hearing things, they never even know. I'm pretty good at ignoring it. I'm glad you like my blog.
DeleteThanks for sharing that, Mary. It's good to have you back. Love that white tree.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I love a nice white tree.
DeleteThat's a bit weird, having a dog in diapers, but I understand the reasoning. Nice to have the family around. My Mum passed away 14 years ago, and my Dad dies last year, my daughter and son now live in Scotland while we live in New Zealand, so it's only the two of us this Christmas, but we'll be happy, with just the two of us.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I can understand everything else, but a WHITE Christmas tree .. just wrong somehow.
I didn't even know they made dog diapers until I jokingly looked for them. It's hard having a parent pass away. My dad is 83 years old so I know I won't have him around for much longer.I love the white tree. There are purple and green ones too. lol
DeleteI'm glad you're back, and I'm glad you shared your story with us. I've had depression since I was seventeen. Recently, it's gotten much worse. I just started taking antidepressant medication. And I'll be seeing a therapist soon. At least to try it. I also experience anxiety from time to time. A few things that have happened recently in my personal and professional (including blogging) life has made things more difficult for me, so I'm happy that you spoke up about your struggles.
ReplyDeleteTake care!
I hope that your depression and anxiety get better. The antidepressants have helped me a bit so I hope they help you as well.
DeleteThis is a stressful time of year. I hope you are doing well. I usually unplug myself the last few weeks of December to recharge.
ReplyDeleteIt is a stressful time of year but I'm feeling better.
DeleteWelcome back. It definitely sounds like it's been a heck of 30 days. I'm glad to have you back. :)
ReplyDeleteIt has been. Other things have happened as well but that's another story.
DeleteWhat a naughty pup! lol I'm glad you had a nice holiday and time away, Mary. And that you know when you need time for yourself and your health and take it. I hope the rest of the year goes well for you!
ReplyDeleteHe was so cute in the doggie diapers.
DeleteOh, hugs, I do hope you are doing well now. You have one naughty puppy!
ReplyDeleteHe's a brat.
DeleteI didn't realize you had a mental disorder, that must be difficult to deal with. And also anxiety next to that. I hope the break did you well. It's a shame mental disorders still have such a stigma attached to them.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear you had a fun thanksgiving and everyone liked the food. Your Christmas tree looks great! we just put ours up this weekend.
That's nasty your dog peed in your bed, but glad to hear he seems back to normal again.
So often no one talks about their mental disorders or depression and anxiety. There's such a stigma attached to them. I'm hoping that will change one day. I was just glad that it didn't get on the mattress and only the pillow and blankets. At least the blankets can be washed.
Deleteit is hard to deal with such disorder but as i know you through your beautiful blog and writing you are an optimist and will surly fight back to your mental problems .
ReplyDeletei can see your very lovely family and happiness in your small bed room apartment which is possible to achieve when one is positive and courageous enough .
glad you celebrated your events with love and warmth of your family dear .
hugs
We had a good time.
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ReplyDeleteGlad you're back...and thanks for the laughs with the pics of pup in diapers! I needed it!
ReplyDeleteGlad they made you laugh.
DeleteSo glad you are back and doing better, I love all the pictures!!
ReplyDeleteThank you. So glad you liked the pictures.
DeleteThank you for sharing this very personal thing with us. I can't even begin to imagine how to handle something like this, I'm glad that you're back to normal.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you reading this post. It's not easy but I'm getting through the best I can.
DeleteHugs. I am glad to see you back
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteWelcome back! Thanks for sharing this, and for bringing that whole mental health thing out into the open. It's not a four letter word. I suffer from depression, and I'm not ashamed to say it. It's sad how unwilling people are to talk about these things in the first place. Anyhow, I hope your time away did you well, and that your stress (dog pee aside) has been minimal.
ReplyDeleteOh, and thank you for ending this with doggy diapers, because Falcor's embarrassed expression is hilarious.
A lot of people suffer from depression and a lot more have it and don't even realize it. There's help out there for so much of this and so many people are too embarrassed to seek help.
DeleteThe dog diapers were so funny. The looks he gave me...