Keep Fighting

Last week saw me back to hospital for treatment to manage my anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress. This was a planned admission, and one that helps me manage the symptoms of the illness. Whilst I’m in there, I receive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) which is helpful for managing my depression. I’ll explain how it works as it’s pretty cool and has been successful for me to keep things manageable when other things haven’t worked. 

During a TMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against my scalp near my forehead. It’s not hit and miss but is a science and the brain is carefully mapped to find the right position.
The electromagnet delivers a magnetic pulse that stimulates nerve cells in the area of the brain involved in mood control and depression. It’s purpose is to stimulates regions of the brain that have decreased activity in depression to get them working more efficiently. It sounds like some sort of shock treatment but it is pain free and doesn’t have any side affects. I know quite a few veterans that get this treatment and I would say that the overall consensus is positive. 

Whilst I’m not a rocket scientist, I have a vague understanding of the science behind it but more importantly I can tell you what it has done for me. 

When I first came to hospital I was unwell, my mind was taking me to places that I find quite distressing and my anxiety and depression were extremely elevated. I take anti depressant medication and was struggling to manage my day to day. My sleep was broken and concentration was poor. General living was a real battle and at times I was having suicidal ideations. For those of you that have had this feeling, you’ll know that it’s not great. Of course I don’t want to check out but for some silly reason my mind sometimes has other ideas.

After my initial course of TMS which saw me hospitalised for about a month I found that the depression was easing and I was feeling better. Sometimes I think that some of my anxiety comes from the constant feeling of depression so any reduction in this has a flow on effect.

Since getting out of hospital, my mood has been reasonably stable considering that I don’t love the festive season and I do what ever I have to just to get by. I think for many, Christmas is a time that we’d rather avoid. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and friends but the whole pressure thing that comes with it is stressful. Chuck in a bucket load of anxiety, a cup of depression and two boxes of Post Traumatic Stress, then the recipe can often turn to shit. For some reason this makes me sad so often it’s an emotionally taxing time.

Since my last blog, I’ve placed another order for t-shirts so we’ll have a decent range of sizes for those that are waiting. I’m also looking at some other exciting things and are working on getting some patches, caps and beanies. All of these things take time and my priority remains with looking after my mental health whilst promoting mental health awareness with Tango Juliet Foxtrot.

Thank you to everyone that continues to support us by creating helpful conversations about mental health. There is still so much work that needs to be done and I’m looking forward to seeing more recognition for mental health. Keep fighting the good fight, never give up and feel free to flick us an email with any suggestions that you may have to grow our cause.