#ITSOKAYTOTALK - Mental Illness

[acorn]

100% @Viper_SA that would be awesome!

And btw I also work with snakes... Baby Choos brings me at least a snake a week and they are always alive... normally they are grey/black and very common... yesterday I got a green one and this one was very aggressive and scary! It tried to climb up my snake handling device (more commonly known as my braai tongs) and gave me quite a SKRIK! But it was released unharmed into the gorge.

Possibly this?
https://highwaymail.co.za/235498/snake-tales-durbans-most-common-snake-the-spotted-bush-snake/

Sent from my E5633 using Tapatalk

 

[Rob Fisher]

Possibly this?
https://highwaymail.co.za/235498/snake-tales-durbans-most-common-snake-the-spotted-bush-snake/

Nope... didn't have the black on it... was only green and its eyes were not as big. I should have taken pics but it was in no mood to pose for pics after Baby Choo had hauled it all the way to me to see it.

 

[Viper_SA]

100% @Viper_SA that would be awesome!

And btw I also work with snakes... Baby Choos brings me at least a snake a week and they are always alive... normally they are grey/black and very common... yesterday I got a green one and this one was very aggressive and scary! It tried to climb up my snake handling device (more commonly known as my braai tongs) and gave me quite a SKRIK! But it was released unharmed into the gorge.

If you send some pics I could try and identify them for you, unless you already know which species they are. Far as I know the only dangerous green snake in your area would be green mambas, my absolute favorite snake looks wise, but being a Freestate boytjie I love Rinkhals for their attitude. Wish I found more snakes in the wild. I'll upload some pics one day to the photography thread of the stuff I keep. No venomous in the house though. Too risky with my mental issues, lol. The greyish ones sound like Herald snakes, and the green could be a spotted Bush snake or aurora house snake.

 

[Moerse Rooikat]

Struggling today, both with the stinkies and mentally. Busy setting up my snake racks, and although I know I won't finish it all in one day, my mind and heart is racing, jumping to everything else I have to do and making me anxious as hell. Think I might have some add or adhd as well, really struggling to focus on only one thing and accepting I can't do everything at once. Anyone understand what I'm saying?

life is what happens when you are planing on what to do next. i had to learn how to life and not plan to life
when i lost my sister a cupple years back i was redye to give up let go . i came to cape town to help her. she was cone and soon my reason to be was gone. i friend ones gave me a card that said never give up long before this happened, i never know what it meant till that time and still every day i have to be still and picture that card in my head.
this is what gets me up wen i cant do it myself
and a song always helps aswell

 

[Viper_SA]

 

[Rob Fisher]

If you send some pics I could try and identify them for you, unless you already know which species they are. Far as I know the only dangerous green snake in your area would be green mambas, my absolute favorite snake looks wise, but being a Freestate boytjie I love Rinkhals for their attitude. Wish I found more snakes in the wild. I'll upload some pics one day to the photography thread of the stuff I keep. No venomous in the house though. Too risky with my mental issues, lol. The greyish ones sound like Herald snakes, and the green could be a spotted Bush snake or aurora house snake.

Just had a look at some pics and I would guess it was a Green Water Snake or a Natal Green Snake.

 

[Andre]

Struggling today, both with the stinkies and mentally. Busy setting up my snake racks, and although I know I won't finish it all in one day, my mind and heart is racing, jumping to everything else I have to do and making me anxious as hell. Think I might have some add or adhd as well, really struggling to focus on only one thing and accepting I can't do everything at once. Anyone understand what I'm saying?

I can't even begin to give advice because I have never felt like that... all I can say is everytime you post I wish there was something I could say to help. But suffice to say we do care!

Yip, I also tried a few unpublished versions, but @Rob Fisher has "articulated" it perfectly.

 

[Carnival]

Struggling today, both with the stinkies and mentally. Busy setting up my snake racks, and although I know I won't finish it all in one day, my mind and heart is racing, jumping to everything else I have to do and making me anxious as hell. Think I might have some add or adhd as well, really struggling to focus on only one thing and accepting I can't do everything at once. Anyone understand what I'm saying?

Okay.. *takes a deep breath*

I can relate to the anxiety part.

I have both general and social anxiety.

I know it makes no sense/sounds silly (even to me!) but socializing with people I don’t know sends my anxiety through the roof. Why? That’s a really great question, because even I can’t answer it. Brief interactions are fine, but anything more makes things really hard for me. I hate it, I absolutely hate it (my anxiety) mostly because I show physical signs where my hands start to shake. So if I get asked the “are you okay?” question, I smile and use the excuse of “oh it’s just low blood sugar” which is all I can think of to say that might explain my shaky hands to others (who are probably thinking up worse reasons). It’s incredibly embarrassing.

So yeah that’s me. That’s why (as much as I really do want to) I haven’t tried to meet anyone here or go to Vapecon. Wouldn’t even be able to vape with my shaky hands. I feel like an alien.

 

[Hooked]

Okay.. *takes a deep breath*

I can relate to the anxiety part.

I have both general and social anxiety.

I know it makes no sense/sounds silly (even to me!) but socializing with people I don’t know sends my anxiety through the roof. Why? That’s a really great question, because even I can’t answer it. Brief interactions are fine, but anything more makes things really hard for me. I hate it, I absolutely hate it (my anxiety) mostly because I show physical signs where my hands start to shake. So if I get asked the “are you okay?” question, I smile and use the excuse of “oh it’s just low blood sugar” which is all I can think of to say that might explain my shaky hands to others (who are probably thinking up worse reasons). It’s incredibly embarrassing.

So yeah that’s me. That’s why (as much as I really do want to) I haven’t tried to meet anyone here or go to Vapecon. Wouldn’t even be able to vape with my shaky hands. I feel like an alien.

Sorry to hear that @Carnival. Social situations must be really awful for you.

 

[Carnival]

Sorry to hear that @Carnival. Social situations must be really awful for you.

I could handle it despite all the anxious feelings, I WANT to socialize, but the shaky hands problem is what stops me and the reason I mostly avoid socializing all together. Ahh well, we’re all dealt with our own problems in life. What I do enjoy is making jokes about it, because if you don’t laugh you’ll surely cry! So here’s a couple funnies, especially for those who can relate:

 

[craigb]

Hey guys

Just a reminder ,this thread has its own little whatsapp group. It's a safe place to just express your problems talk to others that are also experiencing issues and sometimes just have a good laugh.

There is no need to suffer alone, sometimes just knowing there is a group of people ready to listen and offer words of comfort can help... I know this because it helped me immensely at my lowest.

This group may or may not be of use to you, but please feel free to get in touch if you would like to be added. @Neuk is the group admin, so if you would like to be added contact him, or feel free to message me and I'll pass your details on to him as he doesn't get a chance to check in here as often as he would like to.

 

[Raindance]

This forum has helped me a lot in making headway in subduing my "social awkwardness". Think it taught me I am not alone in this, my flaws are no worse than the next persons and it is ok to do the "wrong" thing from time to time. Some say we judge ourselves as we judge others... I learned to be far less judgmental of others and myself. Nobody is perfect, and that is just perfect.

Regards

 

[Neuk]

Morning all

I hope that everyone is doing well today?

I am not on this forum much these days, after stopping vaping, for a myriad of reasons but I am glad to see that it is still going, users are still sharing and we even have a new member in the WhatsApp group. Thanks to @craigb for the reminder, I encourage anyone to use this thread and the WhatsApp group as much as they need to, even if it is just to read others stories and realise that they are not alone. It would be great to hear your stories but I know that for some, just reading others stories is as far as they want to go...

@Viper_SA - Despite you having a bit of a setback, it sounds like you are in a far better place than you have been before Please continue reaching out to us, friends, therapists, etc. as we are all here for you on your journey.

@Carnival - I can relate 100%, social situations with strangers push my anxiety levels up, to the point where I have to force myself not to avoid them. And I would encourage you to not avoid them, social interaction is very important for us for so many reasons. Welcome to the WhatsApp group as well!

@Moerse Rooikat - Thanks for sharing and sorry to hear about your sister, I am sure she is very proud of you!

@Raindance - I am so glad to hear that this thread has helped in some way, we all need help from time to time and we are all here to help and be helped.

As for me, I am unfortunately suffering from a lot of insomnia and anxiety at the moment, mainly due to house renovations that my girlfriend and I are busy with but I know it is a process I need to get through, learn from and look back on something that we achieved. I try my best to look after myself, especially when my anxiety flares up, so healthy eating, exercise, good sleep, sunlight, social interaction and not keeping everything in all the time. We do our best...

 

[Viper_SA]

So, just an update. Been much better this past week. Was able to stay up later and build and wick and general pitstop stuff. Didn't get much else done in the housekeeping department, but atleast I functioned. Hanging out in Jh today, so I'm out and about and not sulking at home

 

[AniDey]

Thought of you this week, @Viper_SA
We had a guest at the lodge.

 

[Viper_SA]

How is everyone doing here? Hope you've all found a little light at the end of the tunnel. I'm still battling my anxiety, and a touch of depression, but not debilitating anymore. Met an awesome girl who understands my condition and she's been really great about talking me through some tough spots. Thanks to her I have seen I can function, even when I struggle.

 

[Rob Fisher]

How is everyone doing here? Hope you've all found a little light at the end of the tunnel. I'm still battling my anxiety, and a touch of depression, but not debilitating anymore. Met an awesome girl who understands my condition and she's been really great about talking me through some tough spots. Thanks to her I have seen I can function, even when I struggle.

Well, that's great to see some positive and happy news in this thread!

 

[Carnival]

How is everyone doing here? Hope you've all found a little light at the end of the tunnel. I'm still battling my anxiety, and a touch of depression, but not debilitating anymore. Met an awesome girl who understands my condition and she's been really great about talking me through some tough spots. Thanks to her I have seen I can function, even when I struggle.

 

[Neuk]

Thanks for the update @Viper_SA It is great to hear that you are more positive, it definitely helps having someone in your life that understands what you are going through and can be there for you.

How is everyone else doing?

 

[Viper_SA]

Hi all,

I just have to share this. For the 1st time since 2016 I went through a whole weekend without feeling like there is no hope. I had an awesome Saturday with a very special someone, and enjoyed a good comedy movie and some homemade dinner (she cooked ) and yesterday we went to Muldersdrift where I attended a reptile photography course. (I'll share some pics in the photography thread once I've downloaded and sorted them). Had a little social anxiety with all the new people around, but I managed okay. Super doper weekend all in all.

 

[Stosta]

Hi all,

I just have to share this. For the 1st time since 2016 I went through a whole weekend without feeling like there is no hope. I had an awesome Saturday with a very special someone, and enjoyed a good comedy movie and some homemade dinner (she cooked ) and yesterday we went to Muldersdrift where I attended a reptile photography course. (I'll share some pics in the photography thread once I've downloaded and sorted them). Had a little social anxiety with all the new people around, but I managed okay. Super doper weekend all in all.

View attachment 137298

Excellent to hear @Viper_SA !

 

[Rob Fisher]

Outbloodystanding @Viper_SA!

 

[Carnival]

@Viper_SA it was so great seeing you do what you love! Best weekend..

 

[Silver]

Great to hear and see @Viper_SA !

 

[Andre]

Awesome stuff @Viper_SA! Be sure to visit Koringberg when you come down to the Cape for the honeymoon. No reptiles though.