Comment by triggercut

I get it. I'm lucky enough that I can spend thousands a year to get the professional support I need but simply turning up to talk for an hour a week isn't going to achieve much, you have to put in the work to set up your life, your environment in a way that works for you to help slowly improve the chances that your have more good days than bad and not get drawn into a black hole of bad days that just sucks all your energy, motivation, will. Everyone is different but coaching should help you find the practical changes you can make to shift the needle towards more good days and less bad.

Here are two basic things that worked for me and I recommend to everyone.

1. A pill organiser. Medication helps a little, but not a lot for me, however if I don't take it I know I'm increasing my risks of having a bad day somehow. So I know I need to regularly take my pills. Problem was, I kept forgetting if I'd had a morning dose, or a lunch dose, or maybe if forgotten to fill my prescription on the weekend and ran out midweek, or forgot to pack my pill bottle. On Saturday mornings I fill a weekly pill organiser (7 removable plastic box things with 4 sections). This way I know if I need to top up at the pharmacy ahead of the work week. I also visually see if I've taken a particular dose. It's also more compact and easy to carry than bottles and blisters.

Sure it's not perfect. Last saturday night I filled it up then went to bed forgetting to take the actual dose for that night. I missed my antidepressants and the repercussions from withdrawal can last a couple of days. However, this was a much more common occurrence before I started doing this.

So that's a big change for managing my symptoms right there. Sure it might not be relevant for your situation but it's an example of a system/habit that helps manage symptoms

2. A translucent plastic water bottle with a built in straw. I'd hate to think what my kidneys look like. I've never been good at staying hydrated because (as I now know) my nervous system isn't very good at telling me about those sorts of things until it's dire. I'd easily go a whole work day without any fluids and not notice. I'd try jugs of water on my desk, or setting alarms. All to distracting. I'm also clumsy (dyspraxia como) so would end up spilling stuff everywhere, or dropping glasses.

Then someone suggested a water bottle with a straw. I was sceptical but it has changed my life and I know how stupid it sounds but I can't stress enough how much of positive impact it has had on my health and well-being.

I (and others) theorise that it's much easier to drink while still maintaining visual attention on what your doing. You don't need too engage as much hand eye coordination etc.

So there's another change.

I don't want to sound like some corny psa, but having simple systems to help support me in properly taking my medication and staying hydrated means I can take on the world freeze frame. cut to titles

But seriously. These have by no means "cured" me. But they really help. A lot.