| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? 12:01 - Dec 29 with 3680 views | J2BLUE |
Are they any good?
For years i've had low level constant anxiety and minor things make me worry and obsess. Finally got sick of being unhappy 24/7 and not being able to picture a good life.
Not really interested in books. I've read countless books on this sort of thing. Other app suggestions welcome. Thank you. |  |
| |  |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 14:20 - Dec 29 with 1040 views | eastangliaisblue |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 12:26 - Dec 29 by noggin |
I don't know but I mentioned it because I'm waiting for an appointment with a specialist myself. I have always struggled with social situations and used alcohol and stimulants to cope in the past. I am also often completely overwhelmed by what are considered 'easy tasks' by most people. Then recently my mum mentioned that, as a young child, a doctor thought I might be autistic. Being the 60s, it was never followed up and she has never mentioned it until now.
I have been treated for depression all my adult life but now think it's definitely autism, although on a very mild scale. |
I've always struggled with certain social situations too. If I'm meeting up with friends I always try to be the first one there. I hate being last as I always feel very awkward greeting everyone and I just go into meltdown mode. This is with people I've known my whole life!
I also find myself getting very angry when certain tasks I'm doing are not going to plan. I sometimes have to stop and take five to calm down.
I've never suffered with any type of depression, so is it mild Autism? I'm not sure, but aren't most of us on the spectrum to some degree? I would be interested in hearing how your appointment went if you're happy to share as it seems we have some similar traits. |  | | |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 14:26 - Dec 29 with 1018 views | wkj |
As with most things mental health related, I am sure the results and experiences are highly subjective. For example, I don't respond well to retroactive analyses and counseling, but I do seem to respond well to incremental goal setting (even if some goals seem quite mundane, such as doing a piece of routine housework).
Despite our catalogue of differences, It really does seem like you and I have an incredible amount in common, and respond to a lot of things in similar ways.
Autism diagnostics is something I resisted for a long time, like yourself, I resisted the idea of it at first - but there isn't much to lose by investigating this path. The waiting lists are quite long so you'd not be engaging in this for some time if you did opt to explore it. The diagnosis is still going on, but the doctor who is assessing me has given me so many resources and help, and even fought on my side against a destructive experience with the IDT system in Mid Suffolk.
If there are any environments where you can feel like you're in charge of something you like, explore them. It is so hard to always feel like you're under the water wither everything - and falling short becomes the norm.
Apps could help with this, maybe getting involved with an open university parttime degree (Student Finance England is a thing for mature students, not just college leavers). Though the most important thing is finding a community where you can have a voice and a purpose. Having a place where you can share what goes well, and not so well, without fear of embarrassment is crucial.
If you want to talk about anything at all, please feel free to DM me and I assure you complete confidentiality - as quite honestly, 2-way conversation between people who struggle can be good for both parties.
Above all of this though - give as much as you can a try, and try to avoid the temptation of thinking that you're engaging in something destined for failure. People in our position do tend to create a lot of self fulfilling profecies like this, and it just ends up hurting us more on the other side. |  |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 14:34 - Dec 29 with 1002 views | Mullet |
We get free membership to headspace and some colleagues have said it helps a lot. There’s one called Mindshift which is free I think. It’s more for journal style help rather than guided as that’s more in line with CBT.
You might find anxiety is curbed by journaling and looking up some cbt techniques as you can set targets to work on etc.
Likewise diet, sleep, exercise alongside it are supposed to make the most impact. |  |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 14:38 - Dec 29 with 992 views | Keno |
For all the issues on here at times I do think this thread highlights what an amazing community TWTD is and how, over a number of years, it has provided so much help to so many people (myself included)
Thank you Phil, Gav and all
(even if Phil is ignoring me) [Post edited 29 Dec 2021 14:38]
|  |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 14:47 - Dec 29 with 970 views | Swansea_Blue |
I used Headspace for a while a few years ago. It seemed to hit the spot even though I wasn't looking to it for anything specific. I fell out of the habit and do seem to get more anxious about stuff now, where previously everything was like water off a duck's back. That may be down to other reasons though.
It's worth a shot and I imagine the apps are all much of a muchness in terms of helping you pick up good meditation/mindfulness habits. Making it a habit is probably the biggest challenge. You'll soon work out if you like it or not - it seems to be very marmite. |  |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 14:55 - Dec 29 with 944 views | footers |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 14:38 - Dec 29 by Keno |
For all the issues on here at times I do think this thread highlights what an amazing community TWTD is and how, over a number of years, it has provided so much help to so many people (myself included)
Thank you Phil, Gav and all
(even if Phil is ignoring me) [Post edited 29 Dec 2021 14:38]
|
I thought you'd be on here telling J2 to man up and get on with it instead of all this fuzzy wuzzy love-in stuff.
Disappointing, mate. |  |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 15:02 - Dec 29 with 932 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 13:05 - Dec 29 by noggin |
The only benefit for myself would be understanding why I am 'different' and learning to deal with it. At 55 it might be too late to make any huge difference to my life. |
You may be surprised at what help is available - I have no idea and I hope there is good help and support around. There is also a degree to which you may be able to find some suggestions without any diagnosis that may be helpful whether your own suspicions are correct or not. My own view is that we are all someone on the autistic spectrum, just some further along on it in different areas than others. |  |
| |
Login to get fewer ads
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 15:05 - Dec 29 with 925 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 14:38 - Dec 29 by Keno |
For all the issues on here at times I do think this thread highlights what an amazing community TWTD is and how, over a number of years, it has provided so much help to so many people (myself included)
Thank you Phil, Gav and all
(even if Phil is ignoring me) [Post edited 29 Dec 2021 14:38]
|
I wonder how many people Phil has on ignore and whether anyone is ignored by all of the admins. I guess they could get away with a lot once at that stage! | |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 15:15 - Dec 29 with 910 views | monytowbray |
Sadly the world outside is designed to make you unhappy. It is now a feature and not a bug.
I mean, I recommend becoming your own boss and going alone with none of the office politics if you can. Working to my own clock has motivated me more both in and out of my work. Not an overnight process and not all are able to do that though, so I come with that suggestion from a privileged position. 10+ years ago that wasn’t an option for me either.
I also recommend kicking booze. The stuff is a depressant. Hangovers are a week long process in your brain. Booze is an escape drug and it’ll never solve your MH. Cannabis on the other hand, that can help. I swear by it these days.
Exercise and eat well. I mean, do I need to say more on that obvious one? You can have takeaways and beige days, but all in all I mostly eat homecooked food. Lentils and chickpeas should be a staple for any diet, although mine has no meat and dairy therefore it is factually better (ner ner). Motivation can be a huge factor here, but the first point I made about getting your time back from work and commuting will free up time to do this (as well as quitting booze, hangovers eat your time).
After spending over half my life looking for external people and things to be the answer to my happiness, I realised at the end of a big 2019 breakdown the answer is in yourself.
Apps may help, personally I’ve found reading more about mental health, trauma processing and living in a factual reality helps even if the truth hurts or isn’t perfect. Once you learn to live with yourself you can openly communicate and mitigate triggers.
I was told I’d become more Conservative as I age but the more I see of disaster capitalism and the impending climate crisis the happier I am to avoid mainstream society. [Post edited 29 Dec 2021 15:17]
|  |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 15:22 - Dec 29 with 879 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 15:15 - Dec 29 by monytowbray |
Sadly the world outside is designed to make you unhappy. It is now a feature and not a bug.
I mean, I recommend becoming your own boss and going alone with none of the office politics if you can. Working to my own clock has motivated me more both in and out of my work. Not an overnight process and not all are able to do that though, so I come with that suggestion from a privileged position. 10+ years ago that wasn’t an option for me either.
I also recommend kicking booze. The stuff is a depressant. Hangovers are a week long process in your brain. Booze is an escape drug and it’ll never solve your MH. Cannabis on the other hand, that can help. I swear by it these days.
Exercise and eat well. I mean, do I need to say more on that obvious one? You can have takeaways and beige days, but all in all I mostly eat homecooked food. Lentils and chickpeas should be a staple for any diet, although mine has no meat and dairy therefore it is factually better (ner ner). Motivation can be a huge factor here, but the first point I made about getting your time back from work and commuting will free up time to do this (as well as quitting booze, hangovers eat your time).
After spending over half my life looking for external people and things to be the answer to my happiness, I realised at the end of a big 2019 breakdown the answer is in yourself.
Apps may help, personally I’ve found reading more about mental health, trauma processing and living in a factual reality helps even if the truth hurts or isn’t perfect. Once you learn to live with yourself you can openly communicate and mitigate triggers.
I was told I’d become more Conservative as I age but the more I see of disaster capitalism and the impending climate crisis the happier I am to avoid mainstream society. [Post edited 29 Dec 2021 15:17]
|
It is very interesting this idea that socialism is a young person's preserve and that, as you age you become increasingly Conservative. I think it may be borne out of the experience of those who grew up with the benefits of socialism in the founding of the NHS and the welfare state and then experiencing the disaster of the 70s and all the unions did at that time. Many must have moved in that direction.
My own experiences were being brought up very much Conservative and only really moving to the left of centre as I experienced life, developed in my religious belief and read "Ragged Trousered Philanthropists". | |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 15:38 - Dec 29 with 858 views | monytowbray |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 15:22 - Dec 29 by Nthsuffolkblue |
It is very interesting this idea that socialism is a young person's preserve and that, as you age you become increasingly Conservative. I think it may be borne out of the experience of those who grew up with the benefits of socialism in the founding of the NHS and the welfare state and then experiencing the disaster of the 70s and all the unions did at that time. Many must have moved in that direction.
My own experiences were being brought up very much Conservative and only really moving to the left of centre as I experienced life, developed in my religious belief and read "Ragged Trousered Philanthropists". |
Much of it stems from a 40+ year free market capitalism experiment that’s out of control - one that unfairly tips the scales towards rewarding self-interest. It’s generated a society of selfishness and was invented/is controlled by psychopaths to allow the person with the least ethics to thrive.
It really is all Thatcher’s fault. | |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:19 - Dec 29 with 810 views | noggin |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 14:20 - Dec 29 by eastangliaisblue |
I've always struggled with certain social situations too. If I'm meeting up with friends I always try to be the first one there. I hate being last as I always feel very awkward greeting everyone and I just go into meltdown mode. This is with people I've known my whole life!
I also find myself getting very angry when certain tasks I'm doing are not going to plan. I sometimes have to stop and take five to calm down.
I've never suffered with any type of depression, so is it mild Autism? I'm not sure, but aren't most of us on the spectrum to some degree? I would be interested in hearing how your appointment went if you're happy to share as it seems we have some similar traits. |
I will happily share my experiences on here.
I too get very angry at myself when things don't go to plan, which is very often. I have long since learnt not to attempt any form of DIY. I only really succeed in tasks that are repetitive. I also struggle with anything involving teamwork. I tend to go into myself, like I'm in a bubble, find one task that needs doing and focus solely on that, while other team members do the organising.
Like others have said, maybe we're all somewhere on the spectrum. I don't know. |  |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:20 - Dec 29 with 804 views | Keno |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 14:55 - Dec 29 by footers |
I thought you'd be on here telling J2 to man up and get on with it instead of all this fuzzy wuzzy love-in stuff.
Disappointing, mate. |
The one thing wrong with TWTD is that it’s virtual
There are times it would nice to have a proper hug and you’d be just the poster to give me one | |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:25 - Dec 29 with 795 views | noggin |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:20 - Dec 29 by Keno |
The one thing wrong with TWTD is that it’s virtual
There are times it would nice to have a proper hug and you’d be just the poster to give me one |
Give you one? 😳 | |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:26 - Dec 29 with 793 views | footers |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:20 - Dec 29 by Keno |
The one thing wrong with TWTD is that it’s virtual
There are times it would nice to have a proper hug and you’d be just the poster to give me one |
Oh, I dunno about that...
Like the time Hampstead suggested we book a room above a pub to have a 'chat'... 
Besides, in my mind's eye TWTDers are all virile, young go-getters. As some on here can attest, that isn't always the case! | |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:26 - Dec 29 with 790 views | J2BLUE |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:20 - Dec 29 by Keno |
The one thing wrong with TWTD is that it’s virtual
There are times it would nice to have a proper hug and you’d be just the poster to give me one |
The thought of giving you one is making me feel worse... | |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:28 - Dec 29 with 775 views | footers |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:26 - Dec 29 by J2BLUE |
The thought of giving you one is making me feel worse... |
Cheer up, J2. It could've been you! | |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:33 - Dec 29 with 749 views | Keno |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:26 - Dec 29 by J2BLUE |
The thought of giving you one is making me feel worse... |
 | |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:38 - Dec 29 with 727 views | dirtyboy |
Call your doctor.
I’ve had all sorts of issues recently, but I’ve got a great job, earn good money, generally great colleagues, ace family etc, but there was just something not quite right and I tackled it this year.
Had more going on than I realised, even some suicidal thoughts, not that I ever believed for one second I’d go through with it, but realised it was not a healthy thought and needed to know why.
I’m going through CBT via my surgery which is really helpful and even from someone as sceptical as me, it’s been better than I imagined.
I found it hard to take that step of admitting a problem that perhaps didn’t feel like it warranted ‘actual help’ but clearly it did.
That being said, Headspace was good when I used it but I went too far past it being a genuine help without other things being sorted and in order. |  | | |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:38 - Dec 29 with 726 views | J2BLUE |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 15:15 - Dec 29 by monytowbray |
Sadly the world outside is designed to make you unhappy. It is now a feature and not a bug.
I mean, I recommend becoming your own boss and going alone with none of the office politics if you can. Working to my own clock has motivated me more both in and out of my work. Not an overnight process and not all are able to do that though, so I come with that suggestion from a privileged position. 10+ years ago that wasn’t an option for me either.
I also recommend kicking booze. The stuff is a depressant. Hangovers are a week long process in your brain. Booze is an escape drug and it’ll never solve your MH. Cannabis on the other hand, that can help. I swear by it these days.
Exercise and eat well. I mean, do I need to say more on that obvious one? You can have takeaways and beige days, but all in all I mostly eat homecooked food. Lentils and chickpeas should be a staple for any diet, although mine has no meat and dairy therefore it is factually better (ner ner). Motivation can be a huge factor here, but the first point I made about getting your time back from work and commuting will free up time to do this (as well as quitting booze, hangovers eat your time).
After spending over half my life looking for external people and things to be the answer to my happiness, I realised at the end of a big 2019 breakdown the answer is in yourself.
Apps may help, personally I’ve found reading more about mental health, trauma processing and living in a factual reality helps even if the truth hurts or isn’t perfect. Once you learn to live with yourself you can openly communicate and mitigate triggers.
I was told I’d become more Conservative as I age but the more I see of disaster capitalism and the impending climate crisis the happier I am to avoid mainstream society. [Post edited 29 Dec 2021 15:17]
|
Thanks for that. Good advice.
I actually work from home already so no commute thankfully. Don't really drink either. Had a couple of beers over Christmas but generally I don't drink much at all.
Definitely love some lentils and chickpeas as well. I'd happily take either over just about any form of meat. | |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 16:47 - Dec 29 with 712 views | Dubtractor |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 12:25 - Dec 29 by J2BLUE |
Work. Not exactly in my dream job but it's a good well paying job and far better than anything I could have hoped for a year ago to be honest. I worry about stupid little things like being on the phone (despite only taking about 5 calls a day).
I worry about all sorts of stupid little things. Work review, even when I know they are looking to promote me. Not all work stuff, just silly little things which make no difference. |
I can't really help with use of apps or advice, but what I can reassure you is that spending too much time worrying about fairly trivial things (often instead of things that probably warrant being stressed!) is pretty normal. Well, I say normal, but it is 100% something that I can relate to.
I've spent way too much time unable to sleep due to overthinking something relatively trivial at work, or things that I can't really change, yet I'm ice cool about almost anything else in life. I'm pretty much horizontal chilled about almost everything in life, but like you I still dread certain phone calls at work and end up having to prepare myself for them.
I appreciate that none of that will help you 'solve' your anxiety, but hopefully will reassure you that it's just normal. |  |
| |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 17:15 - Dec 29 with 664 views | strikalite |
Might be worth getting your Testosterone level checked J2, because everything you've said points to it, you're still young and it should still be up at the top of the range, low Test is getting more and more common even in young guys..
Worth a thought... |  | | |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 17:22 - Dec 29 with 643 views | Fenblue |
I found Headspace invaluable when I was suffering from extreme anxiety |  | | |
| Anyone used mental health apps like Headspace or Calm? on 17:24 - Dec 29 with 639 views | Terra_Farma |
Both are really good apps and well worth subscribing too.
Calm is amazing if you are struggling to fall asleep.
'Mindfulness' is also worth looking into.
All the best J2B | | | |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
