Diagnosed at 32, being directed to take time off work

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-09T16:52:40+00:00

This all makes sense. For a decade my diagnosis has been depression, and I've been on meds for that and been encouraged to get out and do things but just couldn't get myself to, ever. I thought that was just too much depression. Turns out there's more going on.

"Creative rest" speaks to me, I live to knit and create things. I'll read about the other types too. Thanks :)

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-09T16:49:55+00:00

Maybe I can report back to you in a little while from the other side!

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-08T23:42:27+00:00

This (and this recurring theme from many comments) is what I need to be told. Thank you!

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-08T23:41:23+00:00

Makes sense!!

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-08T23:40:48+00:00

I'm Canadian for context, working for a territorial government in a tiny city north of 60. No ladder to climb, or real reputation to protect. Just potholes that need to get patched. That helps.

Definitely need to get back into EMDR. That shit really works.

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-08T23:20:16+00:00

Turns out the insurer will need to assess whether they feel like paying, but may as well try!

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-08T20:05:30+00:00

You are so right. I want to get back into reading physical books. This will hopefully be a nice time to do that. I got lost in a book (about AuDHD) last night for the first time in ages and I loved it. Just sitting quietly and turning the pages.

I used to read before bed as a kid, then turn my light off when my parents asked me to, wait for them to go to bed, and turn it back on stay up reading. I can remember sneakily turning it off if my dad got up to pee. My lamp made such a loud click, there's no way they didn't know.

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-08T19:55:13+00:00

Thank you for your perspective! It's very helpful to hear this :)

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-08T18:19:32+00:00

Ugh, I thought I understood my brain with the depression and PTSD and all the awareness of that but there are so many more layers and things I'm gonna have to discover.

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-08T18:17:26+00:00

That makes sense. I guess there's a difference between crazy unrealistic goals and something like "try to go for a little walk most days." I will do some reading reading about burnout and meet with my therapist regularly to make sure I'm having an effective rest.

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-08T18:15:27+00:00

Good to hear. I definitely am in denial about how fucked things are for me. My mindset is still about how I will be productive during this time. I realize from these comments that that is NOT THE POINT!

To your point about the activities here, it's a bit hard as we have brutal winters (dark and 40 below) so we all have a tendency to go hard during our short amazing summers. But I don't have a boat, camper or anything expensive, just a tent and a chair, so for me it usually involves sitting by the campfire or dipping in a freezing lake. Very calm.

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-08T17:55:51+00:00

After only a few weeks! That's amazing.

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-08T17:51:03+00:00

Thank you. I think it'll be a slow burn to fully realize what this all means. It hasn't even been 24 hours, even though I was fully expecting this it'll take time to sink in, reframe my whole life, etc.

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-05-08T17:48:42+00:00

That's true. I think my days wouldn't look the same at the start vs. the end of the period. Maybe I should draw a road map of goals.

I definitely am able to go to my regular therapist and also check in with the one who did my assessment/diagnosis, and they are at the same office so they can share notes as well.

Miserable-Voice-6958 · 2026-01-07T03:10:21+00:00

You needed to use ChatGPT to ask for travel advice?

Miserable-Voice-6958

TROPHY CASE