Comments on: Why I have been unable to blog for a week.

By: Richard Barker

Richard Barker — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:44:00 +0000

Ironic?…one of the ‘cronies’ may think…moronic?

By: Archdruid Eileen

Archdruid Eileen — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 21:24:15 +0000

Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith – the author of this blog is using his own time to do something he wants to do. Whereas you appear to be spending your time, reading a blog that you think is a waste of time. Don’t you think this ironic?

By: deny smith

deny smith — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 19:40:00 +0000

Why don’t you just give up blogging and give us all a rest! What drivel you and your cronies turn out. For God’s sake get a life!

By: Hazel Edmunds

Hazel Edmunds — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:45:24 +0000

You’re welcome. Do come and join us on The Elephant. It really does help in times of stress – which I’m not at the moment, just trying to give something back.

By: webmaster

webmaster — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:33:39 +0000

A hearty Amen from me Hazel…..

By: Hazel Edmunds

Hazel Edmunds — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:31:40 +0000

You mention Time to Change but not The Elephant in the Room on Facebook where I spend a lot of time.
Peer support for people with mental ill-health.
And the day that someone tells me that Christians don’t experience it is probably the day I give in and commit murder — no, of course I wouldn’t but I’d be wanting to!
A belief in Christ as your saviour doesn’t shield you from the normal trials and tribulations of life!
God bless you and keep you safe.

By: Gordon

Gordon — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:03:20 +0000

Sorry t hear that this had such an effect on you Tony. Understandable.

By: Gillan Scott

Gillan Scott — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 23:10:29 +0000

Life throws these things at us sometimes and we all deal with them in different ways. Giving yourself time to get on top of things again is the right thing to do. There are plenty of people who will stick besides you all the way and the one who will do it the most is God. Sorry if this sounds patronising but you’re never own your own no matter what you’re going through.

By: Dylan

Dylan — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 22:28:53 +0000

Sorry to hear about this. Please be assured of my prayers for you and your family, but also for the man in question — may he rest in peace.

As for the dissociative episode, if that’s what it was, I wouldn’t worry too much. It is common for all people (whatever their original mental state) to switch off and not feel anything, to go into a blank and so on, when faced with trauma / extreme emotions. Of course, with those of us who suffer types of mental illness that affect our emotional stability, then ‘numb’ or ‘blank’ responses to an event can (and often do) open the floodgates for other emotions (unrelated to the original happening, but related to past traumas).

I never really share this with anyone, but not one day has gone by in the past 15 years without my having suffered from suicidal ideation — sometimes so severe that I cannot move, let alone blog, but usually to the extent that I can blog or write, and use opportunities to type and engage with others as ‘distractions’ or ‘therapy’. I also suffer the other things you mentioned, although — and this is the painful bit — most people seem to think I don’t. In fact, I told someone about a condition I suffer from the other day, only for him to laugh at me — he didn’t believe it as I don’t present as someone that fits into his assumptions about mental ill health. (We normally call that ‘prejudice’!)

I understand your concerns about blogging whilst in a state of crisis, and think it’s a good sign that you can recognise the need to protect yourself and others, and then decide to switch off the computer…

Never feel that you have to blog, but never feel that you shouldn’t either.

God bless.

By: Ben Trovato

Ben Trovato — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 20:36:37 +0000

Sorry to hear you have been so out of sorts, Stuart. But glad you are blogging again in your usual irrepressible style!

Prayers promised both for that poor man and his family, and for you and yours.

By: Paul Baird

Paul Baird — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 20:34:30 +0000

You’re human just like the rest of us. Your insights matter, eventhough we disagree on a great deal of stuff. Keep blogging.

By: Philip

Philip — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 20:04:05 +0000

Our prayers go out for the family of that poor individual, his soul and you too Stuart. It is hard to recall that together we were at that very spot just weeks ago commenting on the tranquillity of that stretch of the river and our beautiful county. It is at times like this that we must believe that He is there to help us.

By: Roger Pearse

Roger Pearse — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 19:33:28 +0000

The numb feeling is you going slightly into shock. It’s nature’s way of ensuring we can function in dangerous and distressing circumstances; and of course it wears off, later, and you get the reaction. I’m sorry you had to witness that.

The moral of the story is to stay away from police cars and helicopters; by definition you don’t want to be involved in whatever nastiness they are dealing with.

Quite right not to blog when feeling down, and still less when feeling ill. If you blog when drunk, all that happens is that the alcohol is talking. Similarly when “under the influence” of a chemical imbalance, or the blues, or whatever. It isn’t *us* blogging any more.

And we all have a duty not to drag each other down accidentally. It’s not our job to depress others. We have the BBC to do that for us.

Get well soon.

By: Iggy

Iggy — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:45:09 +0000

I think that would be enough to disturb many people. My prayers go out to the person, their family and friends, and all those (like you) caught up in this tragic event.