The Black Dog

I have to apologise once again for not blogging. The black dog (depression) has been scratching at my door for a little while now. As ever it was only when my ability to actually work was affected that I realised how bad it was.
But at least I did recognise it and I went back to my GP to go back on the antidepressants again.

The black dog is what Winston Churchill called his bouts of depression
and I think it's an apt description. Dogs can be scary but they're also loyal and for me my depression is not as frightening as it used to be and it does keep coming back like a faithful dog. I do believe that I can train my black dog so it becomes less of a problem.

I was really touched and grateful for the support and kind words of my friends on Facebook and Twitter. I was also surprised at how many had experience of mental health conditions whether it was post natal depression or something more like my anxiety and depression cycle. It cheers me to see how the stigma of mental health conditions is being slowly eroded. I know there are many barriers to over come but I know that 10 years ago I didn't dare talk about my mental health condition openly.

I've had nearly 2 weeks of side effects from the medication: nausea, dizziness, head ache & hot flushes but they're easing slowly. I'm also beginning to feel a bit more positive being able to start spring cleaning & gardening.

I love my garden and today I had a Japanese honeysuckle and two climbing white roses delivered. One of the roses was featured on Gardener's World on Friday, I was so glad I ordered it before the programme I bet it's sold out now! I'll post some pictures and links about my garden later this week.