Hi, my name is Jekyll2701.

Jekyll2701

Hi, to everyone. It has taken me a while to finally reach out, and hopefully talk with new people. I’m not 100% sure how all this forum stuff works as I’ve always been apprehensive about talking with people on the internet, but the scope forum seemed to be the most sensible and safest way to start.

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Jekyll2701

Welcome to the community! I hope you are well?

We have many sections on the community but it's our Coffee Lounge where we get to know each other, have debates and play games. If you want to tell us more about yourself? Do you have any hobbies?

Jekyll2701

Thank you @Hannah_Scope. Well, I’m a 37 year old man, I’m an ex-carpenter/bench joiner. I’ve been a type 1 diabetic since 1990, I suffer from nerve trauma in the L4/L5 region of my spine and have recently been diagnosed with dysthymia/persistent depressive disorder. Unfortunately all my hobbies have gone by the wayside due to my health, as most physical activities are beyond me these days.

Sandy_123

Hi @Jekyll2701 a welcome from me too, sorry to read about hobbies taking a step back due to health problems. Your not alone with this. Lots of members here are the same, unable to do the things they enjoy. 
This is a great forum to make virtual friends, lots of us to natter to. 

Jekyll2701

Thanks @Sandy_123. I’m still trying to figure out how to navigate everything on here fully.

Sandy_123

You will get there 

Hannah_Alumni

I'm so sorry to hear all your hobbies have gone, hopefully you can be inspired here to start new ones! If you need help navigating, please don't hesitate to reach out!

How are you feeling about your new diagnosis? Have you got support around you? 

Jekyll2701

I kind of have a few hobbies, I watch a lot of films but that is mainly to fill my head with noise, so negative thoughts aren’t the main focus and allows them to fade away easier. I also got into making all sorts of masks, models, props etc… out of resin, plaster, clay, paper maché and lots more, mainly because it engages me to problem solve and have a focus. I did see in a thread? a member who seems to be an established artist, with commissioned pieces that are made in similar ways but I can’t remember their name or where I saw them post, I would have liked to try and have a conversation with them because their work was really good. 

The diagnosis didn’t have much of an impact, I knew I had some form of depression the only difference now is, I have a clinical name to go with it. I’ve got some really good support from all the health practitioners I see, in that respect I’m very lucky.

Hannah_Alumni

I am going to tag @grinchy here, because I believe that is who you mean. They have a huge movie collection too  

I'm so glad you have support around you. I hope we can continue to be a support for you too! What movies have you seen recently? 

Jekyll2701

That name rings a bell, thank you @Hannah_Scope. Do you think @Grinchy would mind me contacting them directly? 

I’ve seen so many it’s difficult to name them without somebody else asking if I’ve seen a specific film. Some days I can get through as many as 8 or 9 films, with no specific genre. I pay attention to them and remember the storylines, but I’m normally doing several other things at the same time, in an attempt to keep myself completely occupied, I’ve been told that it’s a coping strategy to deflect my attention away from my physical and mental health conditions.

Hannah_Alumni

You've tagged them So they'll be able to see this next time they are online.

I hope you have other support around you? If you ever need someone to speak to, organisations like SHOUT are fantastic. 

Jekyll2701

Ok, thank you.

I haven’t really, I tend to not discuss much with family members or the few friends I have, because I know they start to worry and then bombard me with questions constantly due to prior issues.

Is SHOUT a similar organisation to SCOPE?

Hannah_Alumni

SHOUT is a 24/7 mental health texting service They have been great when my anxiety gets a little too much. I feel the same about friends and family. 

You of course, have us too  

Jekyll2701

That sounds good @Hannah_Scope, but do they have a similar stance as Samaritans where they can only listen or sign post helpful organisations?

I'm ok with discussing things with people, up to the point where I get to know them and then I don’t want to burden them with my problems/issues. If I do however I tend to then distance myself and eventually disappear.

Hannah_Alumni

They will signpost if say for example you were having an issue with your *insert illness* and they don't have much knowledge themselves. But they are there to listen. You usually chat to a volunteer. They are there to help you calm and come up with a plan to support yourself sometimes. For example, I was anxious about seeing my surgeon and I planned my conversation with the volunteer  

Please don't feel like you can't share if you really need the support.

Jekyll2701

I will definitely read up on SHOUT later on, I appreciate your explanation and sharing your personal experience @Hannah_Scope.

Grinchy

Hey @Jekyll2701, glad you like my work and you seem to be getting some good advice, feel free to tag me anytime, always happy to talk props and making stuff

Jekyll2701

Thanks @Grinchy, do you have any idea which discussion you posted pictures of the thriller bust and the repaint of your friends Freddy bust were on? I would like to go back and look at a lot more of the work people have posted but can’t retrace my steps to find it.

Grinchy

its here 
https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/41283/kaleidoscope-our-own-gallery-for-members-art-work-crafts-and-photographs#latest
scroll back a couple of pages i think, i post my work there