Been a bit quiet lately, going through a bit of a slump. Have been watching current affairs and the news, I really shouldn’t. It’s not doing my emotional cortex any good, I don’t think I am ready to react to social and political problems. I need to bury my head back into the mycelium again. It’s always a shock to the system when you think you are capable of processing more, and then end up feeling like the brain is in a straitjacket, and can’t move around freely with rational thoughts on various matters. There’s a free Wales service called SilverCloud Wales which offers free online CBT. I’ve registered, and hope it can sail me through these patchy cognitive waters.
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Dear Rups. I do understand that you are experiencing a low. The news about the Ukraine is so worrying. Try as I might not to I watch every news programme and read the daily newspaper. I am struggling to learn to talk and walk again and this keeps me going. I have so much encouragement from my husband and the community team. They give me hope and incentive after my second stroke. We all need a goal to work towards. Can you find something to aim for, no matter how small? It might help lift your spirits.Best wishes Lilian
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Hi Rups, definitely ups & downs . Need, good days .
. David.
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Hi Lilian, NOOO , I Believe it is called DOOM SCROLLING , avoid at all costs. Covid news terrible for anxiety, now Russia, trying to keep to minimum. Hope things are improving a bit for you. Good speaking David.
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Dear David Thank you for your message. I shall try to do as you say I will concentrate on the trivia and my mindless books! I am making some progress, slow but with some success. My husband and family are supportive thankfully. Thank you for your interest.Lilian
Yes, @David3, I feel a bit straitjacketed at the moment, and feel like my brain can’t stay on the rails. I need to get back to my little world, anxiety levels are currently being warded off with a rapidly depleting torch. I have no impulse control, and so very tempted to watch the news but need to be strong, and read a book instead, or do some pottering about the place.
Hopefully the CBT will help and keep you busy. I too cannot focus on the news, it’s not that I don’t care, I just can’t process it, and equally can’t change anything. This does add to a feeling of already being disassociated with society in general but I figure when I am stronger I can try reintroducing things bit by bit. I try and fill my time as I realise I need to be busy or intrusive worst case scenario thoughts take over in the chaos of worry and anxiety. Thanks for the info about the CBT, Julia
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Shwmae @Mahoney, well, at the moment, I am sleeping a lot because I am not sleeping at night very well. Broken sleep. Hopefully, I can steer myself back into some calm and friendly pastimes that require curbed cognitive effort. 
Shwmae @JuliaH, I sort of knew I couldn’t cope well with it, but as @David3 mentioned, it’s “doom scrolling”, and it only drags one deeper and deeper into, as you mention, something you can’t control. I’ve been so focussed on all the other aspects of recovery, I had put aside the emotional aspect of the stroke, and I guess, it’s good that I can now address it with the aid of CBT.
Shwmae @Ingo66 (Mark), I’m looking forward to it, as I completed a nine week mindfulness course, and like that, I think one can cherry pick what works, and add it to ones tool belt.
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Hello 
. My rescue house rabbits give me a really good reason to be my best self daily I’m so glad I have them on my life. Good luck! 
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Hi I felt the same when we were all going through the beginnings of covid I put a ban on the news in my house hubby had to watch it upstairs it was getting me all upset and then I would just cry and cry and due to my stroke my emotions were all over the place and even now I don’t watch the news xx
I am excited for you too @Ingo66, my rescue cat Daisy was at the back of the cage, her ears bitten by the other cats who were all mewing at the front. Her previous owners gave her up because they proclaimed, “she never does anything”, and when I got her home she hid in my study for about a month, only coming out at night to eat. Now, she follows me everywhere, I can take her for walks around the fields, she sits on my shoulders when I am weeding the garden, and snuggles under the duvet at times in the morning. Such wonderful, mysterious creatures these cat things
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Hi Rups, another rest day . Listening to rats in loft. 
. David.
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Hi Dave3 some have cats but you have rats, hasn’t the penny dropped yet? If your not a cat person a pet ferret could solve your problem
Hi , used to live in country, North Devon. Badgers digging up garden etc , moles . Neighbour 90 old farmer told us how to kill both . Will not mention how & would never try . Just put up with them. Good speaking David.
@Ingo66 he looks beautiful and will no doubt be a great companion. I’m sure he has found a very good home with you and hopefully he’ll help with your anxiety too.
It seems a bit stupid but I put you tube on type in funny animals and just watch it for ten minutes I find I’m totally relaxed and uplifted for having a laugh and in no time at all 3 hours have gone bye give it a go you have nothing to lose for trying. I hope you get through this soon. It’s been the hardest thing to tackle for me since my stroke and honestly I haven’t thought of taking every one of my medication tablets and never having to wake up again for a good while now. Stay strong and good luck getting well.
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Shwmae @Ingo66 (Mark), I had my cats before stroke. After stroke, my cat Daisy can stress me out, usually if she is being demanding. What I found works is to ignore her when she is being demanding, and to purposefully pay attention to her when I am ready, so I don’t feel guilty about ignoring her. It’s extra stimulus, so expect your brain to be calculating what Buster is doing as you also try to manage what you are doing. Buster looks like a character and I hope he settles in nicely. A cat’s purr is used for numerous things, and one is to heal the cat, some people believe that it can also help to heal others, well, in any case, it can be calming and help relaxation.
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I had a rest day today, got up at 1 pm. I have such a small window of opportunity everyday.