Antidepressants help.

Having a routine has definitely been helping Hormonal Hannah cope a little better with her anxiety. And even though she doesn't manage it every day, Grotty Groom is loving spending time with her Boys. But the whole point of Creative Clara writing this blog, is for her to be as honest and open as she can be, in the hope that it might strike a chord with and help others. 

She therefore has to share with you, that Hannah has been a bit of a mess recently. It's difficult to know whether it's 'just' the anxiety causing her problems, or whether it's the depression that seems to be constantly waiting to appear. But as regular Baggees will know from a previous blog, Baggy's confidence has taken a knocking. In fact it's been so bad, that she has not wanted to leave the house on a number of occasions recently. More accurately, she hasn't even wanted to get out of bed. But Furry Mama has done a great job of persuading Baggy to get out, even on days like today! 

Admitedly, this morning as Clever Bird parked Billy Bob Jalopy campervan on the seafront at 8.45, she wondered why on earth she was there!

To say that it was wild-and-woolly would be a bit of an understatement. Pepper Pooch had no such qualms, as he whimpered and shook with excitement whilst he waited to get out into the gale. Clever Bird zipped Baggy into her waterproof coat and wished she could stay where she was - safe inside Billy Bob.

The tide was so high that it wasn't actually possible to get onto the beach where they were parked, so Furry Mama and the pooch walked along the promenade, straight into the icy rain. By the time there was enough beach to get on without being swept away by the sea, Baggy was already frozen. To be fair, her top half was dry and toasty; her legs on the other hand were totally soaked through. Clever Bird had attempted to make Baggy wear those sexy waterproof over-trousers, that make you look as if you have tree trunks for legs, but having whipped out five pairs from the wardrobe which either wouldn't even go above Baggy's thighs, or pulled up to her armpits, she'd given up.

Furry Mama braved it though, as the pooch was having a ball - literally. He didn't mind being soaked at all, in fact, went into the wild sea for a paddle every time he felt too hot from chasing his tennis ball. 

Freda Fretter was trying to keep half-an-eye on the time, as she wanted to go into her new favourite shop, before heading back to get Baggy to an 11.00am doctor's appointment. After thirty-minutes, even Pepper had had enough of the weather, and they headed back along the promenade to Billy Bob. Baggy needed to collect her handbag, and some dresses to return to a shop.

Three weeks back, Hannah's mind had so invaded Baggy, that she literally hated herself. It was awful. Calum generously bought Baggy some gorgeous new outfits to cheer her up. They're from a company called Seasalt, which is new to Baggy, and she likes their style. Yesterday she bought another dress from them which she loves; but it took some deciding on!

'Oooooo, I love that Pepper,' said Furry Mama, as Baggy twirled in front of the mirror next to a slightly bemused pooch.
'But isn't it much too young for you?' queried Hormonal Hannah.
'Well I feel good in it regardless,' thought Creative Clara.

Clever Bird could hear Calum in her mind, telling her to buy it, so she did. When she got home and hung it up, she got three other dresses out from her wardrobe that Calum had bought her on that first trip (for her anniversary and birthday presents). Baggy realised that they didn't speak to her, like the new one did. She decided to try them on again.

'Hmmmm, I'm really not sure about this one pooch; what do you think?' asked Furry Mama.
'I luvz you mum - you iz gorjuss!'
'Aren't you too young for it?' asked Creative Clara.
'Too young for it? Are you having a laugh? You're sixty next week!' thought Hormonal Hannah.
'Shut up Hannah! Stop getting in Baggy's head - Clara's right, it's a beautiful dress; it suits Baggy; it's age appropriate! But the fact is that it makes Baggy feel old and frumpy,' thought Clever Bird.

Baggy came to the same conclusion with the other two dresses. Freda Fretter realised that she would probably never wear them, so this morning she spoke to Cal about it. He was happy for her to return them; only as they were her birthday presents, he wanted her to replace them with something else.

It was a happy Baggy who virtually ran back to Billy Bob, having totally lost track of time as she replaced the 'frumpy' dresses, with twirly-young-feeling-smile-making ones!

The drive to the doctor's was interesting; in the two hours that they'd been at Southwold, the roads had totally flooded! But Baggy made it with five minutes to spare! And it was good news - Baggy's latest blood tests, were 'spectacular', the best they've 'ever' been! 

'So how's your anxiety?'
'Fine! Although if you'd asked me that last weekend, I'd have burst into tears.'
'And you're not taking the Sertraline any more?'
'No. Not since I had to come off it cold turkey. But I'm coping.'
'But you're still getting headaches?'
'Yep, bad ones, and I'm constantly in pain.'
'Well that could be your depression causing the physical symptoms. Or your pain could be causing the depression.'
'I suspect it's the former.'
'Me too - so if you get any worse, please come back and we'll try and find an antidepressant that your stomach can cope with.'

A soggy-wet, but happy Baggy, left the surgery with a spring in her hobble and headed home to hang up her new antidepressant-dresses on hangers...




Note to readers: For the avoidance of any doubt, every character in this blog is Baggy! No Baggy was harmed in its writing, although some of them get pretty confused!