Health - don’t ignore the symptoms!

[Mark Bolam]

It’s like the number of self employed people with ‘long covid’.

Zero.

[Mark J]

12 minutes ago, Mark Bolam said:

It’s like the number of self employed people with ‘long covid’.

Zero.

That's not right. I know, personally, two people who were pretty much scuppered by COVID brain fog. Both of whom are now back firing on all cylinders, and back to writing.

Men are generally shit about talking about their mental, and physical health. 

Having lost a good mate to suicide in the recent years, it has made me a little bit more empathetic towards my fellow man. 

[tree-fancier123]

7 minutes ago, Mark J said:

That's not right. I know, personally, two people who were pretty much scuppered by COVID brain fog. Both of whom are now back firing on all cylinders, and back to writing.

Men are generally shit about talking about their mental, and physical health. 

Having lost a good mate to suicide in the recent years, it has made me a little bit more empathetic towards my fellow man. 

its nearly 100% right, those 2 you know are in the minority, only paye tend to dramatise.

Work or starve should be the only choice

[Mark J]

13 minutes ago, tree-fancier123 said:

its nearly 100% right, those 2 you know are in the minority, only paye tend to dramatise.

Work or starve should be the only choice

Work or starve is indeed the only choice. Which didn't really help them when they couldn't string a coherent  sentence together. 

But please, let's not go too far into the COVID thing here. 

I think It's important that we recognise that we need to look out for one another. And that going to the quacks should be the norm, rather than the exception. 

[openspaceman]

5 hours ago, Steven P said:

 

Which is my point, apart from having an accident, your health should never get to a point where you need to go to A&E, should be getting things checked out well before then. Got to look after your health.

Who said anynthing about having an accident?

 

I agree with your sentiment but the GP system in this country is broke.

 

The practice gets an allowance from the NHS for each person registered, they are better off if they never have to see that patient. Indeed after 72 years with a practice I hadn't seen a GP for 5 years. I changed practice and have not seen a GP since. I just get an annual blood test and a repeat prescription that the hospital originated. Anything else, like proactive check ups are not available as their cost would diminish the practice profits.

 

Not that I have much to complain about, I'm a child of the welfare state and apart from dentistry it has looked after me, especially the A&E department. The same will not be there for younger generations.

 

It's the same with housing, my generation had the highest level of personal home ownership, that has collapsed since social housing was sold off in the 80s.

[Johnsond]

1 hour ago, Mark Bolam said:

It’s like the number of self employed people with ‘long covid’.

Zero.

100% Mark I know dozens of self employed lads and not a single individual has succumbed to that shite. 

[Mark Bolam]

Same Dave.

 

I also know 4 people who ‘suffer’ from it.

 

2 teachers, one copper and one council employee.

 

I think Mark’s case is the exception that proves the rule.

 

He makes a good point though, we should look out for each other if and when we can.

[PeteB]

Good luck with the recovery! Best wishes to your missus too. 

 

The rest of yous, enjoy your life and get old gracefully and stop bickering!

[Johnsond]

Not wanting to black cat anyone but I know 4 lads who  have taken the final option. My industry( commercial diving) does have a statistically high percentage of suicides for a number of reasons. Lot of ex forces guys too which increases the numbers. 
End of the day life’s hard 🤷‍♂️you make of it what you can 👍👍

 

number of factors associated with the commercial diving profession can contribute to a higher risk of suicide, including 

extreme isolation, physical and psychological stress, job insecurity, and a culture of stoicism. A 2013 study on Norwegian divers, for instance, found that while they had lower overall mortality rates than the general population, they had a significantly higher risk of death by suicide or work-related accident. 

 

Psychological and environmental stressors

• Social isolation: Commercial divers often work on offshore projects or at sea for extended periods, sometimes weeks or months at a time. For saturation divers, who live in pressurized underwater habitats, this isolation is even more extreme and monotonous, with one diver describing the experience as "Groundhog Day".
• Work-family conflict: The rotational nature of the work, with long periods away from home, places a significant strain on family life. Divers may miss major life events, and the unpredictability of assignments makes planning difficult, which can contribute to family stress and relationship issues.
• Performance pressure: The commercial diving industry is highly competitive, and there is immense pressure on divers to perform, especially when oil prices are low and jobs are scarce. This pressure can be intense for younger divers who lack long-term contracts.
• Mental and physical endurance: The job is mentally and physically demanding, requiring extreme durability. The need for mental toughness and a detached mindset to cope with the hazardous environment can lead to divers suppressing their emotions and concerns. This can erode psychological resources over time.
• Physiological effects of diving: The extreme pressures and mixed breathing gases divers use can affect their mental state. Conditions like nitrogen narcosis ("rapture of the deep") and decompression stress can mimic or exacerbate psychological symptoms like anxiety, which can be made worse by pre-existing anxiety disorders. 

 

Industry culture and obstacles to seeking help

• "Macho" culture: Many maritime and commercial diving settings have a culture that discourages showing vulnerability. This "macho" atmosphere can lead to poor mental health education and a reluctance among divers to seek professional help for anxiety, depression, and stress.
• Stigma and career consequences: In the diving world, admitting to mental health issues can be perceived as a sign of weakness and may have serious professional repercussions, including being removed from a crew or having difficulty securing future work. This discourages divers from talking about their problems openly.
• Under-reporting: Suicides in the maritime industry are believed to be under-reported. This is due in part to the difficulty of definitively determining the cause of death at sea. There is also a desire among crew and companies to protect the deceased's family emotionally and financially, especially concerning insurance claims. 

 

Financial and future uncertainty

• Job insecurity: The commercial diving industry, particularly in the offshore oil and gas sector, is tied to the volatile global energy market. Divers, many of whom are "day raters" without fixed contracts, experience significant job insecurity and a lack of predictability in their work, which causes stress.
• Career transition: For ex-service military divers, the process of transitioning into civilian work presents its own set of challenges, including adapting to a different work culture, coping with past trauma, and re-establishing social ties. This period is associated with increased mental health issues and suicid

[rapalaman]

Thanks guys! Angioplasty finally booked in for tomorrow morning - it’s been the waiting around and the boredom that’s been the hardest thing to deal with tbh. Staff have been great, food not bad considering 👍