The Black Dog Thread

[Hawkmumbler]

Maybe not the optimal solution (and where not for your clear distress most would consider an extreme solution) but have you considered adding acoustic foam panels to your ceiling? The same kind used in studio recording, they're designed to keep external noise from intruding during recording so if you get the right sort they could do the trick at least for now?
You don't even have to go crazy and go corner to corner, there's specific models you can get that function as sound sinks.
Place a section in the most offending of areas and that could dampen most of the noise, maybe? Please note, I'm absolutely no expert in any of this, it just occurred to me that if these work well enough in an semi-industrial setting for dividing walls maybe they would work to dampen noise leaks from upstairs neighbours. Maybe this is all bollocks and I've wasted your time by having you read this, but any idea seems better than homicidal thoughts

[M.I.K.]

I've had three complaints put in about him and he's still like this, so its making me think its not even accidental,

If it's genuinely stress that causing him to pace, it's likely not only that he can't help doing it, but that any confrontations or attempts to get him to stop could make him even more stressed, leading to him doing it all the more.

It's the same counterproductive principal as smacking a child to get them to stop crying. It just makes things worse.

But aye, I'd probably be looking into some kind of soundproofing, like Hawkmumbler suggests.

[The Legendary Shark]

How to Soundproof a Ceiling.

[Jade Falcon]

I don't mean to moan...but...things are just not good.  I had a serious epileptic fit during the night about a week and a half ago.  Since then...I've just felt like total crap.  Totally drained mentally and physically and not at all caring about life at all.

I have a model show at the end of this month in Perth, and usually its something I look forward to, but I'm committed to but at this point I just have no notion at all of going.  I don't know what the hell is wrong with me and I can't seem to concentrate on anything at all.

[Jade Falcon]

I actually got a referral to a Mental Health professional after trying to get an appointment with the doctor.  I really felt that I wasted her time, my time and the petrol it took me to drive there....

That might sound like a negative attitude, but I felt right from the moment I went in that she wasn't listening.  I first off got the line "I've been doing this 20 years, I know what I'm doing".  That didn't inspire confidence really as it smacked of being a bit arrogant to be honest.

I told her I couldn't focus on anything.  Examples being, I'd pick up a book, read a few pages and lay it to the side, look at my phone, the same after a few minutes, try and tidy up, same...and so on.  The answer..."You need to set up a daily structure".  Like...have you not been listening.  I mentioned that I was having sleep problems, money problems.  Told...get new hobbies, go to clubs, most of these things require...money.  When you're sitting for over a week sometimes with 16 pence in the bank...that's hard.

I came away more distressed and even angry.  I actually put feedback into the surgery that I felt it was no help whatsoever and that I wasn't listened to, I've never done that before.

[JayzusB.Christ]

I've had similar experiences with more than one counsellor, sadly.  Prescribing generic, one-size-fits-all 'solutions' to very personal problems, then getting frustrated when I reported that they wouldn't suit me or fix the problem, or indeed didn't fix the problem.  The worst was when some guy decided it was moral advice I was looking for rather than psychological advice, then got very annoyed when I explained how my moral code was different.

[Hawkmumbler]

Well I'm having one of those melancholy days. Just one of those cases where something feels...off inside.
I'll keep myself busy and hopefully it'll go away, I could really do without spiralling again.

Besides the fact but I hope folks who've been having a rough patch lately are doing well.

[JayzusB.Christ]

Well I'm having one of those melancholy days. Just one of those cases where something feels...off inside.
I'll keep myself busy and hopefully it'll go away, I could really do without spiralling again.

Besides the fact but I hope folks who've been having a rough patch lately are doing well.

I know the feeling - I've had a few myself of late.  More than a few, in fact.  Just trying to keep myself in check till things improve.

[Funt Solo]

Well I'm having one of those melancholy days. Just one of those cases where something feels...off inside.
I'll keep myself busy and hopefully it'll go away, I could really do without spiralling again.

Besides the fact but I hope folks who've been having a rough patch lately are doing well.

I know the feeling - I've had a few myself of late.  More than a few, in fact.  Just trying to keep myself in check till things improve.

Hope you're both doing well today. I crashed yesterday, just plummeted. Went from being Mr. Capable to Mr. Flatline all of a sudden. My wife cheered me up by sending me out to walk the dog in the rain. Much as that might seem like a wrong-headed move, and there she was feeling bad about it when the rain started to come down hard, it was actually nice just to get soaking and cold.

All the best, any road.

[JayzusB.Christ]

Thanks, lad, you too, and of course Hawkmumbler.
 
I'm ok today too - I've recently left my part-time teaching job as it was causing me a lot of anxiety due to problems with my students and with the school in general, and become fully self-employed in the commissioned mural business, which brings a fresh set of anxieties itself.  So I suppose these things build up and cause a bit of mental overload, but I'll get there.

Anyway glad the old rainy dog-walking made a difference - sometimes the simple things in life make a positive difference.

[Funt Solo]

I've been teaching full time since 2010, in the same school. There are, of course, positives to my situation - but I've had a couple of years of being super-close to burning out.

This year it feels like my pipe dreams are a bit more practical - in terms of what else I could spend my time on that would be productive. I've been wondering about starting up a laser-etching and small scale milling business.

I know it wouldn't be a panacea.

[Jade Falcon]

I was at the Perth model show at the weekend and it was some time out...but...........

As soon as I was home I felt extremely melancholy.  I still do, my sleep is suffering again, my attention span is suffering and I realise this might sound over dramatic, but I've come to the conclusion that I just don't want to exist any more.  My life is meaningless and has been a waste to be honest.  Family is non existent, home life sucks, no one gives a damn, including myself and I see no sense in seeing the doctor after the last attempt.

I spent time today trying to research what would be fast and painless methods to go out.  And sorry guys, I know this might sound ridiculous or dramatic, but I'm not crying for attention or being dramatic, I just feel I have nothing.  I have plenty material possessions, but I don't really have anything that matters..on a personal level.