milliways_bar | (no subject)

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(no subject)

The circle of chairs is out. In the middle is a table with a wide selection of food, but most notably a big apple pie, the smell of which is wafting pleasantly across the bar.

Behind the circle, on the wall, is a large sign.

LIFE SUPPORT
OPEN TO ALL

Do you have worries here or at home?
Thinking of counselling or just looking for an informal chat?
Just want some free food?
Come and join us!

[ooc: Open until the next one, all tags will be picked up by at least one of the LS crew :)]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Yes, I will, but the choice is ultimately up to him," Alana says, resting her chin in her hand. "There are lots of different kinds of medicines, and not all of them work for everyone. They take a few weeks to work, and they each have side effects, such as sleepiness."

"He can sleep on me all he wants, if that means he feels better," Ragnar blurts out at once.

"You have to know that this isn't an instant fix," Alana says, biting her lower lip. "It will take time to find the right medicines and time for them to work. And again, the choice is up to Athelstan. We can't force him to take medication."

"I know," Ragnar says. "I will wait as long as it takes. It's not as if things are going anywhere on the other side of our door."

"Good," Alana says, nodding thoughtfully. "Athelstan will need you to be patient with him. Depression isn't something that changes overnight, for better or for worse."

"In the meanwhile, how do I best help him?"

"Just keep doing what you're doing already," Alana says, inclining her head. "Give him space when he needs it and make sure he knows you love him. Just be there for him, whenever you can. But don't forget to take care of yourself as well."

"I did have a thorough bath after I came back from when I went out to get drunk, after he moved out," Ragnar says, a tad defensive, because if she thinks he's not taking care of himself, it must mean he stinks, right?

"That's good," Alana says, a little stymied. "Bathing is necessary. It's good to hear that you're taking care of yourself."

"Then why did you think I didn't?"

"I didn't," Alana says, titling her head. "I only said that you should, not that you haven't been."

"But why?" Ragnar asks, confused.

"Because if you don't take care of yourself, you can't be there for Athelstan," Alana says, peering at him. "Plus it's just good to do besides."

"I can be there for him if I smell," Ragnar argues, "unless it's so bad he doesn't want me there."

He is very confused now.

Alana furrows her brow. "Of course you can. I think we got on the wrong page. You can be there for him if you smell, but you can't be there for him if you don't take care of yourself."

"Then my definition of taking care of myself is off," Ragnar says. "What is it I should do, to do so?"

"Well, bathing is a good start," Alana says, lacing her fingers together. "Eating properly, and making sure that you get enough sunshine and drink enough water. Sleep is important as well."

"I do all that if I can," Ragnar says.

Who doesn*t?

"Good, then we've got nothing to worry about," Alana says, nodding thoughtfully. "At least when it comes to you. Depression can make it very difficult to take care of one's self. The patient can present with insomnia or sleeping too much. Hygiene usually goes out the window. And eating problems may develop."

"Yes, Athelstan hardly likes to eat anything any more," Ragnar says. "So if I find anything he likes, I make sure he gets as much as he likes. Like olives."

"That's thoughtful of you," Alana says, resting her chin in her hand. "It's good to encourage him to eat. Anything will do. Olives are as good as anything. Is there anything else he likes to eat that you know of?"

"He doesn't seem to care much what it is," Ragnar says. "Never has. He eats honeyed seed cakes if there are any, but who doesn't?"

"At least he's eating something," Alana says, pressing her lips together in a thin line. "That's good at least. Do you think he gets enough?"

"No."

Ragnar sounds very unhappy with that.

"Well, if he decides to take the medication, maybe his appetite will improve," Alana says, shaking her head. "I'm not sure what we can do about that aside from hoping it gets better once the underlying condition is treated."