Advice on where to get help.

[Damaged]

Hi everyone. So I have had Social Anxiety for as long as I can remember really. I have tried a lot of treatment over the years though nothing has really worked for me long term. Though for the most part I am able to live my life in my routine without it affecting me too much. Until I have a social situation come up like a funeral for a family memberwhich I am facing this week. Since I have found out the news things have not gone well. I have not slept in 2 days, been throwing up and have found it hard to breathe. It is all I can think about. I have been through this before over the years and gotten through it. Though this time feels a lot worse. I am really worried I am going to have a panic attack on the day. I would really like to avoid going( which I know goes against what a therapist would advise) though I am at the point now where I am not really just not functioning. I have told a family member about it and they just said don't worry about it:) At this point I know this week is going to be rough. Though what kind of treatment do you advise I should be looking into. I just can't go through this again.

Thanks.

[CalmCat]

Hi Damaged,

Thank you being so brave and letting us know of the troubling time your having. Your taking the most important set in sharing your feelings with us for guidance - being open is so important.

You did mention that you don't want to see a mental health professional, but what about your GP? I think you'd have a great experiences in sharing your feelings with your GP, they could really help with your social anxiety.

Have you spoken to your GP about the way you've been feeling?

Let us know!

Regards,

cc

[Damaged]

Hi, Calm Cat. I have not seen a GP about this lately. I have moved recently to a new area so still have not got a regular GP that I trust. Though I will try to look for one when this week is behind me.

[Guest_1643]

Hi Damaged,

that is not good if it is causing such anxiety. In my own personal experienc,e I would avoid an event that made me feel that way, but I respect that everyone is different

[Damaged]

Thanks Sleepy, I have been told in therapy that exposing yourself to these things is the only way to move forward. Which I am sure works for some people though it has not at all for me. The build up before any event is just confidence destroying, regardless of the outcome. I think there are some people that think I am just lazy if I don't turn up and I don't want to let any one down. Though even family members that I am close to don't seem to have any idea of how out of control things have got. Even when I try to tell them.

[Guest_1643]

Hey Damaged,

I have had similar experiences where something was making me so nervous - because I was scared that I was getting unwell (mentally) and didn't know if I could handle doing that thing when unwell.
So I had to cancel that. I would spiral for a few days before, wandering if I'd feel well enough to drive and get to an appointment, and I cancelled the appointment. I did that when it was something I could postpone easily. But I know we also need to fface our challenges in life so it's hard. Don't be too hard on ursef, would be my advice. Ur choices are good and okay, whatever u do.

[Petal22]

Hi Damaged,

Sorry you have been feeling this way…..

I understand anxiety I had severe anxiety OCD I have now recovered from it thanks to the help of health professionals.

I highly recommend you see your gp let them know how you have been feeling and how anxiety is affecting your life…. You could do a mental health plan together this will give you access to a phycologist who can give you many strategies to help you to manage your anxiety….

im here to chat to you

[Petal22]

If I can recover Damaged there is HOPE that you can aswell with the correct help…..

I’m here if you want to chat or have any questions in regards to the help I received and my recovery……….

You CAN live a full life……….. never give up hope………😊

[Damaged]

Thanks so much for your advice Petal22. I am going to search for a Gp as soon as this week is over. I kind think medication is the only thing that will help me out of this right now. I will post again later in the week and tell you how it went. If I don't have a total melt down. I have improved a little bit Today strangely enough, though still a long way from ok.

[Petal22]

That’s ok damaged , I was put on a antidepressant to manage my anxiety it really helped………

i believe medication and therapy go hand in hand…….. doing both together I think will get great results….

Please don’t leave your gp appointment to long…. The sooner you can receive professional help the sooner you can recover….

I look forward to hearing back from you, I’m glad your symptoms have improved a little……

have you tried meditation?

im here to chat to you……