Anxiety/Mental Health Plan

[RecognisingAnxiety]

Hi All, new here.

I have suffered from anxiety for many years, and have coped as many others have done as I've read in the personal stories and threads, throwing myself into work and sedating with alcohol. Not a binge drinker partying all night, but enough to dull me and get to bed by 9:30pm, then awake at dawn and back into it. Did that solid for the last 15 years - no socialising and they had to force me to take holidays. 

I've been like this most of my life recently however it has become overwhelming and I've stopped working and am seeking help to work it out. The usual symptoms outlined on sites like this - didn't want to see or talk to anyone or answer the phone, some OCD (esp when stressed), irritability, ages to fall asleep, neck/jaw/back pain, worrying about things which may (and didn't ever) happen etc..

My GP knows I had anxiety issues for a while and I have been on a low level antidepressant for ages which certainly helped. I saw her again last week outlining the issue and first action was blood tests, 24 BP check (my BP very high for my age - 43) and a mental health plan with some follow up counselling from a clinical psych. Of course, given my condition I'm pretty anxious about what to expect. Have of course stopped any drinking and getting myself out for a solid walk each day. I have told my parents and (albeit very limited) social group, so wondering what to expect next. 

Anyone have any advice?

Thanks. 

[geoff]

dear RecognisingAnxiety, with drinking too much alcohol can alter and make our health dangerous, not only BP but more so our platelets which can cause us to have a stroke and end up in nursing home if it's too bad.

I also have OCD for 54 years, older than most responders, makes me feel old, and it can have the tendency to control our lives and is caused from anxiety or hereditary, but I'm not sure who had this illness in my past family, as my Mum and Dad and their siblings didn't have it, so it must have been beyond that.

There are OCD courses online which I have done one so google to see, they are free.

Good on you for walking, but it's an illness that is difficult to get rid of, and unfortunately I have been unlucky. Geoff.

[RecognisingAnxiety]

Thanks very much Geoff, I appreciate your reply. Went to GP yesterday and mildly high cholesterol, but thyroid fine, BP back to normal and no other physical issues. Much less scary than I anticipated. So cutting out the vino and off for some CBT and see how that goes. My OCD doesn't prevent me from functioning, but makes it a real effort and is a frustrating, extra hassle I need to deal with on a daily basis. Lots of small stuff that if you don't do it leaves you with a nagging anxiety that something horrible will happen - like some dodgy sounding superstitions. If you don't mind me asking, what are your symptoms like - what strategies have found that help alleviate it?

[geoff]

dear RecognisngAnxiety, firstly I want to thank you for joining us, as there is a multitude of different people on this site, all with different problems.

There are plenty of psych's or therapists who do CBT for symptoms like OCD, and all have different techniques.

I am pretty well the same as you, but the main process for me is that no one ever knows that I do any habits or rituals associated with this illness, as I learnt a long long time ago to hide them, rather than being ridiculed as freakish or weird, and this started with an older brother, who always chatised me.

For me counting to 4 or doing things 4 times, but this varies, as I may count to 4 but do the habit multiple times, like it could be 10 times but only count to 4.

There are certain things that I MUST DO before either going to bed, getting out of the car, and those who are reading this I AM NORMAL see me in the photo I still have a head on. lol.

Mind you I do feel weird saying all these things, but it's site to help other people, so 'forward she goes', and anyone who wants to comment please join in.

If I would normally do a habit and someone is with me, then I would do it 2 or 3 times but a shorter version, but still count to 4, or do it when they are not watching.

I asked my psychologist once if she knew if I was doing a habit, and I had seen her for 20 years, but no she didn't know or had seen me do it, maybe I should become a magican.

Over 54 years I can walk over cracks on the footpath now, and have doing this for a long time, but it's been replaced by something else.

Someone has posted, and I'm so sorry I have forgotten your name, half brain damage, about a seminar in Melbourne at Federation Square, plus a link, so if you are in Melbourne hope that you can go and listen to the talk.

I would be interested to see how you go with CBT as well as the vino. Geoff.

[RecognisingAnxiety]

Thanks very much Geoff, I appreciate how hard it is to be open about these things and I respect your honesty. My OCD revolves around household things such as the oven/stove or anything electrical also locks, windows and arranging items in kitchen and bathroom - all labels out and have to be symmetrical, evenly spaced and in same spot each day, which may sound just being tidy but spending an hour a day at it gets frustrating. Cutting out the alcohol was a compulsory step for me and finding exercise reduces the tension better, gives you a great appetite and wake up feeling 100% better. I'm not in Vic I'm afraid, but had a search and found that link - maybe they will make a video or similar of it. 

[geoff]

dear RecognisingAnxiety, all labels out, me too, evenly spaced, me too.

I had a phone call from a nephew last night and he wasn't feeling well, crying and he was going to see my old psychologist ( I had 20 years with her )as she has moved to the same town in vic, what a coincidence hey, but he told me that he has OCD plus depression, and also said that his sister also has OCD, well I never could pick it up, so I'm not the only one in my extended family.

Just wondering whether you are male or female.

It certainly looks like we both do the same habits/rituals, so I am human after all. lol. Geoff.