Anxious and depressed

[Sezza_H]

I have been struggling with anxiety for a while now but this past year it has been the worst its ever been. I have stopped meeting up with friends and have basically stopped leaving the house because of it.
The anxiety is almost constant, and I am struggling to cope with it. The physical symptoms (especially nausea and feeling faint) are so intense that I am convinced that there is something physically wrong, but all the tests come back normal. I try breathing exercises and mindfulness, but this just doesn’t seem to work. I feel as though anxiety has taken so much away from me as I don’t do anything anymore.
I am just so sick and tired of it. I feel really down, and I have lost all motivation. I am also struggling to sleep and I am so tired. I went to see a GP and they wrote me up a mental health plan and referred me to a psychologist, but they didn’t actually send through any of the information to the psychologist (despite me thinking that they had) and the psych won’t see me until that’s sorted out. Its become such a debacle and there’s also a waiting list to see a psychologist anyway.
I am so frustrated because I have been struggling for so long and it just keeps getting worse. I am trying to do the right thing by seeking professional help, but it is just so hard and I have to wait so long. I don’t know what I am meant to do and I am losing hope.

[Skary Bill]

Hi Sezza, I wish I had something really profound and helpful to say.

All I've really got is to share that I completely get where you're coming from. And it seems so silly how much anxiety you have to go through to get some help for that very thing. Honestly you're doing all the right things, so don't give up now. I know it's a significant investment of your emotional energy. But I would encourage you to double down. Tomorrow, when you feel up to it, give your GP clinic a call and ask them to expedite the paperwork.

And if you don't feel like you're being looked after. Don't be afraid to find the right place that will. If you find the right practice that is friendly and helpful and can get you an appointment soon. Just ask your doctor to refer you there and take the letter with you.

Bill.

[PamelaR]

Hi Sezza and welcome to Beyond Blue forums

Bill has given you some very good support. I agree, calling the GP clinic and asking them to hurry up is one of the first things I would do too. Also, if this didn't happen, I'd look for another GP who was more understanding.

Finding these forums is a great start to help you while you wait. That's exactly what I did this time last year. I had to wait about 6 weeks and was going up the wall. Coming here, talking to people and sharing experiences was what helped me through those 6 weeks. It was a blessing.

Anxiety is the pits at time, once it's managed though you'll find life gets so much better.

Was there anything that you can recall that may have set off the anxiety to make it worse than usual? For me, it can be as easy as someone looking the wrong way at me, and me telling myself a story about how they don't like me. I can go into a retreat for weeks. Eventually I emerge having licked my wounds for a month or more. During my retreat I do a lot of self talk about my 'unreal story' I've told myself. Rebuild myself esteem and re-emerge into the social world again.

You're not alone Sezza. What you are experiencing with anxiety is normal. It's the learning how to manage, to live with it and to reduce the symptoms. It is doable and life is okay. Keep reaching out if and when you want to.

Kind regards

PamelaR