depression/C-PTSD/ OCD and now panic attacks

[Sam2]

have slipped back into a deep depresion due to feeling so lonely as i live with Cptsd depression and OCD and find it hard to socialise or make new friends yet i find myself yerning for friendship mainly somone to talk to about my problems, yes i see a scy every 6 to 8 weeks but i havent been able to get in and its the longest i have gone without talking to my therapist, i just want to hang out and talk either with ppl that have been going through the same thing or just anyboody who can advise me on how to get through the worse and sttart to make me feel better as a person

Reply

[Soberlicious96]

Hi Sam2

Well done for reaching out, even though you are feeling so distressed at the minute. I am sorry to hear you are doing it tough. Perhaps you could contact/go to your local community center and see if there are any mental health support groups that are run there, that you could join? Is that something you could consider?

It's important to remember, in those moments when you start to feel overwhelmed, to "stop, look and listen"

1) Stop what you are doing. Take a moment to pause and begin a reset

2) Look around you; list what you can actually see - any trees around? What type are they? What colour is the sky; is it blue? Are there any clouds around? Notice where you are standing on; is it concrete or grass? 

3) Listen to your breathing; breathe in for a count of 3 and out for a count of 5. Repeat until you can hear any sounds other than your own thoughts; any birds chirping? Maybe traffic around or someone mowing their lawns? Take note of your actual surroundings; what you can see, hear, touch, smell and feel. 

I too have had CPTSD and I find the above grounding techniques to be very helpful when I have been in a difficult moment. Perhaps you could do a practice run of grounding yourself (using the above "Stop, look and Listen" above) at a time when you are not so distressed as a training session?! A bit like how we do training for physical/medical first aid, yeah? Training our minds in order to calm and soothe ourselves is just as important a skill as managing a life-threatening medical emergency, if not more so.

Anyway, I do hope that is of some help to you and that you are feeling better soon and remember, Beyond Blue is here for you and with you 24/7. 

Take care. I'll be thinking of you. xo

[Sam2]

 Hi Soberlicious96,

thank you for that i shall remember the grounding tech, i normaly only do the listening one as i have never been told about the others so thank you very much

[Annas1]

Hi Sam2,

Managing mental health challenges takes so much effort on our part, which is something we forget when feeling overwhelmed by negative thoughts, loneliness and fears. It sounds that you are getting support with a psychologist which is really helpful in understanding what is happening when we feel depressed, obsessive and anxious. It's so important to know that you are not alone in having these experiences and that by learning skills to support ourselves will make a difference.

I agree that a big challenge for people like us who have fears around social judgement is how to make connections that can build us up. Not everyone we meet will understand our challenge, and, for me, past judgements from others can cloud how I see current relationships. I too am on a journey of self-acceptance which helps me to be okay with who I am - fears and depression included. With this growing inner strength I have more bravery to reach out to others who I can trust. I am also less wounded by unhelpful or judgemental interactions. In short, it is a long process that has ups and downs and requires that I carry on when feeling defeated and focus on the successes I am building along the way. 

I also recommend checking out the online support groups offered by the NSW mental health organisation WayAhead. There is a wide range of groups that you can participate in, and I have found this to be particularly helpful and healing for me in relation to normalising my experience and finding a lot of encouragement. Is this something you would be interested in?

Sending you support and encouragement.

Annas1

[Summer Rose]

Hi Sam2

You are certainly dealing with more than anyone should have to. I am so sorry that you are experiencing loneliness and depression along with OCD and CPTSD.

I just want you to know that I see you. I see the courage you display every day to face your challenges. I see that you are resourceful in reaching out for support. I see that you are tenacious and committed to finding your way to a better state of health.

Please, never forget who you are.

Kind thoughts to you