My anxiety has gone through the roof!

[GADman]

This past week has been mentally one of the worst weeks I have had in my life. I'm spending most of the day in bed because my anxiety and depression are at an all time high and I can't put my finger on what set it off apart from the chest infection I got in the days prior.

Physically I am feeling better however I am eating much less than what I used to and am in bed most of the day. I am trying to go for two walks a day just to get out of the house but this cold weather at the moment is even making that difficult.I've lost interest in things I enjoy like television and games and my father has been sick too and am worried that something bad may happen to him.

I can't even turn these on at the moment and concentrate for more than 5 minutes because my anxiety and depression are so bad.I'm 35 and live with both my parents and recently told work I can't come in due to the constant anxiety attacks. A few days ago I was getting out of the shower because of a panic attack and passed out and ended in hospital with a cut to my head. I'm worried that I'm going crazy and the best place for me may be a psych ward as I don't want to be a burden for my family and can barely function throughout the day.

Sorry for the rambling, if anyone has any suggestions or advice I would like to hear from you.

[Neil_1]

Hi there G-man

Welcome to Beyond Blue and thank you for coming here and providing your post.

That's the thing with this anxiety ... it eats you up inside your mind and plays terrible games and tricks on you; almost all of the time, and depression takes away our enjoyment of things, things that we used to really like.

Reading through I can't tell if you've already been to see your GP, but if you haven't I would be suggesting this as the next port of call for you. I have no doubt that you are NOT going crazy ... it's just this mongrel disease that gets us and causes us to think like that. It's just a battle that we have to deal with ... so many of us do, and it does get tough. So thank you for coming here and sharing your story.

It IS great to hear that you are trying to get some physical exercise in ... and yes, this crappy cold winter weather doesn't help with our outdoor ventures and also just our internal mood as well. Winter doesn't help depression I feel.

If it is at all possible, I would be trying to get back to work, even on a reduced format, if possible. Work though being a pain for a lot of us, does have its saving graces, such as "money". 🙂 🙂 🙂 But also it can help us get through a day as well. When we're at work and we have things "on" or to do, then that can help occupy the old grey matter and can go someway to alleviating some of the nasties that the black dog likes to bark at us.

One thing I'd like to mention: share as much time with your folks as you can ... I've recently lost both mine and there's nothing more than I'd rather have is to have them back, but they're gone ... so do what you can for your Dad and also your Mum. Sorry, that was just an aside, but reading through, I did just wanna mention that.

Would love to hear back from you.

Neil

[GADman]

Thanks Neil for your reply. I've been in this situation before and taken time off work but that was at a different job and I'm still unsure of how this company is going to handle it.

In the past it took me a couple of months or a few months to recover each time and I would gradually get better with exercise, diet and distracting my mind with games and movies.

But this time I feel so bad that I can't even enjoy simple pleasures like watching tv or playing games.

I saw my psychiatrist last week and am seeing him again tomorrow. He originally thought that I felt this way because of a bad bout of the flu. That may be what triggered it off but at the moment I just can't seem to concentrate, enjoy myself and my anxiety and depression is really bad.

I may ask him if I can increase my dosage  or possibly add other medication. I just feel so helpless at the moment.

Thank you for your time.

[Anntug]

Hi Gadman,

The mind is such a powerful tool.... I to suffer from depression and anxiety and my mind just does not stop thinking negative things, if only they could be positive!!! I also stuggle getting out of bed especially recently since the cold weather has kicked in. Once I finally push my self to get up and going I find my anxiety does settle down for a while. I am on AD and they are certainly helping me.

Tso tomorrow is another day so let's make it a good one xxx

[BballJ]

Hi GADman,

Firstly, welcome to the forums. I like the username, sound like a superhero.

As someone who also suffers from anxiety, I know these feelings, I have woken up in panic attack states and they are crap. As Neil1 mentioned in his post, are you currently seeing a GP about your anxiety or even a psychologist, if so, how are they going?

I find with my anxiety and when it spikes, I use distraction techniques like listening to music, listen to motivational videos on YouTube (I even youtube anxiety motivational videos where they are specific to anxiety sufferers like us) and I find they give me some clarity. The exercise is a great one too so try and rug up as warm as possible and get those walks in, I think it will help a lot.

Please also know you can call the Beyond Blue helpline on 1300 22 4636 24/7 to discuss anything you are going through.

My best for you,

Jay

[Neil_1]

Hi there G-Man,

Great to hear back from you.

Certainly being at (or in) a job that is able to have some leeway for instances of leave and support can be so very helpful. I’ve read on here both good and bad encounters that different people have had with their work and their depression. I guess in this instance, only you can know how things will be.

I’ve gotta say, that you’ve nailed it with some of the mechanisms we need to help us along … the exercise, diet and getting the mind distracted are all very helpful things that we can introduce to assist. I do hope you’re able to incorporate some or all of these very soon.

Another thing I think that goes by the wayside a fair bit is drinking … of water. 🙂 🙂 Another tentacle that depression has is where it’ll feast readily on anyone who is dehydrated, so it’s important that we keep a good intake of water on a daily basis.

I do hope your upcoming appointment (or it may have already happened) will be beneficial to you. Just reading your posts, you sound very switched on by all of this and that you know the right things to do and things that will be of assistance to you.

I can’t help but think with your own helpful attitude, that you could also be a very valuable person on this site to assist others … if you should feel you’d be able too. Also, in so doing, THIS can become a bit of a distraction, in a positive way.

That’s a lot of how I started … that I’ve journeyed so long with this disease and unfortunately have so much experience with it, that I thought, why not try and give back to others who are struggling … all the while, why I continue to struggle. :)

Cheers

Neil

[GADman]

Thanks for everyone's response. I saw my psychiatrist yesterday and am increasing my medication. I'll keep up the exercise and try mindfulness breathing exercises several times a day and try to play a game for an hour or so a day just to distract my mind.

Just getting rid of these thoughts is going to be a great effort.

[BballJ]

Hi GADman,

That's good and seems like the psych gave you a little more clarty and help which is great to read.

You can do it, I know it's a lot of effort but its worth it in the end. Please feel free to write back as much as you wish.

My best,

Jay