Newbie to the group suffering long term anxiety

[Return_to_happiness]

Hi everyone,

i have been stalking these forums for a long time and have finally built up the confidence to post. I have been a long time anxiety sufferer with some really good bouts in between a few really bad ones. I am 36 and a mum of 2 with a very supportive husband. I work part time in a job I love and have a reasonable stable life. For the past six months, I have really been suffering, and struggle to understand why. I have been seeing a psychiatrist for five years and am on a mixture of meds. Generalised anxiety and depression but things just don't feel right. I am not respnonding great to medications.

I just feel like I'm running in circles. I've had heaps of blood test which were all great and now we are beginning to look a hormones as I have always has issues at 'that time of the month'. In the past 6 months I have lost over 10 kg, and I was not overweight. I feel like we (myself, GP and psychiatrist) are missing something but then is that just the anxiety talking? I'm frightened. I can't continue on this way. My anxiety makes me angry, and that's why I will keep fighting. I know there I see light at the end, but I just can't see it.

Putting these feelings in writing is huge for me but I know that you are all out there to offer support. Thanks for reading

[Guest_9809]

Hello Return to Happiness, and a very big welcome to the BB Forums. I'm glad you've been checking out the Forums (from afar) for a while, so you know what they offer people. I am equally happy that you have decided to take the step to actually start your own thread. Well done for building up the courage to do so. You are like most people in that regard, it really is a big step.

By posting, we open ourselves up and we often find ourselves admitting for the first time that we need a helping hand. The actual writing process itself is often therapeutic for many of us as well. I know for me writing is an emotional release, as well as a self discovery exercise. I hope that you find that to be the case too?

RTH, I can see that you have already been diagnosed with GAD and depression, and are under the care of a GP and psychiatrist. Fantastic news - so many people come on here and have not done that. But it does make it a little difficult to find other avenues of help that we can offer you here. As you know we are fellow MH sufferers here and are not medical professionals. So I hope that further tests around hormone levels uncovers something which could be attributable to the way you are currently feeling. And that subsequent treatment will solve any issues discovered.

Medications for anxiety and depression can be tricky, and it may seem like trial and error sometimes. But if you have tried one medication which is not working, or is no longer working, talk to your GP or psych about changing it. It is not uncommon for people to trial several before finding one that works for them.

No doubt you have been told the importance of maintaining a healthy diet, taking part in regular exercise and continuing to do things you enjoy whenever you are able to find the time in your busy family schedule. You may also find that mindfulness, meditation, yoga, tai chi, relaxing breathing or reading will help to give you some respite from your anxiety symptoms.

Other than that I would love for you to feel comfortable to continue posting here, and to make some connections to other members here. I would suggest you check out some of the BB Social Zone threads as well as some Staying Well section threads. Please just post a reply in any existing thread, and you will be made to feel very welcome. There are a great bunch of people here who are kind, understanding and very supportive.

Lovely to see you RtH, and I hope to hear back from you.

Kind regards.

Taurus

[Return_to_happiness]

Hi Taurus,

thank you for such a warm welcome. I absolutely agree that the writing process can be quite therapeutic.

Finding the right mix of medication is definitely the most difficult part, and the waiting game for them to take effect can be just as exhausting. Over the past 6 months I have tried quite a few and currently mid wa through another trial. Trying to keep positive is the key... also difficult at times.

Once again, thank you for the warm welcome. I look forward to coming out the other side and supporting others.

return to happiness

[Guest_9809]

My pleasure Return to Happiness.

Very true about the medication - it does take time, and patience is the key. But never be afraid to ask for a review of medication if you are dissatisfied with your current one, after a reasonable length of time on it.

I love your positive attitude, it really does help in all this. A supportive husband and having 2 children to care for is also a plus. And the benefits of having a part time job which you love, should also prove to be a helpful distraction. Hopefully the upcoming medical tests provides some answers, and your current meds soon settle.

Meanwhile you are very welcome to come here and post any time you feel like doing so. It is a help to most people knowing that they are not alone in their suffering, and that other people understand and care. And as you have already acknowledged, putting things on paper (or on screen in this case) is a therapeutic thing.

So I really hope that you will come out the other side of this difficult period soon. That you are able to do your profile name proud, and quickly Return to Happiness.

Should you feel ready to advise and support others who are going through similar situations as yourself, that opportunity is always available to you. Just come onto the forums, browse threads you are interested in, and reply to any that you have a contribution to make. Your own personal courage, wisdom and lived experience will always be welcome and appreciated by those who have the benefit of receiving it.

I hope to see you around again.

Taurus