Getting worse and getting desperate

Cannotfindadisplayname · ‎24-12-2018

Hi. Female in late 30s. I was formally diagnosed with anxiety and depression about 4-5 years ago but it's been going on for a lot longer than that. I've done exactly what I'm supposed to do - gone to the doctor, juggled around with different medications, and seen psychologists. I feel like now even the doctor is giving up (last visit she asked me what I'd like to do now, no options given, just kind of throwing her hands up as if I was the expert). I'm just getting worse and worse. Gradually less able to function. I can't face going out. I have lost all my friends, no support network left now. Surely after a year of regular psych appointments and medication I should at the very least not be getting worse? Anyone else felt like this? I really don't know what to do.

white knight · ‎24-12-2018

Hi and welcome

I don't blame you for seeking some peer support here. It is a common development, that we seek help and then get worse...but...we don't know if we could be a lot worse without the help!

In my experience there is many more things to consider before we think we've gone through all of our options. EG Environmental change (seachange, treechange), career/employment change (working with the public to seeking careers away from people), inserting hobbies/sports/interests in our lives. To name 3.

Then there is friends/relatives that can be toxic, move on from them, surrounding yourself with soft, caring people with empathy.

Meditation, cognitive therapy and learning new techniques of resting. Diet.

Google the following

Beyondblue topic be radical

Beyondblue topic fortress of survival

Beyondblue topic Maharaji he helped me for 25 years

Maharaji Prem Rawat youtube the perfect instrument

Beyondblue topic depression a ship on the high seas

I hope you find them beneficial. Merry xmas and take care.

TonyWK

jess334 · ‎24-12-2018

Hi there,

Just to add to Tony's great reply,

If you are not feeling supported by your GP then I would encourage you to try another doctor.

I stuck with the same doctor for years because I assumed he knew all the different treatments available, but it wasn't until I talked to a friend that I realised there was more things I could try. I now have a general GP who works near me for normal illness and see a completely different GP for mental health.

He treats me with folinic acid which has worked really well for me. Search Google for MTFHR imbalance anxiety for more info.

Kind thoughts, Jess

Cannotfindadisplayname · ‎31-12-2018

Thank you for your replies.

romantic_thi3f · ‎02-01-2019

Hi Cannotfindadisplayname,

I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling so much with this. Unfortunately I've been through this too and it's so incredibly defeating - we want help but then the help were given either doesn't help or it kind of backfires on us!

Can I ask, what is it about your therapy that you've found unhelpful? How long have you been with your current therapist?

Sometimes it is about switching meds/therapists or even doctors. It's hard to know what the best way forward is. Part of me wonders if instead of giving up your Doctor was trying to 'hand the reins over to you'. You are kind of the expert on yourself and will always know so much more than your Doctor!

Another thing that I'm kind of wondering too is about the therapy approach. A lot of therapists tend to use similar techniques like CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). If this seems to 'surfacey' - it might be worth thinking about whether it's the actual approach that they're using and finding something that really works. Sometimes I've even had chats with therapists and told them 'I'm not feeling any better, this isn't working for me'. That's totally okay to do that.

Not sure if any of this is helpful. I think you've got to keep being your own advocate and think around for what might suit you best.

Nurse_Jenn · ‎05-01-2019

Hi Cannotfindadisplayname,

Welcome to the beyondblue forum. I am confident you will find some support thought peers on the forum that have experienced similar experiences.

With the therapy that you are receiving from your psychologist, I wonder if it is the right style for you? I compare it to having back pain and going to a physiotherapist and getting worse and then trying a massage therapist and not improving, and then finally trying acupuncture and having some success. This is similar in the mental health field as well as there are many different styles of therapy. Some psychologists use a strong evidenced based approach and might practice Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Schema Therapy (there are many styles). Others might use a combination of different therapies and some don't use an evidence based therapy very well at all. It would beneficial to find out why type of therapy that your psychologist has been practicing with you. A suggestion might be to approach the subject with your psychologist and indicate during a session that you feel that you are not improving and would like to spend the session exploring other strategies. This might result is a suggest to find a new practitioner who uses a different style of therapy.

As Jess suggested, another strategy could also be finding a new GP to work with you on your mental health plan. GPs have strengths in all different areas, some are strong in maternal health, others in older persons health. If you can, find a GP that is strong in managing mental health. This recommendation can could be through a practice manager or maybe someone you know. It can be tough to find a GP with this type of expertise as it is often not advertised.

Finding the right treatment can be a long process but one that is well worth it. Jumping from one psychologist to the next is not something I recommend but you have been with your current psychologist for a year and I think it is worth gaining a second opinion.

You have indicated that your social connections have been lost. Is there a way to reconnect with at least one person? I understand that it is a huge effort when you have low mood and worry that is not improving but having a support person that you trust can make a world of difference.

You can get through this. With persistence and some trial and error, you can find the right support that will get you back to you. Keep posting on the forum.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn