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jcs1987 What is the best treatment, natural remedy or therapy for GAD/anxiety & panic disorder? HELP
  • replies: 10

I have suffered from GAD and panic disorder on an off for about 6 years now. I recently in the last 3 years have been really good! Even adventurous some might say, which for me is miraculous. It just sort of eased up and i was able to test myself and... View more

I have suffered from GAD and panic disorder on an off for about 6 years now. I recently in the last 3 years have been really good! Even adventurous some might say, which for me is miraculous. It just sort of eased up and i was able to test myself and succeed. With things like: going overseas, going on hikes, learned to drive, got license, lost weight, went to concerts and other things i wouldn't normally do. All of t his was great until recently i have begun hiding again, doubting my self, creating issues from situations in which didn't bother me before and worst of all now having panic attacks while driving which is really saddening and disappointing. And i hate myself for it. Like all of you, i do not want this in my life and i want to be normal (im angry at myself). I do NOT want to take meds, i have been through cognitive therapy and i try and meditate once a day to help, I stopped drinking caffeine and stopped smoking cigarettes, I eat better, I use the rescue remedy drops like water and i do generally have a positive outlook on life. So i don't know what else to do. Can you please give me your BEST fixers for anxiety/panic attacks before i stop driving all together and lose my wings forever? Do you have any natural remedies, ideas or what has helped you take control. Perhaps experience in hypnotherapy? Thank you.

Boofa Awful experience with a new GP
  • replies: 10

I live in a rural area and have gathered my courage to visit a new GP because of increased anxiety and depression. I'm in tears, because he made me feel that my situation is all my own fault. I asked if I might increase my medication dosage, and he s... View more

I live in a rural area and have gathered my courage to visit a new GP because of increased anxiety and depression. I'm in tears, because he made me feel that my situation is all my own fault. I asked if I might increase my medication dosage, and he said there was no point while I kept drinking (bottle of wine a night, awful , I know, only way I can sleep without manic dreams). He suggested exercise and fresh air and sunlight and halving my alcohol intake. I've had depression since primary school but more recently anxiety. I was crying in his office and he expressed no words of sympathy/concern. I know!!!! what I need to do, exercise, see friends, cut the drinking, but the trouble is, as you all know, when you're really down, that seems (is) impossible. I know in a way he is right, but if I could have done all that, I would have. Or am I being irrational? My partner is away and I would really love some wisdom , as I'm new here. If only he knew how difficult it was to even seek help. Phew! Hope everyone out there remembers that we are really strong and will get there (trying to believe that).

Kristen1980 Side effects of ceasing antidepressants
  • replies: 4

In consultation with my doctor, I have decided to cease taking my antidepressants. I have been taking them for 14 years and was on a low dose. My doctor advised that I take half for 2 weeks and then cease. It has been 2 days since ceasing the medicat... View more

In consultation with my doctor, I have decided to cease taking my antidepressants. I have been taking them for 14 years and was on a low dose. My doctor advised that I take half for 2 weeks and then cease. It has been 2 days since ceasing the medication, and already I am experiencing side-effects. I am dizzy, extremely fatigued and have trouble going to sleep at night. Is this normal? How long will this last?

startingnew am i complaining too much? should i just toughen up or get over it?
  • replies: 25

hi guys so ive really been struggling with my mental illness (i have 4) and ive recently disclosed another event as well. ive been told i should jsut get over it and just dont worry about it and im finding it really hard to 'just get over' im just wo... View more

hi guys so ive really been struggling with my mental illness (i have 4) and ive recently disclosed another event as well. ive been told i should jsut get over it and just dont worry about it and im finding it really hard to 'just get over' im just wondering what others opinions are... do you think im just complaining?ive also just discovered that i have a few physical health issues to deal with such as scoliosis, glasses, and a few of my main ligaments have been torn and have never been fully corrected as i never got a boot or anything to support it so now im stuck having a few torn ligamanents that will probably never heal so the pain that i feel will be constant unfortunately.so i was just trying to have a conversation in general about my injury and treatment etc and she just rolled her eyes at me and said that i complain to much.. this is kinda the first times heard about it as i try not to complain about anything even when im struggling the most. even in my full panic state she usually jsut ignores me and then gets the craps at me...do you think im complaining?

Guest_1203 Mental health plan running out - what now?
  • replies: 5

So had my 7th session with my Clinical Psychologist today, and I'm only feeling like we are starting to get into the nitty gritty of problems and was informed by the receptionist on the way out that after my 10th session I'll have to start paying pri... View more

So had my 7th session with my Clinical Psychologist today, and I'm only feeling like we are starting to get into the nitty gritty of problems and was informed by the receptionist on the way out that after my 10th session I'll have to start paying privately $175 a session. Which in turn is giving me pretty bad anxiety, as I can't afford to be paying that weekly/fortnightly as the money from my casual job barely covers my bills/debt at the moment, I'm only 24 and I'm trying to find more work but even then I don't think I'll be able to afford that. It's just super concerning as I feel like its been of great benefit to me and i really like the women that I've been seeing and really don't want to slip back to how I was prior to seeing her. I'm going to bring it up with her next session, but I'm just lost as to how I'm going to feel knowing I won't be able to afford to go back. So I just don't know where to go from now...because I know I'm going to need more than 10 sessions to sort everything out.

idog2866 What to do when you can't afford counselling?
  • replies: 1

I was diagnosed with acute anxiety with depressive symptoms and have been on medication for 2-3 yrs. While the medication helps I quite often don't think the dosage is enough. This is having a horrendous effect on how I treat my wife and children. My... View more

I was diagnosed with acute anxiety with depressive symptoms and have been on medication for 2-3 yrs. While the medication helps I quite often don't think the dosage is enough. This is having a horrendous effect on how I treat my wife and children. My moods are horrific and I have no patience at all. My biggest issue is I just can't afford to see a counsellor yet think that this is an essential part of dealing with this. I need to talk to someone. I keep driving my wife away and making my children fear me because I'm yelling all the time. Does anyone know of options regarding being able to talk to someone where it doesn't cost the earth. I know I need to see my DR to get the dosage increased but even that's hard to do. I know how I'm acting is wrong but I just can't help myself.

NotRealNameOfCourse How to ask for higher dosages
  • replies: 5

How do you phrase asking a psychiatrist for a higher dosage of a medication without coming across as a junkie or hypochondriac? My dose of medication with my slow history of adjusting dosages is not working for me other than short term relief for a f... View more

How do you phrase asking a psychiatrist for a higher dosage of a medication without coming across as a junkie or hypochondriac? My dose of medication with my slow history of adjusting dosages is not working for me other than short term relief for a few hours after taking the mediciation. At the very least I would prefer to take it daily as the current dosage schedule is per week instead.

Elizabeth CP How to use Sleeping tablets effectively to get sufficient sleep but not become dependent
  • replies: 7

My anxiety & depression has a strong link to fatigue levels. My psychiatrist has prescribed sleeping tablets to break the cycle of lack of sleep-fatigue to depression & back in a vicious cycle. Last month I tried them for one or 2 nights when I slept... View more

My anxiety & depression has a strong link to fatigue levels. My psychiatrist has prescribed sleeping tablets to break the cycle of lack of sleep-fatigue to depression & back in a vicious cycle. Last month I tried them for one or 2 nights when I slept better. After a week of going to bed early & sleeping in as long as possible or at least lying in bed to rest after waking up tired I started feeling mor human & started doing normal things again. I had been too tired to do much before. Unfortunately a few things happened which meant I didn't get the sleep I needed. For example hot nights I can't sleep as I need the fan to keep the temperature down & that keeps me awake. Worrying about people I care about who are currently struggling & extra demands on my time have also interrupted sleep so I am back as bad as ever. The psych now wants me to take the sleeping tablets more regularly at least once a week to stop this cycle. My query is how do I know when to take them. I don't want to take them if I am able to fall asleep without but I don't want to be getting up in the middle of the night after trying to sleep & being unable to. What do others do.

abandit Teeth grinding & changing medication
  • replies: 4

I recently broke another dental crown and it would be safe to say it is a result of intensive teeth grinding while I sleep. In Nov 2016 my Dr suggesting coming off the meds. A few months of increasingly nasty nightmares led me to going back to the or... View more

I recently broke another dental crown and it would be safe to say it is a result of intensive teeth grinding while I sleep. In Nov 2016 my Dr suggesting coming off the meds. A few months of increasingly nasty nightmares led me to going back to the original dose on the advice of another Dr in the same practice. Prosthodontist says he has seen others on this particular med have teeth grinding issues and suggested trying to change. Consequently, am transitioning to another antidepressant medication. Has anyone else had issues with nighttime teeth grinding with their medications? If so, what did you do?