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relax16 ideas for the long wait for psych appt
  • replies: 3

i have been suffering anxiety and depression quite badly for the past couple of months. mostly health anxiety issues. i am on medication which is slowly kicking in and have booked myself in for a psych appt...but i cant get in for over a month. since... View more

i have been suffering anxiety and depression quite badly for the past couple of months. mostly health anxiety issues. i am on medication which is slowly kicking in and have booked myself in for a psych appt...but i cant get in for over a month. since i dont have any emergency symptoms i have to wait as there are people who need help more urgently. i am looking forward to my appt as i need to get out of the constant loop of negative and scary thoughts which follow me all day. are there any free online programs or apps that anyone has found useful just to get them through the waiting period to actually seek professional help????? any advice would be great as i am barely functioning at work and at home with my kids...just spend my days distracting myself with tv and my phone.

HannahG EMDR for Intrusive Thoughts
  • replies: 9

Hi recently started having horrible intrusive thoughts about things I cant really write about here that are horrible that I would never do.. but also my past extremely promiscuous sexual history which is very traumatizing for me in my current marriag... View more

Hi recently started having horrible intrusive thoughts about things I cant really write about here that are horrible that I would never do.. but also my past extremely promiscuous sexual history which is very traumatizing for me in my current marriage. The thoughts only started a week ago and I see my Psych in 2 weeks (who I have been seeing due to 2 stillbirths). Have done a LOT of research as I am proactive in getting better. The thoughts appear to be Intrusive as part of an OCD trait. So my question was: Has anyone been sucessful with EMDR Therapy relating to OCD Intrusive thoughts or rumination?

Guest_2350 Bipolar knowledge and treatment questions
  • replies: 2

Hello, I have just been diagnosed with bipolar and I am seeking some advise on the condition. It feels like a slap in the face and I think part of it is due because I know nothing about bipolar - I've been trying to read a bit tonight. How did you fi... View more

Hello, I have just been diagnosed with bipolar and I am seeking some advise on the condition. It feels like a slap in the face and I think part of it is due because I know nothing about bipolar - I've been trying to read a bit tonight. How did you find out you have bipolar? What was your life like - your childhood, teenage years? Do you lead a "normal" life from the outside? What therapies and treatment options have helped you? Did you struggle to recognise and accept that you have bipolar? I can see patterns of high energy states - compared to other people - and extreme lows, but I have a family, job,... And a mixed bag of trauma... Do I have to compare myself to others? I've always been like this, so it feels weird. I do know I struggle with feelings. Do ADs make it worse? I've been feeling more and more lost in the past few months since starting to take them. Can it feel like you hit a wall? If I compare myself 6, 12, 18 months ago I have deteriorated a big deal. Can depression last that long? Often I don't know myself. Do you sometimes feel that people or things can drive you nuts? What are good sites, groups... To get support and information from? I would really appreciate your input. Thank you, Yggy

kirsada Medication withdrawal and feeling better
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I've recently weaned off an antidepressant that I was taking for depression/anxiety/stress, and would like some feedback on withdrawal and how long it takes. My Dr said the drug only remains in the system for 24hrs and I shouldn't be experien... View more

Hi all, I've recently weaned off an antidepressant that I was taking for depression/anxiety/stress, and would like some feedback on withdrawal and how long it takes. My Dr said the drug only remains in the system for 24hrs and I shouldn't be experiencing withdrawal symptoms now. I'm not so sure. I've been particularly snappy and short-tempered, tired and generally restless. How long will this continue, is it withdrawal or am I just going back into my pre-treatment state? Thanks

Aspirant Social Anxiety and feeling incapable of seeing a GP
  • replies: 1

I'm 25 and I haven't been to a doctor for anything, physical or mental, for over a decade. Socializing with people I don't know well is difficult for me in relatively easy going situations. So seeing a doctor and talking about everything on my mind f... View more

I'm 25 and I haven't been to a doctor for anything, physical or mental, for over a decade. Socializing with people I don't know well is difficult for me in relatively easy going situations. So seeing a doctor and talking about everything on my mind feels very intimidating. Even just the act of finding a doctor and calling to book an appointment is frightening. I worry about being taken seriously, I know doctors vary and I worry I won't pick a good one or one that truly understands mental health. And then I worry about practicalities. My choice is limited to doctors that offer bulk billing. And even minutiae like writing. For a first time visit to a GP I've never been to before I don't know if I have to fill out a form or something. If I have to write infront of strangers my hands shake to the point where my writing is barely legible. When I feel symptoms of my anxiety becoming noticeable to people I become even more introverted and my already poor communication skills get even worse. Which is a problem because I need to communicate complex issues to the doctor. The above is just a selection of some of the worries that go through my head when thinking about this. And then I think about how I know this is the necessary first step in trying to deal with my mental health problems. And if this step is so hard I have spent years procrastinating about getting it done, then how hard will all the subsequent steps be.

youngmummy GP Anxiety.
  • replies: 4

Hi there, Brand new member here so sorry if I am doing this wrong. I believe I have anxiety but I have never actually been to a doctor about it as I have a panic attack at just the thought of calling to make an appointment. My partner has offered num... View more

Hi there, Brand new member here so sorry if I am doing this wrong. I believe I have anxiety but I have never actually been to a doctor about it as I have a panic attack at just the thought of calling to make an appointment. My partner has offered numerous times to book one for me but I just end up in a panic so he never goes through with booking the appointment. I really would like to go to the GP though to get help finally. My anxiety and social anxiety is taking over my life and I want to get on top of it before it destroys my relationship and effects my children. I've already unintentionally isolated myself from all my friends, I don't want that with my family too. Any tips with how I could deal with this? Or is it simply a matter of getting brave and pushing myself through it to get this appointment. I'm terrified of the doctor telling me that it isn't anxiety and that I am just being overdramatic. Sorry about my rambling and thank you in advance for any help anyone can suggest!

Fossil29 Hello from a Newbie
  • replies: 1

Hello to all. I have decided to join BB as am on that roller coaster that so many seem to be on. It's been a rough few months as I am battling a lot of old demons but I am trying really hard to stay on top, my main problem is anxiety , most likely fo... View more

Hello to all. I have decided to join BB as am on that roller coaster that so many seem to be on. It's been a rough few months as I am battling a lot of old demons but I am trying really hard to stay on top, my main problem is anxiety , most likely followed by depression though I often feel I have that under control but some days I am so overwhelmed with it all .i am wanting to seek natural help as at the moment I dont want to do the drug side of things. I just stopped taking medication as felt it wasn't helping .i do a lot of reading up and searching for a more natural approach but then I get frustrated as everything is so expensive. A little about myself. I am 58. Married. 3 kids. 3 grandkids . Lead an extremely busy life. I have had rheumatoid arthritis for over 28 years, many operations over the years. Quite often in loads of pain. But normally keep quite healthy. I don't have a lot of money to spend but am not complaining as so many are worse of than I. I am good at budgeting etc. and if I find the right treatment I would,find a way to,fit in in. I am getting back into meditation and I love my relaxation music. I get so frustrated with myself as i let my anxiety take over when I try so,hard not to. I guess I am just asking what treatments other than drugs are out there to help a person keep anxiety/depression under control. I am not into phschologists etc as I don't like digging up my past which they always do. I prefer to move on and live in the present and make my life the best it can be but to do that I need to control this dreaded anxiety. Thanks for listening.

150lashes Headaches and Migraines
  • replies: 13

Is there a link between headaches/migraines and anxiety/depression? Lately I've been having so many. I take nurofen plus, panadeine but doesn't completely resolve them. Just wondering if it's linked as I haven't discussed yet with my GP. Also what do... View more

Is there a link between headaches/migraines and anxiety/depression? Lately I've been having so many. I take nurofen plus, panadeine but doesn't completely resolve them. Just wondering if it's linked as I haven't discussed yet with my GP. Also what do people do to treat them? Thank you

Leonie80 Unsuccessful weaning of Anxiety meds after Post Natal Anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hi It's my first time here, i was diagnosed with post natal anxiety and severe panic attacks when my baby was 5 months old. I went on my meds initially for 4 months then weaned. It came back two months later and I was then on them for another 14month... View more

Hi It's my first time here, i was diagnosed with post natal anxiety and severe panic attacks when my baby was 5 months old. I went on my meds initially for 4 months then weaned. It came back two months later and I was then on them for another 14months and weaned very slowly under the guidance of my psychologist. It's now been 5 weeks and 2 weeks ago I had my first panick attack after not having one for the whole time on my meds. I'm so confused about what to do spent all last night vohmitting and panicking not sleeping and am relying on short term medicaiton option. I was weaned because of pretty bad side effects and the last time I tried a different medication 1 day in it had me thinking the world was going to end and was nearly suicidal, which I never have been ever apart from that medication. My psychiatrist wants me to try a new one but I'm scared it do that to me again, but the one I was on is not safe for pregnancy and had other nasty effects. On top of all this I have a husband two girls and my own business I can't take extended time off from. Is there anyone else had to try multiple times to wean but got there in the end?

punk rock warlord sometimes Benzos are the only solution for me.
  • replies: 1

Yes I know the dangers and yes I would rather eliminate my panic attacks through natural means such as mindfulness and meditation. However I am 50 years of age and after suffering for over 30 years with this wretched illness I do feel that tranquilli... View more

Yes I know the dangers and yes I would rather eliminate my panic attacks through natural means such as mindfulness and meditation. However I am 50 years of age and after suffering for over 30 years with this wretched illness I do feel that tranquillisers are a better alternative to suffering with anxiety - if only to get you on an even keel, so that you can practice more 'healthier' techniques in combating anxiety. There is no need to suffer when there is medication available.