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Anonymous_Fifowife If distractions and 'tools' don't work- do I need meds?
  • replies: 7

I have read quite a few of these threads and there are some amazing people on here with great suggestions on how to cope with depression. There are suggestions of meditation, physical exercise, contacting friends, practicing mindfulness and breathing... View more

I have read quite a few of these threads and there are some amazing people on here with great suggestions on how to cope with depression. There are suggestions of meditation, physical exercise, contacting friends, practicing mindfulness and breathing BUT, and I do not want to discount the value in all of that advice- I am at the stage where even the tools and suggestions given to me to deal with my depression are not working. i try very hard to keep busy ( I am busy) but still be gentle on myself, I try to socialist but when I get home I'm emotionally and physically exhausted, I sob while putting joggers on to take my dog for a walk and sob for the better part of the walk, I try deep breathing when I get anxious but end up feeling like I can never get enough air, I'm constantly tired and extremely vague most of the day..... I am just as exhausted from trying to manage my depression as I am from being depressed! this leads the question- do I need medication to tackle everyday functioning life? Is there a switch in there that I need to chemically flick on? I just don't know how to exist anymore...and medication scares me...

katiam Want to take a break from medication
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, I'm a bit of a newbie here but been depressed and getting treatment for it for a good 16 years or so. Latest is a diagnosis of non-melancholic unipolar depression. I have been on the anti-depressant medication rollercoaster - have tried arou... View more

Hi guys, I'm a bit of a newbie here but been depressed and getting treatment for it for a good 16 years or so. Latest is a diagnosis of non-melancholic unipolar depression. I have been on the anti-depressant medication rollercoaster - have tried around 12 or so different meds. I have a gp, counsellor and psych registrar Trying to sort me out at the moment. Thing is, I want a break from medication. Going on and coming off them always severely mess with me (as I'm sure it does others) and so far I've not had much benefit from the meds I've taken. When looking at my mood and my lowest points it has always been when trying or changing medication. I want to be able to eat well and exercise moderately and I feel the antidepressants have made this impossible rather than easier to attain. I'm sick of feeling like a zombie. I have no immune system. the medical advice i have been provided is as expected "you need to take medication". If I don't want to take antidepressants ive been told to take an antipsychotic daily.. which means I'd be medicated. So frustrated. But I feel like I should have a say, I HAVE tried meds, for a good few years- i did what i was told and no one paid attention to the fact thay they weren't working for or helping me- until I stumbled across an awesome gp who agreed. I want to try something else for awhile. Has anyone in a similar situation had any luck going without medication? ECT has also been suggested I am seriously considering it, but it sounds a bit full on.. anyone have any feedback on that option? Any tips or tricks on staying mentally well without medication?

HannahG Herbalist?
  • replies: 1

Have had major anxiety issues for 6 weeks. Am almost 6 weeks pregnant. Psychiatrist just put me on my old SSRI but the midwife at my OBGYN's office gave me a number for a Herbalist. Wondering if anyone has benefited from a herbalist concoction for an... View more

Have had major anxiety issues for 6 weeks. Am almost 6 weeks pregnant. Psychiatrist just put me on my old SSRI but the midwife at my OBGYN's office gave me a number for a Herbalist. Wondering if anyone has benefited from a herbalist concoction for anxiety versus SSRI?

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.