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onthefence Frustrated at progress
  • replies: 13

Hi! I've been on a medication for anxiety for almost six years. I've tried to get off it before and it did not go well - the anxiety returned almost immediately, so I went back on it. After a long time of feeling good my GP and I agreed I should try ... View more

Hi! I've been on a medication for anxiety for almost six years. I've tried to get off it before and it did not go well - the anxiety returned almost immediately, so I went back on it. After a long time of feeling good my GP and I agreed I should try coming off the medication again a few months ago, and I've been doing so slowly following the plan. 10 days after my last dose I started getting an upset stomach. I spoke to my GP who said it sounds like my anxiety coming back (stomach problems and nausea is often my first sign). I wasn't sure though as mentally I felt well. We discussed my plans which are to power through and see if I can get over this, or to go back on the medication. We set a date for a catch up so she could check in on my progress, as I felt strong and she could sense my determination. Today, after 4 days of struggling to eat and sleep with the upset stomach I'm feeling it mentally as it takes a lot of strength to power through such physical symptoms especially with so little food. The physical symptoms are getting less which is great but my brain is focusing on them more and my mental strength is suffering. I guess I'm looking for some encouragement that I can do this - I have managed my anxiety in the past with diet in assistance with a dietitian so I know the safe foods to eat (very very bland things) and to eat little amounts regularly. How else can you build up your strength and brain power if you're struggling to keep food down? Especially if you're at the point where I am now - my stomach is calmer but my brain is thinking I will feel sick if I eat. I am nibbling on a cracker as I write this though as typing is distracting my brain

Billie_98 How to stop my paranoia about seeing a GP?
  • replies: 1

Hi all, ive been struggling for years with my paranoia and anxiety, im supposed to see a doctor for the first time in 2years tommorrow, ATM i cant even go into work or uni or shopping anymore because of panic attacks so going tomorrow is essential. M... View more

Hi all, ive been struggling for years with my paranoia and anxiety, im supposed to see a doctor for the first time in 2years tommorrow, ATM i cant even go into work or uni or shopping anymore because of panic attacks so going tomorrow is essential. My problem, and the reason why i haven't been to one in so long despite struggling so much, is i have really bad paranoia about speaking to a doctor, ive only been about twice in living memory, i know its silly but i feel like they are lying to me and will give me placebos to try and "catch me" on a lie, i desperately need their help but i feel like i wont be able to say anything to them. I dont think theyll take me seriously as the last time i was prescribed treatment i got paranoid that they were fake and threw them away, im scared they'll know this and refuse to help me. Will they just think im being attention seeking? Im so scared theyre going to accuse me of not being the way i am. Im not sure of my question exactly but i could really use some advice or reassurance, if theres any way people have gotton over this themselves? I have to go tomorrow but it feels so impossible to me. Thank you in advance

gucia6 Therapeutic surrender to treat anxiety
  • replies: 7

Dear all, Sorry if this is wrong place to ask, but today I came across term of 'therapeutic surrender' as a way to ... hmmm... live with/cope with/treat/accept (???) anxiety. To be honest I don't quite understand what it means. Lets say I am experien... View more

Dear all, Sorry if this is wrong place to ask, but today I came across term of 'therapeutic surrender' as a way to ... hmmm... live with/cope with/treat/accept (???) anxiety. To be honest I don't quite understand what it means. Lets say I am experiencing panic or anxiety attack, get dizzy and lightheaded, my chest hurts as if it was about to explode, I am nauseous, the small problem feels so overwhelming, that I just want to run away, drop it all, disappear, and I want to cry and it is chocking me, my mind goes blank, and all seems hopeless. Eventually I return to normal, I can think properly of reasons and solutions, make plan of action or think of ways of defense (especially if it is about confrontation with someone). But then what do I do, when I am 'out of control'? How this 'surrender' should come in play in such situation?

Libjane Has anyone tried non-standard anti-anxiety medications?
  • replies: 2

My father was proscribed a a medication used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, and generalized anxiety disorder for pain. He gave me a few for some pain I was having and I found the effect on my anxiety to be a... View more

My father was proscribed a a medication used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, and generalized anxiety disorder for pain. He gave me a few for some pain I was having and I found the effect on my anxiety to be amazing. But I see in Australia it is not used as an anti anxiety! Anyone had similar experiences?

thehiss Just diagnosed with ASD
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone Throughout my life I have battled chronic anxiety, depression and derealisation. I have always felt "different" from other people even when I was at school. From when I was a little child my mother had always questioned whether I was on t... View more

Hi everyone Throughout my life I have battled chronic anxiety, depression and derealisation. I have always felt "different" from other people even when I was at school. From when I was a little child my mother had always questioned whether I was on the Spectrum or not by judging my behavior. So I got tested for ASD when I was about 10 and the results came back negative. My mum argued at the time saying she thought the results were incorrect. As the years went by I started to show more and more signs of possibly being on the Spectrum to the stage that even my psychologists were starting to question the possibility. So at the beginning of the this year I got tested for ASD again (I'm now 27) and this time the scoring came back well and truly positive. In some ways it has been a huge relief because I now have an explanation as to why I have been so anxious and felt "different" all my life, however, at the same time ever since then I've been so worried that society won't "accept" me as a person anymore. I'm currently receiving certain supports through the government and I've heard people over the years who think that people with disabilities are just a huge burden on the system. I'm ever so grateful to be receiving these supports and I would love to be able to work someday. I know this is long winded but like I said I'm just so afraid that people will judge me for receiving such support and not accept me anymore. Thank you for taking the time to read this looong pointless thread, I just needed to let it out.

Harry_pem My friends struggling
  • replies: 2

So my friend has come to me and said he is constantly feeling neutral and struggles to feel anything else. It isn't necessarily a sadness but is just constantly kind of neutral. It doesn't seem like depression but I was wondering if anyone had any ad... View more

So my friend has come to me and said he is constantly feeling neutral and struggles to feel anything else. It isn't necessarily a sadness but is just constantly kind of neutral. It doesn't seem like depression but I was wondering if anyone had any advice on who he should see or how I could help him. Thanks

golden82 Confused - to stay or go?
  • replies: 10

Hi; I would appreciate some responses to help me clear my confusion and make a decision re a psychologist. I have experienced childhood abuse/trauma and this has continued and worsened in some ways in adulthood. It was my family and I knew no differe... View more

Hi; I would appreciate some responses to help me clear my confusion and make a decision re a psychologist. I have experienced childhood abuse/trauma and this has continued and worsened in some ways in adulthood. It was my family and I knew no different and so just thought that was my life. BUT the last 7-10 years I have had severe anorexia and anxiety, depression, insomnia. It is no life and very little functioning - especially when I look back 10 years ago to my high functioning, 'happy' self. I have only recently self-learned and connected that all these illnesses I have are due to the abuse/trauma of my 37 years..and I need some serious trauma therapy. I have been seeing a psychologist for 4 years - approx 1-2 monthly. I have not seen her since December last year - due to hospital stays and then COVID. I am due to see her this week...BUT....my question to everyone is to please help me either stay with her or go to another?? I have been going for the 4 years and my mental health has seriously declined in this time. But then I think well that is my fault - I am not trying hard enough? But then I also have this niggling feeling that she is not trying enough to help me (maybe lazy??) So my brain is messed up flip flopping between the 2 and in limbo of what to do - and so much self doubt of what to do. I don't feel I get much out of the sessions. Every time she makes herself a cup of tea and sits sipping and scribbling notes on the iPad with occasionally looking up and often yawns (tries to hide it). She forgets some major things - including my anxiety/agitation at her pen scratching note taking - and asking her to be present and engaging. It is mainly me rambling about how my time has been since I saw her last..so just a chat session. We do not do any strategies or techniques etc. I have asked about EMDR and things but we just have 'talk therapy'. She is kind and 'comfortable' as in I don't have to up and start again with someone new. She 'knows' me so I don't have to talk it all through again. But then maybe someone new will do the work with me or something to help unpack all this hurt and consequences it has on me in midlife. Does that sort of therapist even exist? Then it would be worth it - to have some outcomes and getting 'better'. What is the normal for psychology 50min sessions are all just a chat? Or do others do steps and make progress? 12mo ago I got 50/50 for the K10 and she never followed up - making me think all admin and not therapy? Thanks

incrediblytired ADHD and comorbid illnesses?
  • replies: 2

About a year and a half ago I was diagnosed and finally received treatment for bipolar type 2 which is great! Unfortunately, since settling into my medication (which I now suspect may need adjusting anyway) I've come to the realization that... this d... View more

About a year and a half ago I was diagnosed and finally received treatment for bipolar type 2 which is great! Unfortunately, since settling into my medication (which I now suspect may need adjusting anyway) I've come to the realization that... this did not solve all my problems the way I thought it would. In fact, now that my worse bipolar symptoms are manageable, things I hadn't realized how bad I was struggling with before have been highlighted. Things like attention and focus and other things, that when I looked into it, seem like it could be ADHD. Both my brother and my nephew have it, so it already runs in my family, and reading through some explanations and testimonies it feels like getting smacked in the face with the other half of my problems I didn't realize WERE problems. I was too focused on my bipolar issues to be concerned about everything else. Does anybody else have experience with comorbid illnesses like this? What's your experience when floating the idea to your psych or doctors? I have not seen my psychiatrist in so long that when I called her old offices I was told she no longer works there and she's started her on private practice (she's the only psych in our whole town). Not to mention, she is... not a very friendly, supportive doctor and I'm anxious to bring up these questions with her if I'm likely to just be brushed off.

mocha delight Therapies
  • replies: 13

Hi was wondering if anyone’s tried some natural/alternative therapies on top of help of medication and professional help that has helped with depression & anxiety. I’ve done some research and exercise seems to be one option but I know that if I exerc... View more

Hi was wondering if anyone’s tried some natural/alternative therapies on top of help of medication and professional help that has helped with depression & anxiety. I’ve done some research and exercise seems to be one option but I know that if I exercise for 3 days in a row for example my mind for some reason which I don’t know why goes to a not so good place. So what does everyone else do? And does it work? Open to dry some things to help with the depression and anxiety since no professionals like psychologists ect ect ect would be accepting new patients right now.

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