Feeling lost, would a psychologist help?

[Tough_break]

G'day I'm new to this so please bare with me.

ive had a lot of ups and down in the last 4 years. To cut a long story short I feel like I know the answers to my problems or thought process and keep telling myself I shouldn't think negatively but this makes me feel more useless that I can't change the way I think. I went to my gp 18 months ago and was put on anti depressants I thought they were helping a little bit but then went down hill. They upped the dosage to highest point and all that really changed was bad headaches etc I run my own business and was finding it hard to concentrate, I slowly reduced rate and stopped around Christmas time. I dont feel any worse but seem to be having I think anxiety attacks. I don't really want to keep taking pills either. Im aware of a long waiting list to see anyone as I'm in a very small town. Im wondering if anyone else has felt like this and got help and what they found to help the most?

[blondguy]

Hello Tough Break

Welcome to the Beyond Blue community. I do feel your pain with the meds and anxiety..My name is Paul and I will try to help..

You are new and have great strength to reach out and post! I see that you are pro-active with your health by going to your GP for support and good on you for doing so. You also had the courage to take meds to help you recover too.

The meds are great to take out the bad lows that you have been going through...but they are not a total 'fix'..They do however give us a platform on which we can use the coping mechanisms to heal and recover.

Good on you by the way for having the ability to run your own business...That is a huge achievement on its own.

If I may ask you...what was the reason you went on the AD's initially? I have had many years of severe anxiety and depression and do understand where you are coming from....If you can let me know what you have been through for you to be in the dark place you are in now...I can try to help you more effectively if I know some background.

Its fine that you dont want to take sleeping pills either...no problem. We are non judgemental and are here to help you...

You are more than welcome to think and write as you wish here...'negative' or otherwise...you are not alone. When you said that you think you are having anxiety attacks....do you have any symptoms/feelings that you can share with me?

A psychologist would be a huge help to you ....or even a good GP that you can vent to...Sometimes depending on the degree of anxiety/depression a GP can be a great help on their own

I hope you can write back.....the BB forums are very secure and you are most welcome to post as many times as you wish 🙂

My Kind Thoughts for You

Paulx

[Tough_break]

Thanks for your reply Paul.

i think my problems are over a long period of mental abuse always being told what I was doing wasn't good enough and any ideas I had were shut down on me. I realised this 3 years ago while on holiday it was raining and dr phill of all things was on the tv doing a thing about it and it hit home that everything he said I coped. I got the strength to part ways with those people and that's pretty much when I started my own business. Before that though my wife's mother who was not that old had passed away. It was a very slow death from being very sick for a long time. I'm close with inlaws and felt after it that I seemed to be the fall back for everyone. I was always the one giving out advice to help people growing up and had no problems doing any of this I don't even dwell on it so not sure if it has anything to do with it but I think that's why I feel I might not get anything out of seeing someone as I tell myself what I'm thinking isn't necessary but can't seem to snap out of the rut I'm in. I'm good at putting on a brave face through the day but I feel I'm deteriorating lately an the little motivation I've had over the last couple of years is getting less and less. I do have an increase in financial pressure on me at the minute as well with a crash in the industry I'm in (dairy) which probably doesn't help but I'm feeling exhausted a lot more lately. The gp I felt comfortable with isn't available for 3-4 weeks which doesn't help. The attacks or what every they are is almost like my heads in a vice. It's like a big rush of pressure on me and feel like I need to escape or something. Sorry not to good at describing things.

[blondguy]

Hi TB

Thanks for writing back. I was listening to some dairy farmers on 3AW talk back yesterday....Sounds like a crappy time for you. You have also been through several 'heavy duty' life events too.

You have also been a 'rock' for many people and you have been there for them thick and thin..Good on you..

With the huge amount on your plate right now including the financials would have me in a rut. Its like me over revving my XR8 Ford too high...sooner or later something will 'give way'..We have tolerances and thresholds as well. Doesnt mean we are weak...It usually means we function on a high level...The trouble with that is we also have a long way to fall when things dont 'pan out' or if we have too much on our plate.

The feeling of needing to escape and the big rush you mention seems to be generalised anxiety. Its a mongrel and its very common. The good news is after some visits to your doc/therapist (regularly) these episodes do decrease in intensity over time. The rush you mentioned is the adrenaline working overtime.

The anxiety is letting you know that your plate is way too full...It like a physical problem which needs help.

If you scroll to the bottom of the page you will see the header 'The Facts' There is a great anxiety & depression checklist there that can help. Also under 'The Facts' you will see the topic 'Anxiety'.....written in plain english which should also help you too.

I have had severe anxiety/depression for many years and I do understand how you are feeling right now. I seem to have accumulated knowledge over these years. If though I am not a doc I can try to help you TB.

You are not on your own. It would be great if you could write back again (as many times as you wish)

Kind Thoughts for you

Paul

[blondguy]

Hey ToughBreak

Just seeing how you are going....I hope you are reasonably okay...

The Chairman of Beyond Blue Jeff Kennett wrote an article in his weekly editorial this week about Dairy farmers and their employees. Chris is the guy who is charge of the Beyond Blue forums made a point this avo about supporting anyone in the Dairy Industry.

I am more than happy if I can be of some help if you wish ToughBreak...

Here for you

Paul (Southern Vic)

[blondguy]

Hi Tough Break

I posted a few hours ago about an article in the Herald Sun about Dairy Farmers and the crisis they are going through.

In a nutshell, I just wanted to see how you are traveling TB.

Im sorry to double post you but I have just noticed that my last post didnt get through..

Here for you Tough Break

Paul

[blondguy]

Hi TB

just popping in and seeing how you are traveling.

I hope you are doing reasonably okay. When convenient it would be good if you could write back

Kind Thoughts

Paul