First post

[T_Bag]

Hi everyone. Never done anything like this before so thought I would give it a try. I have a generalised anxiety disorder and depression which I have had for many years but went undiagnosed and untreated till this year. I see a psychologist, a psychiatrist and am inrolled in a day group mental health program. Due to Christmas and new year I have 3 weeks without seeing any of them and am a bit nervous as I find Christmas particularly stressful.

[quirkywords]

Welcome T bag to the forum.

This is a safe place full of caring, friendly and supportive people.

I am glad you have a diagnosis.

If you use the tools the psychologist and psychiatrist have taught you, it will help you in the 3 weeks.

There are threads about how to cope with Christmas and this time of year and you can type Iinto the search engine and browse these threads.

There are also interesting and useful threads on depression and anxiety.

Have you tried mindfulness and or mediation.

we are here for the next 3 weeks and can help to support you.

Thanks for writing your first post and feel free to posts as much as you want to.

Quirky

[Rabbit33]

Hi T Bag,

You've done the right thing by reaching out! There are heaps of people out there who are able to support you through these next 3 weeks. Family, loved ones, friends, the people here at beyondblue and on the forums.
With your treating psychologist and psychiatrist, have the provided you with an email address? i know that my psychologist lets me email her at anytime if i'm feeling down and need to reach out. This may be an option to you also? Feeling alone can be scary so please know that you are NOT alone and you can reach out for support on here anytime of the day.

Have you tried any self-development books? I find these to be extremely helpful with my anxiety and depression. There are many out there that you could give a go if this interests you at all.

A good one that i love is 'Feel the FEAR and Beyond' Its known that 'to read this book is eye-opening, but to use this book is life changing' . This may be a good activity for you or at least a good read. There are also books like from the 'little series' that have a lot of inspirational quotes. I've found these liberating and encouraging on my journey and definitely would recommend them to anyone!

Remember to stay focused and that we are always here to offer support along the way. 🙂

[geoff]

Hello T Bag, welcome to the forums and pleased you have posted your comment.

It's a daunting time for many of us over this period, I guess we have struggled through depression for a long time during Xmas so this seems to remain with us, while others have been able to overcome it and that's great for them.

During these 3 weeks there will be a few people trying to help those who post in, and what you can do is visit the BB cafe, that's where you talk about anything, cars, footy, cooking whatever you want to, so it's a place to find some happiness.

You can also add to this thread and tell us a little more about you, but only if you want to, however I'd like to know how you find the psychologist compared to your psychiatrist.

Geoff.

[T_Bag]

Hi Geoff, thanks for responding. The psychiatrist is more about working out my medication and is linked to the group sessions I go to, where as the psychologist we talk about copying mechanisms and strategies. Every other Christmas I have had to hide my mental illness which plays up every Christmas. This year it should be easier as it is out in the open so I am a bit confused why I am feeling like I do. I have had a look at the BB cafe site. I was waiting to see if anyone responded to this one though before I went on that one. Thanks T

[T_Bag]

Hi. I have got my psychologists phone number so can communicate with her via text. My psychiatrist is based at a hospital with an inpatient mental health ward so can call them anytime. I find it hard to reach out though so people generally see the signs now before I say anything. In terms of books I have asked for a few for christmas but will add those ones you suggested to the list. Thanks T

[T_Bag]

Cool thanks will take a look at those threads about coping with Christmas. Yep have tried mindfullness meditation. Found it works when my depression is playing up but when my anxiety is I can't concentrate. Have a few other tools such as music, grounding exercises, a box with things to stimulate different senses and aromatherapy. Sometimes it takes a few different things to have an effect.

[geoff]

Hi T Bag, thanks for getting back to me.

Many of us have had to hide how we actually feel around Xmas time, whether it's because something awful has happened or whether a breakup in the family.marriage or relationship has occurred, certainly puts a damper on the situation.

If this has happened at Xmas time our mind always takes us back to how we felt previously, so once you could pretend or just hide it, but now you have opened up, this is even harder because everyone will be coming up to and asking you how you are feeling and if it's not too much for you, so you feel as though you could be the centre of attention, and by no means do I say this to upset you, so please forgive me.

That's the reason why I didn't like people knowing because all they would do is ask question after question, encroaching on my space.

Please get back to me.

Geoff.