Having a bad day so thought I'd sign up and say hi

[Tgirll]

Hello,

I am completely new to forums. I have suffered with anxiety in some form all my life but has usually been quite manageable. This is the second consuming constant episode of anxiety I have suffered in my life time. The type of anxiety where it's constantly on your mind and not so much triggered by something specific. This happened to me 3 or 4 years ago for the first time. After some time, I managed to get it under control and I vowed I would never let myself get like that again. After a stressful year mid last year, I found myself in that same consuming anxious head space again. Now as well as anxiety, I am battling something which I have never had in my life. Depression. I think I beat myself up a bit too much for getting into such an anxious headspace when I said to myself I wouldnt and that's probably what triggered the depression. It's been months and sometimes I worry I won'I get better. I am sick of feeling like this. I have gone back to seeing a psychologist I saw once a month for 6 months last time. I had my first session yesterday.

I have read plenty of forums but I have never been an active participant. After having a bad day mentally today, I thought why not join, it can't hurt.

going to have to head to work in a few minutes.

Amy body have some positive things to part with or even say hi

Thanks guys

[Birdy77]

Hi Tgirll 😊

I'm just saying Hi and Welcome.

You're in good company here.

We understand.

Say whatever you like.

There are wise and gentle people here to support you and let you know you're not alone.

I hope you can feel free here to air your worries.

Wishing you peace.

🌻birdy

[Tgirll]

Thank you for that nice welcome 🙂

[Ruby3]

Hi Tgirll,

Just wanted to say hello and well done for taking the step to join up.

I don’t have any great words of wisdom I’m afraid but do know that just writing it down and hearing others thoughts can be an immense help.

I hope you feel better soon and feel free to say anything you like. There’s always someone who can offer something of comfort here.

Nikki x

[blondguy]

Hi Tgirll

Welcome and good on you for having the courage to post with us!

Im sorry about your bad day and the awful consuming anxiety you are going through

I understand your pain with anxiety as I used to have it also in a severe way too.....and its an awful place to be in

In a nutshell....the earlier anxiety is treated the less severe the symptoms and you are amazing for already having a counselor to help you through this difficult time. Thats a huge step towards recovery 🙂

As you have noticed above there are many gentle people that can be here for you. Sure...we dont have an instant chat function but we are happy to be here and offer you the best support we can

My Kind thoughts for you

Paul

[Tgirll]

Hey Nikki,

Thank you for that welcome. Yes I am trying this whole writing thing, it is new to me. I think it will be a release to just get things out and can even be used for me to look back and see that I do have better days. Sometimes with this illness, when you have a bad day it almost fools you into thinking you've been real bad the whole time and that you're never going to get better. I know I will, I have in the past and for most of my life, my anxiety had been manageable to the point where I was a fully functional and for the most part happy human being 🙂 like I said, it's just when I have a bad day it's hard to remember that. There's always that 'but what if it's different this time'. Anyway, i hope youre having a good night and thanks again for that nice welcome

[Tgirll]

Hi Paul

Cheers for the welcome and your encouraging words. Even just reading that you USED to have anxiety that severe made me feel better. It reminds me that this illness is treatable. It can be managed to a point where you can function a lot better and feel a lot happier. I agree that having a psychologist will help. I do feel angry at myself for letting this go on for like 7 or 8 months before reaching out to my psych. Last time this happened, I reached out to a psychologist in 2 or 3 months in. Although I am functioning more than I was months ago, I'm still not there yet. I guess I need to try and let that thought go and just be happy with the fact that at least I've reached out now and better later than never.

Thank you again for your message.

I hope you're having a good night 🙂

[blondguy]

Thankyou Tgirll for the super kind post 🙂

You are amazing because you have been so proactive with your health and posting on the Beyond Blue forums too! That shows huge inner strength...seriously!

I did mean 'USED' to...The severity of the anxiety does decrease with frequent therapy (and meds if your GP recommends them)

My 'bad' was only seeing my counselor every six months which wasnt smart. It took me a long time to realise that the therapy had to be frequent to be effective. After a few years I had weekly appointments (fortnightly/monthly are good too) for 7 months and he gave me my life....career...and personal life back.

Back in the 1980's I just didnt know that frequent counseling was an important key that unlocked the door from these awful anxiety attacks

You have a great attitude Tgirll....Nice1 🙂

The forums are a safe and judgement free place where you can post.

If you have any questions or just want to say how your day was, you are more than welcome to post 🙂

My Best

Paul

[Tgirll]

Hi Paul,

Well this is my first post on beyondblur but I guess I have taken that step. Yes of course. When I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder a few years ago I was told it is a manageable illness but that pattern of thinking can reappear again and that CBT teaches you coping strategies and ways to hopefully prevent it. I have struggled with OCDs and anxiety pretty much my whole life but it was at a more manageable level which I can deal with.

I'm very glad to hear that frequent therapy was effective for you 🙂 I don't want to take meds if I don't have to. I am worried about side effects and if some will make my anxiety and depression worse. If I really have to then I will but I did beat this before without meds so hopefully I can do it again!

Hope you have a good day 🙂

[Ruby3]

Hi tgirll,

i feel exactly the same, when I’m having a down couple of days my mind tells me I’ve been down for ages and I’m not going to get over it etc etc so you’re absolutley right writing it down is a great way to look back and realise actually its not been as bad as your mind tells you.

Are you finding therapy helpful? I also see a psychologist and it’s great to get stuff off your chest and let someone else make senses of your thoughts for a bit.

Hope you’re feeling ok today.

Nikki x