Hi new here

[Katherine22]

Hi just looking for some support and advice with staying well and coping. Thankyou

I have had depression for over 15 years and now for the last few years suffer with anxiety also. I have been seeing a psychologist for 1 1/2 years but feel it's not helping anymore.

I have overwhelming negative thoughts constantly, I am not sleeping properly and not coping very well atm.

[Katherine22]

Dottie, thanks for your reply 🙂

I don't want to see my psychologist anymore, he is trying to bring up my childhood which I don't think is helping. I had an ok childhood I did have a alcoholic father but I was the youngest so all I knew was my dad wasn't around and sometimes fighting. I didn't have a bad childhood and don't feel I need to go there

I had a different psychologist last year but she went on maternity leave

how do you find coping without seeing someone?

[Guest_322]

Hi Katherine,

No worries at all 😊

I think, at the end of the day, you have to do what's personally right for you in terms of who you want in your your professional support team. Maybe as Mark suggested, you could try another psych if you're feeling sure about your current one?

I have my better days & worse days. It's a bit up and down ha, ha.

Dottie

[Guest_322]

Dottie x

[Katherine22]

Hi Dottie, yes I will have a think about seeing someone new. When I'm well I feel like I've got this then when I'm down I'm really in the gutter. Here's to only up days!!! 😊

[Guest_322]

Hi Katherine,

Oh yes, the mood see-saw...up days sound good indeed!

Dottie x

[Katherine22]

Thanks so much Dottie, your kindness and support means so much to me 😊

[Guest_322]

Any time, Katherine 😊

Everyone looks out for everyone here.

Dottie x

[Demi1]

Hi Katherine22, it is lovely to meet you 🙂

Thank you so much for posting! I, like Dotti hope you find comfort and support within this forum. We are all here for you and would love to help any way we can. Please feel free to post as often as you feel comfortable. I am sorry to hear that that you have not been sleeping/ are being pestered by those negative thoughts, although I want you to know that it is perfectly okay to admit you are not your best. And the fact that you have been seeing a Psychologist is an admirable step, in saying that, I do strongly agree with Mark and recommend you maybe look for someone else who can help you with your anxiety as well. There are an abundance of apps available, just like 'Smiling Mind,' that can help distract you and calm your thoughts. Personally, I love the one called 'Colouring for Adults.' May sound stupid but when your a stressed, pulling out your iPhone and doing some colouring in can be the ultimate distraction.

As for not sleeping, maybe consider seeing your GP, discussing medication with your Psychologist that can maybe help you sleep, this way you wake up refreshed/energised and may have a more positive outlook. (I found this incredibly helpful when I was first diagnosed with Anxiety and PTSD.) If you are not interested in consuming medication, there are an abundance of herbal vitamins that you could consider (such as Melatonin- a tablet (chewable) that is used for both migraines and to help you sleep.)

Sorry for the huge reply, hope some of it was helpful. Look forward to hearing from you.

Demi x

[Katherine22]

Hi Demi, Thankyou so much for your reply and your great advice!

It really is so lovely that you took the time and reached out to me. Everyone has been so supportive and I'm a stranger.

It really gives me hope that I will be ok and lifts my spirits to go on.

Hope to hear back from you xx

[Demi1]

Hey Katherine22 🙂

How are you going today? Any plans for the weekend? I am so glad to see you're posting/extremely proactive within this forum, it's really nice to see your courage as you reach out to others for advice. We are always happy to help in any way we can. I hope something I said in my last post was of some use 🙂 Also, I know it seems a bit odd, I was also quite overwhelmed when I first joined the site, but you're not a stranger to us anymore, just Katherine 🙂 Assuming you're under 25... just a guess... there is another forum called 'Topic: Friends Cafe - social space for members under 25,' that both Dotti and I use quite often to check in with each other and talk about our day/what's on our mind. I definitely recommend checking it out, as there are an abundance of lovely individuals who post most days and would love to meet you. (Of course, this is just another option available, I still recommend using this forum to seek advice as well.)

I hope your day goes smoothly and you can find the positive within it

Speak soon, Demi x