Anxiety is rising

[Blue_]

Hello, 

I've been on beyond blue for a while but I was actually posting on the depression forum. I was diagnosed with depression AND anxiety probably 2 years ago and not done much about it because I'm used to having it but I didn't realise how much of an effect it's had on my life. I had been depressed for quite.a while and didn't really believe that I had anxiety at all but now I just realised I really do have some frustrating symptoms and how does anyone deal with it? I hate being around people and feel like I'm not welcome or wanted and stressing about things and not being able to relax or sleep as well as others. Also I'm so constantly irritable around people or really nervous. I can't hold a job down and the smallest tasks scare me. I feel like I've gotten on top of my depression a bit but if I don't kind of get a grip on this anxiety that I have no hope of the depression not coming back and I actually feel like the anxiety is worse than the depression. 

Any tips please? I'm in a room full of 20 people right now like feeling pretty panicked.

[--Danny--]

Hey Cas,

I hope you're doing well today...I went to the doctors today & halved the dose of anti-depressants I'm on...a couple of the side effects were annoying me too much..hopefully the lower dose still does the trick!! How has your day been Cas? 

Danny

[Blue_]

Hey Dan, 

yeah, I'm on half dose. I think I'm getting used to it. Not getting used to not sleeping though. The things I am taking to help aren't helping at all haha. I didn't take them last night and I'm not sure if I slept at all. I will hopefully sleep better tonight. 

Cas

[faeriedust88]

Hi Blue,

Meditation is one of those things that takes practice, I think everyone finds it hard to concentrate at first - this is cos the mind is going crazy busy fast and isn't use to slowing down but with practice meditation gets easier cos your body learns how to relax and your muscles and mind remember how to let go easier.  

Try - Progressive Muscle Relaxation - this is great for anxiety - and is usually around 10 - 15 mins long (so it's great for a quick fix and u don't need to concentrate for too long either!).  This type of meditation helps train you to naturally relax your mind and body. It also helps to balance ur nervous system and release toxins and tension from the muscles.  I'd probably do it morning and night - it's great to do just before bed - always gives me a great sleep.

Let me know how u go,

x

[--Danny--]

Hi Cas, let me tell u what alcohol does to u...it causes cancers, it causes, brain damage, it causes people to ruin relationships, it destroys families, it destroys peoples lives...u make horrible decisions while drunk, decisions u regret...booze really ages u fast so u look way older,....it is also a cause of major depression & anxiety...people like us shouldnt drink...especially with anti-depressants..it can really mess u up...don't mix the two!!! Being sober is so much better Cas, trust me...I've drank way too much the last 15 yrs.. that's why I'm on this site...I haven't drank in 15 days now!! Come join me on the sober side!! I promise u it's more fun!! As for the yawning all day, that goes away in 2 weeks...I been sleeping like crap too:(...if u ever feel like drinking, send me a post & I can try my best to help u Cas!

Danny

[Blue_]

Okay faeriedust, I'll give it a go, I did only try it the once because I'm impatient haha. I'll try it soon before I go for a run 🙂 thanks so much for that! This time I'll keep at it. 

Yeah, I only drank because I had a bad day. I did promise myself last night I'll be healthier so I'll try to stick to it this time and we can do it together 🙂 so proud of you Dan! Good on you, being sober is better. Saves money, your health and relationships. We can do this 🙂 

Dan, have you got anything from the doctor to help you sleep? I really recommend it. 

Love Cas ❤️

[--Danny--]

Hi Cas, it's good to hear u are quitting the booze with me 🙂 if u ever feel like drinking..just post a thread & I will talk u out of it 🙂 Lets stick this out!

Yeah I'm on sleepers...they weren't working for the first 2 weeks because my anti depressants were still kicking in...I slept 5-6 hours last night! Best sleep I've had in nearly 3 weeks!! Thanks for the support 🙂

Danny

[geoff]

dear Danny and Cas, first of all Danny I'm pleased that you have stopped the drinking and it can be difficult being at a function/party when your peers pressure you to drink.

I was abstaining when we too went to a birthday party, but I didn't succumb to their demands because my platelets were dangerously low, which means that this could cause a stroke.

Dear Cas, my Little One, it's a bit of hit and miss with your medication, and even if you take sleeping tablets they only make you sleep for about 4 hours, but after awhile this time does reduce.

I've never counted sheep that is supposed to make you sleep. lol x  Geoff.

[kinga]

Hi Blu,

I've read your post and share some of your anxiety experiences

I grew up in a healthy environment but was depressed and anxious all these years and only realised how it's affecting my life since I begun working.

You can say i'm a very determined person when it comes to work and I always believed working hard would compensate for my lack of social ability.

I feel very nervous around people so I tend to keep quiet throughout the day. Strange thing is I'm very confident when working by myself but buckle straight away if I had to work with a team.

I'm always trying to make friends with people at any opportunity, but I realised all my conversation with people are very cynical, bitter or factual and I can't seem to get any genuine connecting conversations. They will lose interest in talking to me and this is when anxiety kicks in even harder, I immediately feel like they must think i'm some sort of weirdo.

I want to engage with people, I don't want to be cynical or bitter, but the chemicals in my brain just isn't working for me and it's ruining my career and life 😞

I hate bitter people, they drain me so why would people like me?

[Blue_]

Hi Kinga, 

thanks for your post, let's see if we can help with your situation. Have you tried researching your problem? Sounds like social anxiety. You might be able to find some coping mechanism on the internet. Also you might be able to find a group meeting that is for social anxiety that you can go to? I think you should be able to find something on this website. You shouldn't be ashamed of who you are Kinga, there's nothing wrong with being smart and proper and that sounds like the type of person you are. Just try to relax. Sometimes when I'm in a group of people and I have to do something I just be honest and kind of make a bit of a joke 'haha, look at me getting all nervous, sorry guys, I'm a bit awkward' then people usually respond with 'you don't need to worry, don't be scared' just being honest sometimes can help people understand you a bit better and maybe some people may even relate and you can bond over it. If not it's also nothing to worry about because you are you and at least you're trying right? 

I hope this helps 🙂 

[--Danny--]

Hi Geoff, you are right, it's hard to quit alcohol when people keep pressuring you to drink...I'm getting better at saying no..the funny thing is, the people who say things like"you were a disgrace on the grog last night" or "you're a messy drunk, you should get off the grog"...these same people are the ones trying to shovel beers down my throat! It feels like some people around me want me to keep getting drunk & not progress...not encouraging me to stay sober & improve myself...it's really hard to explain mate...

Cheers,

Danny