Feeling overwhelmed

[Maryjane12]

Hi,

 This is my first time to post so a bit nervous. 5 years ago I was diagnosed with Anorexia after losing a lot of weight. After my diagnosis I forced myself to eat to the point where I overate, ignored my emotions and gained a lot of weight. After about 9 months everyone thought I was better and I just went on with my life. 2 years ago I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and was put on medication. Since the diagnosis I have been struggling with the depression and recurring eating disorder thoughts and after having Seretonin Sydnrome twice, I have changed medications quite a few times.

Over the past month or so I have been really struggling to cope mentally. I have just last week started on a new medication, however I have been feeling really down, distressed, anxious, upset and confused. I have been feeling really alone and not sure how to cope. I keep thinking how I just want to take a leave of absence from uni, however don't want to prolong my degree or for people to find out what is going on. I feel like I'm going crazy and am embarrassed because I feel like I have so many problems. So I thought I would come to this forum to try and hear from other people who are struggling like me, so I can try to feel slightly more normal and hope that someone will understand because at the moment I feel like I really don't have anyone I can talk to.

[White_Rose]

Dear Guest

Well you've come to the right place. Welcome to Beyond Blue where we all feel, or have felt, down, anxious, confused and alone.

Your life has certainly been a roller coaster of emotions, medication and other problems.  I wonder why you have not consulted the university counsellors. They are on the spot, understand the stresses and strains of university life and the pros and cons of taking time off from your course.

I presume you are visiting your GP or similar to be prescribed antidepressants. Have you been referred to a psychologist or counsellor? I understand that you do not want to broadcast that you are having a hard time, so perhaps a private psychologist may help. Your GP can put you on a mental health plan to get ten free visits and then take it from there.

Medications can be tricky and have all sorts of side effects.for some people. You may be one of the unfortunate folk who is affected in this way.  Did you have long gap between your new AD and the old AD?  If there is not a decent gap the meds may interact in bad way.

Having a belief that you are going crazy is quite normal with depression.  I know I was convinced of it.  How else do you explain the changes in your mood and thoughts?  But you are not crazy.  It's the depression talking.

Love to hear from you again. Tell us if you are receiving help from a counsellor or psych as it seems you may benefit by this.

Cheers

Mary

[Maryjane12]

Hi Mary,

Thank you for your response! At the moment I am currently seeing a GP, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, and also another GP who focuses on mental health.

I have also spoken to the academic advisor in my course at uni, and she too has suggested some time off, however I am reluctant to do that as it will mean I will have to repeat this year. At the moment I am thinking of trying to push through until the end of the year so that I can take a full year off and not have to repeat anything. The thought of pushing through however seems quite tricky and I'm not sure if I will manage it, however I am going to try and give it a go.

Yeah the doctors have also made sure I had a decent gap between medications, and I have just been put on a combination of two new drugs. One of which I have had some success with in the past so I am hoping this will start to work soon, along with the psychology and support from the other professionals.