New and struggling

[Little_Rascal]

Hiya, 

So after 8 months of trying to sort out my anxiety and depression in other non medical ways, I had to admit that I not doing ok. I've been back on medication for a week now, and today is not a good day, I have no motivation, physically sick, overwhelmed and I have no interest in anything that makes/made me happy or excited. I see a counselor once a week and shes great, I saw her yesterday. Yesterday was a great day, so productive and positive. Today ... I want to go home and curl up on the couch. Me and my partner have our own business and today is a very busy day so i'm too anxious to ask him if I can go home, i'm also to anxious to drive.  The anxiety along with IBS and some other illnesses has brought on some pretty gnarly depression. 

What does everyone else do to cope on days like today??? 

[white knight]

Hi Feral, welcome here to BB forums

I too ran a sole business for 13 years with 4 mental conditions including bipolar 2 and depression,.

Luckily my business in the investigation field was where I was able to not go to work if I was ill. But in the end the illness won and I retired last year at 58yo, much earlier than planned.

However, I won in the end because it didnt consume me, I just needed less stress in my life. I cant imagine if I had owned a shop and was forced to remain there daily if I wasnt well, trapped is the word.

So how do you cope?. 

Have short, medium, long and permanent strategies. Under the permanent umbrella is acceptance that medication and the correct dosage is taken, regular GP visits as is your counsellor and management.

Short term is balancing the business with working hours, possible breaks during the day to clear your head. Medium term might include regular short holidays and long term selling your business if you do not feel you can maintain it.

It's all management not negativity. Acceptance is a hurdle. But it doesnt need to be difficult nor dramatic. Humans arent perfect and while you have depression others have bad backs etc. It's the stigma and even discrimination held in others minds that society is still in its infancy in dealing fairly with it. It isnt our fault!

There are many thread son this forum that you can read more. I know that being on here daily has helped me even if iys just reading others journeys.

Hope I've helped.

[Little_Rascal]

Thank you, Thank really helped. I'm only 24 and the business is in my partners field of work and I do the accounts, I take a day off a week to attend my counselling appointment and catch up on housework. I was won my way becoming a landscaper and was working along a mate with her gardening business... then I had to choose. I am a people pleaser and im unable to make decisions based on what I want to do anymore. as of this week i am gardening once a week, so hopefully that restores some of my confidence. I am struggling with motivation at the moment. I see my gp weekly so far and back on medication after 6 months of counselling, I still see my counselor. 

We have also had a flea infestation in our house and I ended up in hospital with a really bad reaction. Everything at once aye.  

[Little_Rascal]

Hi

Im not doing so well my meds are making things worse, I cry everyday and have panic attacks when I leave the  house.  I wasn't this depressed before and its damaging my relTionship with my bf, and sabotaging our business.  Im making mistakes all the time and keepr accidently hurting myself when doing the house work.  I really need some help guys 😞 my previous coping mechanisms have been food control, bulimia, overeating, booze, drugs and aggression.  At the moment im blaming my fella for everything, and it seems he can do nothing right, when logically I know he's being amazing and so supportive.  Ive got an appointment with my gp on Tuesday but I've lost my psychiatrist referral

Any advice or anything is welcomed/needed please! 

Cheers guys, cas

[Neil_1]

Hi there FC

have you had a chance to get back to your GP?   Have they been able to suggest anything for you?

Just wondering is it possible for you to say have an extra day away from the business - or is that not an option?  I hope it is, because it sounds like you need a bit of respite at this time.

perhaps if you can snare some time away, you can make that time "your OWN time" and do things just for you.  Oh and not the other means that you've used before - but perhaps do some more gardening - the weather is just starting to turn and some of these days are really beautiful at the moment.

Not sure if you're into exercise at all, but this can have great positive effects on not only the body, but the mind as well.

Also you might not realise it, but just the simple act of drinking water through the day can have big benefits as well.  Dehydration or even part dehydration can have bad effects on one's mental state.

I hope you're still around and would love to hear back from you.

Neil

[Little_Rascal]

Hi Neil,

Thank you for your reply.  Yup went back to my gp and he seems to thinkt I have bipolar hence why the meds have never worked.  So on some new meds now untill I see the psych. 

O am also off work today, it's very quite today so the bf Insisted I take some time out. If I get the energy I will do some gardening today, the sun seems to help 🙂 

Thank u again 

I am constantly attached to my water bottle too. Since being told I may have bipolar I feel a little more relaxed and my bf seems to be a little more understanding then when I thought it was just generalized anxiety.  

I love going to the gym but atm with depression I have almost no energy, it sucks 😞