Struggling

[Penny8]

I have been struggling with depression for a few months now mostly because I'm too anxious to leave my house even though i feel remarkably better when I'm out and around my friends. I just don't have the energy or motivation and i feel like I'm going crazy inside my head right now. My school work is suffering, friendships and potential relationships are as well because i feel anxious all the time. I feel like I'm my own worst enemy and that I'm spiralling down into a dark hole which i can not get out of. 

[white knight]

Hi penny8, welcome to BB.

You are writing now to people that have been in that same hole. I hope we can help.

But firstly, a few questions. Are you on medication?. Have you discussed this with your GP. 

Hiding from society is very common.  The balanced approach is what I've found to be helpful.

hope to hear from you soon.

[Penny8]

No, I'm not on any medication but had an appointment with my GP yesterday and he asked me to think about if i would be interested in going on medication to try to help. I started cognitive behavioural therapy about a month ago to try to see if that alternative could help instead of medication but i just cant concentrate long enough at the moment to listen to what the psychologist is saying and what she is trying to get me to do. 

I live away from home and i don't have a lot of close friends where i live now and my sister doesn't take it seriously when i have a panic or anxiety attack and ignores me so i am left to deal with it alone. I am so sick of dealing with this alone. 

[white knight]

Dear Penny,  I too have had cognitive therapy and some of it was really beneficial. But I too would stare out the window and not focus. But it is essential and I'd encourage you to continue with it.

 You have suffered depression for some time now and your GP has offered you medication. Why not try it?  But also you have signalled out a confidence issue and that is a two edged sword. You wont get more confident if you dont get out and about and you wont avoid embarrassment if you shut yourself away.

Remember you only need one good friend. I wouldnt worry about groups of people- you wont find many friends mingling with a group. Try joining a local volleyball or badmitton team?  Either way it will take effort and it will be rewarded.

[Neil_1]

Hi Penny

And great that WK has been there for you so quickly - this is a really lovely place and I hope we can assist you through this time.

May I ask what Year you are in at school?   Do you have favourite subjects that you enjoy??   And any other activities at school that you enjoy??  Like sports, art, music??

I've got two children - a son, 16yo and a daughter 13yo.  They couldn't be more different in so many ways - for example with music - my son absolutely LOVES heavy metal and that kind growling kind of noise, whoops, sorry, music.  My daughter is way way different - in fact, she's recently go me into the music of her fave band:  Imagine Dragons.  Have you heard of or enjoy their music?

When you've said that your sister doesn't take it seriously - does she actually know as to how you're feeling - to the extent of how bad it is for you - to how serious it is for you?

Penny, I'll wrap this up for now - as I think I've hit you with a few questions, so I hope that you can get back to both myself and White Knight.  All you need to know now, is that we are here for you.  We'll do our very best to try and help you with advice when we can, but we'll also be there for you, for support.

Kind regards

Neil

[geoff]

dear Penny, lovely for you to join the wonderful responders here on this forum.

I would agree with WK and Neil and try some medication, and what I would suggest is to mention to the counsellor you are seeing with regards to cognitive therapy is to ask them about trying a desentization program, which would slowly enable you to overcome any fears of not wanting to leave the house.

Just on a jovial matter Dr. Harry does this for dogs mainly who won't walk along a concrete path etc., but the TV version has been cut down just so it will fit into the time allowed, but I know that this cognitive therapy works very well. Geoff. x