Time to make a change

[Poppy_Grace]

Hi everyone,

After years and years of anxiety and panic it got very serious, I finally went to get professional help and was diagnosed with depression and Anxiety and Panic Disorder. I'm newly medicated and trying to make changes to my life, my anxiety is 24/7 and affects my every-day life at school, my job, at home, in my relationship etc. As a result of such anxiety I've developed insomnia and now need medication to help me sleep. I'm going to be in Year 12 soon and I want to get into the right headspace, not only for myself but for the people around me that I deeply love. I've started to realise just how my depression affects the people I'm close to. I want to make a change, I want to change the way I see myself and I want to believe in the bright future I'm working towards. I guess I'm joining this forum in hope for some advice, maybe some people can relate to me so I don't feel so alone. I know that his battle will take a lot of time and effort, this is the start. Thanks x 🙂

[james1]

Hey Poppy,

Thanks for posting here and a massive high five and congratulations for taking these big steps in your life.

I'm 25 now but I've been struggling with depression for a little while and also have Borderline Personality Disorder which carries with it anxiety and, well, panic attacks.

I've only just started getting therapy since last year and I can see I've already made some improvements which is nice for me to see and realise. So I do think that change are possible and with the right support, which it sounds like you're now getting, that is also achievable for you.

That said, change is hard and when you're also struggling with things like insomnia and possibly multiple medications and side-effects, it can be a bit rocky. But if you are ever struggling, we're here for you and BeyondBlue also has a support line which you can call (1300 22 4636) and a webchat service.

Since you're going into year 12, it may also be a good idea to see if your school has a counsellor because they could be useful to have face-to-face contact with, alongside your regular doctor, for school-related stuff like needing extensions and things.

Great work 🙂

James

[startingnew]

Hi Poppy Grace

firstly welcome to the forums! i really hope you get the support and help that you need.

Well done for reaching out, i know thats not a very easy thing to do at all so well done.

i can hear how much you want to change and to 'get better'.

im 20 now and like you have depression and anxiety, i also went through school with these and sat the HSC as well. i think its a fantastic idea to how open your being about getting some help.

id reccomend seeing your school counsellor for some face-face support as well as James has suggested, that way you have more outside support as well.

i too suffer from inomnia i can give you some tips to help you with that if you like?

and also some anxiety coping strategies too? i seem to have a lot of them

again welcome to the forums and looking forward to hearing from you and how your getting on