Anxiety and/or depression discussion.

Hugo Stiglitz

scrimshanker wrote: »

No referral. I just don't want to clog up an even more strained system if I'm being overly dramatic (I'm a bit prone to catastrophising) about how I've been. Like, it's only straight forward anxiety, I don't see why I'd need a multidisciplinary team or psychiatrist for that. Surely it should be within the remit of a GP to treat if they would just listen to what I'm telling them and make more specific suggestions other than "here's a phone number, give them a call". Going on holiday shortly enough, will see the other practice GP (the one I first went to who was very nice) and ask about one then. Like I've never in my life mentioned having a panic attack. I'd say my records are all wrong and everything.

Straight forward anxiety is definitely something you should be getting a referral for.

Roquentin

psychologists are good for treating anxiety. anxiety is unconscious, so in order to alleviate the symptoms, the psychologist tries to re-code your brain. its not guaranteed to work as well.

greenfrogs

scrimshanker wrote: »

No referral. I just don't want to clog up an even more strained system if I'm being overly dramatic (I'm a bit prone to catastrophising) about how I've been. Like, it's only straight forward anxiety, I don't see why I'd need a multidisciplinary team or psychiatrist for that. Surely it should be within the remit of a GP to treat if they would just listen to what I'm telling them and make more specific suggestions other than "here's a phone number, give them a call". Going on holiday shortly enough, will see the other practice GP (the one I first went to who was very nice) and ask about one then. Like I've never in my life mentioned having a panic attack. I'd say my records are all wrong and everything.

GPs are good. However the type of care we require is in a specialised area. To which they may have limited experience. Psychiatrists, psychologists etc have specialised experience and education in this area. No anxiety is straight forward. If it was no one would have it. I find overcoming my social anxiety really hard. And that is with the help of a counsellor. I hope the other GP is more helpful.

scrimshanker

Thanks. Sorry guys, I'm just venting more than anything else; I hand over €50 every time I see my GP.

It just seems like such a straight forward thing. Like, it's the most common psychiatric complaint and doctors spend a huge amount of their time dealing with psychiatric complaints so it seems like it should be something that they spend a lot of time treating and are well used to treating... And why so apathetic about actually treating it? I know it's disappointing that the wonder-drug that is lexapro hasn't worked... But jeez... Giving up after one shot??? It just conveys this attitude of "well that's it, we've tried, you're stuck with it" or that they just think you're a drama queen living on her nerves. I mean ffs, it's just about the most treatable of all mental health problems, I should not need to be referred on at this stage. My understanding of it is that the mental health teams were supposed to be dealing with people who have bipolar, personality disorders, like, generally severe mental illness and other mental illnesses like depression and anxiety that are at a severe level and haven't responded to treatment, not anxiety that the GP has only tried one SSRI and a one Benzo (plus sleeping tablet) to treat. That's not failing to respond to treatment, that's failing to bloody well try to treat properly.

Ugh.

Euphoria Intensifies

You've talked about being suicidal in here a few times Scrim and said that you've been suffering with this for a long time, so I would consider that pretty severe. A lot of people who have anxiety or depression never experience suicidal ideation; I know quite a few friends/acquaintances of mine who suffer with anxiety and depression, and it's a minority of us who have felt suicidal. I know that's just anecdotal though.

I don't think you'd be wasting time or putting a strain on services if you asked for a referral. They are there to help. However, going back at some stage to the other GP who you found supportive could maybe be enough, and that's fine too. Just please don't feel like you're wasting anyone's time when you're looking for help, because you're not. You're worth it.

scrimshanker

Euphoria Intensifies wrote: »

You've talked about being suicidal in here a few times Scrim and said that you've been suffering with this for a long time, so I would consider that pretty severe. A lot of people who have anxiety or depression never experience suicidal ideation; I know quite a few friends/acquaintances of mine who suffer with anxiety and depression, and it's a minority of us who have felt suicidal. I know that's just anecdotal though.

I don't think you'd be wasting time or putting a strain on services if you asked for a referral. They are there to help. However, going back at some stage to the other GP who you found supportive could maybe be enough, and that's fine too. Just please don't feel like you're wasting anyone's time when you're looking for help, because you're not. You're worth it.

Thanks EI. I guess sometimes a bit of perspective helps. I'll ask the other GP about it when I see him next. I don't want to offend him by making it seem like I don't trust his ability to treat me. Will spend some time figuring out how to broach it with him...

Roquentin

its very hard to treat anxiety. what they do is prescribe xanax and rivotril to immediately calm someone down. but those are addictive. so they cant keep you on them. furthermore one needs a higher dose each time akin to alcohol.

lets say for example if you were put in a room full of lions, there isnt a drug available that will prevent you from getting anxious, without rendering you incapable. you could drink five shots of vodka or something, youd be drunk and unsure of your surroundings. now apply that anxiety to everyday life. they could increase the dose of some drug but it would mean your concentration would go and dangerous if lets say you were driving a car. you wont feel anxious, but at the same time you are disoriented.

If you think of bipolar for instance when they are going through a manic episode. Their brain has altered their chemicals in their brain. they become more confident/less anxious but at the same time their mind becomes disoriented and in the long run they can make bad decisions. in the uk one cannot drive a vehicle is they are bipolar (i think)

this is the trade-off they face(doctors). they want to give you a drug that quashes the anxiety, but at the same time enables you to function normally. now does a drug exist? I dont think so. if it did, we would hear about it.

anxiety is unconscious. one is unconsciously aware that they are going into a certain environment and they suffer a spike.

I would recommend a psychologist. they will try to make you unconsciously aware of yourself and teach you tricks to combat it.

one can think of abnormal anxiety as either a disorder or a disease. some say its a disorder, others a disease. the mind is producing anxiety when it shouldnt. but then you need anxiety if you were driving a car and nearly crash. it is the sudden anxiety that makes you avoid a collision.

greenfrogs

scrimshanker wrote: »

Thanks EI. I guess sometimes a bit of perspective helps. I'll ask the other GP about it when I see him next. I don't want to offend him by making it seem like I don't trust his ability to treat me. Will spend some time figuring out how to broach it with him...

I think if any mental health issue is interfering with your life to the degree that you are unable to work, to go college etc then it is very serious. You have as much of a right to treatment as anyone else. I only know one other person who suffers with anxiety. Is it really that common?

mg1982

I think anxiety is fairly common for most people. But when it's a more severe or chronic form and is interfering with your life then you need to get treate. There are also many types of anxiety disorders like ptsd OCD social anxiety and generalised anxiety and it can take a long time to get to grips with these as they are long lasting.

greenfrogs

mg1982 wrote: »

I think anxiety is fairly common for most people. But when it's a more severe or chronic form and is interfering with your life then you need to get treate. There are also many types of anxiety disorders like ptsd OCD social anxiety and generalised anxiety and it can take a long time to get to grips with these as they are long lasting.

Yah I was referring to severe anxiety. I suppose there are so many different types.

Roquentin

mg1982 wrote: »

I think anxiety is fairly common for most people. But when it's a more severe or chronic form and is interfering with your life then you need to get treate. There are also many types of anxiety disorders like ptsd OCD social anxiety and generalised anxiety and it can take a long time to get to grips with these as they are long lasting.

yea everyone alive bar serial killers feels anxiety. if one was standing on the edge of cliff with a strong wind they would feel anxious. at its heart, anxiety is a defense mechanism, but what happens with humans is it arises is situations where it shouldnt and hence GAD OCD etc.

we live on instinctive response and it is very hard to rewire the brain to make it not feel anxious. what some people do is adopt a narcissistic facade to overcome the anxiety, but that is consciously covering over the cracks of ones unconscious instinct.

what psychologists do is try to make people become more self aware and try to consciously train their unconscious to respond differently and it can be done.

if one is learning to drive or play the piano, they train their unconscious mind to become a driver or pianist. thus the psychologist tries to train the person to unconsciously respond differently.

but one has to put themselves into the situations that are making them anxious. one can learn all the theory they want in the world, but its pointless if it is not put to practise. you can learn about all the rules of the road, indicators, gear shifts etc, but you still have to take lessons to really train your mind.

greenfrogs

Roquentin wrote: »

but one has to put themselves into the situations that are making them anxious. one can learn all the theory they want in the world, but its pointless if it is not put to practise. you can learn about all the rules of the road, indicators, gear shifts etc, but you still have to take lessons to really train your mind.

That's exactly why overcoming anxiety is hard. You have to put yourself in situations that make you anxious. Then you have to see how you act in these situations, then you come up with a strategy with your therapist to overcome your anxiety, then you put yourself in the situation again. Repeat the cycle again and again. It's very thorough and hard work.

Hugo Stiglitz

Trying to overcoming anxiety is indeed hard. It's a battle every day for those with unrelenting anxiety. Hardly seems worth the effort at times. Other times, one can be valiant in their effort, although those days can be rare.

Hope ye are all keeping well there today.

mg1982

Hugo Stiglitz wrote: »

Trying to overcoming anxiety is indeed hard. It's a battle every day for those with unrelenting anxiety. Hardly seems worth the effort at times. Other times, one can be valiant in their effort, although those days can be rare.

Hope ye are all keeping well there today.

The hardest part for me is that it is unrelenting. It wouldn't bother me so much if it came and went but that's not it's nature. Sure there are times when it's less intense but not that often. My head never gets peace though with anxiety.

fr336

Had a blood test and I'm on the borderline for thyroid issues

heyday30

Life's been pretty grim The last few days.
Everything is an effort.
Tired of putting the 'iI'm fine' face on.

heyday30

fr336 wrote: »

Had a blood test and I'm on the borderline for thyroid issues

Over or under active fr? Or did they say?

fr336

heyday30 wrote: »

Over or under active fr? Or did they say?

Didn't say, just borderline. Doctor is calling me tomorrow (it was just receptionist today, and I was given the option as to whether I wanted to just leave it which can't be too bad right?). My mum has an overactive one I think.

mg1982

heyday30 wrote: »

Life's been pretty grim The last few days.
Everything is an effort.
Tired of putting the 'iI'm fine' face on.

Sorry to hear heyday. Sounds like motivation is low. Been sick all week myself so barely left the house.

heyday30

fr336 wrote: »

Didn't say, just borderline. Doctor is calling me tomorrow (it was just receptionist today, and I was given the option as to whether I wanted to just leave it which can't be too bad right?). My mum has an overactive one I think.

I would suggest taking to the doctor tomorrow as suggested. Get bloods done again in round 3 months. if you're mum has issues with thyroid possible you could too.

I was put on meds for under active thyroid After several borderline tests.

heyday30

mg1982 wrote: »

Sorry to hear heyday. Sounds like motivation is low. Been sick all week myself so barely left the house.

Thanks mg. Quite low tbh. Sorry to hear you've been ill.

fr336

heyday30 wrote: »

I would suggest taking to the doctor tomorrow as suggested. Get bloods done again in round 3 months. if you're mum has issues with thyroid possible you could too.

I was put on meds for under active thyroid After several borderline tests.

So the first test could be wrong, or influenced by other factors? (My main gripe is severe sleep deprivation and associated anxiety, plus eating and putting on weight like an absolute pig...any chance this could have been a factor in the tests? I know there are far worse things to have than thyroid though, especially considering the basic treatment options)

How have you found the meds and life in general since taking them?

Thanks for getting back to me

heyday30

fr336 wrote: »

So the first test could be wrong, or influenced by other factors? (My main gripe is severe sleep deprivation and associated anxiety, plus eating and putting on weight like an absolute pig...any chance this could have been a factor in the tests? I know there are far worse things to have than thyroid though, especially considering the basic treatment options)

How have you found the meds and life in general since taking them?

Thanks for getting back to me

Anything can influence the result like u said stress. Being ill having a temperature ect. That's why generally they test a few times.

No side effects at all from meds. I'm still struggling with weight n energy a bit.
nothing too much to worry about

fr336

heyday30 wrote: »

Anything can influence the result like u said stress. Being ill having a temperature ect. That's why generally they test a few times.

No side effects at all from meds. I'm still struggling with weight n energy a bit.
nothing too much to worry about

Thanks again, it did shock me to be honest I thought I'd be all clear despite my difficulties. Still at least it wasn't diabetes or anything worse, I am truly grateful for that.

heyday30

fr336 wrote: »

Thanks again, it did shock me to be honest I thought I'd be all clear despite my difficulties. Still at least it wasn't diabetes or anything worse, I am truly grateful for that.

No worries. Hopefully you don't have any issues with it at all.

fr336

heyday30 wrote: »

No worries. Hopefully you don't have any issues with it at all.

Hope you continue to have a good experience too

scrimshanker

Have to admit, I'm really quite upset by my so-called friends. I've basically disappeared off the face of the planet when I'm supposed to be sitting exams and have only had contact with one - initiated by me when I wished her good luck in the exams. WTF like?

heyday30

scrimshanker wrote: »

Have to admit, I'm really quite upset by my so-called friends. I've basically disappeared off the face of the planet when I'm supposed to be sitting exams and have only had contact with one - initiated by me when I wished her good luck in the exams. WTF like?

Sorry to hear scrim. People have a great nack of letting others down.

heyday30

I like this. Sums me up in a nutshell

fr336

heyday30 wrote: »

I like this. Sums me up in a nutshell

That would sum up the majority of normal, decent, interesting people if you ask me