Anxiety and/or depression discussion.

mg1982

NicoleW85 wrote: »

My first time posting in this thread. So glad I found it. I'm just over a week off turning 30 and I just had a meltdown this morning because I feel like I'm going round in continuous circles and never really getting anywhere. I was diagnosed with depression 5 years ago and pernicious Anaemia 3 years ago (the 2 are closely linked apparently), and I've had a rough time of it. My poor hubby of 7 years has had to put up with so much, and I'm lucky he's stood by me through the darkest times. I also have binge eating disorder and that's just a bloody nightmare in itself. I've just been referred to CBT SO IM Hoping I can get the help I need. I really want to enjoy my 30's!!!
Anyway, nice to meet you all

Welcome to the the thread nicole. Hopefully the cbt can be of some help.
And welcome to all new posters, feel free to come on and vent anytimes. Thats what i do. lol

Hugo Stiglitz

Welcome along guys. Hope ye find some comfort and advice here.

mg1982

greenfrogs wrote: »

What makes it even harder is how we pick therapists. I just googled them and picked from the top few. The reality is that we have no basis for picking the therapists. For me it was random selection. With the hse I was referred to the therapist that suited me best. Even on here you can't discuss individual therapists however I have seen posters can discuss individual doctors and dentists. In real life people don't discuss it if they are seeing a therapist so how can we chose who is right for us.

Theres no real way of knowing if a therapist is going to be good. Thats why i asked to be referred to a psychologist because i knew they would have a lot of training behind them but even then theres no way of knowing. There are one or two therapists here in sligo that are meant to be highly regarded when it comes to treating anxiety but they charge 90 to 110 euros a session. I cant afford that.

NicoleW85

mg1982 wrote:

Welcome to the the thread nicole. Hopefully the cbt can be of some help.
And welcome to all new posters, feel free to come on and vent anytimes. Thats what i do. lol

Thanks a mill

Idonotknow.ie

whats newxt wrote: »

Mabye you should go yourself, tell them you want to try different medication and see how that goes. Have you been hospitalized before?

I went voluntary after a incident...only put me on stronger meds.

Idonotknow.ie

I been trying meds, counselling, etc...but I'm sinking while trying, I am worse now than when I started.

mg1982

Idonotknow.ie wrote: »

I been trying meds, counselling, etc...but I'm sinking while trying, I am worse now than when I started.

What kind of meds are you on, some of them are very sedating and can really take it out of you. Also with the counselling it can feel worse as you make progress before it gets better.

scrimshanker

So I mentioned that my doctor doesn't know what to do with me. He said it's gone on too long and has gone beyond GP level so I've been referred to an anxiety clinic. I should hear from them shortly. Have to get blood tests done before the appointment, part of which is full thyroid function tests, which I'm glad of. It seems very comprehensive that they are making sure it's not something physical underlying it. Feel like this is a good shot.

Hugo Stiglitz

scrimshanker wrote: »

So I mentioned that my doctor doesn't know what to do with me. He said it's gone on too long and has gone beyond GP level so I've been referred to an anxiety clinic. I should hear from them shortly. Have to get blood tests done before the appointment, part of which is full thyroid function tests, which I'm glad of. It seems very comprehensive that they are making sure it's not something physical underlying it. Feel like this is a good shot.

This sounds good Scrim. You will be dealing directly with specialists from now on.

Idonotknow.ie

mg1982 wrote: »

What kind of meds are you on, some of them are very sedating and can really take it out of you. Also with the counselling it can feel worse as you make progress before it gets better.

Been on some for over two years, it's not making me sedated...I just have enough of pretending that all is slowly getting better. I just want to leave the house on my own, my wife just makes unhelpful comments at me.

mg1982

Idonotknow.ie wrote: »

Been on some for over two years, it's not making me sedated...I just have enough of pretending that all is slowly getting better. I just want to leave the house on my own, my wife just makes unhelpful comments at me.

In these situations you need support but your wife is not being at all helpful. Is it anxiety thats stopping you from leaving the house?

NicoleW85

Idonotknow.ie wrote: »

I'm 42, have a family of two children. I'm out of work on long term sick leave for anxiety, anger, and depression.
I don't want to take my meds anymore and have skipped some doses, this is my 4th day lying on my bed.
My marriage is falling apart and my wife and I cannot get on at all. ..I want to leave and be on my own.
I want to opt out of life, paying bills, doing tasks, even leaving the house.
I'm lost in my head..i've to many worries...have to move house, can't find one....I want to hide away from it all

The absolute worst thing you can do right now is quit your meds. Especially cold turkey. It's better you continue taking them with little effect than to just stop, but I'd urge you to ask your GP to refer you to Clinical Psychologist. Your GP sounds like mine - out of his depth when dealing with patients with mental health issues! Doesn't fill me with confidence and wouldn't increase my meds, then bam - 1 assessment with Psych and she ups my dosage!!! It's trial & error until you find what works. But DON'T GIVE UP!! You need to communicate with your wife, tell her you need her on your side. She needs to understand that her words are tearing you down, and you need building up. There's light at the end of the tunnel, just don't look back

Idonotknow.ie

mg1982 wrote: »

In these situations you need support but your wife is not being at all helpful. Is it anxiety thats stopping you from leaving the house?

I find been alone easier than having to go out.
Less stress.
Im sick of the meds..not helping

mg1982

scrimshanker wrote: »

So I mentioned that my doctor doesn't know what to do with me. He said it's gone on too long and has gone beyond GP level so I've been referred to an anxiety clinic. I should hear from them shortly. Have to get blood tests done before the appointment, part of which is full thyroid function tests, which I'm glad of. It seems very comprehensive that they are making sure it's not something physical underlying it. Feel like this is a good shot.

This is good news scrim, at least now you will be dealing with people with more expertise in the mental health field. Its also good to get your thyroid checked as it really can deplete energy levels if its underactive. After a few visits to my gp i asked to be referred on to the mental health services as i wasnt sure my doctor was going to help me.

heyday30

scrimshanker wrote: »

So I mentioned that my doctor doesn't know what to do with me. He said it's gone on too long and has gone beyond GP level so I've been referred to an anxiety clinic. I should hear from them shortly. Have to get blood tests done before the appointment, part of which is full thyroid function tests, which I'm glad of. It seems very comprehensive that they are making sure it's not something physical underlying it. Feel like this is a good shot.

I think this is a very positive move scrim. Great to check the thyroid function. If it's off it can make you feel absolutely dreadful.

scrimshanker

Idonotknow.ie wrote: »

I find been alone easier than having to go out.
Less stress.
Im sick of the meds..not helping

So sorry you're going through all this. Are you under specialist care or your GP's care? Do you get on okay with your doctors?


If you're sick of the meds and feel they aren't helping then your GP/PDoc needs to know so you can try another approach. I've heard (and it's been said on here a lot) that CBT can be very effective for depression and anxiety.


It must be really tough not getting support from your wife. Do you think she would be more supportive if she felt like she was being involved and that there was a plan that you both would try something new? Maybe you could talk to her about treatment options, ask for her opinion and maybe her support approaching your doctor? I know people around me get frustrated if they think I'm not doing anything to help myself. It doesn't matter that I am. Sometimes it's more about perceptions if you know what I mean?

greenfrogs

Idonotknow.ie wrote: »

Been on some for over two years, it's not making me sedated...I just have enough of pretending that all is slowly getting better. I just want to leave the house on my own, my wife just makes unhelpful comments at me.

It must be very difficult having children and a wife whilst going through this.
First of all I would suggest speaking with your wife and telling her that her comments upset you. She may have the best intentions but her advice is not helpful. I know for years I took my Mom's advice. It became clear that her advice was doing me more hard than good. So I stopped asking and taking her advice. Even if she offered it I listened but didn't take it on board. So instead I leaned on my gp, therapist for guidance and support.

I put my full trust in my gp. You need to communicate effectively with healthcare professionals. If you want to stop taking medication then speak to them. If you want a different treatment then tell them. I have found cbt very good. You need a treatment plan catered for you.

carzony

Back to the GP on Monday for me... Can't stand this sense of panic and breathlesness any longer.. Very pissed off as I wanted to stay away from meds......

scrimshanker

carzony wrote: »

Back to the GP on Monday for me... Can't stand this sense of panic and breathlesness any longer.. Very pissed off as I wanted to stay away from meds......

Sorry to hear that carzony, this sort of thing has me afraid to come off meds because bad as things are on them, I wonder how much worse the underlying anxiety has become. Hopefully your GP will be able to suggest a way to help you get better that doesn't only rely on meds. Fingers crossed for you

greenfrogs

carzony wrote: »

Back to the GP on Monday for me... Can't stand this sense of panic and breathlesness any longer.. Very pissed off as I wanted to stay away from meds......

Is it the meds or the thought of regressing that annoys you? If you go on meds then there is no shame in it. I am aware that I will probably be on/off meds for the rest of my life. Nothing is worth feeling anxious and depressed for.

carzony

I felt the meds were doing nothing for me so I went off them.. I know realise they were keeping the constant anxiety/panic away. I've had 2-3 panic attacks this week and the most annoying thing is that i'm on summer holidays so when i'm back into a routine I can only imagine things will get harder. I'm seriously dreading september.....

NicoleW85

For your own sake, go back on the meds. I too believe I'll be on meds for the rest of my life - If I miss them for only 2 days I feel my stress/anxiety levels rising and it's just not worth the hassle. If chemicals help me then so be it!! I hope you do decide to go back on them and start to feel a bit better soon

greenfrogs

carzony wrote: »

I felt the meds were doing nothing for me so I went off them.. I know realise they were keeping the constant anxiety/panic away. I've had 2-3 panic attacks this week and the most annoying thing is that i'm on summer holidays so when i'm back into a routine I can only imagine things will get harder. I'm seriously dreading september.....

It's a shame that your summer holidays have been interrupted. Hopefully though you will enjoy the next two months off. Sometimes it is so hard to complete the daily living activities that we just need a break from college/work etc. Try and focus on getting better. Things may get harder in September but hopefully by the time September come you'll be in a better headspace to deal with them.

carzony

I'll be defo demanding the doctor put me on much stroger pills.. I was only on 10mg before..

I really feel like I need the strongest stuff they've got lol

NicoleW85

carzony wrote:

I'll be defo demanding the doctor put me on much stroger pills.. I was only on 10mg before..

I really feel like I need the strongest stuff they've got lol

Oh god that'd barely touch you! I was on 50mg for 4 years and knew I needed more but GP didn't agree! 1 visit with psych and she prescribed 100mg! Much better!

carzony

Does anyone know if an employer/potential employer is allowed to check your medical history atall? I ask because there are any jobs that you'd be rejected from simply because your on those type of drugs...

greenfrogs

carzony wrote: »

I'll be defo demanding the doctor put me on much stroger pills.. I was only on 10mg before..

I really feel like I need the strongest stuff they've got lol

I just saw another thread and I noticed you were the op. The situation with the car sounds stressful. Is that related to your panic attacks.

I think people with anxiety are generally put on lower doses than people with depression. The way I look at my meds is that they are providing me with serotonin because I don't have enough of it in my body whereas most other people do. It's a simple reasoning but my doctor explained it that way.

NicoleW85

I suppose it depends on the type of job, but wouldn't it be discriminatory of them to hold it against you as such?

NicoleW85

And also it would probably depend on the medication you have been on and are currently on.

carzony

NicoleW85 wrote: »

And also it would probably depend on the medication you have been on and are currently on.

I must ask the GP if they can check your history. I couldnt imagine they'd be allowed...
I know they can check your history with the social welfare but the doctor records I think are impossible to access for any third party..