Anxiety and depression thread (Please read OP)

Wanderer78

Gonna try request a call back from my doctor next week, time to up the meds me thinks, not feeling too bad today though, after a not amazing night of sleep

One More Toy

It's amazing the thoughts that come into your head that make you sad

I was just thinking right now about Disneys A Christmas Carol and how little the poor family had to eat on Christmas day and how heartbreaking the imagery is

I think that this is still happening today within our society and especially with the homeless

One More Toy

One More Toy wrote: »

It's amazing the thoughts that come into your head that make you sad

I was just thinking right now about Disneys A Christmas Carol and how little the poor family had to eat on Christmas day and how heartbreaking the imagery is

I think that this is still happening today within our society and especially with the homeless

Mickey's Christmas Carol to be precise from the 80s

SMC92Ian

Right I'm done with this isolation and crap, I'm done. If I go out and get it and die so be it, it's not like I'm living indoors anyways. Either way it's a sh*t life so to hell with lockdown.

One More Toy

SMC92Ian wrote: »

Right I'm done with this isolation and crap, I'm done. If I go out and get it and die so be it, it's not like I'm living indoors anyways. Either way it's a sh*t life so to hell with lockdown.

You're allowed out for exercise within 5km mate

Wanderer78

SMC92Ian wrote: »

Right I'm done with this isolation and crap, I'm done. If I go out and get it and die so be it, it's not like I'm living indoors anyways. Either way it's a sh*t life so to hell with lockdown.

im actually enjoying it, the world is much quieter, and ive created a routine i really like. im also getting loads of jobs done around the house that have been sitting there for a long time

Multipass

Is anyone doing phone or video consults with their psychiatrist? Mine is trying to push it on me, and I keep canceling. I can’t answer phone calls in general anyways, and video would be even worse, but also it’s going to cost me the full price, and I feel it’s not worth it. At the same time I’m cracking up with the isolation...

One More Toy

Multipass wrote: »

Is anyone doing phone or video consults with their psychiatrist? Mine is trying to push it on me, and I keep canceling. I can’t answer phone calls in general anyways, and video would be even worse, but also it’s going to cost me the full price, and I feel it’s not worth it. At the same time I’m cracking up with the isolation...

I'm in the public health system. Was told all appointments were cancelled but they'd fax prescriptions to my chemist. Then comes the day I was supposed to have an appointment lo and behold the psychiatrist rings me

Wanderer78

Multipass wrote:

Is anyone doing phone or video consults with their psychiatrist? Mine is trying to push it on me, and I keep canceling. I can’t answer phone calls in general anyways, and video would be even worse, but also it’s going to cost me the full price, and I feel it’s not worth it. At the same time I’m cracking up with the isolation...

My psychotherapist has been checking in on me every now and again by phone, he specialises in autism so he knows how to approach it, and does it well, he said a couple of his clients are currently climbing the walls. I'm not too bad, just experiencing low mood from time to time, which is wearing thin with me now, surprisingly, anxiety isn't too bad. I generally don't like much phone activity, but it's really nice to receive contact from my psychotherapist regularly, he's very caring. my counselor on the other hand has done a legger, no sight nor sound from him since this kicked off, he did offer phone or Skype if required though

Foweva Awone

Multipass wrote: »

Is anyone doing phone or video consults with their psychiatrist? Mine is trying to push it on me, and I keep canceling. I can’t answer phone calls in general anyways, and video would be even worse, but also it’s going to cost me the full price, and I feel it’s not worth it. At the same time I’m cracking up with the isolation...

I'm doing video calls with my psychiatrist, and it also bugs me that the hospital charge the full €150, a video call is just not the same as a face-to-face meeting. But, that's the hospital's decision, not my psychiatrist's. I'm a little awkward on the calls, but it's definitely so much better than nothing.

It helps that I've a really strong relationship built up with her over the last couple of years, she knows me really well ... I'd be less likely to agree to a video call with someone I didn't know.

Could you request a phone call rather than a video call?

Wanderer78

I've been given sertraline, anyone tried them, any issues?

Foweva Awone

Wanderer78 wrote: »

I've been given sertraline, anyone tried them, any issues?

I'm on it for years, anywhere between 50mg and 200mg, no side effects ... tbh I've never felt it really makes much of a difference, but my psychiatrist prefers to keep me on it. I'm on a lot of other meds too ... I'm on a pretty high dose of Seroquel and going on that was the huge turning point in my mental health, it's worked wonders in keeping me stable. However weight gain is a very common side effect, I've gained about 3 stone and haven't been able to lose it ... it's a fair price for my sanity though!!

Wanderer78

Foweva Awone wrote:

I'm on it for years, anywhere between 50mg and 200mg, no side effects ... tbh I've never felt it really makes much of a difference, but my psychiatrist prefers to keep me on it. I'm on a lot of other meds too ... I'm on a pretty high dose of Seroquel and going on that was the huge turning point in my mental health, it's worked wonders in keeping me stable. However weight gain is a very common side effect, I've gained about 3 stone and haven't been able to lose it ... it's a fair price for my sanity though!!

I'm starting on 50mg, and can bring myself up to 100 if need be, doc said it's the one he's found with least problems. I'm hoping ta God it does something, I can't keep going like this

Foweva Awone

Wanderer78 wrote: »

I'm starting on 50mg, and can bring myself up to 100 if need be, doc said it's the one he's found with least problems. I'm hoping ta God it does something, I can't keep going like this

Yes my psychiatrist says the same, works for most people with very few side effects. It's a good one to start off with. Hope it works for you!! You mightnt notice a difference for a couple of weeks, as it takes time to build up in your system, so stick with it!

Meeoow

I would advise you not to touch it, I started it last week and woke up with tinnitus after 3 tablets. The ringing in my ears is constant and worse than depression and anxiety. I stopped it, but still have tinnitus.some peoples clear up, but some people are left with it for life. I am devastated.

Wanderer78 wrote: »

I've been given sertraline, anyone tried them, any issues?

Wanderer78

Meeoow wrote: »

I would advise you not to touch it, I started it last week and woke up with tinnitus after 3 tablets. The ringing in my ears is constant and worse than depression and anxiety. I stopped it, but still have tinnitus.some peoples clear up, but some people are left with it for life. I am devastated.

too late, first tablet is in me, we ll see what happens

BohsCeltic

Meeoow wrote: »

I would advise you not to touch it, I started it last week and woke up with tinnitus after 3 tablets. The ringing in my ears is constant and worse than depression and anxiety. I stopped it, but still have tinnitus.some peoples clear up, but some people are left with it for life. I am devastated.

I have ringing in my ears, but that was before setraline, i am nearly sure it happened after i got my ears syringes. But i can live with it. Most times i don't even notice, well untill now when i read this lol.

BohsCeltic

One More Toy wrote: »

Me too. Got word my illness benefit is coming to an end so I don't know what to do

Mine expired in March. I applied for invalidity pension at the start of the year. They 'lost' the application. I had to reapply and also apply for SWA. I am now 8 weeks without any money at all.
I borrowed from family and friends, feel embarrassed to have to ask but also angry too that i find myself in this position AGAIN.

I was doing so well too. Eating good, sleeping good, exercising everything.
The stress of all the forms, emails, phone calls is not helping me.
It just adds extra pressure which i don't need.
Haven't heard back from my job either so not sure if it is still there.

One More Toy

BohsCeltic wrote: »

Mine expired in March. I applied for invalidity pension at the start of the year. They 'lost' the application. I had to reapply and also apply for SWA. I am now 8 weeks without any money at all.
I borrowed from family and friends, feel embarrassed to have to ask but also angry too that i find myself in this position AGAIN.

I was doing so well too. Eating good, sleeping good, exercising everything.
The stress of all the forms, emails, phone calls is not helping me.
It just adds extra pressure which i don't need.
Haven't heard back from my job either so not sure if it is still there.

Well balls on that, I know the stress of contacting welfare for anything

What's swa and when should I start applying for it if my ib is up in July?

BohsCeltic

One More Toy wrote: »

Well balls on that, I know the stress of contacting welfare for anything

What's swa and when should I start applying for it if my ib is up in July?

It's supplementary welfare allowance. It will pay you the basic rate. You can also apply for wife/partner and child.
It is means tested though.

6 months of bank statements and the reason why you are applying for it.

But you will first need to apply for either disability benefit or invalidity benefit in order to claim SWA while you await for your claim to be processed.

I would apply for either of them now as it takes a long time.

Sardonicat

You shouldn't be waiting so long for SWA! The whole point of it is to ensure you are not without a means to survive while a claim is pending. I know how soul destroying it is to deal with that department, Bohs . Maybe a call to a TD might expediate your application? And BTW, DON'T tell them you've been borrowing from family or they'll say you should continue to do so.

Wanderer, I hope the new meds give you some relief.

BohsCeltic

Sardonicat wrote: »

You shouldn't be waiting so long for SWA! The whole point of it is to ensure you are not without a means to survive while a claim is pending. I know how soul destroying it is to deal with that department, Bohs . Maybe a call to a TD might expediate your application? And BTW, DON'T tell them you've been borrowing from family or they'll say you should continue to do so.

Wanderer, I hope the new meds give you some relief.

I know. I have drafted a letter to send to TD's. I am waiting for my Sister and best friend to proof read it before i send it on.

I've had enough of all this. I have been too soft for far too long. I'm an easy going person but this has happened before and i was left high and dry.

I mentioned that i was helped by family and friends because i am an honest person(maybe being calm, honest and respectfull get's you nowhere), but did say i am being helped by my 76 year old Mother who only gets a state pension. That's pretty grim.
I also stated that i have to pay everyone back too and can no longer borrow because everyone else has their own family to look after especially as most are out of work due to this virus.

I said on here before about when i went for SWA because my IB wasn't paid i was told to wait and to eat cornflakes untill the payment went through, I still don't know how i kept my calm.

I was doing great untill this whole farce started. And i am also still having a go about my income protection insurance so my brain is melted.

But it has come to the stage now where normally i would just hide under the covers and sleep with the hope of not waking up.

But this time no way. I've fought my way through really hard times and i will continue to keep fighting.

I won't give up.

BohsCeltic

Sorry for the long post, just need to vent it out

One More Toy

BohsCeltic wrote: »

Sorry for the long post, just need to vent it out

Fight all those pr1cks with every ounce of energy you have

fishy_fishy

Wanderer78 wrote: »

I've been given sertraline, anyone tried them, any issues?

Found it very effective. Far more so than lexapro. Did gain weight on it though, but worth it for the benefit of something that actually worked.

BohsCeltic

One More Toy wrote: »

Fight all those pr1cks with every ounce of energy you have

The way i felt earlier i would have loved to be thrown in a cage with them and kick the sh*te out of them. But that's not in my nature. Just so frustrating.

Gremlinertia

Hey all, do any of you use an app to track or note your moods etc? My partner used to use dailyo or something like that but i would like to hear about others if anyone has any experience

Wanderer78

Gremlinertia wrote: »

Hey all, do any of you use an app to track or note your moods etc? My partner used to use dailyo or something like that but i would like to hear about others if anyone has any experience

currently keeping a mood diary but an app would be great

Tell me how

Gremlinertia wrote: »

Hey all, do any of you use an app to track or note your moods etc? My partner used to use dailyo or something like that but i would like to hear about others if anyone has any experience

I have in the past used a simple grading of 1-10 (very bad to very good) and scored each day along these lines.
Found it very useful when communicating to Dr's as they could quickly see a pattern/trend.

Just kept that as a note in my phone like the following.

Week 1 - 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4
Week 2 - 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3
Week 3 - 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4
Week 4 - 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 3

It was also useful in identifying days which were a dramatic swing one way or another which usually correlated with a real world event which I could then talk about in therapy.

You do need to be honest in rating each day and not allowing the trend from the record dictate how you feel about a particular day.

Wanderer78

Tell me how wrote: »

I have in the past used a simple grading of 1-10 (very bad to very good) and scored each day along these lines.
Found it very useful when communicating to Dr's as they could quickly see a pattern/trend.

Just kept that as a note in my phone like the following.

Week 1 - 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4
Week 2 - 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3
Week 3 - 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4
Week 4 - 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 3

It was also useful in identifying days which were a dramatic swing one way or another which usually correlated with a real world event which I could then talk about in therapy.

You do need to be honest in rating each day and not allowing the trend from the record dictate how you feel about a particular day.

this is more or less what ive been doing, my doc always asks me the 1-10 scale, it works really well in communicating whats going on