Lets all be anxious/depressed together.

Fandango wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Problem is that you build up a tolerance for alcohol also! I have been off Effexor for about a year (maybe 2 years) now. I was on 150mg a day and found the anxiety came back with a vengance when I stopped them. I think i know what you mean about the shock sensation on the eye, sorta feels like the muscle underneath is constantly twitching? I have had this for 8 years now and been out of work for 6 years. Did a FAS course around 3 years ago but my condition has gone downhill alot since then. Barely managed that but without some serious help I honestly cant see myself lasting this course. I know what you mean about people not understanding it. The amount of times ive been asked can I not just suck it up and get over it/Whats the worst that can happen etc etc. Really annoys me at times but I suppose if you dont have a chronic case of it, you cant understand how bad it can be.

I was on effexor myself for about 8 months last year... thankfully back then I told the shrink they were doing nuff all and she put me on cymbalta&seroquil.
I also agree with you about been able to do things medium term or long term. Its very hard indeed and not a living soul seems to understand this.In fact unless you are on some thing too and going through the same thing I doubt you would understand hence why I just stop talking to folk about everything and just say every thing is fine when any one does ask... that includes including the shrink nowadays.

Hi All. I am 51 and have been depressed since I was in my early 20's. Until about a few years ago, I have been afraid to go to a doctor about it. To be honest, I have never liked myself, think I am ugly and I am afraid of everything. I have no friends, never been out with anyone as I feel that I am not good enough for anyone.
My neighbor across the street is a retired doctor and he convinced me to go to a doctor as I would also get times that for no reason, I would get very upset and would want to cry. This used to last about 15 minutes or so, and then the urge would past. I am on 10mg lexapro for the last year or so and these episodes have mostly disappearred. I know that it won't fix everything and that I need to go to talk to someone to find out why I am like this.
Now I would never do anything stupid, as that won't solve anything but part of me thinks that, at my age,everything is down hill from here.
I have a very good family but my father was very strong willed and everything had to be done his way. He was very impatient and my mother would agree with him just to keep peace in the family. I could not do that. But on the other hand, if I needed something, he would give it to me, if he could. Unfortunately he has been dead for the last 11 years and he did suffer.
I apologise for the long post but it also has taken a lot for me to post something like this. I know I have to go and talk to someone, but I am finding it very hard. I find t very hard to open up to people, never mind a doctor!
Thanks for your time in reading this.

markedg wrote: »

Hi All. I am 51 and have been depressed since I was in my early 20's. Until about a few years ago, I have been afraid to go to a doctor about it. To be honest, I have never liked myself, think I am ugly and I am afraid of everything. I have no friends, never been out with anyone as I feel that I am not good enough for anyone.
My neighbor across the street is a retired doctor and he convinced me to go to a doctor as I would also get times that for no reason, I would get very upset and would want to cry. This used to last about 15 minutes or so, and then the urge would past. I am on 10mg lexapro for the last year or so and these episodes have mostly disappearred. I know that it won't fix everything and that I need to go to talk to someone to find out why I am like this.
Now I would never do anything stupid, as that won't solve anything but part of me thinks that, at my age,everything is down hill from here.
I have a very good family but my father was very strong willed and everything had to be done his way. He was very impatient and my mother would agree with him just to keep peace in the family. I could not do that. But on the other hand, if I needed something, he would give it to me, if he could. Unfortunately he has been dead for the last 11 years and he did suffer.
I apologise for the long post but it also has taken a lot for me to post something like this. I know I have to go and talk to someone, but I am finding it very hard. I find t very hard to open up to people, never mind a doctor!
Thanks for your time in reading this.

Hi their.
Well first off its very important that you have been to the Dr. The lexapro is a first step in helping. I was put on lexapro first time I went to my GP and went totally bonkers it turned out I have a mood disorder which lexapro tend to make worse.
Another thing to note if you can try to get a counsellor once or twice a month for one hour sessions, that what I do and find it miles better than what the mental health service in this country do. I know you say you find it hard to talk to anyone but that tends to be the case for a lot off people until they find some one they can talk to. Put it another way, you well never find it easy to talk if you do not give it a proper try. talking helps long term, not talking keeps things the same long term.
To finish off, do try your best to find something you like in order to give you something to look forward to the next day.
All the best.

Headhog wrote: »

Gremlinertia wrote: »

Had hospital last thursday and doc drops bombshell into conversation in fairness i asked about a diagnosis but he turned back and said there's clearly some personality issues, wasn't expecting that plus they keep upping my serequel.. This has made me anxious and paranoid and terrible dreams at night that stay with me through the day.

That doesn't sound like much of a diagnosis did he not elaborate?

+1. Issues with personality etc. can be developed because of an underlying medical condition. The stress of just dealing with it can be 'epic'. And personality traits (naturally) can develop as a result. If we constantly don't 'feel right' in ourselves in spite of talking/counselling, it screams of an underlying medical condition that just hasn't been treated correctly yet. At the end of the day no one knows us better than ourselves. I'm all for counselling/talking therapy etc., but the truth is it can be absolutely useless (and frustrating) if there is an underlying medical condition that is restricting us in every possible way. It's all about overcoming the first hurdle, then the second will follow. I've (painfully) had to accept that mine is a medical condition, one i'll possibly have to live with for the rest of my life, but accepting that has made me stronger. Counselling will probably come along the way too, and that'll probably be painful too. But i'm ok with that, pain is ok. But one step at a time, always one step at a time.

Today is going ridiculously slow. Grateful i have the football later to distract me for a bit. Have doctor's appointment first thing in the morning, REALLY not looking forward to that, talking just seems to take such a huge effort at the moment, and i'm gonna have to talk, and get bloods taken. I'm aware of how negative i feel, yet i feel like i have NO control over it. Depression is such a b*stard.

Stay strong folks

Seeing an occupational therapist tomorrow?anybody know what they do?new doctor was very vague about it.

starviewadams wrote: »

Seeing an occupational therapist tomorrow?anybody know what they do?new doctor was very vague about it.

Truth be told I cant say I even know what an occupational therapist does. I have been handed around to 4 different doc's in two years and in my experience they are all a bit blunt. Asking naff questions and the like.
Just dont be taken aback if they ask if your suicidal or homicidal:rolleyes: hear the TV talking to you and the like.
Also its possible they may try and help you set up your day to day tasks and offer help in getting to grip with returning to the work place and the like, that sound more like it any way.
All the best now.