Mental Health Deteriorating

LegacyUser

Hi all

Going unreg as this is highly personal stuff. I'm 24 (almost 25) and male.

For the past three or four weeks I've been feeling like I'm losing my mind. I've had anxieties
over the past few years, and was medicated for depression for a year in 2006 but managed to get it under control Lately though they've been coming back with a vengeance.

They range from normal stuff like work, but I also suffer a lot of existential anxiety - I get into panic attacks over the fact I can't prove the people and objects around me are "real" to other more serious stuff like panicking over hurting someone physically. These thoughts are very intrusive and seriously distress me.

I suffered a bad breakup at the end of July, and I don't really have many close friends or so it feels.
The only people who helped me were my family and a couple of other people. I still keep in touch with my ex, we're meeting this Sunday with a view to seeing how we feel now.

I don't really go out much anymore, just end up staying in watching telly or staying up late on the internet. I really feel like I've hit a new low and yet dont feel like I've the strength to get out of it. I'm going to book an appointment for my GP when I get paid in the next few days about it, is this the right thing to do? I was looking up visiting a cognitive behavioural therapist too as they seem to specialise in the problems I seem to be having.

Any other suggestions are welcome of course

Thanks

Sinall

Yes, going to see your GP is absolutely the right thing to do and should be your first port of call. You have obviously been under stress with the break up which could be affecting you. Your GP will be able to recommend a therapist or counsellor as well - one who specialises in what you are experiencing.

It's positive that you are taking steps to do something about this, best of luck with it.

LadyJ

Something like a breakup can be a "stresser" which basically means it is something that can trigger certain feelings and push a person over the edge, especially if they already suffer from anxiety or depression. It can make the symptoms a lot worse and take them to new levels.

Go to your GP certainly and get yourself a good therapist. CBT would probably be a very good idea but regular therapy would be a good outlet and would definitely help too.

You have the strength to overcome all of this but do not be afraid or reluctant to avail of all of the services that are out there and to ask for help. You would be surprised how far people come when they go through therapy.

leddpipe

OP,

feel free to PM me re: the existential aspect of your anxieties!

Somthing ive experienced myself!

skooterblue

Hi Op
there seems to be a lot of this going around. First thing as said above is to Stop.
Make an appointment with your GP asap. Talk to him about it and what you need. If you want to beat this take all the support you can get, such as .... CBT, look up aware.ie for local meetings, if you work for a really good company the have life coaches.

Take every option and use it. Recently Many drugs have lost their patent and premium price. There is no excuse for not being able to afford medication as it can be the cost of three pints of beer a week. There is plenty of help out there you just have to ask. Good luck and I hope you find the right course of treatment fast