Depressed, Anxious and Alone

LegacyUser

I've been depressed now for more than three years and been on medication until August. I have spent most of xmas with my family (the main reason I am depressed) and now I have moved away again and I feel very low.

I have gone to councelling and see my GP regularly but I havn't felt that this has done much good. Since comming off the meds I havn't felt the best like but everyone is adament that I am better off without meds.

My sleep pattern is all over the place, or more like I barely sleep at all and I am anxious most of the time. I have seen my GP a week or more ago as I had a chest infection but I didn't bring up the issue, tbh I don't know whats holding me back.

My family life was torment, I moved out four years ago and went to college to try and get away from the crap at home (by crap I mean domestic violence that went on over a number of years). The reason I went home for xmas was because I thought I could deal with it. I'm 22, I'm not a child anymore!

I did go out last night, wasn't drinking or anything. All I could do at 12 was cry, thinking how crap things were and that I was back in the same mess I was years ago!

Tonight I am all alone, after having a pretty crap new years and I am trying to pre-occupy myself until morning. I am quite anxious, I am wondering what I should do?

ambid

saddened2 wrote: »

I've been depressed now for more than three years and been on medication until August. I have spent most of xmas with my family (the main reason I am depressed) and now I have moved away again and I feel very low.

I have gone to councelling and see my GP regularly but I havn't felt that this has done much good. Since comming off the meds I havn't felt the best like but everyone is adament that I am better off without meds.

My sleep pattern is all over the place, or more like I barely sleep at all and I am anxious most of the time. I have seen my GP a week or more ago as I had a chest infection but I didn't bring up the issue, tbh I don't know whats holding me back.

My family life was torment, I moved out four years ago and went to college to try and get away from the crap at home (by crap I mean domestic violence that went on over a number of years). The reason I went home for xmas was because I thought I could deal with it. I'm 22, I'm not a child anymore!

I did go out last night, wasn't drinking or anything. All I could do at 12 was cry, thinking how crap things were and that I was back in the same mess I was years ago!

Tonight I am all alone, after having a pretty crap new years and I am trying to pre-occupy myself until morning. I am quite anxious, I am wondering what I should do?

I don't know what you should do, but I hope you're okay.

LegacyUser

After taking medication and doing counseling for so long, I'd presume that one or the other isn't working for you. Counseling should be the first line of action for depression and anxiety disorders, but a lot of forms of counseling aren't proven to be affective for the emotional problems. Psychotherapy, and other forms of counseling, would look at your emotions, your past and your present. The therapist would usually not comment on anything, and would instead try to get you to gain insight. This isn't the best for anxiety as it doesn't show us how to deal with the emotional response of anxiety, instead we are left with questions (why do I feel anxious, why am I depressed? etc.) Medication isn't magic either. I'm not a GP, so I'm not going to comment on forms of meds, but they are proven to be worthwhile some of the time.

There is a particularised form of counseling that has been shown to be very useful for those who are depressed. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy looks at the ways in which you are handling your depression and how you think about it. Through various excerises the client begins to understand how certain behaviours lead to certain thoughts/ feelings etc. It has been proven very effective for depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (something you may have?), anxiety, panic attacks etc. Have a look into the form of counseling you are having.

I read somewhere (and I could be very wrong, here) that anxiety is usually the main culprit when it is found in people with depression. Once the anxiety leaves, the depression leaves. Even if it is depression, it's not the end of the world and there is a huge variety of ways to treat it. I'd start with CBT, which should be your best bet, and work from there on.

It may have been a horrible year for you, but reaching out for more resources shows that you do care about yourself and that you are on the path to recovery.

Get well soon.

who_ru

pick up the phone, call a friend.

LegacyUser

Just a point on medication.....you mentioned that everyone said you were better of without it......do these people know exactly how you feel? Medication is your choice, sometimes its a hit and miss thing, but once you find the right one it can be of great help in keeping you out of the deepend.

Not all councellors are good. How about trying a different one?

As with family, set a few rules for yourself, and make clear boundaries. You cannot change other people, but you can manage how they effect you, for example....staying away from them if they are drunk.

Once you find new ways of behaving e.g. not putting up with **** life will be that much easier.

Its good that you are able to cry sometimes.

I wish you all the best for 2011, and remember there are many who have been in the same situation and there are many skilled and empathetic people out there to help you.

A hug for you (not a bear hug, dont worry!)

pheasant tail

Exactly keep trying differnt councellors and it wil work out im sure
And with the anti depressents,they al work different for different people at different stages,there could be 20 different antidepressents,and number 20 could just work wonders for you so keep trying until you hit the nail on the head,all the best

LegacyUser

Hi all,

Thank you for you replies. Basically, I have been seeing the same counsellor for the past 2/3 years. Like she is very good and has been there for me, fitted me in extra when needed and that. I do get on well with her, at this point she knows everything about me I'd say!

As regards medication, I have been on three different types over the last couple years and having been referred to a psyciatrist in the hospital over the last year, they along with my GP in recent months have decided that meds are not the answer. I feel differently, even if I got some short-term relief, to me thats some progress if you know what I mean!

As well as all of the above, I have also seen a psychologist, again referred by my GP. This has more irratated me than anything. I have gone for 8/9 sessions but have made no progress, more likely because its in a hospital and its in some ways intimidating.

I think I'm at the point where I'm getting fed up of talk therapy and want to give meds another go! But when I brought it up with my GP, he was like there not going to solve the problems you have and the doctor at the hospital is taking the same view.

Now I don't know what to do, I want to give up seeing the counsellor and psychologist for a while, I know my GP or anyone else won't support this but I feel its my only option for the time being....any i right to do this??