Anxiety and depression thread (Please read OP)

Shint0

Notsomindful wrote: »

Has anyone ever sought a second opinion on their diagnosis? I would like to get assessed again by some one who doesn't know me or my story...and see what diagnosis they give. I feel my diagnosis was given as i dont fit into any neat boxes.

Is it a psychologist i'd have to go to

It depends on what the assessment is for but mental health services will require a referral from your GP who might already have your prior medical history so there would be no getting around that just to bear that in mind.

If it's something that could be assessed and diagnosed by a psychologist rather than a psychiatrist it may in some instances be possible to have an independent assessment without a referral but they absolutely will ask you about your medical history and would be wise to disclose it so they get the full picture.

Kitty6277

Well, I got through it. The thing that was causing me huge anxiety in my life, the Leaving Cert. I did it. It was tough, and the anxiety made it even worse, and even though my way of getting through it was unorthodox, I still did it. I'm hugely proud of myself, and whatever way the results go, I have some sort of plan. Wow! I did it!

Hugo Stiglitz

Kitty6277 wrote: »

Well, I got through it. The thing that was causing me huge anxiety in my life, the Leaving Cert. I did it. It was tough, and the anxiety made it even worse, and even though my way of getting through it was unorthodox, I still did it. I'm hugely proud of myself, and whatever way the results go, I have some sort of plan. Wow! I did it!

Well done! x

mickstupp

Kitty6277 wrote: »

Well, I got through it. The thing that was causing me huge anxiety in my life, the Leaving Cert. I did it. It was tough, and the anxiety made it even worse, and even though my way of getting through it was unorthodox, I still did it. I'm hugely proud of myself, and whatever way the results go, I have some sort of plan. Wow! I did it!

Hey listen, just bear this in mind... because it's easy to put a lot of weight on those results...

They don't really matter. Once you hit 23, the course requirements stop making a difference and you can get into a college course on other grounds. That's what I did and it worked out great, because I had more life experience and was better able to handle university. ... if that was your plan, anyway...

Also, mucho congrats!

Kitty6277

Hugo Stiglitz wrote: »

Well done! x

mickstupp wrote: »

Hey listen, just bear this in mind... because it's easy to put a lot of weight on those results...

They don't really matter. Once you hit 23, the course requirements stop making a difference and you can get into a college course on other grounds. That's what I did and it worked out great, because I had more life experience and was better able to handle university. ... if that was your plan, anyway...

Also, mucho congrats!

Thank you both! X

That's also an option, and for the moment, I'm not too worried about the results. If I don't get the points, I'll probably do a PLC, but waiting until I'm 23 is an option too.

Shint0

Well done, Kitty. You can exhale now. Try to put it to the back of your mind for the moment.

mickstupp

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck panic attacks. Uuuuuguggggggh.

Tell me how

mickstupp wrote:

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck panic attacks. Uuuuuguggggggh.

It's Ok Mick. Want to vent a bit?

Kitty6277

Shint0 wrote: »

Well done, Kitty. You can exhale now. Try to put it to the back of your mind for the moment.

Thank you! That's exactly what I'm doing, I'm having a much needed relax, and I'm really enjoying not being anxious for the time being.

mickstupp

So. Does anyone have any advice for dealing with a public meltdown while commuting? I resorted to saying my dog just died, which I feel very guilty about, despite not having a dog. I should've gone for a cat... for my own peace of mind.

Tell me how

mickstupp wrote:

So. Does anyone have any advice for dealing with a public meltdown while commuting? I resorted to saying my dog just died, which I feel very guilty about, despite not having a dog. I should've gone for a cat... for my own peace of mind.

Can you get to your GP or Psych support? Sounds like you're in a particularly rough patch. Even if you manage to make an appointment, it might alleviate the stress somewhat until you go to it.

Was there something in particular about the journey that triggered the stress? Would it be possible to avoid this somehow in future?

mickstupp

Nah, every time I finish a block of work and find myself without distraction I fall apart a bit. Combined with way too many people and really noisy traffic, a missed bus, getting drenched, it all just added up.

Unfortunately due to physical issues I've had to crash off medication until the other stuff gets sorted. So the last two months have been very unstable. Have disturbingly regular doc appointments anyway, but it's still a few panic attacks per week.

Don't even know how to remind myself, when I'm in the middle of it, that I could be doing some sort of grounding exercise.

Notsomindful

Hope things have calmed down for you mick.

I am feeling fairly low still.
I think my partner is bringing me down and not a help to my mood.
We broke up for year after 10 years then got back together a few months. Kids are benefitting but we cant be a couple.

I resigned from facilitator role in support group today. Feel its right thing for me but still have a sense of failure in letting people down.

La.de.da

I've resigned myself to the fact that some people only contact you (me) when they want to offload and want advice; yet when the shoe is on the other foot, I'm ignored. Message sent, and read no reply.

I realise that sounds a little petty but I'm sick of it.

Time to be selfish and create a distance from all the drama. And be less available.

Apologies for the rant.

Notsomindful

La.de.da wrote: »

I've resigned myself to the fact that some people only contact you (me) when they want to offload and want advice; yet when the shoe is on the other foot, I'm ignored. Message sent, and read no reply.

I realise that sounds a little petty but I'm sick of it.

Time to be selfish and create a distance from all the drama. And be less available.

Apologies for the rant.

I empathise with you.
Hate though when people pass judgements because you mind yourself

Notsomindful

Finding it majorly tough this weekend. Could do with a lot of support I dont have.
So overwhelmed, urge to use negative coping techniques is very high.
Lucky that I am flat broke this week as Id be gone other wise.

Hugo Stiglitz

La.de.da wrote: »

I've resigned myself to the fact that some people only contact you (me) when they want to offload and want advice; yet when the shoe is on the other foot, I'm ignored. Message sent, and read no reply.

I realise that sounds a little petty but I'm sick of it.

Time to be selfish and create a distance from all the drama. And be less available.

Apologies for the rant.

No apologies needed, LDD.

Please don't isolate yourself. I know just how damaging that can be.

Notsomindful

Hope everyone had an ok weekend.

Gremlinertia

Notsomindful wrote: »

Hope everyone had an ok weekend.

Did ok here, well the two photos show smiles so i covered that much.. Hope you're ok too.

pew

Pretty sure I hit near rock bottom this week.

Thankfully, I pulled myself back. I could see what was going to happen and prevented it.

Progress maybe?

Tell me how

pew wrote:

Thankfully, I pulled myself back. I could see what was going to happen and prevented it.

pew wrote:

Progress maybe?

Definitely progress. Well done.

Hugo Stiglitz

pew wrote: »

Pretty sure I hit near rock bottom this week.

Thankfully, I pulled myself back. I could see what was going to happen and prevented it.

Progress maybe?

Well done! Keep up the good work! x

maca123

Hi.

I've been going through depression and anxiety due to something that happened in my life a very long time ago.
I tried SSRIs but quit them as they didn't help.

Since Feb of this year I'm after getting my dependent on benzodiazepines. I'm not prescribed them but take them daily. The problem is made worse by the fact that I just got a job.
Bascially, I can't function in the job unless I take benzos. I never took them to get high I took them for social anxiety.

tldr: If I go to a GP and tell him I'm after getting myself hooked on benzos, what will s/he do for me to help? generally.. does anyone know?

Notsomindful

Well done Pew. Great to see you online Grem.

In a mess, officially single. But no way of moving out. Sleeping on sofa tonight, long story. Head melted.

La.de.da

maca123 wrote: »

Hi.

I've been going through depression and anxiety due to something that happened in my life a very long time ago.
I tried SSRIs but quit them as they didn't help.

Since Feb of this year I'm after getting my dependent on benzodiazepines. I'm not prescribed them but take them daily. The problem is made worse by the fact that I just got a job.
Bascially, I can't function in the job unless I take benzos. I never took them to get high I took them for social anxiety.

tldr: If I go to a GP and tell him I'm after getting myself hooked on benzos, what will s/he do for me to help? generally.. does anyone know?

Hi maca. Please do go to your gp. They'll be able to discuss options and help you.

Benzos can tend to become like a comfort blanket.
Doctor should be able to discuss an alternative.

La.de.da

Notsomindful wrote: »

Well done Pew. Great to see you online Grem.

In a mess, officially single. But no way of moving out. Sleeping on sofa tonight, long story. Head melted.

Sorry to hear that. It's a tough situation one I know all too well. Still house share with ex as can't sell the property.

Take things one day at a time.
It'll work out.

Gremlinertia

Maca I'll echo La here, go to a doc, write a list of daily habits and just go full disclosure, be safe..

Shint0

maca123 wrote: »

tldr: If I go to a GP and tell him I'm after getting myself hooked on benzos, what will s/he do for me to help? generally.. does anyone know?

It would depend on the degree of how hooked you are, maca123. Don't worry about telling the GP. Even though we can build things up in our own mind they have seen and heard everything before, and a good GP will never be judgemental. It's better to do it under the supervision of a doctor rather than try to go cold turkey as that approach has proven disastrous for a lot of people who have used benzos on a long-term basis.

Notsomindful wrote: »

In a mess, officially single. But no way of moving out. Sleeping on sofa tonight, long story. Head melted.

Sorry to hear about your difficulties, Notsomindful. You seem to have a lot on your plate at the moment. I hope you are able to access relevant supports rather than trying to deal with it all on your own. Hopefully things will come good for you soon.

Gremlinertia

Hope you're doing ok today Notso.

maca123

La.de.da wrote: »

Hi maca. Please do go to your gp. They'll be able to discuss options and help you.

Benzos can tend to become like a comfort blanket.
Doctor should be able to discuss an alternative.

I don't think there is an alternative. There is a taper but I'm not sure a GP would necessarily agree with that?