Anxiety and depression thread (Please read OP)

I am not in the same situation as you, but I have a lot of problems that cause me stress, severe anxiety and depression. I found talk therapy to help a bit. I'm not on any medication.

The following won't fix underlying issues but they all give my mind a break ...and this helps me see the wood from the trees...

I'm just making a list here ... Some of this stuff is hard for me to do and apply, especially when I'm severely depressed. But they all work for me ...

Exercise, walking the dog, in nature. Not competitive, or ego centered exercise. Just walking.

Getting rid of physical belonging that are stressing me out. Clear out all the crap. Stop being manipulated by advertising. Keep a small set of high quality belongings.

I'm going to do a digital declutter before the new year. That stuff is just killing me. It's like all made up virtual WORK. I'm including low quality media like rubbish TV and low quality video games etc under here. And endless scrolling on my bloody phone.. Also, the news cycle. The news is toxic.

Avoid social media. I'm on boards, that's it. And I'm trying to avoid all the contentious channels on here. Every time I get a link to Facebook I feel like dying inside.

Doing necessary physical stuff. E.g. clean the house, garden, fix things. Note: I find it hard to do these things, but the relief/joy afterwards is uplifting and ongoing.

Avoid people who judge me, make me feel small, or have more problems to give me. I feel this a lot, especially at Christmas time. So, I've learned to keep my mouth shut, be nice, and move on and away.

I've a friend I can tell everything to. Not the same as therapy, but great to get all the stuff out.

If there is something stressing me, take a simple action to deal with the stress. Make the phone call ... Another very hard thing for me to do, but the benefit goes on. Not doing anything is a terrible continuous burden on my mind.

It's important to try and get the thoughts out of your head. Be it journalling, scrap papers, even an audio recording diary.

Just anything to get stuff out of your head, and onto something where you can look at it in the third person. As a viewer, you can sort of be your own therapist.

Counselling has helped. It can help enormously. But research the therapist you're planning to attend. I've had a mixed bag with therapists and counsellors. I've been more lucky with private therapists. But you still get the odd one who's not right for your needs.

I'm just wishing you the best of luck.

Awful panic attack last night well this morning 4am throat closed up a little and starting chocking on my food in bed ,I got up and went outside for 10 minutes and that kinda helped me ,I've been having these on and off for years since I was 15 and I'm 26 now 🙃

It might be a physical thing or partly physical. E.g. Too much chocolate = acid reflux = wake up in a panic choking on that.

I was attacked and scooter got robbed off me Start of November that could be it also having a alcoholic abuser dad didn't help either, I thought I sorted all this out with years of counselling but obviously not 😞 I just wish I didn't suffer with depression and anxiety 😔

The robbery probably brought up some stuff. Crud like that, can trigger something. Bring up stuff we might have buried rather than dealt with. But at least you're trying to deal with stuff from your past. I know someone who had an alcoholic, abusive father. She became the image of him, herself. Down to the addictions and violence. Didn't deal with her issues, and used alcohol to self medicate, mostly because her doctor wouldn't provide her with medication for anything more than a week, because she'd tried to overdose. So she'd drink, and become violent and abusive. She'd pretty much blackout and not remember anything.

The fact you're attempting to deal with things makes you a better person than many.

We all wish we didn't have mental health problems, but it's moreso if society treated mental health as an actual health problem, rather than an 'inconvenience'. Might very well change people's perceptions of it. And create better services around the country.

Some foods can upset our minds more than others. Especially Cheese. Unhealthy eating has affected my mindset in the past. It's important to try and eat healthy stuff.

I never eat in bed. Never got the habit. Might keep a bottle of water nearby, if I need it.

Just saw this post. Yes Pats definitely have (or had) a ketamine trial, I met someone who was on it. They also do ECT. I would think it is definitely worth your while considering an inpatient stay if you have health insurance. If you decide to get a GP referral make sure he/she puts down that your depression is treatment resistant and preferably outline in as much detail as possible medications that have been tried and haven't worked, and relevant timescales.

In general I would recommend St Pats, they are not perfect but I have a fair amount of time for them.

Best wishes.

Sorry, don't know about the ketamine. I haven't heard of anywhere else providing it, even on trial basis.

Thanks for the response.

I'll try to get more information about it. I know there are several clinics in the UK offering it but not I'm not sure what the process would be like trying to get treatment there.

To the person who asked re Ketamine. Google Ketamine depression UK. Note the statement from The Royal college of Psychiatrists, can be seen scrolling down and an article on the Guardian website. This is not medical advice

Strange that a GP wouldn't be able to refer you to other private psychiatrists - that's really the GPs job.

There is always the option of online therapy. (Just avoid betterhelp. There's been exposes on them and how unreliable they are. No guarantee you're even getting a qualified professional therapist/ counsellor/psychiatrist).

I had to do online due to difficulties getting to a therapist in person.