Anxiety and/or depression discussion.

cookie24 · 11-12-2014 07:54PM

Hey guys. Hope everyone's doing OK. Started work this week so have been too tired to check in here. Its going better than expected, but I have yet to speak in front of people. Mostly just sitting at a desk on my own using excel.
Missed meeting with doc yesterday cos the water protesters parked a car on the luas line. Rang today to organise new appointment and post out prescription.
Nothing else to report really. Hopefully everyone is filled with a little xmas cheer.

greenfrogs · 11-12-2014 08:03PM

cookie24 wrote: »

Hey guys. Hope everyone's doing OK. Started work this week so have been too tired to check in here. Its going better than expected, but I have yet to speak in front of people. Mostly just sitting at a desk on my own using excel.
Missed meeting with doc yesterday cos the water protesters parked a car on the luas line. Rang today to organise new appointment and post out prescription.
Nothing else to report really. Hopefully everyone is filled with a little xmas cheer.

That's great about work. I hope it continues to go well.

That's really annoying about missing the doctor appointment. I understand why they are protesting but it's unfair to delay other people like that.

fr336 · 11-12-2014 08:10PM

Some music that gets me in the mood to go into battle with my demons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XluMeiITVIw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNvTSlGyKUs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRLdhFVzqt4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj68jfVm2jM

cloudatlas · 11-12-2014 08:57PM

Call Me Jimmy wrote: »

I'm sort of in a crazy scenario. Wondering what people's opinions are.
So I've become the most reclusive I've ever been, I would say almost suicidal (except I know I don't have it in me) and deeply frustrated. Life has continued to go downhill.

BUT

I've signed up for a lifegaurd course :eek: I'm literally throwing myself in at the deep end... I'm not sure if it's a good idea but I'm already committed to it. Next week I will be in a pool swimming, where I have barely left the house in months. I suppose I'm thinking that it will be a catalyst but am I at risk of causing myself a severe panic? Should I really be going a counselling route first?

That's a really positive step. Swimming helped me feel better and I found it less intense than other activities because you can just concentrate on what the instructor is saying when you're in the water and blank out everything else. Say to yourself I'll give this a go and see what it's like that's all I owe myself and then I'll go from there. I don't see why you can't do the counselling as well if you feel you're ready for it.

11-12-2014 09:15PM

Can anyone advise me here? I've been feeling constantly tired, not enjoying what I normally enjoy, overthinking, lack of motivation, worry and anxiety for a while now. I went to my college counsellor who determined that what I had was a lack of confidence and mild social anxiety but I feel there's so much going on in my head and for so long now that it must be more.. Should i seek more help?

fr336 · 11-12-2014 09:20PM

bleach94 wrote: »

Can anyone advise me here? I've been feeling constantly tired, not enjoying what I normally enjoy, overthinking, lack of motivation, worry and anxiety for a while now. I went to my college counsellor who determined that what I had was a lack of confidence and mild social anxiety but I feel there's so much going on in my head and for so long now that it must be more.. Should i seek more help?

Yes definitely seek more help..those symptoms sound very disabling and could indicate anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, all of the above or other things too. Go see a doctor, a few ideally, and discuss. Don't let them give you medication for depression or anxiety etc if that may not even be what you have. In my case it's major sleep deprivation built up over a period of burning myself out and I now deal with severe anxiety, preventing me from sleeping further...a real vicious circle but docs want to put me on meds. All the best to you either way.

greenfrogs · 11-12-2014 09:52PM

cloudatlas wrote: »

That's a really positive step. Swimming helped me feel better and I found it less intense than other activities because you can just concentrate on what the instructor is saying when you're in the water and blank out everything else. Say to yourself I'll give this a go and see what it's like that's all I owe myself and then I'll go from there. I don't see why you can't do the counselling as well if you feel you're ready for it.

Well done to both of ye. I took up an activity based hobby earlier this year. It took a summer break but I still haven't returned to it. I think I might find it too intense. I have difficultly sometimes in social activities and I think I might be upset if I was corrected on my technique. Hopefully in the New year :pac: (such a procrastinator)

greenfrogs · 11-12-2014 09:54PM

fr336 wrote: »

Yes definitely seek more help..those symptoms sound very disabling and could indicate anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, all of the above or other things too. Go see a doctor, a few ideally, and discuss. Don't let them give you medication for depression or anxiety etc if that may not even be what you have. In my case it's major sleep deprivation built up over a period of burning myself out and I now deal with severe anxiety, preventing me from sleeping further...a real vicious circle but docs want to put me on meds. All the best to you either way.

Can I ask why you are so reluctant to use medication.

Tell me how · 11-12-2014 10:02PM

Call Me Jimmy wrote: »

I'm sort of in a crazy scenario. Wondering what people's opinions are.
So I've become the most reclusive I've ever been, I would say almost suicidal (except I know I don't have it in me) and deeply frustrated. Life has continued to go downhill.

BUT

I've signed up for a lifegaurd course :eek: I'm literally throwing myself in at the deep end... I'm not sure if it's a good idea but I'm already committed to it. Next week I will be in a pool swimming, where I have barely left the house in months. I suppose I'm thinking that it will be a catalyst but am I at risk of causing myself a severe panic? Should I really be going a counselling route first?

That's a massive step Call me Jimmy. Maybe counselling would help but it's really encouraging that you have been able to make a positive decision off your own bat rather than going to counselling and then enrolling in the course because "your counsellor said to do it".

No matter what tomorrow brings, remind yourself that you did something yourself to help yourself. With that attitude you'll get there. This course might or might not be the catalyst to better things but with that attitude you will find that catalyst eventually. Well done.

fr336 · 11-12-2014 10:04PM

greenfrogs wrote: »

Can I ask why you are so reluctant to use medication.

Because why dig myself into a possibly bigger hole with side effects, major personality changes (unlikely but possible) when my issues are down to stupidly burning myself out a good while ago and accumulating too much slep debt, which brought about all these anxiety, depression etc symptoms and therefore a vicious cycle? It may have placed my life on hold for a long time, but I know the sorts of things I need to do to naturally combat it and when I've managed to latch onto some strength to pull me up in these ways, the results in a matter of days has been incredible. If I can be consistent I will be fine. I'm not giving into meds quite yet though, especially as doctors (at least in my case) seem keen to dole them out like sweets simply because you tell them things.

Sorry if I come across as ungrateful and ranty here, don't take it personally and thanks for caring.

11-12-2014 10:05PM

fr336 wrote: »

Yes definitely seek more help..those symptoms sound very disabling and could indicate anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, all of the above or other things too. Go see a doctor, a few ideally, and discuss. Don't let them give you medication for depression or anxiety etc if that may not even be what you have. In my case it's major sleep deprivation built up over a period of burning myself out and I now deal with severe anxiety, preventing me from sleeping further...a real vicious circle but docs want to put me on meds. All the best to you either way.

Is it a regular doctor I should see? Because a counsellor told me I didn't suffer from anything serious, just 'mild social anxiety'. Thanks for the advice.. I will see someone else definitely!

fr336 · 11-12-2014 10:08PM

bleach94 wrote: »

Is it a regular doctor I should see? Because a counsellor told me I didn't suffer from anything serious, just 'mild social anxiety'. Thanks for the advice.. I will see someone else definitely!

From the symptoms you mentioned, to brush it off as social anxiety is annoying and insulting imo. People seem very keen to bring up the social anxiety thing as society can just brush it off as "Ah that's the shy person with issue" :mad: Sorry but that's how it comes across to me with lots of very small minded, idiotic people. Don't do yourself a disservice, get help and get better.

And yeah a regular doc at this stage.

greenfrogs · 11-12-2014 10:17PM

fr336 wrote: »

Because why dig myself into a possibly bigger hole with side effects, major personality changes (unlikely but possible) when my issues are down to stupidly burning myself out a good while ago and accumulating too much slep debt, which brought about all these anxiety, depression etc symptoms and therefore a vicious cycle? It may have placed my life on hold for a long time, but I know the sorts of things I need to do to naturally combat it and when I've managed to latch onto some strength to pull me up in these ways, the results in a matter of days has been incredible. If I can be consistent I will be fine. I'm not giving into meds quite yet though, especially as doctors (at least in my case) seem keen to dole them out like sweets simply because you tell them things.

Sorry if I come across as ungrateful and ranty here, don't take it personally and thanks for caring.

I have had a positive experience with my medication but then I didn't have any major side effects with it.

I have depression and anxiety. Before I was diagnosed I had days that were good. I managed to pull myself together and go out and about like a regular person. But I couldn't manage it in the long term. I see that for short periods of time you get the strength to do the same. Maybe there is a reason why you can only do it for a short time.

I don't take it personally at all. So feel free to rant anyway

bleach94 wrote: »

Is it a regular doctor I should see? Because a counsellor told me I didn't suffer from anything serious, just 'mild social anxiety'. Thanks for the advice.. I will see someone else definitely!

I would recommend that you go to see your GP.

timecurve12 · 11-12-2014 10:22PM

Hi guys. I have a problem at the moment, well I have many, basically I'm suicidal and beating myself constantly, comparing myself to others. Whenever I sit down to do college work I start crying and try to battle through it but often don't (like now). I'm being distracted excessively with my problems, overwhelming me, and how to kill myself. Then when I don't get assignments or study done everything builds up and I get upset that I'm falling behind. I don't know what to do because I can't drop out of college or even take a year out so it's like I'm trapped in this siutation. I've told the college about it and they've been supportive but basically everything looks good on paper, I've managed to keep my head above water pretty much so far but I'm falling apart to be honest. Help?

Tell me how · 11-12-2014 10:23PM

greenfrogs wrote: »

Can I ask why you are so reluctant to use medication.

MY tuppence worth.

I was on meds for 6+ years. Form did improve, and dip, improve and dip. One thing that did happen though was sleep patterns got progressively worse to the point where if I "had" to be in work for meeting or some such in early morning then I'd have to stay up through the previous night. Was often turning over at 07:00 without having slept then looking at the clock again and finding it 12:30 or later. I would then spend virtually all of Saturday/Sunday comatose.

Am off meds for 6 months now and within 4 weeks of coming off then sleep patterns had virtually returned to normal i.e. bed, sleep within a few minutes and sleep for the most part for 7-8 hrs until clock went off.

That was the good news.

Bad news. Since coming off meds the depths of the bad form have returned. Also, it felt like I was all of a sudden waking up after 6 years and realising that all friends, colleagues, family members had moved on in that time and that I had been in a coma or something. That is still the case and is very frightening, terrifying even.

I understand the concept of Psychiatry as opposed to Psychotherapy and cannot recommend one option in preference of the other. I would love to believe that I could be healthy with just talk therapy but while that is what I am currently doing I am still fearful that maybe the root of my problem is a bona fida chemical imbalance and I am prolonging my pain by not being on meds yet somedays I think I'd love to sue the people who prescribed such volumes of meds to me for so long. Would really f*cking love if there was a definitive and accurate blood test that could clarify it one way or the other.

Lots of the Psychiatrists I've seen over the years would shrug their shoulders with respect to talk therapy and likewise some of the therapists wouldn't speak too highly of meds. Understandable, to a man with a hammer every problem is a nail!

I wouldn't rule out meds to anyone, but hopefully those that go on them retain the ability to judge whether or not they are helping. The above was my experience but is not everyones. If you have a family member or GP who you trust then ask them to be the adjudicator of whether or not the meds you are on are helping or hiding your issues.

fr336 · 11-12-2014 10:25PM

greenfrogs wrote: »

I have had a positive experience with my medication but then I didn't have any major side effects with it.

I have depression and anxiety. Before I was diagnosed I had days that were good. I managed to pull myself together and go out and about like a regular person. But I couldn't manage it in the long term. I see that for short periods of time you get the strength to do the same. Maybe there is a reason why you can only do it for a short time.

I don't take it personally at all. So feel free to rant anyway

I see exactly what you're saying there and really appreciate you doing so, but I'm a good 85% sure that my issues are sleep related. Get a tiny bit more sleep, I get back the memories I had lost with too much lack of sleep. Cut out junk, exercise and get a really restful sleep = amazingly relaxed and getting back on track. The reason for me faultering, to my shame, has on the previous two occasions been down to simply thinking I was on a good route and almost celebrating the fact with some bad food or whatever. Thinking it would be easy to latch back on. In reality I still had far to go, and a lapse wouldn't be possible for a long while yet. Now I have more focus with being at university and stuff so 2015 really will be the fresh start to end them all. Tbh I think this goes back yonks, to schooldays, hell even the middle of high school (10-12 years ago!!) Except I felt I had a normal life back then as I didn't really bother with much at all. My education suffered and I completely failed what would be your leaving cert (I'm in England). I was made to feel it was laziness / being a bit thick / other events. In hindsight and this really coming to a head I'm thinking not and what could have been a promising life may have been wasted for so many years. Sorry to sound overdramtic and somewhat arrogant, but that's what I'm gauging now. I turned things around in the two years after that for A levels and came out with really good results. Anyway I'll check in here again in a year or two once I'm hopefully fully better and see whether I was right!

Thanks again, and hope you are ok yourself my friend.

CZ 453 · 11-12-2014 10:27PM

bleach94 wrote: »

Can anyone advise me here? I've been feeling constantly tired, not enjoying what I normally enjoy, overthinking, lack of motivation, worry and anxiety for a while now. I went to my college counsellor who determined that what I had was a lack of confidence and mild social anxiety but I feel there's so much going on in my head and for so long now that it must be more.. Should i seek more help?

How long has this been going on?

CZ 453 · 11-12-2014 10:32PM

timecurve12 wrote: »

Hi guys. I have a problem at the moment, well I have many, basically I'm suicidal and beating myself constantly, comparing myself to others. Whenever I sit down to do college work I start crying and try to battle through it but often don't (like now). I'm being distracted excessively with my problems, overwhelming me, and how to kill myself. Then when I don't get assignments or study done everything builds up and I get upset that I'm falling behind. I don't know what to do because I can't drop out of college or even take a year out so it's like I'm trapped in this siutation. I've told the college about it and they've been supportive but basically everything looks good on paper, I've managed to keep my head above water pretty much so far but I'm falling apart to be honest. Help?

What's the root cause here? The college work or the comparing yourself to others? Why can't you take a year out?

You sound like you are seriously suffering from the stress of it all. You'll be alright. Take a few breaths. You're operating at a 100miles per hour aren't you?

fr336 · 11-12-2014 10:33PM

Tell me how wrote: »

MY tuppence worth.

I was on meds for 6+ years. Form did improve, and dip, improve and dip. One thing that did happen though was sleep patterns got progressively worse to the point where if I "had" to be in work for meeting or some such in early morning then I'd have to stay up through the previous night. Was often turning over at 07:00 without having slept then looking at the clock again and finding it 12:30 or later. I would then spend virtually all of Saturday/Sunday comatose.

Am off meds for 6 months now and within 4 weeks of coming off then sleep patterns had virtually returned to normal i.e. bed, sleep within a few minutes and sleep for the most part for 7-8 hrs until clock went off.

That was the good news.

Bad news. Since coming off meds the depths of the bad form have returned. Also, it felt like I was all of a sudden waking up after 6 years and realising that all friends, colleagues, family members had moved on in that time and that I had been in a coma or something. That is still the case and is very frightening, terrifying even.

I understand the concept of Psychiatry as opposed to Psychotherapy and cannot recommend one option in preference of the other. I would love to believe that I could be healthy with just talk therapy but while that is what I am currently doing I am still fearful that maybe the root of my problem is a bona fida chemical imbalance and I am prolonging my pain by not being on meds yet somedays I think I'd love to sue the people who prescribed such volumes of meds to me for so long. Would really f*cking love if there was a definitive and accurate blood test that could clarify it one way or the other.

Lots of the Psychiatrists I've seen over the years would shrug their shoulders with respect to talk therapy and likewise some of the therapists wouldn't speak too highly of meds. Understandable, to a man with a hammer every problem is a nail!

I wouldn't rule out meds to anyone, but hopefully those that go on them retain the ability to judge whether or not they are helping. The above was my experience but is not everyones. If you have a family member or GP who you trust then ask them to be the adjudicator of whether or not the meds you are on are helping or hiding your issues.

Amen to this post!!! I truly don't think society collectively places value on people with these kinds of issues, it's not society's concern whether or not going on meds or whatever is the best possible action. For some it can make things far worse and creating a situation of relying on drugs for too long. Of course in many other cases it is necessary. However I think risks are taken far too lightly by doctors, people around the person suffering and indeed the sufferer themselves. You're definitely right about having good people around you - this is all too rare in my experience, even the soundest of people can be alright up to a point but then they would actually prefer you getting on meds so life is easier on them. Sorry to be so cynical but I've come across a lot of hypocritical, self obessed yet keen to always be seen to be selfless morons in my life (luckily in the main they haven't been immediate to me, and I've simply observed them screwing others over).

11-12-2014 10:40PM

CZ 453 wrote: »

How long has this been going on?

If I'm honest, probably a year and a halfish but I've felt it getting incrementally worse over the past 6 months.

timecurve12 · 11-12-2014 10:42PM

CZ 453 wrote: »

What's the root cause here? The college work or the comparing yourself to others? Why can't you take a year out?

You sound like you are seriously suffering from the stress of it all. You'll be alright. Take a few breaths. You're operating at a 100miles per hour aren't you?

I'm not sure I could answer the question properly right now... I do agree that the comparing is an issue... college previously gave me a lot of hope and something to aspire to... it's just hard to balance it right now. Can't take a year out because I would have nowhere to go and nothing to do for a year... yes I'm very stressed right now. Thanks I do think stopping my head from going for a few minutes would be good.

Don Kedick · 11-12-2014 11:39PM

Hey how much cymbalta is dangerous to take? I have the 60mg and 30. I'm meant to just take 90 a day but I don't find they work too well so
I'm upping the dose a bit. Whats the highest someone should go?

CZ 453 · 11-12-2014 11:45PM

Don Kedick wrote: »

Hey how much cymbalta is dangerous to take? I have the 60mg and 30. I'm meant to just take 90 a day but I don't find they work too well so
I'm upping the dose a bit. Whats the highest someone should go?

Ring your GP in the morning or if you want an immediate answer-Ring Your regions equivalent to Southdoc.(The triage nurse on the phone may be able to guide you)

Don Kedick · 11-12-2014 11:46PM

CZ 453 wrote: »

Ring your GP in the morning or if you want an immediate answer-Ring Your regions equivalent to Southdoc.(The triage nurse on the phone may be able to guide you)

I know what they'll say but thanks.

sam34 · 12-12-2014 06:59AM

Don Kedick wrote: »

Hey how much cymbalta is dangerous to take? I have the 60mg and 30. I'm meant to just take 90 a day but I don't find they work too well so
I'm upping the dose a bit. Whats the highest someone should go?

medical advice is not permitted on this forum or anywhere on the site. Discuss the situation with your gp.

cookie24 · 12-12-2014 07:35AM

happy Friday. Yay!!! Hope everyone enjoys their weekend. I'm just getting ready for work here. This getting up early takes some getting used to. At least I have something to get up for I suppose. Every cloud.

fr336 · 13-12-2014 12:11AM

Nobody about tonight?!

handbagmad · 13-12-2014 12:14AM

^^^^
Hi, how's things?

Hugo Stiglitz · 13-12-2014 12:15AM

Just an FYI for ye all.

I was at the dentist today for some fillings. The dentist told me that having a dry mouth like some of us might get from either the anxiety and/or the meds can lead to faster tooth decay. So if some of ye are Johnny Rarely-Brushes like myself, ye had best change your ways.

fr336 wrote: »

Nobody about tonight?!

Ahoyhoy Fr!

fr336 · 13-12-2014 12:16AM

Hugo Stiglitz wrote: »

Ahoyhoy Fr!

Hugo my man, how are things?

Hey handbagmad

Anxiety and/or depression discussion.

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