Anyone that’s suffered with anxiety and depression.

[GingerKittenTail]

What helps you and have you tried medication and how did that go ?
been offered sertaline but so so scared to take it 😰😰

I've been on Mirtazapine for 17 years now. Before that I'd tried just about every anti depressant there was before I found one that worked,so if you feel no better after a few weeks or have unbearable side effects,ask to try another.
I've tried various types of CBT, hypnotherapy,all sorts,but nothing worked except the drugs. At the time,CBT was being touted as the miracle cure,and I felt even worse when it made absolutely no difference to me. It was only when my GP said that it doesn't work for everyone,but no one at the time was admitting that,that I felt less of a failure. I've pretty much accepted that I'll be on Mirtazapine for life,and I have no issues with that.
I don't know if being outside/ gardening does help,as that's my job,and if I'm not doing that I'm outside with the horses or working on the farm.I'm outdoors more than I'm in so I can't tell what I'd be like mentally if I was indoors more. I do know that if I'm in the house for more than a few days,I can't sleep.
Best of luck to you.

Medication and CBT but along side that I removed things from my life (people and situations) that made things stressful and negative. Setting boundaries and sticking to them.

my DH who is so supportive of me also told me to start being selfish and priorities myself.

CBT changed my life, I’d struggled with anxiety for years and eventually couldn’t even leave the house to walk the dogs without having a panic attack. Not great when you work in education. I read Flourish by Martin Seligman too which has helped me to build routines into my life that support my mental health. I am finally enjoying life again (including my work) it really has changed how I perceive things.

This. I felt awful for more like 4 weeks when I started taking it. I'm so glad I stuck with it, it's changed my life. I had no idea how bad things had got until I was well again. People I haven't seen for a while have actually commented on it, not knowing about the Sertraline. Things like "wow, something about you is really different, you look really well".

Before Sertraline I'd spent 10 years trying out self help books, CBT, mindfulness, meditation, aromatherapy and crystal healing..... Anything to avoid the meds. None of it helped unfortunately (though not to say it wouldn't help someone else).

Propanalol helped me loads. I like that you can take it as and when for situational anxiety

Take the Meds

This. If you feel awful Talk to GP. I needed sleeping pills for 2 weeks. But after that sertraline was great

Thanks so much everyone
on sleeping meds for now