Anxiety and paranoia

[teapotter1]

Does anyone have any advice how to deal with it, mines is through the roof. I went to the doctors about how I feel and was prescribed a low antidepressant. I felt no difference on it.

Any help would be amazing, thanks

I don't know but you have my utmost sympathy.
My anxiety and paranoia go hand in hand.
I got switched from venlafaxine to citalopram after being told it was the best for anxiety. It's not, in my opinion.

However, I do try to keep in mind what would make it worse..
So, I don't have much caffeine as gives me the jitters. One can of diet coke a day. Rarely drink alcohol. I find it's far worse when I don't exercise or get fresh air. I have a very active physical job , which helps but I need fresh air too. I'm far worse in autumn and winter. Can cope much better when the light comes back (as having SAD worsens symptoms) Trying to keep grounded helps but I spend far too much time alone which makes my mind work overtime

Cognitive behavioural therapy? You can get it privately from about £30/hour depending on where you live.

Exercise, healthy foods and low caffeine/booze helps me. But to be honest it only really got better after a high dose of antidepressants despite therapy - but CBT does help also. The medicine takes a few weeks to work though, so maybe it’s too soon? Also write everything down and look at what’s true and what’s an assumption

Me too. Started getting symptoms of anxiety a few years back. Since Christmas it’s been through the roof. Im loosing weight, feel nauseous all the time and struggle to concentrate. The cause of it isn’t going away anytime soon. I had unhappy teenage years for many reasons. Now my DD is at this age, it seems anything that happens to her (friendship issues, bf problems etc) sends the feelings flooding back. Only now I feel awful for her and myself. I am taking on her troubles and it’s really not healthy and I really don’t know how to stop it. I’m undecided on taking anti depressants as I feel I may end up relying on them too much.

How long have you been on ADs?

Citalopram did nothing for me. Every side effect possible, but if anything I feel less anxious now I've come off it after 8 months.

I did some basic CBT which while I don't often use many of the tools now, at the time I found it quite helpful and it certainly contributed to feeling better.

Do you drink? Cutting out alcohol makes such a ridiculous difference for me. It's actually scary how much it helped.

I suggest you go back to the GP and request an urgent referral to the Community Mental Health Unit to be assessed. If you are suffering paranoia and it is left untreated you may end up having a psychotic breakdown. You may need anti-psychotic medication rather than or addition to anti-depressants.

GPs normally prescribe Citalopram as a first medication but remember they are only General Practitioners and not experts in the field of mental health.

I would also suggest contacting mental health organisations such as Mind or Rethink Mental Illness for advice.

So sorry you are suffering but best get it sorted now rather than letting it deteriorate.