To realise why people can't cope

[Dandelion34]

I rang my gp today. Told him I had developed anxiety and couldn't really enjoy being out in public areas. Told him my symptoms and when it triggered. Explained I was feeling exhausted after a short time out as the anxiety was zapping my energy.

Kind doctor. Explained my options. Didn't really advise. Told me it was my choice....

Join the councilling waiting list but it's extremely long.

He did say meds weren't his first choice and explained they were addictive and short term they may help, but they don't help the actual problem. He sent me a link to a mental health website. It said £49.99 after the first two weeks.

I'm certainly not the most affected person. But I could do with some help to get myself out of this thought pattern.

It just got me thinking how hellish it must be for people feeling suicidal or chronically anxious all the time. There's not particularly any support available.

I feel like I've got to just hope for the best and hope I read something inspiring online. But for the first time in my life my mental health is really suffering and it's really scary to feel so alone

@Dandelion34 sorry your struggling .
I wish there was more help out there.
If I can help in any little way , Iv suffered previously with anxiety was diagnosed and referred for cbt however I found some changes to my lifestyle really helped . I understand this won't work for everyone but thought I'd share with you just in case it helps a little:

Read up on mindfulness - focusing on the little things every day . Accepting negative thoughts and letting them go instead of researching online etc and letting them spiral.

Healthy eating.

Cut out caffeine.

Excercise - this was the major game changer for me the endorphins seem to banish my negative thoughts.

Hope you get the help you need x

The big secret to overcoming anxiety is the things you can do yourself.

• do three regular self care activities you enjoy
• do vigorous exercise every day unless not medically able
• limit worry time to ten minutes at a time then distract yourself with a nicer topic (this helps you notice when you are doing it)
• talk to yourself like a compassionate mentor would, cut the self criticism. Nice but no bullshit.
• step by step start facing your fears. Where is the easiest place to go out to first? Go do it. Don't expect to enjoy it at first. Ok, how did it go? Keep going.

Hope you get through this op, take good care.

@Illusionordelusion

Thank you for the CBT book suggestions. Have just looked on Amazon and there are several editions by different authors. Which one would you recommend, please? My on line/phone one is due to finish this week and I would like something to continue the good advice and help I have had.

Another free online site is moodgym.com.au/

I've found it helpful, especially in learning to block out intrusive thoughts and slow myself down when I get into a spiral of "what-ifs".

Sorry, I take back the moodgym suggestion, since I used it there has obviously been a registration fee introduced.

It's a pity, as it helped me (and many others i know) a lot

I am almost 40 and have been seeing doctors for my mental health since I was 17.

I have never once been taken seriously despite having attempted suicide three times, been agorophobic for periods and unable to work for months at a time. I either get given medication which works short term then stops, or offered CBT for six sessions. I've been diagnosed with everything from depression to anxiety to borderline to schizophrenia to just being an attention seeking brat. One doctor said I had low grade depression when I had just tried to kill myself.

I gave up about five years ago. It was just pointless. I manage now without doctors. I survive just about, but I don't think I'll ever be truly happy. At some point, you've just been miserable so long you don't know how to be any other way.

The mh services in the UK are an utter joke. Some say it's because of the Tories but it was like that before they got in.

I'm on antidepressants to treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
They work.
I honestly couldn't care less if I'm on them for the rest of my life.
I've had multiple councillors and two lots of CBT. Only the meds work for me.
I think that you should reconsider them op.
Hope that you are feeling a bit better now

I have had issues with my anxiety having ramped up in recent months. I self referred to the local NHS funded service and had an assessment within a couple of weeks and therapy every week since then. I've never done CBT before and have found it really helpful. It's all been via telephone or video calls but it's been good. So I would say self refer. As well as not being very knowledgeable about medication your GP might also be wrong about the local waiting times!

My doc said ads don't really help anxiety. Asked about bbs and was not keen. He gave me promethazine for sleep which helps a lot. It is a non addictive sleeping tablet anti histamine. My sleep is deeper, no waking up then worries crashing in. Really helped with anxiety.

Content warning: suicide and self harm (not sure if this is necessary but I’d always rather be safe)

I second the recommendation of beta blockers for physical symptoms. I take antidepressants as well, but beta blockers are brilliant for calming down the physical response enough for me to control my thoughts. They aren’t addictive and can be taken only when needed.

I have a long term complex mental health condition and you’re right, the support is non existent. I’m a patient at a community mental health team and as lovely as my allocated nurse is, all she can do most of the time is be a kind listening ear and suggest ways to get through the next few hours without hurting myself. In some ways I think I was at an advantage for this period, as I’ve experienced mental illness before and know coping mechanisms. I can’t imagine experiencing it for the first time during all this. I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way. If this means anything, I have reached the deepest rock bottom a few times, and I’ve learned that it always gets better again. It’s awful, but life does feel good again and you have to hold on to that.