Not sure what to do!

[teawomen]

Don't normally post in here. I'm suffering with anxiety. Feeling of fainting or having a fit ( no previous fits, or epilepsy at all). It's taking it toll. Finally seen another doctor today who is never met before and she wants to see me next week about AD's. I have tried not to go down that route and tbh I don't feel depressed in just scared. I an 11 month old and not getting very much sleep. Scared the dr will just palm me off. I have been receiving over the phone talking therapies but this last week I've been at my worst please help!!

If you don't want to go on ADs that is your choice. Talking therapy can be very helpful as it gives you tools to use to cope with anxiety. I suffer from anxiety and depression and I've found that my ADs help more with the anxiety than the depression. I worry about things a lot less. I used to have to hide in the loo at work to sit through near panic attacks, but on ADs that is now very rare.

Everyone is different though. If you feel like talking therapy is the right choice for you, stick with it. There are no quick fixes. I think most counsellors say at least 6 sessions then review if you need more. How many have you had so far? Face to face might be better if that's an option.

Thanks for replying. I've had 6 so far. I think there helping but then I have bad days like the last two and then think they don't work. My thoughts r just over taking me at the moment. Feel like I can't concentrate. When I'm at home I wanna be out and when in out I wanna be at home.
Went for a walk earlier with a friend bumped into another friend and the thoughts just flooded me what if this? What if that? Would the ad stop these thoughts?

What kinda of talking therapy are you having? It sounds like CBT could help, it teaches you how to counter negative thoughts. Be honest with the person counselling you and say you don't feel like you're improving and are still finding it very difficult to not let these thoughts run away with you.

Looking back though, are you still having as many bad days as you were, or are there less bad days? Even some progress is still progress.

Friends bumping in to other friends used to be something I dreaded. I felt so awkward just standing there having no idea what to say. I then started challenging these thoughts, countering them with things like "Why would I have something to say? I don't know this person." "I didn't chose to be in this situation, so they can't judge me for standing here waiting". Now I still feel kinda awkward when it happens, but I've learnt to deal with it, just accept the awkwardness, because it will end. You'll get there.

Stick with the counselling and maybe talk with your GP about you not feeling like you're improving and see what else they can offer other than ADs. They always say exercise helps, though I'm far too lazy for that.

ADs don't stop the thoughts completely, and affect people differently. But yes, from my experience I feel a lot less anxious while on ADs and I've been on 3 different sorts (side effects of some were annoying, it can take time to find the right one. Don't let them put you on paroxetine first though, I was and a doctor and a mental health nurse have both told me they don't like that one as it's quite strong).

If you decide to go on ADs, they'll keep you on them for at least 6 months, probably a year, with reviews every few months. Don't let them push you on to them though. Talk it through thoroughly with your GP (or a mental health nurse practitioner if your GP surgery has one) and make your mind up what's best for you.

Usually dr's offer medication when short term talking therapy has not made enough of a difference and the patient is saying they need more help or are still struggling so why not go and talk to them and see what they say?

You say you are not getting much sleep, which may well be making things worse. Is there anything you can do to catch up on some sleep to see if being less exhausted helps? I have a toddler and when he was younger the best thing that helped, above talking or medication was sleep.

I am having more good days than bad. Have been doing a lot more thing in my own with dd but then I've have four horrific days, yes I think mostly because I'm exhausted. Trying to get my dd to stay at her grans overnight but I find it hard letting her go (she's never stayed out before).
Think il mention the cbt to the therapist and see what she says. Your right I do feel like I've seen this dr who hasn't met me before and four minutes later has made a decision on my mental state.

I do have a gym membership but this last week havnt been because in shattered. Thanks for your replys it is so much easier talking to people who have real empathy.

Oh a whole nights sleep sounds fab, hope that helps. What I learnt in counselling was to think about my life, what I could do and what I needed help with - that is without sleep I cannot function as well and deteriorate. So daytime naps, dp do get ups at night, lie ins at home when dp there and amazing how much better the days felt. So really hope the sleep helps. If you find overnight hard could you ask your relative to take your dc for 3-4 hours in the day and have a daytime nap as well?

can I just say that I had cbt for anxiety and im sooo glad I did. im a totally different person then a few years ago. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, its just finding the right tool to turn it on. stay strong /hugs\

I had a little more sleep last night.. Woke at 3.30 n took me what felt like a life time to not back off.
My mam is having lo for a couple of hours this afternoon so I can go to gym. I do try and nap through the day but usually wake up feeling exhausted.
Also another thing... I have prescribed antibiotics off dentist and on the side affect (which I never normally do) but becuase I drive I noticed it says very rare side affects can cause seizures I cant take them im terrified.