Tell me your self-help that works....

[Queenofknickers]

I already take ADs and have weekly psychotherapy. However I still struggle and wanted to know what additional tips you have that work - fish oil? I have restricted mobility (can't do exercise classes etc) due to spinal degeneration plus I work 7-7 most days in a stressful job (and commute). What can I do to help myself? Just want to hide in bed.

I found self-study of CBT a great help - www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/self-help-therapies.aspx is a good resource. Did it in a thoroughly disorganised, flitting-about fashion, which worked for me.

See if you can't get some professional advice on means of getting some exercise that's compatible with your spinal condition. I go dancing two or three times a week, and that helped enormously.

Finally, and this one is going to seem more than a bit bizarre, I'm working through Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.

Kisses, I started readin Meditations when I hit a rough patch as a teenager ( I know even weirder . The problem I had with it was that I found the ideas lovely but very difficult to live or realise in rl. In a way some of the ideals MA wrote about became the ultimate goal that I could never reach and made me feel even more useless and incapable iyswim. Also, I found that with ideas like that I was always (and still am) very much the odd one out, especially when dealing with manipulative or bitchy people.

Sorry Op,that you are experiencing these difficulties. Unfortunately I haven't got anything wise to say but will read with interest what more experienced mnetters will suggest.

I did cbt with the nhs when I was pregnant and have to say that although I didn't do it properly (didn't do the set homework at times) I still don't feel as anxious as I used to before.

Wishing you all the best op.

Queen, are you able to take some sick leave in order to relax and recuperate? It sounds like you need some downtime and pamper yourself a bit if possible. Is there any tailored exercise you could do? How about Pilates? Also cranial sacral therapy is supposed to be good for back problems and general wellbeing ( even for depression). I really hope you feel better soon!