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advice please - do i need therapy?

8 replies

elsabel · 29/06/2014 00:01

Hi, im going to really try to not let this be too long. Heres a background..

Iv suffered with OCD (quite mild but is up and down) most of my adult life, im late twenties. I have developed anxiety since having my dd last year which got much worse after my dp left me a few months back, am on citalopram for this which seems to have masked the underlying problems somewhat and allows me to function. However i feel anxious everyday, stressed, panicky and i just cant relax and has got worse again the past few weeks.

My ex p was emotionally abusive for most, if not all of our 3 year relationship, controlling, manipulative and continues to do so even now when he sees our dd. He makes me doubt myself and everyone around me (im not sure he knows hes doing so, and much of the time i dont even know hes doing it, but my family and friends notice it and tell me what he does to me). I was diagnosed with ptsd due to anxiety and a panic attack a few weeks after i found out he was having an affair and he left, it was only then i realised what he was like with me.

So anyway, i am plodding along with everyday life determined to keep grounded for my dd but sometimes i feel guilty and feel she deserves better. I have a very negative and warped view of the world, relationships and feel like a huge burden to my family and friends, who are very supportive. I get angry and bitter towards those around me but dont show it. I have trouble sleeping cause of bad dreams and cant relax, i cant handle any kind of stress and am terrified of the future. I have come to terms with the fact me and ex p are over but not what has happened.

i hope that makes sense, will answer questions if i havent made things clear. I dont really want to increase my citalopram anymore as i wonder if i need to figure out the underlying issues that i cant escape.

OP posts:
FarelyKnuts · 29/06/2014 00:11

I'm sorry you are struggling.
And yes I think therapy would be beneficial to you.

After coming out of an abusive relationship and struggling with anxiety and sleep etc then having someone help you work through some of that trauma could be really helpful.

elsabel · 29/06/2014 07:12

Thankyou for you reply fairy, its just came to a point where i feel talking it through with family and friends just doesnt help anymore

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sewingandcakes · 29/06/2014 07:16

I had CBT as well as citalopram, and while the citalopram helped me with the symptoms of my depression, it was the CBT that unravelled and addressed the thought processes underneath it all.

Good luck to you and your DD Thanks

elsabel · 29/06/2014 10:03

Thankyou sewingandcakes, did the CBT help you deal with life stresses? I have experience with mental health professionally and personally but cant seem to apply it to myself

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sewingandcakes · 01/07/2014 07:06

Hi, sorry for the delay in replying. I'd say yes, cbt did help a lot to deal with life stresses. It pinpointed the reasons why I felt the way I did about a few issues, and it made me aware of my thoughts and challenged them as they were distorted.

I remember the moment, when asked to write down a list, when I realised that what I had been thinking was wrong; it was amazing! I wouldn't have believed anyone who told me, but because I came to the understanding by myself, it meant so much more. Sorry if this is a bit unclear!

Appletini · 01/07/2014 07:21

It's definitely worth a try. Just having someone who's not involved in your life, and who listens to you, can be so helpful.

Snog · 01/07/2014 07:38

Definitely give therapy a go as the idea is to deal with the underlying issues. It sounds as though some support would be really good for you after all that you have been through.
Thanks

elsabel · 01/07/2014 21:29

Thank you everyone. Yes sewingandcakes that actually makes perfect sense.
I think I spend a lot of time trying to analyse my own thoughts I need to speak to someone else about them, and my issues may go back further than just the past few months and maybe things have affected me that I never realised and never dealt with.
I will look into it. Although I have people who would be willing to look after my dd during therapy sessions, I don't really want to tell anyone as it would make them worry that I'm not ok. I will have to figure something out

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