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Original poster

Beating anxiety without meds

223 replies

Tea1Sugar · 21/01/2015 09:06

Who's with me?

I had a god awful trial of Citalopram last week. Two words - never again. So I'm awaiting CBT, I'm now taking vitamins, I've bought self help guides and I'm going to (attempt) start running. Anyone fancy joining for moral support?

OP posts:
girliefriend · 21/02/2015 18:53

No idea!

Let me know how you get on with it.

Am so tired I still seem to be waking yo 2 or 3 times every night - so annoying Sad

Threeboysandus · 23/02/2015 11:54

Hi everyone
Hope you are all ok? Tea, how is the cd going?

I'm going to a wedding this weekend and I'm dreading it :( it's down the country so two nights away and there is a gang if us staying in a shared house. I can't back out as mil is coming home from a trip away especially to mind the kids for us. I'm feeling a lot of pressure and hope I can do it...

Threeboysandus · 23/02/2015 23:02

Tea, sorry thought headspace was a cd! Dp text me earlier saying he had heard of it on the radio and I downloaded it. It seems very good and realistic too as only 10 mins. Going to try get it done every morning. Will take a bit of practice.

Original poster
Tea1Sugar · 24/02/2015 06:33

Right folks, today is my first NHS CBT session! I got referred end of September! Praying it helps. I know it's no quick fix but I'm crossing everything.

OP posts:
Threeboysandus · 24/02/2015 11:27

Brilliant! Let us know how you get on. Best of luck x

orangeflutie · 24/02/2015 15:04

Hope your CBT session goes well Tea.

I seem to be more anxious this week but think it's mainly due to nerves about running a HM at the weekend. I'm sure I'll be ok once I start but getting a bit stressed about packing involved as we're all going to stay in a hotel the night before.

Have only just started on the washing from last week's visit to Devon!

girliefriend · 24/02/2015 17:23

Hi all,hope the cbt helps tea let us know how you get on.

threeboys I am sure you will be fine, go with the mentality of feel the fear but do it anyway! (Easier said than done obv Wink)

girliefriend · 24/02/2015 18:28

I have been o.kay I think! Am knackered as sleep still not right, seem to have got into the habit of always waking at least once a night, very annoying but am trying not to let it worry me.

Although work has been really busy so that is prob part of why I am so tired!

Am wondering about taking dd to see Crufts, not sure if I am ready for it though Sad would involve a 2 hour drive on the motorway and staying up there over night (could stay with a friend) will think on it a bit more...

Threeboysandus · 26/02/2015 20:53

I'm on my way to the wedding now Confused feeling ok...I have to stop analysing how I'm feeling constantly and just go with the bloody flow!!

Girlie, glad your feeling ok. Did you think about the trip wth your dd?

Tea, how wa the Cbt?

I felt really sad yesterday. I nearly felt like I was mourning my old self. I used to be so sociable and outgoing. I loved a night out and a weekend away like this would be something I would be so excited about. This anxiety has drained the life out of me!

I keep wondering should I just try meds..but then I think I haven't really done anything to change. Something has to change for my anxiety to go. I am taking my vitamins but only the last few days. Haven't started the running I had planned either!

girliefriend · 26/02/2015 21:10

Hope you have a great time three yy to stopping the constant body scanning!! I do that as well, it drives me bonkers Grin I have bought the Davina McCall exercise dvd and have already made excuses not to do it for 2 days!!

I am feeling a bit down tonight as have had some bad news re our kitten, she has a poss tumour in her mouth Sad she is only 10 months old. Have to wait a week for histology results.

Saw my therapist today, was useful. Talked about a pivotal trip I did when I was lates teens which was the catalyst for the anxiety starting. She thinks I may need some sort of hypnotherapy to deal with it as even though it was nearly 20 years ago now it still effects me!!

Don't think I will make Crufts but not just because of the anxiety in getting there but because my poorly cat has cleared me out financially plus would be worried about leaving her. No excuses next year though Wink

Threeboysandus · 26/02/2015 21:32

Awh so sorry to hear about your cat. How old is she?

Can your therapist recommend anyone? My friends have had great success with hypno for smoking. I should really go to see him.

girliefriend · 26/02/2015 21:47

Think the therapist is going to do it herself! Have you had some counselling? It is useful I think to talk it all through with someone

Kitten is 10 months Sad so sad, although looking at her you wouldn't think there is much wrong, she has been eating and playing as normal. Will be a long week I think for results.

Threeboysandus · 27/02/2015 02:27

Hopefully it is benign. Let us know. Bless her :(

I actually had a great night! I really let loose for on e and enjoyed myself. I'm up in bed now and feel a bit funny but only because I'm thinking about it if you know what I mean.

One of the girls asked me if I was feeling ok. She said she had noticed I was a bit funny lately so told her how I've been feeling. She said she's going to force me to go running with her once we get home so hopefully this will motivate me!!

girliefriend · 01/03/2015 12:59

Hi all, been feeling bit wobbly last couple of days. Not sure why, not helped that I have had a migraine/headache that has made me feel really grotty.

Dd was having a meltdown over a verruca last night and i just wanted to run away!!

Hope everyone else is doing o.kay?

Original poster
Tea1Sugar · 04/03/2015 08:34

Session 2 of 8 of CBT and already I'm so pleased. I'm sure it's all to do with having the right therapist but mine has already helped me to rationalise so much of my irrational thinking. Still 6 sessions to go but I have a lot of faith in it. I was on the waiting list for months but tbh I've lucked out with a "senior psychotherapist" so it's been worth the wait I think. Anyone considering it, in my limited experience thus far I say give it a whirl. Smile

OP posts:
girliefriend · 04/03/2015 20:23

Glad you are finding it so helpful tea that sounds brilliant. I am finding the counselling helpful as well, its interesting how talking about stuff makes you look at it from a different perspective iyswim.

Original poster
Tea1Sugar · 05/03/2015 10:31

Fab girlie Smile anxiety can piss off!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Tea1Sugar · 05/03/2015 10:36

Fab girlie Smile anxiety can piss off!!

OP posts:
LL12 · 05/03/2015 14:04

I found that my anxiety almost completely disappeared when I stopped taking my contraceptive pill, I feel much more able to cope now, then when I was taking antidepressants.
However, I have found that the anxiety has started to rear it's head again today, the realisation that my dd will be starting the same school in Sep that I went to and had an awlful time in has suddenly really hit hard, so now will be a very good test on how I cope with everything.

lizzylocket · 05/03/2015 17:44

Hello all, can I join you? I was on citalopram for seven years and finally weaned myself off them towards the end of last year. The anxiety/panic is coming back with a vengeance but I really don't want to go back on ADs because withdrawal was awful. My GP has referred me for talking therapy so I'm hoping that will help. It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one struggling with this x.

thiskiwicanfly · 05/03/2015 17:51

Haven't RTFT but just the other day my Gp told me that although I appeared low in serotonin he didn't think I needed medication (whew) he had a recommendation. Cashews, chocolate and cheese! He repeated this several times. He did say good dark chocolate, so 75%, and told me to get the best quality I can as "cheap chocolate makes you fat".

I think I luffs him Grin

Original poster
Tea1Sugar · 07/03/2015 08:32

I wish I knew you lot in real life. Someone I could go for a coffee with and not feel I'm being judged on the fact I'm petrified.

OP posts:
charliesweb · 07/03/2015 08:42

Can I join you. I've been on Citralopram for 18months and I've decided to come off. I haven't had any therapy but I have recognised that I have anxiety which was a huge step for me. Identifying and naming it has enabled me to find ways to cope with it. I used to think that my anxiety was entirely justified. It is always centred around worrying I have let people down or done something terrible. I can now recognise the intrusive thoughts and have developed strategies to not let them spiral out of control. I am by no means free of the anxiety, but I there is a huge improvement with my ability to manage and cope.
I am really scared of coming off medication but feel that it is something I need to do. I suffer horrible tension headaches and I think they're connected to the citralopram.

girliefriend · 07/03/2015 20:24

Hi all newbies, welcome!

I am doing alright at the moment, went to a course on relationships on Friday. Was quite interesting as something I have never really analysed before. The longest relationship I have managed is 10 months Blush fear is the root of why I stay single I think, just find it easier plus find the whole process of dating and meeting men so stressful!!

However the thought of staying single forever doesn't exactly fill me with joy either.

On the plus anxiety has been really o.kay this week, not sure what the difference is Confused but am sleeping better and feeling generally more relaxed. Going to enjoy it while it lasts Grin

WitchesGlove · 09/03/2015 02:26

Ooh, can I join too?

A PP mentioned sun lamps, would I get the same effect going on a sunbed?

I really need to start exercising, but lacking motivation.