Anxiety and Depression

[user1498582366]

Hi all, I'm very depressed and anxious and have been for around 18 months.I've suffered with anxiety and depression most of my life and have learned to accept it plays a big part in my life, and just try to cope and get by each day. However, certain family traumas or too much stress can trigger a long episode of absolute distress.

I had a trauma around 18 months ago within the family and I've felt deeply depressed and it just seems to be getting worse. I feel like I have tried everything: trying 3 different anti-depressants prescribed from my GP, Counselling weekly for 9 months (privately costing £45 per hour), Mindfullness and meditations, spiritual workshops, allocating 'me' time (I have 2 children and work) Life coaching, relationship counselling (as my marriage has been affected by my moods) and self referred to a mental health charity which I have just had my first initial session of CBT therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).

I'm losing this battle and I honestly don't know what else to do. Can anybody share what has helped them through it? I'm posting on here in pure desperation.

Thank you for reading

Me too user just posting to empathise sorry I don't have any answers.
I called in sick today because I couldn't sleep last night, and today is a write off.

Hi user. I've had depression and anxiety in the past, and I am also really feeling it at the moment. I haven't ever been on meds though so I don't think I have had such a hard time as you.

My advice might annoy some, but I am not for a second saying "pull your socks up" or anything like that. Not at all. But I found exercise really helpful. I had never been a gym bunny but going and really really pushing myself, a good few times a week, helped to quiet the busy, frantic feeling in my mind. I could get some of the stress out by pushing myself physically, and the aching, tired feeling in my body after, and even the day after, took the edge off.

It was very hard to start going. The first few times I went to the gym and chickened out in the changing room, or got really worried what other people there were thinking about me, but it became a habit and, if not a happy place, somewhere I associated with reducing the negative feelings. My gym also had a steam room so that was nice to just sit quietly enjoying the ache.

I realise this is not realistic or practical for everyone, either financially or time wise. But it really helped me. I did also go to CBT, which i found...not so helpful...but I found the weekly ritual was good for me. I was also in group CBT, which terrified me to start with, but engaging with the other patients was good in the end.

All the best to you, anyway. And there is always a listening ear on here.