Anyone needing support for anxiety/depression come over here! (Please)

[LEMtheoriginal]

I'm struggling so much just now and could use the support of fellow sufferers.

Right now I'm just putting one foot in front of the other - getting though the day.

studiously ignoring the piece of paper with the number of my old counsellor

Currently unmedicated and trying not to go back but not sure how long that will last.

I would like this thread to be a safe place to come and help each other through the days (and nights). I know there are other threads but feel they are well established and just would like to hear about how people got into their issues and what they do to help themselves.

I am taking my dd2 for a cream tea after school today. It's my say off work. Always a struggle but I'm getting through it.

Anyone? All welcome from those of us feeling a bit sad to those of us battling serious my issues. No judgements allowed just whatever helps xx

Can I ask a question please?
I don't suffer from depression thank goodness. But my DF has been told he's depressed. He's nearly 80. He has heart / blood pressure probs so is already on loads of meds & has said he doesn't want to take them.

He's of a generation that don't talk about how they feel. He lost his brother 13 years ago and I think this is where it started tbh.

DM has told me about the diagnosis and asked me not to mention it. I suggested to her that they ask their GP for a referral to some counselling as I don't feel like it's s very good idea for him to be adding to the already huge number of pills he has to take.

Just after some advice really from anyone who has more experience of depression than me. I love my wonderful DF so much and really want to help him but am very aware that it needs to be done "his way" and in his own time or he won't engage.

Also just wanted to add that I'm really sorry that so many people feel like this. It's such a hard thing to have to deal with. I hope this thread will be a supportive and helpful thing

I agree with running away. It's a common depression thing apparently.

Shona I hope you get some respite soon. You will be yourself again! If the Sertraline doesn't work out it might be worthwhile trying something else, this isn't the end of the line. I found I still had terrible anxiety on it. Having PND is one of the toughest things out there, but it is so treatable.

LEM try not to worry about your dream. I'm going through a phase of my dreams being full of death (again) but nothing actually happens to people in real life, and never has. Dreams are just your brains way of dealing with all the crap in your head

smiled depression is quite common in older people, especially if they've already got physical health problems. I wouldn't worry about adding tablets to your DF's regime- GPs are careful in their prescribing and anti depressants are probably a whole lot safer than a lot of the stuff I expect your DFs on (my dad has heart probs too). Asking about talking therapies is a good idea though.

And hello kaylasmum. It's hard work trying to hide stuff from kids. I think sometimes you have to allow yourself to be a 'good enough' parent if you're having a bad time, and give yourself a break.

lem thinking of you.

Much better day for me today. Had a day at a stables as part of my vet nurse training. Four legged therapy - I can recommend it. I won't be working with horses but it was an amazing experience.

Smiled - has your dad Been assessed for dementia? Depression is often an early Sig. This would require a whole different set of meds.

Colouring - I hope your day improves.

Dangermouse

Let am pretty sure it's depression. It's what the hospital said...He used to be a fun guy. He was a sociable & very well read person. He's really aged. Lost weight. Just lost interest in doing much. Thank goodness he has my Mum to make him go for walks in nature - otherwise he'd sit in front of the telly all bloody day! One big problem is that he really doesn't react well to anyone suggesting he do things. He's quite stubborn like lots of us! Have sent my Mum some info on depression in older people and how to help. I will have to go quite softly with the advice I think though. I have asked her to take him to the GP - I notice that some of the meds you take for BP / heart issues can actually make you depressed. Maybe they can try different meds. Hope everyone has had a good day

Same here unmedicated at moment trying to improve diet. The shorter days dont help. Its just have been on the antianx/AD so long that i feel like i need to address some of the root now in terms of assertive behaviors

I need this thread right now!

I've had issues with anxiety / depression since I was a child. No traumatic events but MH issues run in my family

I'm taking prozac at the moment and mostly it helps but I'm going through a bad patch at the moment. Being single I have no choice but to keep working but work is not a happy place for me right now. It's made worse by the fact that one of my main symptoms of depression is fatigue and brain fog. I'll often find myself having to have afternoon sleeps on the weekend as I just can't keep my eyes open to read or watch TV. Saturday is often spent just trying to recover from the week.

I decided getting a dog might help me get out more as well as being a companion. Problem is the puppy I bought has separation anxiety so now he's on prozac as well. I can't even get so something as 'nirmal' as getting a dog right

Grr, that should be normal not nirmal.

Hi bluetongue sorry to hear things are a struggle at the moment. I thought about getting a dog too as I struggle more when my kids are not here. However, I think I need to be able to keep my house tidy first.

Out of interest is your puppy on its own whilst you are at work? It's just that a friend did doggy daycare when hers was a pup and I'd never heard of it before! Puppies are hard work.

I've been busy failing at everything I was meant to do today. Work didn't happen, school event didn't either and ex had just told me future plans that have left me feeling more like an abnormal failure than I was already roll on the weekend.

Hi Danger puppy goes to doggy daycare twice a week which is more than I Planned for. Between that, extra vet visits, medication and extra training he's cost me much more money than I expected. There was a stage where I considered not keeping him as his issues we're exacerbating my mental problems but I really don't want to give him up unless I have to because he's so much like me and it would be like giving up on myself.

Any of you prescribed Diazepam?
It makes me sleepy but I’m still anxious
Works well for the Dentist though

Am I allowed on this thread if my diagnoses are BPD and PTSD? Because anxiety is part of that and also low moods. I am in a bad place right now. And lonely.

phoenix I loved your post on the different types of therapy... I start CBT next Wednesday for PTSD which I've got from birth trauma.

I hope it works. Thanks for this thread OP

Everyone allowed polka dot xx

Hi polka dot.

I have diazepam to take if necessary daisy (extremely rarely)

I don't find it makes me sleepy at all, but takes the edge off extreme anxiety e.g when I feel like I have completely lost control and can't do anything 'safe' to deal with it. It means I can do basic things- like sit down, and slows down thinking a bit but doesn't get rid of the thoughts- I don't think any medication would!

bluetongue how does your puppy get on at daycare?

We got rabbits instead of a dog. I thought rabbits would be cheap. I must have spent the equivalent of 2 pedigree puppies just on their housing Then there's hay (tons of it) bedding, posh pellets, tons of veg and their insurance. They are funny though. I've decided pets are essential, even though they can end up being more expensive than planned!

hi Dangermouseisace (I remember that TV show!)

don't get sleepy on Diazepam either, but love the drifty feeling it gives me...

seriousone I have been struggling again with the urges to SH after a long time clean. I understand.

bluetongue how are you feeling today?

Hi can I join you?
Have been depressed all my life (I'm50). my DM has MH issues and I suffered trauma because of that as a child.
I have been on a tricyclic AD for many years.
I'm not sleeping well and am tearful and exhausted all the time.