Anxiety support, Hand hold or chit chat come say hi #3

[Fairydust26]

Can you believe the last threads full up?! We had a great support network going on the previous two so come and say a big hello and join us.

toffee1000 I totally get the point you made about the ‘alternative life’ in your head. When I was growing up I always did that. It’s great that you’ve got an internship it’s the little steps that will bring you to bigger things like a job in the future!

Not to bad thanks Fairy. Tried to put things out my mind and kept busy with house work lol Does anyone else use the ground technique, where to calm yourself you concentrate on the ground under your feet or seat under your bottom?

Raindancer411 I’ve tried to whilst in the mist of a anxiety/panic attack Can’t say I’ve been very successful lol same goes for the 54321 method my anxiety’s like nope your not distracting yourself this time😫😄.

In a chat with the psychologist last week I realised that my anxiety was stopping me going out and running. Which is a double edged sword because not running is bad for my mental health so I was stuck in a circle.

My partner dragged me to parkrun on Saturday and I have just been out again on my own so hopefully I can start to build that back in to help myself while waiting for cbt to start

I've been prescribed citalopram by my doctor, and been referred to a psychologist. I've always been against medication for myself, but finally decided to give it a try. I know it sounds shallow but I'm really worried about putting on weight with it, low self esteem has always been a problem for me and I've only just got down to a size I'm happy with after having my son.

Not started taking the citalopram yet as I've had a nasty sore throat/sinus infection last week and didn't want side effects on top of that. Going to start it tomorrow, really feeling quite scared about it.

Sirzy well done I hope you rewarded yourself with a nice treat

Trixieandkatya it can be scary taking the first tablet but once it’s done your half way there, hope you get some relief from them

Hi everyone. I’d like to join in.

I’ve suffered with terrible anxiety most of my life and it was made worse by my H suicide almost 20 years ago. I go to weekly talk therapy and have for 8 years. I don’t have anyone in RL that I have for support except my therapist.

I was made redundant in mid July and now I am almost paralysed. I can’t go back on medicine. Thanks for listening.

Of course Gothamgirl1970 welcome. How are you today?

Hi. I feel awful. Rabbit in front of headlights. Seeing a doctor today.

Good luck at the drs monnalisa hope you get some help

Thank you so much for the quick reply Sirzy! :) It has got to the point that engulfs me at all times.

Appointment this afternoon at 4. I will report back.

Good luck MonnaLisa do let us know how you get on

Thank you @Fairydust26 and @Sirzy.

So, I wrote everything down and prepared a folder. Symptoms, what I have done so far (online counselling that didn't help at all), all the events that caused me to feel this way - there are 11 headings on that list and include things like being made redundant and 3 close friends/family members dying in the last two years...). I dressed as if I was going to go to a meeting, I was truly prepared to do this professionally...

And I was in flood of tears. Not a little drop, just floods, those that necessitate tissues and noisy nose blowing.

I thought I had some anxiety and wanted counselling, but not only I have been referred to psych services, my doc thinks i have a fulll blown depression and has prescribed Sertraline.

I have a job interview on Thursday (which I will no doubt fail) and so I will start taking the medication on Friday morning.

Anyone taking Sertraline here that has any tips?

@Gothamgirl1970 I was made redundant in 2017 (I have another job now) and understand how awful it is.

I have been on setraline for a month now. The first week was awful I won’t lie but since then it has eased off and I have really started to feel better.

Thank you Sirzy - what was awful about it? Physical symptoms or were you sleeping all the time?

Physical symptoms, for me it was feeling very sickly the whole time and no energy. I was close to giving up but glad I persevered

Thank you again, well I have literally no energy now, everything feels such a chore - I would live in my pyjamas if it was possible - and hopefully feeling sick will stop me from stuffing my face out of unhappiness like I am doing now - it could actually be beneficial (not minimising your experience of course, just trying to think laterally)! I am supposed to give an important work presentation and go away for work in about 2 weeks' time, hopefully I'll be out of the worst by then.

@Fairydust26 thanks for welcoming me

Monnalisa it is a terrible feeling. I’ve been on 19 interviews so far and not one offer. I’m almost 50 and being in technology an older woman isn’t a very desirable candidate.

I hope everyone is hanging in there. I broke 2 weeks ago and went on medication. Let’s hope it helps pull me out of the ditch

Gothamgirl1970, I am so sorry to hear - again, I understand, I turned 50 this year and after redundancy I went from a permanent well paid job and to a less prestigious, less well paid and temporary job. It is affecting me greatly. It does not help that I am in an industry in crisis. I have decided to turn my career a different direction and have an interview this Thursday although, like you, I am concerned that my age may work against me.

I am now in my pyjamas listening to the rain fall and letting the realisation I have depression sink in.

Can I join? I have horrible anxiety and am terrified of bad things happening at the moment. Just want it to stop.

MonnaLisa been on sertraline for about 2 years now so if you have any questions I’m more than happy to help!

Of course FelixFelicis6 welcome😊

hi FelixFelicis6 :) sorry you feel like that - it's horrible!

@monnalisa feel free to PM me. I’m also in pyjamas listening to the rain. My main accomplishment today was changing my bed.
Welcome Felix