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.

BippityBoppity the GP mentioned them and I went on about them having taken ages to come off successfully when I last did (about 10 years ago). They have been very useful to me but it was more when I was depressed and not quite sure whether I am now. I definitely don’t feel right and the anxiety is exhausting but not sure what it all is which in itself is unnerving

MirandaWest I think with me, anxiety plays a big part, I don't know if it's a placebo effect (some days I have forgotten to take it) but I never thought I was depressed. I don't know what it was. But I never felt like it was stereotypical depression. Some days I doubt myself and think there's nothing wrong.

I was hesitant to go back on AD's as citalopram sent me through the roof about 10 years ago, but I don't know if it was the stress of uni. That was a massive trigger for me. I was sky high before AD's, crashed, went to the gp as I felt very down, put me on pills. Came off them after about 2 months as it made me worse than before.

Then I went on mirtazapine about 3 months ago, awful. Anxiety sky high, couldn't leave the house, ended up in an ambulance after OD's a couple of times on it.

Switched to sertraline and the first week, again, made me sky high. When I mentioned this to the gp, she said apparently it's a common side effect? Then crashed again, and was pretty much up and down for a couple of weeks.

I feel like I've levelled out now though. Sorry, my experience might seem a bit extreme!

Hi everyone. Have been on previous threads but only sporadically. Summary: am 23, graduated summer 2017. Was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder last November.
Thing is, I don't quite know where I fit in on the anxiety spectrum, as it were. I've read a few threads in mental health where people have much worse symptoms than I do, and I look at myself and think "do I really have anxiety?" But then I think I must do. I don't have physical symptoms, I just shut down mentally/put up the "nope nope nope can't/won't do that" barriers whenever I'm forced to confront things.
I'm unemployed. I have literally no ambitions in life, nothing. I have absolutely no clue what to do. I know I don't have to have a set career in mind, but I don't even know where to start!
I find social situations to be the worst. I haven't done a thing romantically - no relationship, no dates, no sex, no kiss, nothing. I don't think of myself as physically ugly or anything, it's more the personality aspect that keeps me from getting out there. I have very low self-esteem, I can't help but see the negative in myself (eg my mum tells me I'm funny/clever etc but I just go "why can't I see that? Why am I so negative?") and I just think "would any bloke want someone like me?"
Thing is I don't really even think I have depression either. Maybe some form of dysthymia/low-level depression. I just kind of feel like I'm giving up before I've even tried. I don't really know what I think.

Fairy - glad to hear you are feeling better.

Miranda - I'm currently on 75mg effexor, up from 37.5 mg two months ago. I struggle with anxiety more than depression . My gp has said it is effective for anxiety. I'm having doubts about that. I don't think it is helping my anxiety all that much, and wish I could switch back to sertraline (came off that a few years ago thinking it was responsible for a bit of weight gain...now not so sure ). My dosage was upped recently due to a stressful family situation - otherwise I've been a long term ssri user at a maintenance (lowest) dose.

Welcome Basgetti

Welcome toffee - I can relate to what you're saying. Both my DS's have asd and I've wondered about some of my traits which are "spectrummy". Dysthymia is a possibility - have you spoken to your GP?

No. I really need to!

Hi toffee - Yes, just explain what you've said here. I felt like you in my early twenties, and I had very low self worth. I was terrified when someone asked me out! In my case I had some good therapy around age 26, which allowed me to knock down the walls I built around me.

Hello, I don't know if I should post here. I had to take DD (Aged 9!!) to the doctors yesterday because she's been complaining of headaches which seems to me a clear anxiety symptom. She has always been an anxious child - scared of lots of things. Worst thing is that I know it's me that's caused it. Looking back I've always been anxious too. I did get some CBT a few years back after a particularly stressful time - DH had had cancer, & has been doing contract jobs so always financially precarious, can never have nice holidays or anything - but clearly forgotten all I learned. I am a horrible parent - always snapping at the kids, always worrying about how to juggle everything so can't be a fun parent (DH gets paid by the day so can rarely do school runs or anything because he doesn't get paid if so, I have to sneak out of work). If you looked at my life you would say it was fine but I feel overwhelming guilt and now feel that I've failed massively if my poor DD is as I suspect when we go back on Friday going to be told that it's not a physical but mental thing. I don't know what to do. Sorry. Overwhelmed again.

sophystanton welcome
Please don't be so unkind to yourself.you sound like your life is incredibly stressful at the moment.i doubt even the atrongest person wont be wobbling,,so don't think ut makes you a bad person/parent.we all do the best we can do
I run a thread for parents and carers of anxious children.please hop(it's in the mental health boards) over if you want to discuss your DD with us or how it makes you feel caring for her.x

Anxiety does tend to run in families. My mother used to have panic attacks for example. She’s fine now though. The fact that you’re this concerned about her is pretty indicative that you do care! If you didn’t give a damn that would be something else.
Everyone finds parenting hard. Shouting/snapping at kids is pretty normal. It might not be “ideal” but don’t beat yourself up about it. If kids are suffering mentally of course the parents look to possible causes/blame themselves etc.

How's everyone this evening?

Sorry if this is going to sound a bit random, but wondering if anyone has any advice about PIP? I've never had this before, but I've been thinking for applying because of my knee. Would there be any point?

Back story, I've had this pain for nearly 3 year now. It's very debilitating. I can't walk for long distances, often having to rely on buses and taxis to get around. I can only work 2/3 maximum shifts a week because of this as well or I'm in too much pain. Struggle with the stairs, can't bend/kneel down. It's making my life a living hell. Sleep has gone to pot as I wake up constantly throughout the night in pain.

I've been to the GP before and all the tests came back clear. Been to physio, a&e, minor injuries. Been given strong pain killers and crutches. Nothing is cutting it I'm only 31.

I am 6+4 ... today I have had my first anxiety attack - I had an argument with my DH, and I was crying afterwards, then I found I was struggling to breathe and I had to go get my DH who helped me to breathe and he apologised for being a complete . Have I harmed my baby?

mummyhigg baby will be just fine!they do say constant stress in pregnancy can make baby's grumpy due to high levels cortisol flooding them to often so a heads up to schedule in bit relaxed me time everyday.its good for both of you!!
Congratulations on the pregnancy tbw

@Stilllivinginazoo Thank you xxx

mummyhiggit's an emotional hormonal time.xxxx

I've just started another thread as I didn't realise this one existed... I wonder if anyone could offer me any advice around the different types of therapy for anxiety?

I've just returned to work from 10 months mat leave. It's a fast paced high pressure job and I'm not coping - I'm so anxious again after only 4 weeks back. I suffered with anxiety a number of years ago before having my son. I had a wonderful mat leave, but now I'm back at work I'm totally overwhelmed. DS doesn't sleep and as much as DP does his share I can't switch off. I'm pulled from pillar to post at work, constantly being chased for this that and the other (it's our busy season and the entire teams workload is unmanageable). I feel like I'm on a hamster wheel, I don't know if I'm coming or going. Racing to childcare to work, back to childcare, to meetings, racing to get everything ready for the next day for myself and DS, catching up on work in the evenings and weekends. Work is making me feel particularly anxious, my job isn't 'life or death' or even that mentally challenging - it's just the amount of work I have to do/organise. I feel like a deer in the headlights and It's so counterproductive, which is then making me more anxious. I can't sleep i constantly feel worried, my tummy is all over the place.

I really need some help, I'm going to try and see my GP next week but I am considering paying for some therapy myself... but I don't know what would be best? I feel my anxiety is routed in low self confidence and esteem, but I have no idea why - I've been lucky that I've never had to endure any traumatic life events, had a lovely upbringing and family, never bullied or abused, I have a wonderful family, DP and son.

I'm so desperate to stop this controlling me, but I keep letting it take over. Any advice gratefully received

That sounds tough orangesandlemons12 Have you tried medication? It doesn't have to be a high dose and it doesn't make me zoned out or anything. Just makes me feel able to cope with things a bit better.

I went to sit down last night and I heard a massive crunch in my knee. It was so loud my DP heard it, absolute agony, I was almost in tears. Could barely walk today.

Hello can I join? Currently on holiday and having daily panic attacks coming st me out of nowhere. Can’t sleep, feeling like I’m living in a nightmare. I was on a low dose of citalopram (having weaned myself off 20mg over a 6 month period) but I’ve just upped it back to 20 again because I’m clearly not right. Struggling with a very challenging 4 year old and an emotional 8 year old who just need their mum to calm down!

Bippity - I think you are probably right. I've taken it in the past and for me it was a big help.

Your poor knee! How are you feeling today?

I'm feeling ok today orangesandlemons12 my knee is still in agony.

Also went to CBT today where they're considering a bipolar diagnosis. So that's fun. Already on top of my anxiety and depression.

I'm currently on sertraline, which I have found has definitely improved my anxiety. It's still there, but it doesn't linger as much as it used to.

I really hope I'm not. I think I'm fine now, but I can have normal periods in between. I felt a lot more chatty and open today. It's only because I mentioned when I was at uni and how I went a bit a lot off the rails. Drinking every night, spending thousands of pounds in a short space of time, sleeping with pretty much anyone (I wasn't picky) lasted I think a good few months, then came the crashing low, which is when I decided to see the gp. Was prescribed citilopram, which sent me sky high and worse than before. Came off it after about a month and never went back to the gp.

I've had similar blips throughout my life, but I just assumed it as stress. I'm really bad for over sharing, especially when I'm in a good mood. Ends up me texting anyone at all hours of the night

Hi new posters

oranges I would recommend talking to your gp. They will be able to learn more about you and how you are struggling, and hopefully be able to recommend options available to you. Good luck.

Moonlight sorry to hear you are struggling. Do you think the recent change in your dosage is making things worse/more anxious? I felt horrible when it happened to me, and many people will tell you similar.

Bippity interesting how bipolar was brought up. Will you be assessed for it? I hope your knee feels better soon.

No idea vikingwoman Asked if I have been given a diagnoses of bipolar, I'll look through your notes. I said no. And then gave a look at me. So that was reassuring..

But I said I feel like the sertraline has definitely improved things and my anxiety isn't anywhere near as bad as it was before. I don't want to be put on anymore meds.

Thank you Stilllivinginazoo and toffee1000 for your kind words. Much appreciated. I will pop over to that thread. It has been a stressful few days. I feel I fail her all the time, so even when we do have a nice time then something spoils it. I feel utterly rotten, and need to work all weekend to catch up with work I didnt do because of taking time off over half term. Totally overwhelmed.... :(