Anxiety depression and self harm

[Foreverbrokenmummy]

This is my 1st post and im not sure where to start.
Ive have had anxiety most my life and depression on and off for the past 12 year. Ive recently left a very abusive relationship (physically and emotionally) and my mental health is suffering terribly. Im suffering panic attacks serveral times a week and cant sleep. Ive been to my doctor several times in the last few month and been given mirtazapine to help. This has a helped a little but not much. In the past two weeks ive had strong urges to self harm (havent done this in 8 year) so far im resisting the urges but dont know how much longer il be able to. My worry is if i go back to my doctor and explain this or if i do end up self harming will social services become involved? My children are very well looked after and alothough can see mummy is sad sometimes my mental health does not affect them in anyway. Im just at a loss as to what to do. I feel so emotionally drained and have no onw to turn to.

Hi there sorry to hear your having a ruff time maybe go back to the docs and explain you don't think what they have given you Is helping there is lots of support out there I'd go back to your gp they have plenty of resources to help you get back on track I was the same worried about social services but I was honest at how I was feeling as I needed help xx

While you are waiting for your docs appointment, I know it sounds silly but 478 breathing exercises really helped me.

The exercises trick your brain into thinking you are relaxed. I honestly do feel more relaxed. I can’t explain it.

It’s on you tube under Dr Andrew Weil 478 breathing. Dude with a bushy beard.

Demo is under 5mins. You do it twice a day and after a few weeks it’s like it triggers relaxation! Totally worth trying. Won’t do you any harm. Doesn’t work immediately though. For me it took about a fortnight. You must do twice daily but it’s only a minute a go tops.

All you do is breath in through your nose for four seconds.
Then hold for seven seconds.
Them ‘whoosh’ the air out your mouth for eight seconds.

Easy. And for some reason if you keep doing it twice a day it has cumulative benefits. Then if you’re stressed and do it at that time it takes the panic away. I don’t understand how it works but it does.

I hope you get meds that help too OP.

@Foreverbrokenmummy

Have you spoken to Women's Aid? They can get you on the Freedom Programme or you can do it online.

Buy the book by Lundy Bancroft :Why does he do that?
It will explain all about abuser personality types.

Research about Cluster b personality types.
Narcissists/psychopaths/sociopaths.

You will understand the abuser patterns by these disordered men.

Please try your best not to self harm(easier said than done, I'm an ex self harmer).

Try and distract yourself. Make a cup of tea. Cut up an orange. Listen to music. Read to your little ones, just distract yourself. Do the counting as previous poster said.
Watch YouTube videos by:
Inner integration
Richard Grannon
Surviving narcissism
Narc Survivor
Susan Winter
Derrick Jaxn

Stay strong. You can do this.

We’re so sorry to hear that you’re feeling like this, OP. We wanted to share Mind's information with you - it has practical tips on what you can do when you feel like this and where to get urgent help. Maybe take a look and see if there’s anything which might be helpful right now: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/self-harm/helping-yourself-now

Samaritans are there for you too, 24/7, by emailing [email protected] or calling 116 123. You can also see the resources in our Mental Health webguide here.

Very best wishes from all at MNHQ.