Is there a general anxiety/depression support thread?

[SingToTheSky]

The closer winter gets the more I’m struggling TBH. I’ve made so much progress with therapy and the right medication, but lockdown has set me back an awful lot and I could really use a place to talk.

Anyone else? :)

Oh Where :( I am sorry things went so wrong at work. It sounds like you were really brave to confront what your manager did? I know it won’t help the anxiety right now but if she’s treated you badly then it’s not you who’s caused the shit today or ruined the relationship.

I hope you can be kind to yourself tonight - low expectations of yourself, if you need to curl up and cry with some chocolate then do that. ❤️

I feel its partly my fault for letting it build up to the point I've lost it.
She's apparently devestated she's made me feel this bad though she was very distant with me today.
I now feel bad she's upset and can't stop crying that this has happened 😢

Hi, I'd be keen to join as well please? Been struggling with anxiety/depression most of this year. Things had finally improved a few weeks ago, but things are starting to slide in the wrong direction atm which is a bit scary. Losing my job in the next few weeks is a real prospect, and think the idea of a dark cold winter without any xmas parties also isn't helping! Live alone and have been turning into a hermit as all the things I'd usually like doing to meet people aren't covid friendly.

@wheresmyhairytoe My manager majorly guilt tripped me at the start of this year about her being stressed about my anxiety. Which then made me even more stressed that I was making her stressed! In hindsight I think its really not fair of your manager to put how she feels on you. She's responsible for managing her feelings, or seeking support from her manager if she needs it. Feeling bad that she feels bad is a bit of a thankless cycle (though understandable) so I would try your best just to put it out of mind. You aren't responsible for looking after her, you need to look after you at the minute.

Thanks @SingToTheSky. Are you my twin?! Im exactly the same with the super sensitivity to caffeine; in an ideal world I would give it up completely but I take medication every night for another health condition and that leaves me quite dopey in the morning so I need a couple of coffees to get going.
Regarding sugar and carbs, I actually think they have a calming effect on me when my anxiety flares, I've never thought about low sugar levels triggering my anxiety though so that's something to bear in mind. I also had GD and still have my monitor fortunately so I could test it out!
How have you been doing the past few days?
I've been feeling better, nice autumn weather so I brought DD to playground after nursery and both DC for a walk in the woods after school, fresh air and gentle exercise felt like just what was needed. Work tomorrow so going to get organised for that now (clothes, lunch etc) so I'm not chasing my tail during the week.

Hi everyone. My friend, who is a mental health and wellbeing coach, has just written a really useful blog about self care. She is planning to write about lockdown and anxiety soon too. Please do check it out. I found it really helpful with my anxiety!
www.janeetty.com/blog

Went in today and Manager was doing Supervisions.

I had mine, where she listed the negatives first, not brilliant when you've just had a breakdown about feeling like you're useless and can't do anything right.
Told her I'd been worried all weekend about upsetting her and feeling like I've ruined the relationship we had. She told me she "hoped" we could move on and that my words had upset her and she'd been upset all weekend about it.
Told me I should have come to her sooner with any minor niggles and she'd noticed I'd not been right for a while. I asked why she hadn't had me in the office to discuss then but apparently I should have done that.
I feel a total failure 😢 I've ruined everything.

@wheresmyhairytoe she should be more professional and sympathetic to your feelings, supervision is about you not her!!

Anyway I'm thinking of asking the dr to sign me off for another two weeks, I'm feeling better but feel like still fragile?! I've got to build myself up again to ring my manager and explain, which terrifies me, she's so short and abrupt, she's not once asked how I am in the last 2 weeks and I always classed her as a friend too 😡😡

I've also been looking for other jobs which are similar but better work/ life balance and less stress.

Hope everyone is doing ok today?

My husband and mum think I should get signed off for a bit. I've got a few days off so going to ring GP about upping or changing my meds. Do I ask them to sign me off or do they suggest it? I just don't want to cause more shit but I've spent most of the day in tears. Actually wishing I could catch covid so I could have 2 weeks off!

Oh god I was the same, it must be bad for you. Speak to your GP, just say it's work related and you don't feel fit to be in work, they will sign you off.

@wheresmyhairytoe what medication are you currently on?

I'm feeling a whole load better after my little blip, thank god. It's so scary when you feel yourself sliding isn't it? Ugh!

Hope everyone else is doing ok. We've got this xx

I'm on Sertraline.

@wheresmyhairytoe what dose do you currently take? Have you been on it long? It maybe just a tweak is needed?

Sending hugs, I know how hard it is.

I'm on 50mg, been on them about 10 months. Certainly needs a tweak!

I'm in peri menopause too which isn't helping m

Yeah I hear you with the hormonal thing. It's horrid.

Maybe speak to your dr about trying 75mg might just be enough to make you feel better.

Can I join? My anxiety is really bad at the moment. The pressure we are under at work doesn't help. We are understaffed and grossly overworked.
I have taken today off work as I had a bit of a breakdown yesterday when I got home.
I really am wondering whether I can be signed off by my GP, but then it worries me if I do that I really don't know if I could ever face going back into work again.

I’m on week 3 of 50mg sertraline and being signed off work. I feel as though I might be a bit worse, but I’m not sure if that’s a self-fulfilling prophecy because the GP told me I might feel worse before I feel better and I can be quite suggestible. It’s been taking me all week to gear myself up to check in with my line manager at work. They’re being outwardly nice enough but I’ve left them a bit in the lurch so I’m terrified about going back (which will still be working from home, which I think has been a factor in getting me to this point).

How long did it take others to feel any difference with sertraline? I feel like if I could just take the edge off my anxiety I’d have the capacity to do the things that are supposed to help like exercise or counselling.

My DH is not much use either, he just doesn’t really get it, just asks me every day “how are you feeling now” like I’m going to give a different answer.

@BikeTyson I think everyone is different on sertraline. For me personally it took about 6-8 weeks on the right dose (which for me was 100mg) to feel ok again. But many many people feel a lot better a lot quicker. Just don't give up and take time off work if you need it. Don't struggle on until you break xx

I've spoken to GP and they've upped my meds to 100mg. Also signed me off for 2 weeks.
Dreading yelling the boss and having to Face her when I take the note in.

That's good! Not sure how sensitive you are with side effects but I found it easier to do a week at 75 before going to 100mg. Hopefully you'll be feeling better soon!

Do you not have someone who can take it in for you? I've been signed off for another 2 weeks, she still hasn't asked how I am!!

Oh, can I join please? I have another thread on this part of the forum. I've been depressed before but this time I'm so low that I'm feeling suicidal. I'm on Sertraline, 50mg but probably need to increase at some point. I started off on 12.5mg! Which helped me sleep but nothing else. Side effects have been bad so I'm taking it slowly. Every day is a nightmare really.

Hi @Namechanged1122 welcome!

I've felt like a useless piece of shit today! I've drank so much coffee and had a 3 hour nap and still have no motivation to clean up (it desperately needs doing).

Hoping tomorrow I wake up with a bit of energy.

 to everyone having such a tough time right now. Sounds like you're in a bad place @Namechanged1122, do you have some rl support?
I'm doing ok, I had a very busy day at work, talking to a lot of different people which always leave me a little anxious, but I think once my base level of anxiety is low, I can cope fine with that.

Welcome @Namechanged1122

@ziggzagg I could post it to her I suppose, the thought of seeing her causes me to panic. DH thinks I should hand my notice in.
I'm also looking at the actual shit tip that is my house but can't be arsed to tidy it.
Wish I could nap, I'm so tired!