Overwhelming symptoms of anxiety and depression

[Lilly145]

Hello,

I am really suffering bad with anxiety depression and panick attacks. The physical and mental symptoms are unbearable I feel hot, sick, tight chest feel hopelessness and that I’m never going to get better. I’ve just started on 25mg sertraline last night but feel like I can’t carry on feeling this way for much longer as it’s killing me. Has anybody else been through this and can give me some tips on how I can turn my brain off x

Keep taking the tablets. You are going to have to be patient, it will take a couple of weeks to feel the benefits.
Do you have a medication review booked ?

Hi , yes I only started them last night and have a review in 2 weeks but it’s just very overwhelming I can’t eat or sleep or go to work I’m really struggling I just feel like I’m never going to get better and that’s what scaring me the most x

You will get better, trust in the process.
Are you signed off work ?
Have you been referred for any counselling or CBT ?
Try eating things that slip down easy, like tinned peaches..

yes I have a session booked for next week with a counsellor through work. I just want to be able to relax even for 5 minutes it’s like constant panick attacks all day there’s no rest it’s very hard to deal with.

I understand. Just keep going 💐

Sorry you are feeling this way OP. I would really recommend mindfulness, apps like headspace for the times you are feeling the anxiety and in a panic attack. It can creaky help ground you. With food, don’t stress it but try to get something in you. I have some “safe” foods I go to when I feel it like smoothies, toast, plain biscuits etc.

Matt Haig has written a couple of good books that could help. The first book of his I read “reasons to stay alive”, really helped. I really hate telling people the title but it’s so good for anxiety etc and it’s not written like a self help book.

I wanted to die I was so depressed in my mid twenties. I started reluctantly on sertraline. I'm here 30 years on to tell you it does help, hugely, and so does counselling and the passing of time.

For immediate support to relax your mind - a cold shower as cold as you can stand it! Bed and an audible book. A long walk (sorry, I know that's the last thing you want). Swimming. And yes, some kind of meditative work like mindfulness. Also keeping a journal. Did I mention great therapy?

Good luck

Thankyou so much for your replies. I just feel so alone and I can’t t see the light arak my over thinking is terrible and it makes me have these severe physical and mental symptoms. I’m finding it very hard because I have good supports and a good life so I’m struggling to understand why this has happened to me. I’m very drained and tired and feel like I can’t do anything to help myself. Hopefully I can hang on and soon be able to help myself more xx

When and why did the anxiety begin - what was the root cause?

I’ve always struggled with anxiety and depression but I’ve always been able to control it really good I can’t think of anything that has triggered it tbh xx

It may well have started in early childhood, before you can remember - we aren't born with either anxiety or depression (although there can be a genetic disposition which makes it more likely to suffer from either). How was your childhood generally?

OP May I ask how old you are? Are you female?

This is a brilliant post. Thank you, I have screen shot it to keep as I too am in a very bad place . Good
luck op

Hi Op.
I agree with PP. I find Headspace helpful and quite calming. Also what @HMSSophia said, try to get outside. I know its hard when you feel this way but ive found even a 10 minute sit in the garden helps.
I understand it feels like it will never get better and God knows I've thought that myself many times as I'm sure the other poster's have but in time it does.
Xx

Hi I’m 26 and a female x

I was wi seeing if you were peri menopausal as that can bring huge cortisol spikes abs anxiety but 26 is kind of young

I was you a few weeks ago. I walked every day. It was so hard & I often cried for the whole walk. But it passed an hour.

Stupid TV shows on that I didn't have to concentrate on.

Breathing. Practise breathing.

It will take a few weeks. It's hard to hear that. But you will feel better. I started on 25mg 7 weeks ago. I'm now on 100mg.

How are you doing?

Hi I’m on week 5 now and I’m feeling so much better. I’ve only started to feel better in the last few days so I’m hoping it carries on. Thankyou for asking xxx

Yay!! Lovely update