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Original poster

Existential crisis and worries for the future

7 replies

Starfish89 · 15/08/2024 11:59

Could help me please? I am spiralling at the moment and don't know what to do. I am approaching 40. I have no children and I am an only child. All I can see ahead in my life is loss. Loss of my parents, potential loss of my partner (I have convinced myself he will become ill and die even though he has no health issues). Then I will be alone. And I will have to face becoming an old person and dying on my own. I have friends and am actually well liked, but my lack of family makes me feel scared about the future and vulnerable. I live with constant anxiety and depression which I have to try to hide from those around me. I don't know what to do. I have reached the point where I wish I had never been born. I don't know what my purpose is or what to do with the rest of my life.

OP posts:
cupcaske123 · 15/08/2024 12:04

Have you been to the GP and had a checkup or been given medication? Are you having therapy?

Eyesopenwideawake · 15/08/2024 12:05

Family doesn't have to be the only thing in your life - friends, neighbours, colleagues can all play their part in your life story but it does require effort to start and maintain those relationships. How would you see yourself reaching out to actively make your own 'family'?

Original poster
Starfish89 · 15/08/2024 12:32

@cupcaske123 I started Sertraline but I stopped taking it as I didn't feel it was helping. I think I should have stayed on it though and given it longer.

@Eyesopenwideawake I have made a new friend online who is also an only child actually. I think finding more people in the same situation would help, but there aren't many of us. I think I need to just keep working on it.

OP posts:
cupcaske123 · 15/08/2024 12:47

I started Sertraline but I stopped taking it as I didn't feel it was helping. I think I should have stayed on it though and given it longer.

Not necessarily, if you tried it for a few months and didn't feel any different, then you could ask to change to something else. It can sometimes take a while to find the right medication.

Other things that might help are cutting out caffeine and alcohol, getting enough sleep, fresh air and exercise, magnesium, journalling, mindfulness and meditation and therapy.

There's a good mental health helpline called Rethink which could give more advice.

ETA I recommend a health check up and getting bloods done in case there's a physical cause to your feelings.

Original poster
Starfish89 · 15/08/2024 14:05

cupcaske123 · 15/08/2024 12:47

I started Sertraline but I stopped taking it as I didn't feel it was helping. I think I should have stayed on it though and given it longer.

Not necessarily, if you tried it for a few months and didn't feel any different, then you could ask to change to something else. It can sometimes take a while to find the right medication.

Other things that might help are cutting out caffeine and alcohol, getting enough sleep, fresh air and exercise, magnesium, journalling, mindfulness and meditation and therapy.

There's a good mental health helpline called Rethink which could give more advice.

ETA I recommend a health check up and getting bloods done in case there's a physical cause to your feelings.

Edited

Oh that's interesting, thank you. Maybe I do need to try something else.

I do think journaling, mindfulness, meditation and therapy could all help. Will explore.

I had bloods done a couple of years ago, but I guess there could have been a change since then.

OP posts:
cupcaske123 · 15/08/2024 14:38

Starfish89 · 15/08/2024 14:05

Oh that's interesting, thank you. Maybe I do need to try something else.

I do think journaling, mindfulness, meditation and therapy could all help. Will explore.

I had bloods done a couple of years ago, but I guess there could have been a change since then.

Show quote history

There are some great meditation apps if you want to give it a try. I use Headspace but there are others here:

https://www.verywellmind.com/best-meditation-apps-4767322

If you go to YouTube and look for the London Buddhist Centre, there are plenty of talks on mindfulness that you might find useful. On their website are meditation recordings.

Anxiety UK has affordable therapy, so check out their website.

Best Meditation Apps of 2024

Whether you’re looking for a way to focus during the workday or help falling asleep at night, look no further than these 7 apps.

https://www.verywellmind.com/best-meditation-apps-4767322

Original poster
Starfish89 · 28/08/2024 22:35

cupcaske123 · 15/08/2024 14:38

There are some great meditation apps if you want to give it a try. I use Headspace but there are others here:

https://www.verywellmind.com/best-meditation-apps-4767322

If you go to YouTube and look for the London Buddhist Centre, there are plenty of talks on mindfulness that you might find useful. On their website are meditation recordings.

Anxiety UK has affordable therapy, so check out their website.

Show quote history

Apologies, I meant to come back here to say thank you for this the other day.

OP posts:
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