Anxiety and depression.

[melissaealy]

Am I weird or do other people fell strange around other people like you get it in your mind that people are judging you or staring at you? I have been like this pretty much my whole life but it has gotten worse through the years. Now I only leave my house when I have to the grocery store or to my childrens school or some where I just have to be. I wont even drive because I'm way to nervous. I'm on meds but nothing has seemed to help beside making me feel worse then I already do.To be honest I dont even feel comfortable in my own skin anymore. Could this be more then anxiey and depression? Advise would be greatly appreciated.Thanks for reading.

[northbelle]

I'm sorry , that really sucks. Being uncomfortable in your own skin. I can totally realte, I have to force myself to walk through the fear alot of times, or I would just sit and stare all day long. It will get better I hope . Just try to find little things to do to help you with the fear.. I like this acronym.
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

Have you ever tried any meds?? It might help you through this rough time right now...I am seeing a doctor myself today for anxiety and depression. Called in to work because I just can't COPE. But I am clean and sober today ,,sometimes that is as good as it gets.
I have akiddo too..single mom..it isn't easy and you are not alone.
love north

[melissaealy]

Hi North and thanks for replying! I was begining to think no one one would. Yes I take meds but nothing has seemed to help as of yet.Dr's have tried almost every thing besides the meds you can get hooked on. They said they dident want to give me any meds that wood. So I really dont know what else I can do besides suffer.?With anxiety and depression both and not to mention the stress I'm under I feel like I'm going to crack and I'm really suprised that I havent.Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.As you can tell I was having a hard time explaining my situation I've never been really good at chatting online.Thanks again and I hope you will also feel better soon.Know one should have to live like this or feel this bad for that matter.{{Hug's To You}}

[wandergrrl777]

You've been diagnosed with anxiety and depression.. But, what about phobias?? I know anxiety disorders and agoraphobia often go hand in hand.

The therapy for phobias are slightly different, and a little more intensive than the therapy for anxiety disorders. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is good for depression, anxiety, and phobias. But, I think phobias need to be handled more slowly, with a step by step plan.

Try to get with a good therapist. See if you can find one that specializes in CBT (cog. behavioral therapy) with an emphasis on anxiety or phobias. If you are too afraid to leave the house to go to therapy, a lot of therapists will do counselling over the phone.

The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook by Dr. Edmund J. Bourne, is a great book. It explores pretty much every aspect of anxiety, panic, and phobias. The book will set you back about $20.00 but is worth every penny.

You aren't alone. I know I have been there and it sucked!! Take good care of no. 1. Take care of yourself just like you take care of your child/childern. You know what I mean? Be a good mother to yourself too!

Okay that was lengthy..lol Hope this helps.
-Moni

[northbelle]

Hey Melissa , good to hear back from you too. Again I can relate as meds never really helped me alot either . TRY to find things you LIKE to do at home that relax you...you may have to think a lot but there are things you can do. Get a good book or CD program that helps with the anxiety and depression. I went and got myself a couple nice bathmelts , soaps and a massage bar. Doing my own little spa in my TINY little bathroom!! Makes me feel better able to cope.
I have no drivers liscense as a result of some addiction adn I have to take public transortaion everywhere . Sometimes I feel llike I just can't cope with getting on that thing with all the people!! I get really bad anxiety too. But I am a single mom and HAVE to !!
It has gotten better though over time. Things never stay the same so just tell yourself This Too Shall Pass. I know you will feel better again. I always need to TALK about whatever it is that is crazy making stuff in my head.. I have a good AA friend that always listens to me go on and on !! God Bless LINDA!!! She just doesn't have a clue how she saves my butt!
So how many kids do you have??
love north

[sugarssweetpea]

I could walk into a football stadium and think that EVERYONE there saw me walk in. Yes I know how you are feeling. It stinks. I currently teach preschool. That has helped me a lot to overcome it. Still think that people are watching, but try not to care. Try to please only God. Try to realize the situation when it is happening & talk myself out of it.

[michski]

Can you get yourself to excersize on a regular basis? A quick run around a park or somewhere you feel safe. When you're running or power walking you can just center on your body and balance and it will help your anxiety lots.

Something aerobic and fast.. walk up a big hill.. run up a couple flights of stairs. You can find something to do in the privacy of your own home. I bought a used treadmill for 100 bucks and it's done wonders for me.

[carolm]

Hi Melissa,

I can relate to your problems. I see psychiatrist and take meds, although I have to push myself out the door every time I go out. Is your doc a psychiatrist or a pharmacologist? I think it really helps to go to an expert.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Carol

[melissaealy]

Originally Posted by wandergrrl777

You've been diagnosed with anxiety and depression.. But, what about phobias?? I know anxiety disorders and agoraphobia often go hand in hand.

The therapy for phobias are slightly different, and a little more intensive than the therapy for anxiety disorders. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is good for depression, anxiety, and phobias. But, I think phobias need to be handled more slowly, with a step by step plan.

Try to get with a good therapist. See if you can find one that specializes in CBT (cog. behavioral therapy) with an emphasis on anxiety or phobias. If you are too afraid to leave the house to go to therapy, a lot of therapists will do counselling over the phone.

The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook by Dr. Edmund J. Bourne, is a great book. It explores pretty much every aspect of anxiety, panic, and phobias. The book will set you back about $20.00 but is worth every penny.

You aren't alone. I know I have been there and it sucked!! Take good care of no. 1. Take care of yourself just like you take care of your child/childern. You know what I mean? Be a good mother to yourself too!

Okay that was lengthy..lol Hope this helps.
-Moni

Yes I have phobias or I really believe that i do. I cant stand being in crowds. I get extremely nervous and cant waite to get away from it. I also cant stand the thought of driving a car and when i'm riding with someone they laugh at me because they think its funny that i'm so jumpy. i am also not a big fan of hights either.Thanks for everyones advise.

[melissaealy]

Originally Posted by carolm

Hi Melissa,

I can relate to your problems. I see psychiatrist and take meds, although I have to push myself out the door every time I go out. Is your doc a psychiatrist or a pharmacologist? I think it really helps to go to an expert.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Carol

Its nice to know that someone can relate although I wouldent wish no one to go through this. yes my dr. is a psychiatist. Thanks and I will keep all of you in my prayers as well!

[melissaealy]

Originally Posted by michski

Can you get yourself to excersize on a regular basis? A quick run around a park or somewhere you feel safe. When you're running or power walking you can just center on your body and balance and it will help your anxiety lots.

Something aerobic and fast.. walk up a big hill.. run up a couple flights of stairs. You can find something to do in the privacy of your own home. I bought a used treadmill for 100 bucks and it's done wonders for me.

Right now i need to find the energy to to make my self get out of bed and go where i need to go. but i believe it would help.

[melissaealy]

Originally Posted by northbelle

Hey Melissa , good to hear back from you too. Again I can relate as meds never really helped me alot either . TRY to find things you LIKE to do at home that relax you...you may have to think a lot but there are things you can do. Get a good book or CD program that helps with the anxiety and depression. I went and got myself a couple nice bathmelts , soaps and a massage bar. Doing my own little spa in my TINY little bathroom!! Makes me feel better able to cope.
I have no drivers liscense as a result of some addiction adn I have to take public transortaion everywhere . Sometimes I feel llike I just can't cope with getting on that thing with all the people!! I get really bad anxiety too. But I am a single mom and HAVE to !!
It has gotten better though over time. Things never stay the same so just tell yourself This Too Shall Pass. I know you will feel better again. I always need to TALK about whatever it is that is crazy making stuff in my head.. I have a good AA friend that always listens to me go on and on !! God Bless LINDA!!! She just doesn't have a clue how she saves my butt!
So how many kids do you have??
love north

Great to hear from you to.Yes I have 2 children. Thanks for all the advise. God knows that I need all of it i can get.

[Ten Chips Down]

Originally Posted by northbelle

I like this acronym.
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

Hrmm. I always thought it stood for
F***
Everything
And
Run

Hell, works for me? *shrug*



Nah but serious:

Originally Posted by sugarssweetpea

I could walk into a football stadium and think that EVERYONE there saw me walk in.

Yep, that's me all over. I'm simply horrible about that - but I can trace mine back to a solid (real) traumatic time in my life: Grades 9-11. I was the quintessential dork/geek/nerd and simply didn't have the skills or support to fight that.

I was made fun of virtually every. single. day.

I was a straight-A student yet consummate loner. I learned to isolate because I was scared to death of being laughed at.

When you're laughed at for your looks, it hurts to your very soul. If you're young enough and not strong enough to "overcome" it, that kind of treatment on a regular basis can bruise your self-image and self-esteem for life.

High school was hell for me, and in the 11th grade, I made the boldest, smartest move I could at that time, which nobody else could possibly understand: I dropped out.

I look back now, 25 years later only with sorrow and compassion, and still understand why that young John did what he did.

Ten

[sugarssweetpea]

Yeah, I'm with you. My mom kept me pretty much isolated from my brothers & sisters when I was very little, and she did not spend much time with me at all. I was painfully shy & was never supported or encouraged to do anything. Instead, I was just told to do it, never told that it was ok when I didn't, just told what I was missing & that it was silly not to want to do it. As I got older & into high school, my shyness was mistaken for being stuck up b/c I would not talk to people. The last years of high school, I kinda blossomed & guys started noticing me & I ran with it. The wrong way of course. Anyway, still struggle with a lot of issues. Have very low self esteem & was never told otherwise about myself (not anything good.) I do understand a lot about myself due to my past. At least it helps to try to overcome it now & to not let my children go through the same thing.

[Found]

I give weird vibes becuse I'm autistic, I also get anxious because of it.
But I've learned to be so accepting of myself people don't mind me any more.
There was also a transitional phase when I thought people stared but they didn't. And there's been those times people stared and it didn't matter as much as I thought (if at all).

I got myself out of some bad obsessive-compulsive traits with a wonderful book called Brain Lock, by Jeffrey M Schwartz MD (pubd Regan Books, part of Harper Collins) I didn't consider I needed an official diagnosis to be helped by it. Don't worry if it doesn't mop up 100% of your problems, I expect the ideas in it will help quite a bit.

I have specific phobias that don't impact my life much. In me I equate reluctance to go out to depression and it is cured when my depression goes away.

I did have to educate myself for several years about the reasons helicopters were flying overhead, and it was hard work but my determination won the day and it was worth it.

My experience is it is always the practical reasons for things that are the most convincing and not the philosophical ones.

I think you have made great strides just by broaching this with us.

[Ten Chips Down]

You guys are so interesting. And weird. Like me.

Posting candidly on here reaps one invaluable benefit: It assures me that hey, I'm not alone in my life struggles.

The one thing though that begins to occur to you (especially once you hit that middle-age mark like me) is that people simply don't change magically through arwareness alone. It can require strong intention; purpose, a goal, and a plan. Gumption; motivation. Sometimes, a willingness to make a paradigm-shift in how one view his or her world.

Because - guess what? Knowledge of your problem alone don't make a damn. Has taken me friggin' years to learn that. You can sulk, or p*ss and moan your whole life -- the world won't change.

I like what Found said about the depression, too. That struck a chord. It can hold ya back. Has to be treated and addressed.

Found is very impressive to me in the progress he/she has made, and in his excellently composed posts.

Sugarssweetpea was fun to read to: "The last years of high school, I kinda blossomed & guys started noticing me & I ran with it. The wrong way of course."

i love this place
__________________

DYK?

Imipramine, namebrand Tofranil, the first successful TCA antidepressant synthesized in the '50s, actually remains the standard by which all new ADs are measured in efficacy. The advent of the newer SSRIs, etc., are "better" only in their side-effect profiles, some having virtually none, whereas the TCAs typically carry the unwanted side-effects of drowsiness, difficulty urinating and dry mouth, to name a few.