Please, any advice on what I can do - severe depression/anxiety?

Question

Sometimes I feel like I'm crazy and I just can't handle it anymore. It started almost two years ago, shortly after my grandma died (first person I've lost...it was VERY hard on me). It was at the very end of December 2006. Anyway, I had really bad anxiety and would constantly worry about everything. I'd freak out about people because careful because I was always afraid they would die (I still feel this way most of the time). I started seeing a counselor, she didn't help so I quit going to her. I thought I could work through it myself. During this time, I had a lot of problems with my boyfriend as well so I think that helped make it worse. About a year later, I was still having the problems, but they got a lot worse. I first saw my family doctor and she gave me Ativan to take when I needed it...like xanax. However, it wasn't enough. I was crying every night, like bawling my eyes out, I was tired all the time, didn't want to do anything, go to class, hang out with friends, I even had a hard time kissing my boyfriend. I was just always in the worst mood. I finally decided to try to see a new counselor. She was very friendly and helped a lot. She told me she thought I should see a doctor to talk about getting on anti-depressants. I did and I got on Welbutrin XL 150mg (anti-depressant/anxiety). At the end of the school year, I went home and saw my family doctor and we decided to bump it up to 300mg. This summer has been okay, the meds have helped, but it's still not enough. I'm getting so frustrated with everything, especially because any time I try to talk to someone about it, they just don't seem to understand. I'm beginning to feel like I'm crazy. I've never felt like this before and I'm afraid nobody will ever understand. I know other people suffer from depression, but is it as bad as I really think? Most of the time I just want to turn my brain off because I'm constantly thinking bad things, which is why I'm always in a bad mood. I think I seriously need to get more help, but I don't know how. My doctor and everyone I know see me as the happy, goofy girl, but I can't show anyone how I feel. I want to, but nobody sees that side of me, except my boyfriend and sometimes my parents when I have a major breakdown or something. What can I do?

Answer 1

go to a psychiatrist, talk to as many people as you can, guidance counselor, coach, neighbor, friends, u cant rely on meds to make u feel better. most importantly be honest about EVERYTHING dont cover up with a goofy happy act

Answer 2

I used to feel the same way. Please take this into consideration. It worked for me, although I am not you.

I had overwhelming anxiety. It turned out to be my use of Splenda. Yup Splenda. How could something that taste so good, be so bad?



I like to say sucralose, not Splenda, because that is what Splenda is. And it is in a lot of stuff. Sadly, the package doesn't have to say Splenda or diet to have sucralose in it. You have to read labels. So, you might be using it and don't even know it!



Sucralose is poison. It ruined five years of my life. I had a laundry list of medical problems while taking it, including overwhelming anxiety, depression, mood swings, insomnia, gastrointestinal issues and more.

Go ahead, google: anxiety splenda or anxiety sucralose or insomnia splenda or insomnia sucralose



The slogan, "Made from sugar..." is very misleading. Splenda might be made from sugar, but it is far from sugar. The resulting chemical is an organochloride (chlorocarbon). Organochlorides are typically poisons.



carbon monoxide - made from oxygen so its like a breath of fresh air

Answer 3

Step 1: Ensure your emotion is controlled daily. Don't over reacted, stay calm and don't get worry easily

Step 2: Think before your action. Don't repeat her past experience on herself. Remind herself from time to time.

Step 3: Be confident to yourselves. Remember everyone is the winner. "Only One sperms out of millions fertilize an egg"

Step 4: Get a group of close friends to share your experience and get some activities that would occupied your time

Step 5: Increase scope of life. Meaning that she should involve in more social activities like dancing, outing and others.

Step 6: Put a rubberband on the wrist. If there is a negative thought, Tighten the rubber band and release it. Hence the effect of the pain would be able to reduce the possibility of negative thought.

Good Luck.

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Besides, If you have more psychological problem, please write to me at

http://drgeorgeleow.blogspot.com/

Good Luck.

You may read more articles of mine through

Besides, If you have more psychological problem, please write to me at

http://drgeorgeleow.blogspot.com/

Answer 4

When you start thinking of such a bad thing or are going to have a breakdown think of all the good things.  Also drink a glass of water and talk to people.  If you need to talk to someone email me [e-mail]

Answer 5

I am bipolar which means that I have both depressive and manic episodes.  I also have trouble with obsessiveness and anxiety.  I can relate to what you have gone through and what you are feeling.

Your family doctor may be great, but is he or she a psychiatrist?  Most general or family practioners that I know will not attempt to diagnose a mental disorder and prescribe medicine for it.  My doctor, for example, feels that a psychiatrist knows better what meds will work and have the least side effects.  Thats just good medicine.

Ativan and Xanax are not really good meds.  They, like others, just mask the problem and can be addictive.  If a doctor tries to prescribe me any new med, I ask a lot of questions.  I even ask to see his or her's desktop reference quide for medicines.  It describes the med as well as its side effects and reactions.  I don't like putting things into my body that I cannot trust.

Sometimes a person's problems may be due to thinking that has to be untangled.  Other times there is an inbalance in a person's brain chemistry.  Meds help with regaining a balance.  However, counseling is also needed to undo the "wacky" thinking that aggrevates a mental condition.

Seek out other opinions.  See if your doctor can refer you to a mental health professional who can better evaluate you.  If your doctor won't,  look for one yourself by contacting a community mental health support agency or a local hospital that treats mental illness.

You are not crazy.  Things just have to be taken care of.  For me, my normal has been  adjusted.  I have shift the paradym of my thinking what is normal to help me manage the things that I can and to cope with the things that I cannot.

Hang in there.  Get help early.  Don't do like I did and let go of the situation until is was worse and almost too late.

God bless.  Go with the grace of God.

P.S.-  I have just read your additional details.  You are surrounded by a lot of loving people and your environment sounds supportive.  If your are still having these feelings like you are, there probably is something organic at the base of your thoughts and feelings.

Consider your diet.  Talk to a professional about this.  

Worst case   scenerio is that there may be an unbalance in brain chemistry.  Meds will help with this.  However, counseling is definetly a must to overcome any thinking that may be contributing to the problem.  

If there is an organic cause of your problem, just  counseling won't help.  I know.  I went for years to counseling while not addressing the chemistry problems of my brain.  Now, I have a balance in my  therapy between  meds and counseling.  I am feeling great.

Answer 6

your depression is causing me depression

Answer 7

Speak with a physcologist. A counselor only goes so far and do not get me started on a general family physician. Only the good ones refer you to a specialist.

Answer 8

I can honestly say I know how you feel. No joke. I suffered from depression for years. At one point I tried to take my own life. I'm glad to see that you are getting help. The medicine I took helped and I sought out counseling. Keep seeking counseling, make sure you stay with someone that you are comfortable with. You are not a freak or a nut case! Don't ever listen to anyone who tries and tell you that. Another thing you might need to get in is a support group. Don't let your depression get worse. Stay on your meds and continue seeking help. I have gone for almost a year now without meds. For me I was able to get off of them and just continue with counseling. This is not for everyone, some people will need to stay on there medicine for the rest of there life. I also read Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. It is a great book and it really helped me. You can help yourself by taking every thought captive. Anything negative you have to throw out. I too use to have the problem of everyone thinking that I was this happy go lucky person when inside I was crying out. I also kept myself busy with positive activities and surrounded myself with people I loved and trusted. You need support and don't need to be hanging out with people who are constantly being negative or speaking things of that nature in your life.  I hope that some of this has helped. There is hope so don't get discouraged. I am like a new person. If you are instrested in talking ever just let me know.  

Answer 9

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I started out taking prozac 20mg daily.. then it dropped to 10mg and now I am just taking 5mg and still doing very well. I might be considering taking medication off my life.

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Answer 10

Sounds like your set up to be a fruit loop for life

Answer 11

I had a similar situation when my grandmother died.  i just couldn't cope.  I was in college and I ended up dropping out.  I didn't go on medication.  I didn't see a doctor.  I didn't tell anyone what I was going through at the time so the fact that you are reaching out for help means you're stronger than you think.

When I finally did see a therapist, I discovered the root of the problem for me was guilt.  I drove past her house on the way back to college.  I told myself I didn't have time and would see her the next time I returned home.  She died suddenly a few days later.  I felt extremely guilty that I hadn't just stopped to visit.  Once I forgave myself, my depression began to subside.  I'm giving you the broad strokes but my point is getting to the root of your anxiety and depression will better help you to cope with it.

If your anxiety and depression stems from the fear that people could die any moment, then in addition to medication, you have to do some work of your own.  Medication will only address part of the issue.

The fact of the matter is that people can die at any moment.  Tomorrow is not promised to anyone of any age.  I say that not to scare you but to ground you in reality.  The thought can be scary and it can also be very depressing.   But you have to ask yourself, would you rather focus on eminent death or on having great relationships with your loved ones while they are here?

You also have to discover why only act out with the people closest to you.  There is no quick fix to dealing with anxiety and depression.  No pill is the answer.  What's more, some pills actually increase those feelings of depression.  So if your experiencing thoughts of hurting yourself and/or others, you need to let your doctor know so he can change your prescription.

I think it's a good idea to return to a counseling setting but maybe this time seek a behaviorist.  You sound like you'd like someone who will help you take action and not just talk.  

There's a quote that goes, "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."  It takes time but as soon as you start to feel anxious and depressed about death, stop yourself and start to think about the beauty of life.  Of course this will take time.  

Imagine a doughnut and how yummy they can be.  Right now, you focus on the hole, you focus on what's missing and what's gone.  If you start to focus and appreciate the donut, you won't have time think about what you don't have or what is missing, you can enjoy what's right in front of you.

Things won't change unless you take an active part.  Talk to your parents about your feelings and be open to what you can do to get yourself out of this place.  Be open to anything that will help, not just pills.  Take a look at your diet and try to cut back on excessive sugar and fatty, greasy foods.  Make sure you exercise daily.  Physical exercise is proven to reduce the feelings of anxiety and depression.  

Honor the memory of your grandma by not letting her death keep you in a bad place.  It's natural to grieve but there comes a time when we have to pick up the pieces and move forward.