Anxiety

Hello Aella, so sorry you're feeling like that. You mention Rescue Remedy - did you know there are about 37 Bach Flower Remedies and you can mix up to 7 of them? Aspen is for free floating anxieties, up to and including panic attacks. That might help.
All the best

Hello Aella, Sorry to hear that your anxiety is getting worse. Like others advise, if you can talk with your GP this would be a great first step but I appreciate that doing this can seem monumental. I think its great that you managed to post on this forum and that is a great start. The more you can express how anxious you are feeling, the more you will be getting it out into the open. Cognitive Behavioural therapy is a very effective treatment for anxiety. There are some very good self help resources online - GetSelf help and the Centre for Clinical Interventions (can just type in CCI and you should be able to find this). Perhaps taking a look at how to tackle the problem may help prepare you to see someone. I wish you all the best with your symptoms and feelings, anxiety can be very debilitating but it can also be overcome if you get the right help.

Aella!
DO get HELP ASAP you cant do this alone.
Sending virtual hugs.

GP... not go!

Hi aella, I really feel for you having had anxiety and depression for many years. I have seen the Dr on many occasions and have been on Citalopram for years. However I do a lot of self help now as I feel the Dr never attempts to get to the root of the problem. I belong to the No More Panic website where they discuss everything... have a look it might help release some of your problems. I also use the app called Headspace.... this is the best i have ever tried.... really calms me down with relaxation and meditation, worth a try. The other thing I use is music, I tune into Gold radio which is really upbeat with songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s... I only came by this by chance... the tv was so depressing and boring I looked elsewhere for background noise, I feel it has surprisingly helped the mood. Of course there are many self help books but I'm never sure they are much help and cost a fortune. Perhaps if you can't see a go these might help. All the best. X

Katy, sorry to hijack the thread bit if your doctor said he " didn't believe in handing out medication" he is in the wrong job.

There is no shame or weakness or failing connected with our minds, just as there is no shame in breaking a wrist and getting a plaster or being diabetic and taking insulin.

Something is wrong and there are things to fix it. It really is that simple.

Women are 4 times more likely than men to present with depression/anxiety. I wonder why. Could it be because we are empathic and sensitive and it all gets too much sometimes.

My sister suffers from anxiety and she recommends the No More Panic website to anyone she hears of in the same situation. It helped her to know that others were going through the same thing, and she found the forums very useful.

www.nomorepanic.co.uk/

It's a bit of a catch 22 if you are too anxious to go to see the GP about your anxiety - I do feel for you. When I mentioned feeling depressed to my GP, she was very sympathetic and told me about the IAPTS service, which I think operates in most areas at the moment. I got a few weeks of counselling which did help me a lot. There are also medications which can help by taking the edge off your anxiety, if your GP thinks that would help.

www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/iapt/

You really need to see a doctor as soon as possible, but you must be motivated to get better once given advice. Nobody but yourself can do this as I know from experience with my sister.

I share your pain. I was diagnosed with PTSD after an injury on duty. Add to that the anxiety of senior years and I, too, don't like to venture out much. At my worst I will sit in my armchair sewing and watching history programmes. It took me a long time to give myself permission to accept that and to relax into it.
When I'm feeling better I move about more, better still and I will go into my back garden. When I feel quite okay I go out into the world but there are certain triggers that will make m retreat back to my armchair.
There is nothing wrong with that. It is your mind needing to rest and heal.
In addition to this I am on medication which takes a good deal of th anxiety away....I call them my happy pills.
I realise how difficult it is to steal yourself to go to your GP but... in time I'm sure you will ...... you know you will benefit from this. You are not alone in this.
I am most fortunate that my husband is very supportive. He has witnessed me reacting to triggers and has had to deal with this.
Good luck. Our lives have moved far in advance of our minds ability to react.

You need to involve your GP. At our practice they have a resident Psychologist which may help you if your practice has one. If they don’t have one they will be able to refer you to one. There is also medication available to help you. I do understand how you are feeling and that you are a private person but you should reach out and take whatever help is available to you.

Please seek help aella. It's a waste of your life to go on feeling like this when help is out there.
I hope for happier things for you. Good luck.

I got a lot of help by referring myself to the NHS 2gether service. It was invaluable and has made a huge difference to my life.
They talked to me on the phone a number of times which was a great help as it took a while to get face to face therapy appointments. You could find out online if they have this in your area.

aella Where is your husband when you are hiding under the stairs? Surely he can see the distress you are in and Rescue Remedy is not the answer. Physical pain will only add to your feeling of helplessness so I urge you to contact your doctor or failing that is there not one member of your family you can talk to.? How can they help if you don't let them know how you feel? Fear/ depression is NOT something to be ashamed of or to keep to yourself.

aella I'm sorry that you are feeling so anxious. Would it be possible for you to confide in your Dh or Dc maybe, exactly how you are feeling. You really don't need to suffer with this alone and I'm sure that your family would rather know that you are not feeling great at the moment.
Also you can self refer for help with the nhs who will talk to you over the phone and then if you're feeling ok about it, will come out to see you, so you don't need to see your Doctor at all.
Go online and put your nearest large town:-
My town mental health self referal nhs
Just give them a call, they can help you.

Anxiety can be terrifying. I have always been an anxious person due to an awful childhood and subsequent life events.
Earlier this year it came to a head and I found myself in the GP's surgery a quivering, tearful wreck. She took my blood pressure and it was through the roof (I have been on medication for years and it's always fine). She didn't seem too concerned but I then went home thinking I was going to have a stroke or heart attack, which added to my fears. I have now developed a fear of having my BP taken. I too was dreading getting up in the morning, scared to go out etc in case 'something happened'. As I said on the Black Dog thread, another GP said he didn't believe in handing out medication. Fortunately the last couple of weeks I have felt a bit better. I am still not out of the woods but hoping to be able to cope a bit better. I hope you can find some help aella

Please try and find a way to talk to ask your surgery if you can self-refer to a local counsellor. You desperately need help, my friend, just like I did three months ago when, like you I was absolutely paralysed by fear depression and doubt. It pulls you through, my love. If you feel unable to go out of the house, it is quite possible you could be bordering on agoraphobic - in which case they might very well come out to you. Please try, and in the meantime, I wish you peace, joy and love.

Please get help ASAP so you can enjoy your life to the full. Life is too short to waste ?

How are you today aella ? Have you had any ideas of what you might do, having posted here and been given some ideas? Would your husband take you to the doctor?
Don’t miss your life xx

If you do not feel able to go to the doctor at this stage there are CBT courses that you can do online - maybe that might be a start.

Does your OH understand how acute this all is for you?

Yes you need to let people know you are in difficulties aella is there one family member you could confide in and ask for support? Maybe they could go to a Drs appointment with you. You have taken the first step by posting on GN now take the next steps and get your life back. Good luck.

Are there any friends or family members you could speak to? Maybe someone could accompany you to the doctor.
It sounds as if you are suffering in silence.
2 years too long IMO.

Perhaps an few sessions with an accredited counsellor would be a good starting point, your Drs surgery or local council should have contact details, or have a look on line. A chat with your GP would also help to establish what would be of most benefit to you, especially regarding sleeping & eating. You have already made a very positive step by starting this thread, of which many of us GNs will relate to, best wishes. you can move on from this.

That's awful for you. I know what anxiety and depression are like, having suffered from both conditions for many years. You CAN feel better if you got some treatment. I'm on antidepressants (I have been on them for years, but 2 weeks ago began a new type and feel very much better already). Please try to see a doctor - if you felt unable to speak freely, you could write it down and pass the note to the GP. I did that.

You are missing life. Things are passing you by, and that's a real shame. Your lonely life could be so different x

I’m sorry you have to put on a front when your family are there - do you think they would not be sympathetic? Do you have any medication for the arthritis? After 2 years it would probably be good to have it looked at again / x-rayed? Is there a reason why you are fearful of doctors? - did you have a bad experience once?

I do see quite a bit of our family. I'm like an actor when they are here and that's a bit wearing. I went to the hospital two years ago and have Athritis of the spine. That experience was the start of the anxiety worsening and I haven't seen anyone about it since. Thank you for asking