Hello to everyone

[mischief]

I suffer from chronic depression and anxiety, but at last found a medication that lets me lead a normal life. I'm 57 y/o and never had a clue that life could actually be enjoyable until about a year ago. Better late than never, thank God. I'm learning that it's never too late to have a happy childhood. Meaning, for me, that I can create my life and have fun living it. I've had lots of therapy and 12 step programs to help. Just wish I could free my sister from the her self-imposed tortures. She doesn't want therapy because she thinks it will be too painful, and she "doesn't want to cry". So I don't really have a sister. Yes, I'm feeling sorry for myself! Anyway, very glad to be on ECF and among friends.

 

[beckah54]

Hello Mischief,

You can consider me your sister if you want....I don't have one either. Three brothers, that's enough to depress me!

I'm glad you found a medication that helps with the depression and it sounds like it's given you a new lease on life. Wring every little bit of pleasure out of life that you can....we only get one time around. (unless you believe in reincarnation, which I personally don't).

Feel free to lean on this group as support whenever you need it. I hope to run across you in the general forum. PM me if I can help with anything.

beckah

 

[Mary Kay]

As Beckah said, Welcome! This time of year can be rough on people, so feel free to rant if you feel like it. We are here.
I had many people in my family that had various mental problems, none of them got help! You are way ahead of the game! Finding what makes your life worth living is a gift beyond measure.It's never too late to start enjoying the big and little things in life!
I always built my own family of friends to share Holidays and such with. Sometimes I just wasn't able to deal with all of my Mom, sister and Grandmothers problems.
Feel free to post here or join us in the Women's Room for lighter topics.

 

[redgirl]

Welcome! I just joined this group, also. I have, I guess, generalized anxiety disorder. It was very strange, it just hit me at the beginning of this year (turning 30 did it, I guess ). Well, I have a family history of it too, but medical science is iffy as to whether it's inherited or not. I had a severe panic attack and after that, had really bad anxiety that never went away. Every night, my heart would start beating out of my chest and I couldn't go to sleep. My breathing got out of rhythm and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I went to my family doctor and he prescribed buspirone. That did nothing for me. Well, long story short, I've been through the wringer trying to find the right medication and now am on Zoloft. Every med has bad side effects and I'm still kind of struggling with trying to outweigh the side effects or just try to scrap meds altogether.

 

[Mary Kay]

Not being a medical person..so take my advice with a bag of salt!
What you have just may be a racing heart! It goes fast and then it seems as though it skips a beat. I asked my Dr. why it only happened at night and she said it happened all the time but you don't feel it unless you are very quiet!
I had tests and they said it was weird but harmless and very common..but everytime it happened I was scared! talk again to your Dr. about tests.

The other thing I can suggest is that something happened a while ago to you and for some reason you are reacting to it now. Try talking to a professional about your issues and get then out. maybe the panic or anxiety will go away. Or maybe you will get ideas about how to deal with them.
Welcome to the group Redgirl!

 

[redgirl]

Thanks Marykay! I've had stress tests, xrays, blood work, lung capacity test, and they all said nothing was wrong. I then went to a psychologist, then a psychiatrist, so it's been kind of stressful in itself just going through all that. My psychiatrist said that I will probably have to take anti-anxiety meds for the rest of my life, which I wasn't too keen on, but I've heard it's hell trying to get off of them. I just switched insurance companies, so I'm thinking about maybe seeing a different psychiatrist.

 

[Mary Kay]

2nd or third opinions are always a good thing! I think that unless it's a medical problem..talking it out should help to relieve the stress.

Here's a trick I use to lower blood pressure. It also works to calm yourself.
But not while you are driving..O.K.?

Picture a big thermometer..the red liquid is at the top in the bulb..now with eyes closed, take a deep breath and release it slowly as the liquid drops down. Let your eyes drop down under closed lids following the liquid. By the time your breath is done and your eyes have reached the bottom your heart rate and blood pressue should be lower. I notice that my head also nods down.

With practice you can ask a nurse to see if it lowers your B.P...they tend to get a kick out of it!

 

[beebopnjazz]

That thermometer trick sounds good!

Hello everyone. Decided to join you all as my anxiety levels have been running pretty high and when I talk to my family they make it worse [not that they're trying to].

Anyway, some days I'm wrecked and some days I'm bonkers. Occasionally I'm both!8-o

Once my anxiety is up it doesn't seem to take much to kick it into high gear. I need better coping skills I guess because I can't remove myself from these situations.

 

[Mary Kay]

Welcome BeeBop, I know that it seems like there is no way to cope..but there is always a way! Our brains have a way of protecting us..they also seem to go out of their way to annoy us!
I have a theory that says if you aren't a wee bit bonkers you are crazy!
It's a balance thing..when bad things happen we need our bit of bonkers to keep us sane. It's not a bad thing..unless it gets out of hand...think Monk.
I know a brilliant woman..smart, pretty and funny. But a few years back something very bad happened and she kind of went off kilter. She locked her self in the house for years. Now she is is back..but she can't eat certain food..no reason..she just won't eat some food! It's her little bit of bonkers that keeps her able to function.

 

[underwater goddess]

Hi and welcome!

I have dysthemia (mild depression) and severe anxiety/panic. I used to have true depression, but kicked that way of life once and for all after doing some serious thinking about my life and having an epiphany.

Feel free to chat with me anytime

 

[Mary Kay]

That is very kind of you Underwater! It is often a simple thing like a conversation..just knowing you aren't alone..that gives people hope!
Thank you again on behalf of all of us.