New here and looking for help

[Bree369]

Hi I'm Bree. I'm a young woman and I've been struggling with anxiety and depression since my early teen years. I'm new here and have never tried really doing an online support group. I guess I am looking for confirmation that I am not alone in my struggles and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on some things I can start doing today to work on my waves of depression and anxiety. Some of the things I feel are irritability, loss of emotions, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, extreme sleepiness and when I am feeling anxious I feel my heart race and I can get very short of breath. Thank you everyone.

[okayheck]

Are you on any medication? Birth control can help with the waves of depression and give you a more constant mood. When the waves hit though it's really important to give yourself something to look forward to. Discipline is also really important because motivation will fail you. You have to push yourself to do those things you don't want to. Get yourself out of the house, talk to the people in your life, they care. I know it can be hard to reach out and it feels so lonely but your friends and family will be there.

[Bree369 in reply to okayheck]

I am actually on birth control which has helped but I still experience my waves of depression. Thanks for the tips, I'll try to work on it.

[Hidden in reply to okayheck]

Wow, this is great advice. Thank you.

[Hidden]

Welcome. I hope that you can find what you need here. Hopefully you have seen some professionals (doctor, therapist, etc.) and they have ruled out physical conditions that could be causing these symptoms (like thyroid, I can't think of others). And hopefully you are getting some treatment for these conditions that you have had for a while. You are not alone, just a lot of people with these conditions don't share them too openly because of the stigma (at least, that has been my experience) - I hope this changes and that people open up more about talking about depression and anxiety. But you are not alone.

[RiderontheStorm]

I have learned to self sooth with this saying, hope it helps you.

"This too shall Pass" I just give it time and it does. I have Afib connected to my anxiety and find the mind body connection is very real. Changing your prospective is the secret of success in cognitive therapy.

[Wolfaera]

You aren't alone Bree...I think many of us have felt similar feelings, I know I can relate to a lot of how you feel and it's a constant battle. Everyone's posts are great...I had to look into thyroid and other possibilities but also after all that, I realize what I have for what it is. Support is there for you even when feeling alone. I have to remember to realize bad days for what they are and tomorrow is another day. Anxiety and panic attacks can be quite overwhelming and dibillitating...find what works for you.