I'm having a really rough night. My anxiety and depression are wearing on me. I want someone to talk to, but everything inside of me says to isolate myself.. Push everyone away.. I feel so horrible tonight. Any ideas to calm down? I did finally make an apt for counseling.. It's in a few weeks.
Also...
My husband and I need a date night. I'm a stay at home mom to a beautiful toddler. However, I have so much anxiety when it comes to leaving her anywhere. I just don't think I can. 
Hi PatsFan,
Do you know depression and anxiety will always try to isolate you? I think you do. It's very good that you made the app't. for counseling. A great move forward and away from your problems. Except you'll have to describe your problems at 1st. But that's so you can get rid of them so that's all good. I have a bunch of ideas for you to calm down. I can give you the list and you can pick something from it. If your 1st choice isn't right for you, you just pick something else. Okay?
I think you're right on target about the date night. It's a very hard to talk to your husband when all 3 of you are home because a toddler doesn't get that it's time to let mommy and daddy have some time to talk. They just interrupt anytime they want to. Not exactly romantic, are they? Just way too cute, though. I'll say good bye and print that list. But feel free to come by and rant or ask a question, whatever. People are pretty helpful around here and able to understand where you're coming from. Take care!
Some natural remedies and non-drug sources of information are books, videos, and workbooks suggested by other people on this site:
1---"I've found David D. Burns' "Feeling Good" and "When Panic Attacks" to be very helpful."
2---"I am working through the anxiety workbook by Dr David Carbonell and it has helped immensely!!! "
3---Mindfulness has helped many people and is now recommended by doctors in the UK. Here’s just 1 link that explains it’s usefulness: heartwoodrefuge.org/benefit.... Another option of many is called MINDSHIFT. You can download it to your phone from Google Playstore.
4---TRE (Trauma releasing exercises) is something you can learn in a class but you don't have to talk about your problems and once you have learned the technique you can use it at home.
5---"A good book that I came across recently is "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, 6th Edition" by Edmund J. Bourne, PhD. You might find this book to be of some help to you, although communicating your thoughts and feelings in a group setting is enormously helpful as well. "
6---“The book DARE, which is about anxiety. It’s a very good book about accepting anxiety and letting go of the fear. The author is Barry Mcdonagh and he also has a YouTube channel and a Facebook support group.”
7---For anxiety: Claire Weekes audio books on iTunes. “Self Held for Your Nerves” is one title that is good. You can see her on YouTube. “The Dr. Claire Weekes book is easy to understand and will help you on your way to recovery through acceptance.”
8---Another really good CD and book is the Linden method.
9---How to be good with yourself: self-compassion.org/the-thr...10---Try the meditation app called Headspace. It's done in 10 mins slots once a day.
10---Videos on YouTube by THAT ANXIETY GUY helps with anxiety re: depersonalization/ de-realization states.
11—For UK residents: Have you ever been in touch with the organisation called MIND? They offer one to one sessions with a Project Worker free. They also run courses that you can attend free of charge. One of the courses is about Anxiety. Their website is mind.org.uk
12---"Go on the psychology today site and look for a therapist that specializes in anxiety."
13---Instead of mercilessly judging and criticizing yourself for various inadequacies or shortcomings, self-compassion means you are kind and understanding when confronted with personal failings – after all, who ever said you were supposed to be perfect? self-compassion.org/the-thr...
14---“Have you ever listened to Louise Hay on YouTube? Some of the talks help motivate you and hopefully you will feel a positive energy.”
15---“I called one of these online therapist sites. The therapist was really good. It was prestoexperts dot com. Her name was Lori Burke. Definitely a professional and she got me through this awful depression/anxiety morning.” (There is a charge for this service)
16---For meditation look at:
Tara Brach and Chopra Center
17---theworrygames.com/anxiety-f...
18---“AnxietyNoMore” by Paul Bywater. A phone app.
19---“At Last a Life” book by Paul David.
20---The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook
Practical DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, and Distress Tolerance
By: Matthew McKay PhD, Jeffrey Wood PsyD, Jeffrey Brantley MD
A Clear and Effective Approach to Learning DBT Skills
First developed for treating borderline personality disorder, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has proven effective as treatment for a range of other mental health problems, especially for those characterized by overwhelming emotions. Research shows that DBT can improve your ability to handle distress without losing control and acting destructively. In order to make use of these techniques, you need to build skills in four key areas-distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Source: NewHarbingerPublications
Caution for non-Buddhists: Zen Buddhism inspired aspects of DBT, along with behavioral science and dialectical philosophy. Source: GoodTherapy.com.
anxiety is being under pressure to the extent it try's to stop you doing the things you know you need to. It threatens to increase your pain if you try to disobey it. It is therefore your spiritual enemy. With a spiritual enemy you need a spiritual defence
the spiritual defender is God who keeps all your spiritual foes on a leash but he does them a certain freedom. Your answer then in these tough times is to do all God requires irrespective of your pain. Leave it to God to control the pain. Don'e panic in suffering but try to be content under the crushing load. If necessary go slower but keep moving forward
Good for you, that you're take care of yourself and going for counseling. if you feel the need to maybe start taking some meds to help you feel better it's discuss it with your counselor and I'm sure he or she can recommend someone. It's been proven that counseling and medication management together what is the most effective way to treat depression. I wish you the best of luck sweetie
Hello-
There is nothing wrong with not wanting to leave your child. Myself and my partner haven't been out on our own in over 3.5yrs, our twins can be a handful. But when they were younger, I didn't want to leave them.
Could you have your date night at home? Get a DVD and some nice food in to enjoy after you put your toddler to bed?
Do you see your GP about your anxiety? Are you on any medication?
Very positive about the counselling too.
Much love ❤️
Rough few days
Night
Up all night again. 
Vivid Dreams Every Night
Night Terrors
