I’m New

I’m here because I have issues with depression and social anxiety. I keep putting off going and talking to a therapist. I think I keep putting it off because I think the depression will go away.

I know this isn’t always true because depression and anxiety always find a way to manifest in different ways. It’s been a rough year for me. A close friend stopped speaking to me right before summer I think because I wasn’t checking in with her enough because she was going through stuff too and she’s mad at me. Two weeks ago I had to quit a job that I hated and couldn’t handle the stress anymore.

So I’m on an antidepressant. I wanted to see if I could get off of it. I started cutting the pills in half back in January. My depression was under control before this but then after a few months of taking half a tablet I was getting irritable and angry very easily.

My new primary doctor who I saw a week ago said it was probably because I wasn’t taken the full dose and I shouldn’t be ashamed. That we live in a different world than we did 50 - even 30 years ago. So I am back to full dose now for almost 2 weeks.

I’m trying to go for walks and meditate to manage the anxiety and depression. I think everything happens for a reason. I didn’t want to leave my job the way I did but it was inevitable. My bad experience there is actually driving me to go back to school and get my degree in biology.

I believe better things are going to happen for me. I feel like I have a drive now to make things better for myself. I especially want to go to therapy now so I can get help with my social anxiety about sitting in a classroom. That has been a real struggle of mine.

If anyone is still reading I’m just looking for support and to know it’s going to be okay.

[Hidden]

Hello Belle728 and welcome. I am so pleased you have decided to give therapy a go and your doctor has made you feel better about taking an antidepressant. I take one and I find it very helpful to stop me from sinking too low. How wonderful you want to go back to school and study biology. It is brilliant you have been able to motivate yourself despite feeling anxious and depressed.

[Sprinkle1]

Yes it is going to be OK, but it will take time, I am glad you are back on the full dose of your med. let it build up in your brain, do not be ashamed. It sounds to me like you are taking pretty good care of yourself. I would find a good therapist, they are invaluable, I see mine twice a week just now as I have a deep depression and rotten anxiety, if we can get rid of the depression, the anxiety will go to. So I take all my med's, and we have just upped the dose of the antidepressant. Think of it as a vitamin for your brain. Do you take B12? That is good for the brain, I get the sublingual that is the best way to do it, and they taste nice. I also take a B complex to get the other B's, all good for the brain.

Glad you are going back to school, just figure everyone else in the class is self conscious, some won't be, but who cares, you are there to learn, concentrate on yourself, that is who you are there for, to better your life. Most people are doing the same thing.

Write to us we will help you if we can and give you the support you need. Be proud of what you are doing and love yourself. I also send you love, courage and Big Hugs......Sprinkle 1.....

[HisDaughter]

I am glad you are considering meeting with a therapist and I am glad also about your optimism. Depression can make us see our lives through negative lenses and anxiety can be crippling. Continue to take your medication and do your best about your treatment. I believe that a therapist can be very helpful. And it's a good thing that you want to get a degree. I hope that you and your close friend can be friends again. Good luck with everything! God bless you!