Struggling with anxiety and depression

[Jackyblue]

I have been struggling the last couple of months in such a depression. I’ve always had anxiety issues but, this is different. The depression amplifies the anxiety and vice versa. I can’t quiet my brain. I’m exhausted. I’m seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist. I talked with my friends. I don’t know how to lift the darkness 😢

[Gabsy]

Jacky, keep your head up doll... the cycle is so rough, I have been there. Honestly how I dealt with it is just acceptance of not knowing how to fix it right now and the right way and quickly. I think the cycle fuels it self because with anxiety we desire control and with depression the energy to enact that control is gone. Just taking things one step at a time and one breath at a time and taking pride in the little things is always important... heal well and in due course

[NeuronerdDoaty]

I’ve learned my brain is a liar. Those chemicals that wash through or forget to make it to work today that give me depression now make me irritated. They can’t have control. I won’t let them. I tell my brain that just because it can’t get its job right doesn’t mean I’m not going to have a good day. I never compare days. I stay in the moment. I even talk to my brain enough to tell it I appreciate that spam caller again. (I like to mess with them!)

Regardless of what brain chemicals say your day can be whatever you choose it to be. I’ve been clinically ‘depressed’ since birth. I was born with a brain injury. There were more to come. I taught my frontal lobes to take over. Emotions are liars.

Sending you peace and joy

Doaty💛

[Junella in reply to NeuronerdDoaty]

A lot of wisdom here. That's why you can carry on.

[Junella]

You are not alone as everyone here can tell you. I've recently been through this. By recent I mean two years ago after losing two close relatives, a friend, and my precious cat. Although I was subject to this all my life off and on with stressful situations, I thought I was doing well. Then it hit when the grief piled up and hypochondria set in. I went to a psychiatrist for the first time, and it was worse when she gave me a med that caused my BP to go up. She never checked my medical history.

My solution was to find a gentle lifestyle MD who wouldn't scare me. Dr. D has a support group that promotes a vegan-type diet, daily exercise, regular sleep, help with weight loss, a social and spiritual life. I am so much better now.

Reading and watching positive and beautiful things are a must to change the whirring mind. Remember that the brain can be a liar with negative thoughts that turn into miserable feelings and panics. One of the best ways is to practice spiritual disciplines of prayer, study, reading. When a troubling thought came along I would label it an ANT (automatic negative thought) and let it pass like a cloud. 15 mins a day of deep breathing exercise is also helpful. God bless, you are loved and prayed for.

[sgreen57]

Jacky I'm going through the same thing. What helps me is reading this and listening to others with similar struggles and their ways of coping; embracing my issues one step at a time; slowly breathing in and out when I feel those feelings and sensations; accept what's happening; and talking to a close friend or family member that has been through or still dealing with similar concerns. Lastly, continue to talk with and open up with your doctor. This is a journey that does improve, but every now and then you will go through, but you will learn better coping skills along the way and symptoms will diminish faster and more spaced apart.