Feel like giving up on myself.

[sobs1962]

Despite being in longterm therapy which is specific to treating my BPD, I also have major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder and the therapy doesn't appear to be working. I have no confidence in my ability to do anything, driving is a nightmare and I often feel like I have dementia. I just feel like I'm never going to succeed at anything ever again and feel that at nearly 60, I'm just too broken to ever be repaired and at point of completely giving up. I've been told that I'm far too nice for my own good and think, I might be better turning into a horrible, nasty selfish person to get anywhere in life, but most of the time, my conscience won't let me, as guilt and shame rule my whole life. Anyone been where I am and got through it and came out the other end a happier person?

Any feedback, advice or support, very much appreciated.

[sobs1962]

Thanks for reply and was on antidepressants, different types at different doses for over 25 years and now my depression has been diagnosed as treatment resistant, so it is pointless taking ADs as they clearly don't work. To make things worse over the last few years I have had severe reactions to some mew meds, which makes me terrified of trying anything new. Have been going for group therapy now for 6 months and my husband thinks it's making me worse, so don't really know what the solution is, or if there is one, don't know if I'm just too broken.

[Eklektik]

Like Sobs1962 and LunaSkye, I have bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety & major depression too. The anxiety has been horrific in the past few months. Lately, I've been seeing a psychiatrist who has been working on adjusting my medication (I've tried them all over the past 35 years, I'm 58). I think now the medication is helping, but what really has been a revelation is a 10 weeks workshop on anxiety self-management. It is based on CBT i think and I'm at week three and I already can see a difference. Especially since, so far, what the coping skills and exercises I do for anxiety seem to have an impact on depression. Another approach I've worked with on my own is Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). I feel it has a more in depth dimension than CBT. Hope something here can help. *hug*

[Eklektik]

Hello LunaSkye. I think it is because CBT has been around a long time, has great merit and thus has become "the norm" in treating mental health problems. It's everywhere. ACT is "the next generation" and not os widespread... yet. I hope it can help you. Be well!

[Coco9090 in reply to Eklektik]

I'd second the ACT - been looking into it and it seems promising!

[Eklektik in reply to Coco9090]

Hopefully you'll find it useful Coco9090 . Be well!