Desperate for help w anxiety/ depression

[Seaturtlemama72]

How can you get back out and live again when you are so anxious and depressed and you are tired from fighting. I feel like I have lost my life. I am afraid and depressed. Eating is a challenge and I am so self isolated. Can anyone tell me something to help. I have gone through so many drs and meds, etc. COVID scares me!,, I want to start living again.

[CL3V3R-G1RL]

I was once in that hole myself. Thing is I finally got out. It was a lot easier to get out of when I was younger. Then few months ago I found myself back in the hole. My setback was cause by medication cause of a thyroid condition.

I was so upset with myself that I was back there again. But I knew I had gotten out before I can do it again. Just gotta find a different way that's all.

I know it's tiring and trying. Cause really it's all about trial and error. Figuring out what works for you. Like talk therapy, EMDR therapy, hypnotherapy etc and even books. I've felt the one that helped me was called Unf*** Your Brain by Faith G. Harper PHD LPC-S ACS ACN. If you don't mind swearing this book helped me see what's going on with me. Also there's an app called DARE. You don't have to sign up you can use the free stuff & it's just as helpful.

It's literally just making small steps. Like just sitting outside for 5mins. Then building from there. That's what I'm doing. I'm doing exposure therapy. Going out every Saturday to some place and staying as long as I can. Early Monday morning I go for a drive around the block so I can get used to driving. Because I haven't drove in a year.

You'll find your way. It takes time. But I believe in you 🫂💓

[Seaturtlemama72 in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

Thank you so much. I need encouragement. I am doing TMStherapy. It is not easy & so far Ican not tell it is helpin: I hope it will help some soon. So hard to find the right med combination for me.. I have gotten worse because of my fear of COVID where I am living. I lost my husband to cancer recently. Not a big help.I appreciate your reply. We have had mostly hot humid weather or rain so making outside hard. I miss my home , driving & independence. Keep up the good work. If you pray, we will pray for each other. Thank you for replying. Best wishes.

[CL3V3R-G1RL in reply to Seaturtlemama72]

Appreciate it and will do the same for you 🙏🏽

Yeah with therapy it takes anywhere from 10-12wks to notice some change. But everybody is different. Also if you are like me, probably talk negative to yourself, you don't think you're making any progress. Might have to ask others around you. They tend to notice the subtle changes. But hopefully working with your therapist & being open and honest with how you feel. You & your therapist can come up with an action plan to get you back out there. Even if out there is a little scary.

I still wear a mask 😷 despite being vaccinated. But that's my choice. So far I haven't ran across any AHs about it. If I do I simply tell them it's to hide my face from the cameras, they're watching us 🤣

I'm a S.A.D person (Seasonal Affective Disorder). If the weather is crappy so am I. Yeah it's hard to go for a walk when it's 90 but the heat index is 105. Not great & walking at evening can be a challenge if you don't live in a nice neighborhood. I understand that.

My sincerest condolences to you 🫂🕊️ I lost a lot of my family to cancer.

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I would start by going for walk outside while listening to an audiobook or songs that you enjoy. I can understand how you feel, sometimes it's hard for me to even get out of bed, but I believe movement is your best friend in these cases. As far as life you are not your past, today or tomorrow you can reset and begin a new life it's your choice to change it. You can do it I believe in you 100%.

[Seaturtlemama72]

Thank you so very much!

[Seaturtlemama72]

Has anyone else had trouble with sensitivity to hot and cold?My thyroid is low but on med & bloodwork keeps showing normal. A puzzle . It all started when my anxiety started.

[CL3V3R-G1RL in reply to Seaturtlemama72]

Well I have hypothyroidism. And I've learned that people function differently depending on where there TSH levels are. 0.4-4.5. I was at 1.8 and I felt terrible. Anxious all the damn time. I feel better when it's between 2.8/3.5. when it was around 5 my tsh levels...I was cold all the time along with my hands and feet.

People with hypo tend to be sensitive to cold.

While people with hyperthyroidism to be sensitive to hot conditions.

My anxiety got worse because I was taking too much levothyroxine at 50mcg. Made my anxiety worse. After firing my doctor and getting a new one that put me back on 25mcg. I feel ok. Still trying to recover from that setback.

If you're still worried about your thyroid you can ask your doctor for a referral for a endocrinologist.

[Agora1]

Seaturtlemama72, my deepest sympathy goes out to you on the loss of yourhusband. You've had huge changes in your life in such a short time that I can imagine

you don't know who you really are anymore.

But it doesn't mean your life needs to stay this way. Covid certainly has displaced many

people in choosing to live freely and without fear. However, we can't hide and become

reclusive, as humans weren't meant to be alone.

What you are looking for doesn't come in pill form. Your mind needs stimulation, your

body needs movement. The Mind/Body Connection is a power one and can very well

be the key in finding yourself once again.

Unfortunately, anything and everything we can suggest to you still won't take away

the fear of Covid. Protecting yourself is the way to go. Wear a proper mask and surgical

gloves (if needed) as a reminder to keep your hands away from your face. But please

get outside even if it's like someone suggested, to sit outside for 5 min each day. You

are like a flower that needs sunshine and fresh air. The experience in being outside can

do wonders for your psyche.

I'm happy that you found this caring forum. Together we can help you get started one

step at a time. Welcome new friend xx

[Seaturtlemama72 in reply to Agora1]

Oh thank you so much for your reply. It means a lot.

[Agora1 in reply to Seaturtlemama72]

You are no longer alone with your thoughts xx

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I’ve been through a lot myself. In the past I made two serious suicide attempts. I try to tell myself to take one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time. Don’t give up and try to find some hope. Helplessness is not hopelessness. Everyone has their good and bad days. Covid has affected a lot of people in a very negative way. Perhaps trying some kind of group therapy would be good. Get you talking to other people. I’m so sorry about your husband passing away. That has to be very difficult to process. You can get through this. Stay strong.🙂

[catsrock]

Don't know if this helps, but breaking things into the teeniest, tiniest steps helps me. Like to go for a walk: put on shoes, get a hat, drink some water, get my keys, stretch, etc... Sometimes I even check off every small step on a list so I can look back on the day and see all I've done when I feel like I haven't done much. Covid is scary! I totally get it. Sometimes I think all of life is just learning how to manage anxiety and fears, but you can do this. Just take it as slowly as you need to and pat yourself on the back for every little step you do.

[designguy]

If you are not presently, you would probably benefit from working with a therapist to help you process your difficult emotions so you can release them and heal. I found that medication helped but only to an extent and that I still needed to get in touch with all of the emotions I was ignoring and repressing in order to heal. i've found ACT therapy, somatic therapy and emdr therapy all very helpful in my journey.

Also, investigating and understanding where your depression and anxiety stems from can be very helpful in getting the right kind of therapy that is most helpful for you. Anxiety/depression can be caused by past childhood events/trauma or worries about the future so it's helpful to understand what kind of stories you are telling yourself.

I've also found that my mood can be affected by my hormones, thyroid and adrenals if they are not functioning properly so make sure they are optimized.

With covid it's only natural to have fear and some anxiety about it, i'm still wearing a mask in crowded places and have taken all the necessary precautions to protect myself and others and will probably keep it up for some time. So do what you can to make yourself feel safe and know your fears about it are perfectly normal.