Looking for community and support groups

[MNDF]

Hello everyone,

I have a long history of generalized anxiety disorder and depression. Luckily, I have an excellent therapist who has guided me through most difficult times. I learned a lot from him and understand the reasons of my problems quite well. It is kind of mixture of hereditary and biochemical predisposition, psychological patterns coming from the early childhood, and life circumstances. We have been using psychoanalysis, body-oriented therapy, meditations, and drugs. Still, it is not an easy journey, with ups and downs. At the moment it is a "down" phase, and I am struggling even with easiest routine tasks like getting up in the morning. Everything is further complicated by side effects of an anti-depressant drug, it gives me extreme sleepiness and brain fog (the usual thing, every drug works fine at the beginning, but I get resistant to it quickly and can't increase the dose due to side effects).

To cut a long story short: I feel that I need support in addition to my therapy sessions every three-four weeks, something on a daily basis that will help me to follow the routine. Ideally it would be somebody who calls me in the morning and makes sure that I get up, or meet me in the park for a walk or at the gym. Somebody who guides me through the day, check ups on me and helps to establish a healthy routine again. I know what I have to do, no need to teach me how to relax, meditate, plan my day, or explain what depression is. I just lack energy and motivation to do it myself, but I am very responsible and reliable and would not skip meetings if I make a promise to another person. Unfortunately I don't have such a friend, and there are no support groups in my neighborhood. Does anybody by chance know online resources that may help me?

Thanks a lot in advance, and best wishes for you and your families in the new year!

[Hidden]

Can't you ask Google for support groups in your area... You might find something.

[Nothing_but_books]

I wish I knew of something like that near me, but I don't.

Try looking up "the "X effect" and see if that helps.

[LittleBuddy]

Hi! I'm in a similar situation. My therapist recommended finding online support, so here I am. I am new to this forum but hoping it can provide some connection and sense of community. I hope it provides you some of that as well, and I look forward to reading your future posts.

[JennP27]

Hi, I am in a similar situation, as well. I just joined this group today on the recommendation of my therapist. I know that community can be found in an online forum, but at some point I hope to find in person connections.

I hope you are doing okay tonight. 🌺

[Hidden]

Actually, this group sounds like the kind of thing you were looking for. There are lots of helpful, supportive, and knowledgeable people here. In addition, you might consider adding some cognitive behavioral therapy to your mix of therapies.

[Hope4me1]

I have a very similar situation and have been looking for what you describe for years. I don’t have a lot of close friends and those I do have are far away or too busy.

I have had an anxiety disorder since childhood and struggle with life at various times. As I am growing older I find that life is a battle and not as enjoyable as it used to be. I try very hard to be positive and have therapy, meditate, yoga, walking, chores, but still feel lonely and that something is missing.

Your bio doesn’t say if you are male or female or your age. I am willing to chat with you on this site if you wish.

[bethelbee]

NAMI has online support groups as well as Live Well.org.

[Vasiliki99]

Don't expect too much of yourself

[Vasiliki99]

It's just one day at a time don't expect a fix it all solution plough on with ourselves

[Vasiliki99]

Feel loved forgive

[punkster]

Hello MNDF. I have a similar history, inheriting GAD and have been through various therapies and on different medications/homeopathic treatments (i.e. antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds, CBD oil (no THC), etc.) I don't have a problem getting out of bed because I wake up very early and don't want to stay in bed. Anyway, I wanted to offer you encouragement and let you know that you are not the only one (I'm sure you know this). I don't think I could be your support person, as I work and have no idea where you are located. I went off my antidepressant over a month ago and I'm feeling much better. I still have to deal with mild anxiety and I do that by distracting myself at work, listening to music, exercising, petting my dogs, and meditating. I have recently started taking piano lessons (I played as a child) and find that playing the piano helps reduce my anxiety. It also helps if I have a schedule for the day. This is easy when I'm at work, but is challenging if I have a day off, or on the weekends. I hope you can find some of the support you need on this forum.

[Toddzen]

Living Well has free online Zoom groups for people with Mental Illness. You can log on from anywhere in the World. They are located in Philadelphia, Pa.