newbie here, also struggling with life - Anxiety and Depre...

Anxiety and Depression Support

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newbie here, also struggling with life

Kelkel00 profile image
36 Replies

So happy to have found this online community, I have been checking it out all week and love the support!

I’m in the middle of a bout with anxiety/depression that has been crippling and exhausting. I know many of you know that feeling!

I have a lot of issues related to many things (dad dying a little over a year ago from Covid, mom being chronically ill and living very far away, work stress, parenting stress, and just overall feelings of worthlessness & a huge lack of motivation. Sometimes it can feel debilitating! I have started on meds and also seeing a therapist, and I think MAYBE, just maybe it’s starting to help, but it’s a slow road. And I’m impatient!

Hope to interact with you all more as we go through this journey together!

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Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00
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36 Replies

hello kelkel welcome to the site yes there are many lovely supportive people on here who understand and in similar situation to yourself with anxiety lifes problems etc myself i can relate to your dad dying mine died about 2 years ago now and my mam is struggling with certain health issues,i get quite anxious at times,but im working on it i found swimming very helpful,hrlped me relax and release natural seretonin the happy hormone, great long lastings friendships can be made on here it is a great community, i hope you feel better soon and its not all serious on here we do have some laughs too which is a great tonic,sending hugs 🤗🌟

Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00 in reply to

thank you so much for replying. That actually means more to me than you know!

Trainchaser profile image
Trainchaser

Welcome can relate to some of the stuff you are going through. Makes me tired all of the time

Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00 in reply to Trainchaser

yes indeed, train! When it rains it pours, it seems!

Thanks for your response, it truly means a lot to me that anyone cares!

Johnshakes profile image
Johnshakes in reply to Kelkel00

I love this community we are lovable people who suggest help for one and another.

Trainchaser profile image
Trainchaser in reply to Kelkel00

How is today going for you?

Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00 in reply to Trainchaser

not that good, honestly. The meds have me absolutely exhausted!

Trainchaser profile image
Trainchaser in reply to Kelkel00

Sometimes medication can make sleepy especially if you're just starting. I've been tired today as well Won't get home till 10 . Rick

EndUser13 profile image
EndUser13

Welcome 🙂

I'm sorry you have dealt with so much in a short time... isn't that how life tends to be? Life needs to be more considerate and space out all the nonsense.

There are a lot of great people here, I hope you get a lot of help from these forums!

Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00 in reply to EndUser13

Thanks so much for replying, End! You are right, it does seem to all hit at once!

I hope I find help here as well!!!

in reply to Kelkel00

its always good to write or type things down been online 😊 and helps get it out sometimes its easier to do that than talk face to face with those were close to even, i think we can sometimes put a brave face on at home sos not to upset our loved ones i tend to now as my mam had 2 heart attacks and she worries and gets anxious upset when i am so i dont confide in her like i used to,

Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00

I also suffered a traumatic experience about 3 months ago—I was robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight in a shopping center. I am not sure if that’s where some of this anxiety is coming from, but it’s probably contributing.

Anx919 profile image
Anx919 in reply to Kelkel00

I am sorry to hear that. You definitely will need some help to deal with the trauma. I have been told that they approach it differently and have you work it out. I will pray that they help you and you get through this stronger than ever. I will include you in my prayers.

in reply to Kelkel00

thats arful, it certainly will be contributing i think teres a site still on here for PTSD i had it but im recoverd now

EndUser13 profile image
EndUser13 in reply to Kelkel00

The times I have been on the business end of a gun, I never felt scared in the moment but later on it messed with me. I felt incredible anger and can still recall that surreal sense, wondering "is this how it ends?"

I'm sorry you've had to deal with such trauma.

Anx919 profile image
Anx919

hi Kelley. I am also new here and am hoping for some support to get through the anxiety as well. I am working on deep breathing and meditation. It seems to help at least short term and maybe the more done the more it will help. I hope you find what you need to control there and start feeling better soon.

Anx919 profile image
Anx919 in reply to Anx919

sorry my darn spell check spelled your name wrong.

RemySue profile image
RemySue

Welcome. I've been there!

Hb2003 profile image
Hb2003

welcome your not alone 🙏 this site is very supportive and understanding ☺️

Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00

Thank you for all of your amazing support and kind words!!! You are amazing!

Frankie24 profile image
Frankie24

Hi Kelkel , I am sorry for what you are going through, it sounds like it has been a long tough road. I can’t imagine losing your Dad to Covid and having your mom chronically ill . All that while juggling kids and work it’s just exhausting to hear. Those things alone are enough to lead to severe anxiety and depression. I can understand why you are so exhausted !! You are going to need some time for medication to start to work. You should start to feel a little better in a few weeks with maximum effects in about 4-6 weeks. In the meantime try to find time to give yourself a break you deserve and need it. I have Bipolar disorder with depression, anxiety and panic disorder. Of late I have bee experiencing more depression than mania. I also have chronic kidney failure on dialysis and this is quite difficult for me. I am lucky my son lives across town and on days when I don’t have dialysis I love to cook and will try out new recipes and have him over for dinner. He is also a very big help to me !! I feel very lucky. I feel guilty that he has to help me out sometimes by he says he doesn’t mind. How old are your kids if you don’t mind my asking. Could they be of help to you ? Is your husband supportive ? Mine died many years ago. So I live by myself. Respond back if you want or message me if you would like. I am here for you if you need

Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00 in reply to Frankie24

My kids are 8 & 16 so they aren’t a huge help but if anything a distraction and are generally supportive. But parenting is tough and weighs on me a lot! I always question myself on my parenting.

my husband tried to be as supportive as possible but he’s at a loss as to what to do.

I just feel helpless and worthless much of the time. I hope it gets better soon! Thanks for your thoughtful message!

punkster profile image
punkster

Kelkel, I'm another anxiety sufferer as well. You sound like you have been through a lot lately, which could trigger anxiety/depression. I would like to you know that things will change. Things always change, and bad times never last forever. You are taking the right steps in seeking therapy and medication. I, too, find relief from anxiety through exercise (I run, bike swim and lift weights). I haven't been able to do much of this since I came down with Covid (6 weeks ago). I have started taking piano lessons (I played as a child) and find that playing the piano reduces my anxiety. Of course, I practice meditation on a regular basis. Sometimes it's tiring forcing myself to meditate, but it always helps me. Best of luck on your journey toward recovery.

Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00 in reply to punkster

Thank you so much for your encouragement & suggestions! I hope I start feeling better soon!

Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00

Thank you all for such sweet words of encouragement! They help more than you know!

Shysteve profile image
Shysteve

Hi I'm Steve,hope you are well, congratulations on taking that huge step of posting (I know how hard that is as do many others),the team on here are absolutely amazing and here to help and listen ,in all my 50 yes I've never came across such a supportive site/team etc ,so if you need to chat ,rant just hit me up, best wishes steve

Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00 in reply to Shysteve

thanks a lot Steve! It means a lot that anyone even cares!

Shysteve profile image
Shysteve in reply to Kelkel00

That's the whole point of the site ,so we can support eachother as most of us have been going through or been through similar experiences,so never feel that your alone in this there's plenty of people who can understand and or just listen, Steve

Schnoodle2017 profile image
Schnoodle2017

oooh, try not to be impatient. Don’t put pressure on yourself to getting back how you want to feel. It does take time. Be kind to yourself. Whenever you make progress, even if the gains seem small, reward yourself however you like 😊

I’m guessing you’re probably doing this. However, when red that you were feeling impatient, I had to encourage you not to rush it and not worry about how long it takes to get back to yourself. Take al, the time you need. You’ll likely feel better quicker than you anticipate.

I’ve been throughout all. I haven’t got rid of any of this yet, I am very more like old self. It didn’t me so long to get there. I’ve had relapse along the way. Funnily enough, with my attitude of just not caring has had me recovering from relapse pretty quickly! That’s only because after third relapse I had within a 10 year period I just got tired of my panic disorder. The triggers are all too familiar with me. Whenever I have a trigger episode now, it passes before it gets anywhere.

So, don’t give up any of you. I hope you get to that stage when you just don’t care about panic. As for anxious. Always breath through it. The times I do this very thing lol. Very helpful though.

Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00 in reply to Schnoodle2017

Thanks for your thoughtful response…it gives me a lot of hope!

scansnap profile image
scansnap

It certainly sounds like you have a lot on your plate. You will find a lot of supportive and helpful people this forum.

It sounds like you are suffering from depression, anxiety, and PTSD. People have you given you some good recommendations to deal with this including exercise, meditation, deep breathing, being with other people who are supportive. In addition, I will make my usual recommendation to read the book Feeling Great by David Burns. It will teach you how to do behavioral therapy for yourself and you may find this is very helpful in dealing with depression and anxiety.

It is true that antidepressants often take several weeks to begin to work and may not reach maximum effectiveness for as long as two months. Anti-anxiety medication, on the other hand, starts to work in about 20 minutes, but wears off after three or four hours. Consult with your therapist regarding medications and do not hesitate to tell your therapist when something does not seem to be working or is producing uncomfortable side effects. I wish you well.

Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00 in reply to scansnap

Thanks so much for your thoughtful response. I truly appreciate your care & concern!

designguy profile image
designguy

Hello and welcome to this supportive community and glad to know you are getting help and seeing some progress.

TryingSoHard66 profile image
TryingSoHard66

I am so sorry you have had so many losses and gone through so much stress. You are very wise and brave for reaching out for support. You seem strong to me and I have the feeling you are gonna be just fine!

Wishing happiness and peace for you. 🤗

Kelkel00 profile image
Kelkel00 in reply to TryingSoHard66

your response gives me a lot of hope, actually. Thanks so much!

AnxiousSilver profile image
AnxiousSilver

Welcome. :)

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