Stuck

[Autumnsa]

I have no desire whatsoever to get out of this bed. I've missed a week of work. I dread each and every day because of my constant anxiety. And now I'm stuck in this waiting game waiting on relief from this new med I just started...

[Kkimm]

Hi

Many of us have been there and you have my full sympathy. I was very frightened when first starting to take antidepressants as it can get worse before it gets better but hang on in there and it will get better. You have done really well if you have been able to carry on going to work whilst suffering from anxiety.

I found it is also important to set yourself little challenges each day such as just get up for a few hours and try to read or do a household task and when you have done it however bad it made you feel give yourself a massive pat on the back. I used to keep making myself do things which is definitely the right thing to do but then get really upset when it made my symptoms worse. Then I found out I needed to do things despite the symptoms and really try to ignore them then allow myself to feel pleased I had done it. I would then let myself relax and do something I enjoyed, have a cup of hot chocolate and watch a film of just huddle up in bed again but know I had achieved something.

When you start to feel able to I found going for a short run or fast walk was really helpful because it gets the feel good chemicals released into your blood stream and you start to feel better but it may take a while until you are ready for that.

They key is to try not to be afraid of your symptoms and just ignore them, they cannot hurt you. Dr Claire Weekes book or You tube covers this well, you may be well aware of all this so just ignore me if you are!

I have GAD and was very ill 21 months ago to the extent that I could not eat or sleep and lost 2 stone in 2 months. I felt constantly sick and spaced out, my heart was always pounding and I could not concentrate to read or watch a video etc.

I was afraid of everything and could not even bear to be in a room on my own at first. I was frightened most of the time and also depressed. I started antidepressants and got worse for quite a while but then started to find that certain things had improved, I started to want to eat again and no longer felt sick unless I did something which made me anxious, which was still alot of things, and after around 4 months of taking the meds I really started to feel like myself again. The depression was lifting and I was getting less anxious with every new challenge I achieved. After 18 months I went on a safari holiday to Sri Lanka which involved camping in the wild and was not in the least anxious and had an amazing time. I now feel I am fully recovered but am aware that my anxiety could return at anytime, but have a clear plan on how to deal with it. I also know that I probably will need to be on antidepressants all my life. I am keeping my dose to half of the maximum despite a few minor symptoms lingering so I have room to increase the dose and/or take another antidepressant if need be.

I really feel for you and hope that your new medication is helpful to you soon.

My very best wishes.

Kim

[Autumnsa in reply to Kkimm]

Thanks for responding! I was in the waiting game when i started Effexor and made it through that god awful time in my life, i can definitely wait this out as well. I'm just ready to get back to 'normal'.