Finally spoke to a doctor....

[liamm275]

After months of being on a serious low with really bad anxiety I finally pushed myself to speak to my GP today. To be honest it felt so good to finally tell someone what has been going on in my head. I've been referee for counselling and the Doc spoke with me about medication and told me to have a think about it and let her know if I'd like to even give meds a go,

What's everyone's experience with meds? Is it worth it, I personally feel like it would just mess with my head more but I figure its best to know the facts before saying no.

[Hidden]

Liamm

Medications as discussed will help, hover you need to ask yourself would counselling be the best way with or without medications. AD medications do take time to work and you may have side affects for the first four weeks or so. You will need to give the medication fair time to work. I take Citalopram and Amytryptalene for nerve tendon damage for the last ten years. I have no problems. A chat with a CPN does sound a good idea. Do you feel the Anxiety will clear. If so what has caused the low mood and associated Anxiety ?

BOB

[liamm275 in reply to Hidden]

As much as i would love for the anxiety to go away, I couldn't say. Ive suffered it for years now. The same with the low moods which have come and gone for the past few years. I was doing so well up until January and the death of a family member triggered the low moods and anxiety and since then its gotten progressively worse.

[Hidden in reply to liamm275]

Hello

Death of a family member can take an extended period of around two years to get rid of that raw feeling. Talking to family members and associated friends can help you along to a stage where you can get on with your life with those bitter sweet emotions and wonderful memories.

With regards your Anxiety some coping skills may help you from a CPN. They can also help with bereavement with some useful techniques to help you move on.

For Anxiety again a CPN can help at the same time, although it is up to you in the long run to understand why you feel the way you do.

Try Breathing Techniques and also Relaxation Techniques, you will find MINDFULNESS should help. Books and your CPN or GP should be able to help.

If your Anxiety is related to your Health and you look up on sites like Google, stop. It yous makes matters worse and you will become more unhappy

BOB

[sweetiepye]

Hello Liamm, I believe you have to think of medicines as a temporary tool. I was on tranquilizers years ago for anxiety. It helped me get started and stay calm enough to handle panic attacks. Eventually though you have to face the fear on your own or it will never go away. Then you are locked into anti depressants for ever. Learning to handle anxiety and panic is like learning a skill set and once you get it down you just need a refresher occasionally Meds and therapy should do the trick I've never felt anti depressants messed with my head. I still think the same way ,they make me less sad . You also feel better right away because you are doing something to help yourself and that helps you to feel in control again. I see anxiety and depression as the enemies and I will use any appropriate tool to win the war. Pam

[Hidden]

Hi all meds will do is help you feel better in the short term so you can start tackling your issues. It doesn't mean you will be on them for life or anything or that if you get any side effects they will be severe. The vast majority only get minor side effects which is why they are called the common ones.

[Busylizzie65]

Meds will help see you through the rough patch so I say, go for it. But they won't solve any practical or cognitive problems so you need to do the therapy route too, plus coping strategies (exercise, eat well, cut down alcohol, etc.).

And check in here from time to time for support from people who really understand.

[Muunie]

Hi

I just wanted to say be carefull

Use medication as a last resort, there are some really nasty side effects of long term use of medications. Research the meds you you might take. They work for some people, don't work for others and make others worse. Its important to know that doctors don't know why the medications work.

First steps are to check your diet (sugars cause a damaging effect on the brain when stress is introduced), try to get some form of exercise (walking is known to be extremely beneficial to the brain), work on your sleep patterns (get up really early eg: 4:30 and sleep at 10:30 to help with deep sleep, I tried this and it worked for me), try things like yoga, pilates, tai chi, and also very effective is prayer or meditation, oh yes and talking therapy is also really good.

All these things encourage cell growth and regeneration in the brain. If these are too challenging then consider the meds. Depression is debilitating so you are going to need to feel your way through.

Do your own research and arm yourself knowledge, Its your life and you will know best.

All the best!!