New here, need advice

[Winternas]

This is probably going to be long, I tend to ramble. I'll try to stay focused on one thing at a time. First, I'll talk about myself and my mental health, and then I'll get into my inquiry about Service Animals.

I suffer from depression and anxiety, my "official" diagnosis is seasonal depression, and while it is worse in the winter months, it doesn't end magically when summer comes around. My experience with depression is not wanting to do anything, having no energy to do it, running out of energy in public situations, sleeping too much and too little, fantasizing about suicide as a way to escape menial tasks(but am not actually suicidal at this time), feeling incredibly sad during episodes and just generally not wanting to wake up and go about my life. My experience with anxiety, however, is very contradicting and confusing, often making it hard to explain to people and have them understand what I am saying. My anxieties range from feeling like I need to do something or something terrible will happen (like"I need to go to work and get paid or I will not be able to pay rent") but depression usually kicks in here and makes it a conflict. I also have severe anxiety about men(I was r*ped as a child) and get very anxious when people get close to me in the public. I also overthink, worry, get angry about things most people don't get angry about, have anxiety fidgets (like picking my clothes apart, biting my lips, shaking uncontrollably, curling up to "protect" myself, and many other common anxiety symptoms.)

In short, I struggle with my daily life(like going to work, going anywhere, doing anything that is necessary to live, and even things I enjoy doing)

I have been to doctors/psychologist/psychiatrist/psychward years ago, but have been more and more afraid to go to doctors in more recent years and tend to avoid them now. I get anxious when administrative workers or nurses are rude to me and don't address my concerns, and have had too many anxiety attacks at or after the doctors office now it is just a scary thing to want to go back.

I used to be on medication for just anti depressants, but haven't been able to get a refill. They were helpful as a crutch for depression, but it didn't help my anxiety.

I've been interested in owning a service dog for my needs, as I believe having one would assist me to get through things I generally have problems doing (like going to work, staying focused on the job and not my thoughts or anxieties, alerting me when I am not breathing properly( I tend to hold my breath without realizing it and pass out during attacks) and many other things.) I've been researching for years, but can't bring myself to go to a doctor with my concerns and ask if this option would be good for me. Even knowing all my issues and how a SD could benefit me, I don't feel like my problems are valid enough. I try to talk to friends and family and they just always say to get medicated and "just work through it", which for depression could be true, but I've never been able to control my anxiety.

I guess what I'm getting at is, with the little knowledge you have of me (this is all what I'd probably tell a doctor) do you think I am eligible for a SD?

I love animals and know owning a dog is not an issue for me, I've had many dogs in my lifetime and have trained many dogs complex commands in the past.

I know some of you might say "get an ESA" instead, but I am worried that they don't have as many rights as a service dog and that I might not be able to bring them to work or to certain public locations. Some people don't take ESA seriously because of those who dress their pets up in vests and create a bad image for them.

Sorry I rambled a bit, but I'll sum up my questions here and see what you all have to offer in advice.

1. Any tips on making it through menial jobs (like call centers) while having severe depression?

2. Any anxiety tips that don't include meditating? It doesn't work for me.

3. Any personal advice with my questions regarding SD or ESA? What is your story?

4. Any other tips you may have I may have not specifically mentioned.

Thank you all for your time, I hope I can come to consider this site as somewhere to talk about things in the future.

[Illicitphobia]

Hello.

If you antidepressent are not working then talk to your doctor and explain that and they should change your medication. Just keep trying till you find one that works best for you.

I know how hard it is working with depression. The amount of guilt I have when i cant go into work due to server depressive episodes. Honestly there isnt much you can do except breathe and know that once its over you can be home, in your own space. If you company allows smoking breaks then maybe use that time to get away and take a few minutes breather.

For anxiety it really depends on the person, but i find for me when i’m very anxious i will listen to music. If i leave the house i will always have my headphones on. I have set playlists so i know exactly whats gonna olay nect and thats comforting. I also have quite big plushies that i hug and in public I have a plush keychain on my bag that i will fiddle and play with if I get very anxious.

Unfortunately to my understanding i dont think servicedogs cover mental health issues and Emotional Support Animals are not somthing used in the UK.

[Blue42]

Hi, if you feel you can't access your GP surgery, perhaps telephone them and ask for a doctor to call you back then explain how you feel and ask for your antidepressants to be put on repeat. They should do this and at least you can voice some of ypur concerns with them. They may even do a house call. Hope this helps. Take care x

[MAS_Nurse]

Good evening and a very warm welcome to this caring and supportive community.

Both of the replies you have received are making very valid suggestions. We hope that you will be able to use them and also I wished to add that you are very brave to put all your information on the post in a well organised way and not ramble at all.

I have looked at the information that you would like concerning service dogs and tried to put a few websites on the bottom of this post so that you can look at them at your leisure.

If you feel you can't talk to your GP or you feel that they are not taking you seriously about the subject why not take lots of info that you have gathered together along to the consultation with Mental Health Professional and/or GP so that they do take you seriously.

It shows them that you have researched it thoroughly.

I do hope that you will stay with this community and we would love to hear how you are getting on.

Has anyone else any further suggestions that can help please?

pawswithcause.org/what-we-d...

morningsiderecovery.com

These are only two of the websites that cover dogs for mental health and illness.

Good luck.

MAS Nurse