Hello

[mariec1]

Hello all,

New here and hoping to find some others to connect with for support as it’s difficult for me to talk to those directly in my life.

Thanks

[MAS_Nurse]

Hello and welcome to this community. The members are very supportive here, please take your time to look around at the 'pinned and topic posts', they contain lots of information and support and the community guidelines are there to protect everyone. Share with us how you are feeling and why you feel you can't talk to the loved ones around you?

Best wishes to you,

MAS Nurse

[mariec1 in reply to MAS_Nurse]

Hello, thanks for the reply. I will check out those posts for sure. I feel I can’t speak to even my close family members because they just tell me to be thankful for what I have (which I feel that I am. I have two young children and a loving husband), but I still do struggle with anxiety and depression everyday. I had been on Sertraline for a period of time but I recently just stopped 3 months ago. I kind of feel that I need to go back on but really wish I could be stronger and try to reach out to others for support instead of only my medication. I also feel like my friends just expect me to be happy and don’t seem to understand what I am going through. It seems everyone wants to be with me when I am doing something for them or willing to go out of my way, but when I need support, very few are around.

[Marshall64]

Welcome to the forum. I also find it easier to talk to others (that I don't even know) that are at least understanding to the hardships of anxiety and depression.

[mariec1 in reply to Marshall64]

Thank you for the reply.

[Hidden]

Welcome to the site, How can we help you

BOB

[Stilltrying_]

Hi, I can relate to what you say about friends only seem to be wanting you when you're doing something for them. I think this will be because they have got used to you being a particular type of person. Maybe you have low self esteem and so try to "people please" and so your friends have got used to you being like this. It would be a surprise for you to speak up for yourself but it may do them good and realise how they see you.

Me too as well I find that when i'm low many friends don't understand. That's why it's good to talk to fellow sufferers on here and maybe limit what you say about your illness to these particular friends just for your own self protection. ( though that is in a way contradicting what i just said. In an ideal world you should be able to tell everyone how you feel but i've found that some friends just don't want to hear it so i don't tell them and keep away from them when i am ill though this can be isolating. I've found that people who suffer in real life also don't mind me talking to them about my anxiety and depression so maybe try and find a "real life" group where similar people gather.

Also if your meds were helping don't see it as a "weakness" to go back on them. Some people need to take anti-depressants just to feel normal and that is perfectly acceptable if it works for you or lifts you a little enough for you to be able to get some talking treatment as well.

Please do look around the site. You will see there are many of us in a similar situation so you are not alone with these feelings and we understand what you are going through. Gemma x

[mariec1 in reply to Stilltrying_]

Hi Gemma,

Thanks so much for your kind words and advice. I think you’re right that I have tried to please others... I am glad I have found this group to chat with so I don’t feel so isolated.

[Stilltrying_]

That's great. That's what we're here for anytime. I don't always reply straightaway but there's always people around and you can PM too. It's difficult to get out of the habit of pleasing others but as was advised to another poster just try one little thing at a time. People will be shocked because they are so used to you being how you are ,but ultimately it will be freeing for you and people will come to "respect" you , which you deserve. x

[Suzie40]

Hey, and welcome. I come on and off the site according to how communicative I'm feeling. Look forward to chatting to you x