1. < Depression & Anxiety

How to Help Myself with Depression, Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Posted by littleonefmohio @littleonefmohio, Mar 19, 2018

I have had depression most my life. I have took medication for it but I do not stay on it long because of being scared of the side effects or the withdraws from coming off of it. I do not want to become addicted to medication. I have never been addicted to anything so not sure why I feel that way. I have my ups and downs like most people do with mental health I guess. Its hard to talk about it to doctors because I do not trust them either. So how do I get help for myself. I always feel alone even though I am not. I was blessed raising my granddaughter 3 years ago which has helped me stay focused off of me and on her but I constantly feel alone. I live with my ex husband because he helps me with my granddaughter both raising and supporting her. I never want to go anywhere. I have no friends. I have siblings but they have their own life. I do go out once in a great while just to get out and I do enjoy it when I am out but then I come home and right back not wanting to go anywhere. I feel guilty all the time about my life for one reason or another. I have panic attacks, anxiety, along with the depression. I have tried talking to doctors that just want to talk it out but I don't stay long with that because I feel guilty talking about me and my problems and my past. So can someone tell me what they do for this that works if anything? Thanks for letting me vent this.

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nolongerstressedmesseddepressed | @stressedmesseddepressed | Mar 19, 2018

Hi, I agree with many of your sentiments, also have dealt with long-term MDD and GAD. Here's what I think are 6 good suggestions for alleviating depression. Feel better soon!

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1 reply
Sallie | @sallie | Mar 19, 2018

My heart aches for you. I have a close friend who felt just as you do. She found a therapist (at long last) that she trusted and was able to realize that she needed long term medication and she is so much better. I have been on several meds over the last 25 years and I understand that I am not addicted but that I need them just as I need my blood pressure meds. Given the choice, I would rather not have to take all these meds but I have come to understand that I need them to live and to function. I pray that you can find a therapist AND a doctor--tell them right off that you feel guilty about talking about yourself and I hope that they will help you with that issue. I hope that you can come to the same good place that my friend and I have found. We know that life isn't easy ever but it is doable and there can be moments of joy.

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6 replies
roochie | @roochie | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @sallie "My heart aches for you. I have a close friend who felt just as you do...." + (show)
@sallie

My heart aches for you. I have a close friend who felt just as you do. She found a therapist (at long last) that she trusted and was able to realize that she needed long term medication and she is so much better. I have been on several meds over the last 25 years and I understand that I am not addicted but that I need them just as I need my blood pressure meds. Given the choice, I would rather not have to take all these meds but I have come to understand that I need them to live and to function. I pray that you can find a therapist AND a doctor--tell them right off that you feel guilty about talking about yourself and I hope that they will help you with that issue. I hope that you can come to the same good place that my friend and I have found. We know that life isn't easy ever but it is doable and there can be moments of joy.

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You are so right about life-long meds. Would a diabetic stop taking insulin for fear of becoming addicted? Of course not! No different with mental health medications. Some of us have to take them to function.

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jancer2017 | @jancer2017 | Mar 19, 2018

I believe you should have a genetic swab taken. The cost is $4,000.00 but with your finances you will only pay $20,.00. It will note what psych meds will work on you. I found 3 out of my 4 meds were worst meds for me. If you can get medications you will feel better. Not that all feelings will disappear but you will be able to live with them. Some situations may have to change but for all of your blessings ~ you may begin a gratitude journal. That definitely works and you will run out of paper, still having things you are grateful for. God is with you always and when you are most at "risk" you can always know He Is With You!

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jancer2017 | @jancer2017 | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @sallie "My heart aches for you. I have a close friend who felt just as you do...." + (show)
@sallie

My heart aches for you. I have a close friend who felt just as you do. She found a therapist (at long last) that she trusted and was able to realize that she needed long term medication and she is so much better. I have been on several meds over the last 25 years and I understand that I am not addicted but that I need them just as I need my blood pressure meds. Given the choice, I would rather not have to take all these meds but I have come to understand that I need them to live and to function. I pray that you can find a therapist AND a doctor--tell them right off that you feel guilty about talking about yourself and I hope that they will help you with that issue. I hope that you can come to the same good place that my friend and I have found. We know that life isn't easy ever but it is doable and there can be moments of joy.

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I totally agree. See my reply below. Good luck.

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jancer2017 | @jancer2017 | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @sallie "My heart aches for you. I have a close friend who felt just as you do...." + (show)
@sallie

My heart aches for you. I have a close friend who felt just as you do. She found a therapist (at long last) that she trusted and was able to realize that she needed long term medication and she is so much better. I have been on several meds over the last 25 years and I understand that I am not addicted but that I need them just as I need my blood pressure meds. Given the choice, I would rather not have to take all these meds but I have come to understand that I need them to live and to function. I pray that you can find a therapist AND a doctor--tell them right off that you feel guilty about talking about yourself and I hope that they will help you with that issue. I hope that you can come to the same good place that my friend and I have found. We know that life isn't easy ever but it is doable and there can be moments of joy.

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You are totally needing life-long medication.

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marazion | @marazion | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @sallie "My heart aches for you. I have a close friend who felt just as you do...." + (show)
@sallie

My heart aches for you. I have a close friend who felt just as you do. She found a therapist (at long last) that she trusted and was able to realize that she needed long term medication and she is so much better. I have been on several meds over the last 25 years and I understand that I am not addicted but that I need them just as I need my blood pressure meds. Given the choice, I would rather not have to take all these meds but I have come to understand that I need them to live and to function. I pray that you can find a therapist AND a doctor--tell them right off that you feel guilty about talking about yourself and I hope that they will help you with that issue. I hope that you can come to the same good place that my friend and I have found. We know that life isn't easy ever but it is doable and there can be moments of joy.

Jump to this post

It is true that some people with SEVERE depression may need very long term medication as part of their treatment but this is not normally the case for mild to moderate depression as I understand it. Furthermore medication alone is not normally enough, lifestyle changes including healthy eating/exercise/social interactions are also needed. Many people (of which I am one) find that exercise and mindful meditation is essential for minimizing depression and anxiety. I would also add, respectfully, that comparing the use of psychoactive drugs to a need for insulin is evading the issue. Insulin is a hormone needed in part to metabolize carbohydrates/fats which is a relatively simple and well understood process. Antidepressants of different types affect highly complex brain chemistry in different ways that are not completely understood. And unlike insuin they have a whole host of potential CNS side affects including the potential for habituation or even addiction, especially the benzodiazapines such as xanax, ativan, klonipin and vallium. It is all to easy for a doctor to write a script for a "mental health drug" and it is indeed often a required first step.....motivating patients to adopt essential lifestyle changes however must be much more difficult. I was lucky.

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littleonefmohio | @littleonefmohio | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @stressedmesseddepressed "Hi, I agree with many of your sentiments, also have dealt with long-term MDD and GAD...." + (show)
@stressedmesseddepressed

Hi, I agree with many of your sentiments, also have dealt with long-term MDD and GAD. Here's what I think are 6 good suggestions for alleviating depression. Feel better soon!

Jump to this post

Thank you for your response and helpful suggestions. I have tried life style changes and for some reason they do not help me for long. Maybe its because of my GAD and anixety.

REPLY
littleonefmohio | @littleonefmohio | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @sallie "My heart aches for you. I have a close friend who felt just as you do...." + (show)
@sallie

My heart aches for you. I have a close friend who felt just as you do. She found a therapist (at long last) that she trusted and was able to realize that she needed long term medication and she is so much better. I have been on several meds over the last 25 years and I understand that I am not addicted but that I need them just as I need my blood pressure meds. Given the choice, I would rather not have to take all these meds but I have come to understand that I need them to live and to function. I pray that you can find a therapist AND a doctor--tell them right off that you feel guilty about talking about yourself and I hope that they will help you with that issue. I hope that you can come to the same good place that my friend and I have found. We know that life isn't easy ever but it is doable and there can be moments of joy.

Jump to this post

Thank you. I know I should be on medication and I have had problems with some that made it worse. That maybe why I am so hesitant to stay on any of them. I will keep trying to find a doctor I feel comfortable with.

REPLY
littleonefmohio | @littleonefmohio | Mar 19, 2018
In reply to @sallie "My heart aches for you. I have a close friend who felt just as you do...." + (show)
@sallie

My heart aches for you. I have a close friend who felt just as you do. She found a therapist (at long last) that she trusted and was able to realize that she needed long term medication and she is so much better. I have been on several meds over the last 25 years and I understand that I am not addicted but that I need them just as I need my blood pressure meds. Given the choice, I would rather not have to take all these meds but I have come to understand that I need them to live and to function. I pray that you can find a therapist AND a doctor--tell them right off that you feel guilty about talking about yourself and I hope that they will help you with that issue. I hope that you can come to the same good place that my friend and I have found. We know that life isn't easy ever but it is doable and there can be moments of joy.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your advise. I am taking everybody information into consideration. I want to change the way I am living but raising a 3 yr old is limiting me into taking care of me I guess. I want to make sure she is taken care of first and then hopefully I can work on me. I am happy my granddaugher is happy for sure. She is a blessing.

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