What to do for socially phobic depression and anxiety & bipolar

Hello everyone. I am only just now learning the true sources of my anxiety and depression. I have had both since I was a young child. I wanted to run away from home, and had a plan on how to do it. I wanted to kill myself, and I had a plan for that too. I only recently learned that those circumstances have a distinct link to child abuse .I was abused early on but I have blocked out much of what happened. What I remember is enough. I have been on antidepressants for years. I do believe there is a hereditary link to chemical imbalances and they do seem to run in my family. I finally started on a low dose anti anxiety med this year, and it really helps. Memorizing Scripture of s positive nature helps too, as well as associating with people who build me up instead of tearing me down. Gratitude in all things helps. Talking to God throughout the day helps. Playing the piano, singing, and cleaning my house helps. Eating low carb helps. Reading inspirational literature helps. Sunshine and fresh air helps. Nature helps. Helping other people helps.

Hi @rspaulling, I moved your message to this existing discussion on social anxiety, depression and bipolar so that you could meet the members who are talking about these. Please meet @missyb57 @jbyrd @book2075. I'm also tagging @trouble4343 @birdbear @lesbatts @lauriedr to join this discussion.

It sounds like you have a great support network at home. What meds are causing the hand tremors?

I was in denial so many years about my anxiety. I felt that I couldn't tell my physician how bad things really were. My depression was really bad, and I didn't even tell the counselor the true extent of the effects. I guess I thought they would throw me in the loonie bin if they knew how bad off I was. I felt I had to be strong for my children's sake. I also felt that my husband was fragile, having endured Crohns Disease for many years. I didn't feel I had enough support from him. During this time I held down a full time job, and suffered from severe Fibromyalgia. Faith in God helped me through.

My doctor gave me the lowest dose possible of Xanax, which I take before I have to go out and "adult.". It helps tremendously when combined with realistic self talk. I also have ADHD and Aspergers, which is no longer called Aspergers. So I refer to myself as either on the Spectrum or Autistic. Most people think I am just sensitive or creative or artsy. They have no idea I am on the Spectrum unless they are on Facebook, where I outed myself. I hear off the charts, which becomes unnerving after awhile. Therefore I carry noise reducing ear buds with me at all times. I also think of my Aspiness as both a blessing and a curse. If one does not accept ones' true state of being, one cannot grow or deal with life properly. The truth really does set you free.

I was in denial so many years about my anxiety. I felt that I couldn't tell my physician how bad things really were. My depression was really bad, and I didn't even tell the counselor the true extent of the effects. I guess I thought they would throw me in the loonie bin if they knew how bad off I was. I felt I had to be strong for my children's sake. I also felt that my husband was fragile, having endured Crohns Disease for many years. I didn't feel I had enough support from him. During this time I held down a full time job, and suffered from severe Fibromyalgia. Faith in God helped me through.

Hi @jbyrd,

I'm sorry you're going through this. And please excuse my delay not responding sooner.

I know what you're going through. Although I am not bi-polar, I too battled a long time ago with depression and anxiety. Most anti-depressant medications had little to no effect, but for anxiety, at the time I found Clonazapam 0.5mg worked for the social aspect since it had few side effects and started working within minutes. Now please don't take my word, speak to a doctor (which I'm sure you have so many times).

In the end. A good diet, meditation once a day, changes in my behavior and a strong support system from my family and friends helped me to rebuild my life.

Diet:
Energy is essential

Meditation:
Learn to relax the mind and heart (outdoors / social events)

Support System:
Someone to talk to and who's always there for you providing that boost needed daily.

I love what "Ro" @twptrustrek wrote. Small little things daily can help to turn your life around. It's not an instant fix, it's a long term solution to help change your historical thought mechanism. Just like habits, it takes some time and practice to help make true positive changes in our lives.

Take baby steps once a day. Write down all the "small" things that give you anxiety on a sheet of paper, also write down all the "thoughts" that initiate your depression. Knowing your triggers can help NOT to avoid them, but to do something positive to change the behavior.

For ex: Anxiety

Trigger:
Bus stop, silence, people

Reaction:
Nervous, sweating, panic attack

Things to try:
Read a book while waiting, keep yourself occupied with something, drink LOT's of water, say hello to someone instead of silence, give someone a smile and say good day 🙂

Small things make a HUGE difference.

We here at the Mayo Clinic discussion group are all here for you. Please share and connect with us anytime you need someone to talk to. Click on our "names" and send private messages if necessary.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Regards,
Martin R. Lemieux

-- More info --

Here's a link to the Mayo Clinic Anxiety Disorder Department:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/psychiatry/services/pediatric-anxiety-disorders-clinic

Hi @jbyrd,

I'm sorry you're going through this. And please excuse my delay not responding sooner.

I know what you're going through. Although I am not bi-polar, I too battled a long time ago with depression and anxiety. Most anti-depressant medications had little to no effect, but for anxiety, at the time I found Clonazapam 0.5mg worked for the social aspect since it had few side effects and started working within minutes. Now please don't take my word, speak to a doctor (which I'm sure you have so many times).

In the end. A good diet, meditation once a day, changes in my behavior and a strong support system from my family and friends helped me to rebuild my life.

Diet:
Energy is essential

Meditation:
Learn to relax the mind and heart (outdoors / social events)

Support System:
Someone to talk to and who's always there for you providing that boost needed daily.

I love what "Ro" @twptrustrek wrote. Small little things daily can help to turn your life around. It's not an instant fix, it's a long term solution to help change your historical thought mechanism. Just like habits, it takes some time and practice to help make true positive changes in our lives.

Take baby steps once a day. Write down all the "small" things that give you anxiety on a sheet of paper, also write down all the "thoughts" that initiate your depression. Knowing your triggers can help NOT to avoid them, but to do something positive to change the behavior.

For ex: Anxiety

Trigger:
Bus stop, silence, people

Reaction:
Nervous, sweating, panic attack

Things to try:
Read a book while waiting, keep yourself occupied with something, drink LOT's of water, say hello to someone instead of silence, give someone a smile and say good day 🙂

Small things make a HUGE difference.

We here at the Mayo Clinic discussion group are all here for you. Please share and connect with us anytime you need someone to talk to. Click on our "names" and send private messages if necessary.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Regards,
Martin R. Lemieux

-- More info --

Here's a link to the Mayo Clinic Anxiety Disorder Department:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/psychiatry/services/pediatric-anxiety-disorders-clinic