What to do for socially phobic depression and anxiety & bipolar

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. Welcome to Connect! My husband and I both suffer from depression (he had a bipolar diagnosis at one point, but we weren't sure it was accurate) and I also have anxiety, so I know what you are going through. We've both found that the right combination of meds and regular therapy helps a lot. Are you seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist? I know it sounds cliche but exercise really helps too. It's so hard to make yourself do it when you are tired and depressed, but it always makes me feel better. I think a lot of it is learning your triggers, trying out various coping mechanisms (reading, exercise, yoga, meditation, etc.) to find out what works for you to help improve your mood. Meds help with the chemical side but that's just half the battle. Tagging @mlemieux, @dhertenstein, @mikey155734 and @pj1959 who might be able to add to the conversation or offer some support.

I went through a rough depression/anxiety/panic attack period<br />
<br />
<br />
I did the usual psycholigist sessions for 6 mos and wasn't getting anywhere<br />
<br />
<br />
I finally realized that only I could set my problems straight<br />
<br />
<br />
I began to go outward and avoided going inward into my own trap<br />
<br />
<br />
I turned my attention to humor about the things that triggered my turning inward<br />
<br />
<br />
I began to share my feelings with similarly affected folks and found that i had very common maladies with others and recognized that there were others worse off than I<br />
<br />
<br />
I now am able to overturn sinking regressive behavior int positive forward movement<br />
<br />
<br />
Do not let your thoughts have tine to be negative<br />
<br />
<br />
You can overpower and control your thoughts by addressing them<br />
<br />
<br />
hope this helps<br />
<br />
<br />
Ro <br />

I’m bipolar hate public areas, get horrible anxiety, PTSD. BPD. It’s all trauma based imo! My kids father was a tyrant. He’s now on tx death row where he belongs. I take meds but don’t do therapy Bc it makes it worse. I’m 45 now, finally stable. Now my 27 ur old son is bipolar and lives at home. It’ll get better Bc it always does.

Hi!
I don't like public areas either! I think you are smart to avoid them whenever it's possible; especially these days. There are weird people out there and you never are sure where they may be. My husband and I avoid public events for that reason. Plus the increase in crime everywhere.
It sounds like you've been through a lot but are a survivor and are managing well. It's nice that your son lives with you. You can understand what he's going through. You are right. Things do always get better. Just keep praying. I'll say one for the both of you.
PML

I live in Galveston tx (ugh) and Mardi Gras is kicking off and my anxiety shoots up! Drunks are stupid, lots of noise all night but home is safe and I was once a young Mardi Gras lover but at 45 I’m over alcohol and parties.

I went through a rough depression/anxiety/panic attack period<br />
<br />
<br />
I did the usual psycholigist sessions for 6 mos and wasn't getting anywhere<br />
<br />
<br />
I finally realized that only I could set my problems straight<br />
<br />
<br />
I began to go outward and avoided going inward into my own trap<br />
<br />
<br />
I turned my attention to humor about the things that triggered my turning inward<br />
<br />
<br />
I began to share my feelings with similarly affected folks and found that i had very common maladies with others and recognized that there were others worse off than I<br />
<br />
<br />
I now am able to overturn sinking regressive behavior int positive forward movement<br />
<br />
<br />
Do not let your thoughts have tine to be negative<br />
<br />
<br />
You can overpower and control your thoughts by addressing them<br />
<br />
<br />
hope this helps<br />
<br />
<br />
Ro <br />

I desperately need help and don't know where or how to find it.

I am in my 7th decade of life and am finding it increasingly difficult to do anything because though I'm physically healthy, I am mentally and financially a wreck. I've had a lot of therapy over the years, and do now to the extent Medicare and Medicaid allow, have seen numerous psychiatrists, NP's, social workers and case workers, and have been put on all sorts of meds in the past few years - and even tried TMS twice - but now I'm told that I have treatment resistant depression and this coupled with ceaseless anxiety, PTSD, and Insomnia plus the abject poverty I am in now which I never expected, prepared for or anticipated, puts me in a state of perpetual panic attacks that have almost completely disabled me. I spent the past year on Klonopin (in addition to Antidepressant meds) and certainly felt a lot calmer with them but Doctors kept telling me that as an advancing age Senior with Osteoporosis I absolutely HAD to get off them and I did - 3 months ago - but now my life is an absolute hell. I live in NYC so unfortunately can't go for treatment at Mayo but no one here can help me and I am all alone and burnt out from my persistent Major Depression and Anxiety and can no longer take the stress of constantly having to fight and struggle for everything on my own. I would like to make my Final Exit but don't yet have the courage to do so.

Does anyone reading this have any ideas on what, if anything, I can do? I would like to survive but am quickly running out of strength and hope so can really use the insights and ideas of others here.

Your responses will be greatly appreciated!