What to do for socially phobic depression and anxiety & bipolar

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 />
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I did the usual psycholigist sessions for 6 mos and wasn't getting anywhere<br />
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I finally realized that only I could set my problems straight<br />
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I began to go outward and avoided going inward into my own trap<br />
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I turned my attention to humor about the things that triggered my turning inward<br />
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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 />
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I now am able to overturn sinking regressive behavior int positive forward movement<br />
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Do not let your thoughts have tine to be negative<br />
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You can overpower and control your thoughts by addressing them<br />
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hope this helps<br />
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Ro <br />

Thank you Ro for your reply, my depression is in my head but I believe<br />
chemicals in my brain also play a part of it. I will try and keep your wise<br />
words in mind.<br />
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Joanne<br />

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

Thank you so much for your reply. I actually started treatment with a new<br />
dr yesterday and I am very hopeful. I really like her. She is putting me on<br />
Latuda which I haven't tried before and allowed me an extra Klonopin for<br />
those extra anxiety moments. My thinking is very positive today. I am going<br />
out with a good friend to lunch and a movie. I always feel good around her.<br />
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I will save your post because there is a lot of good info in there.<br />
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Thanks again,<br />
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Joanne<br />

I suggest that you get a second opinion before accepting the 'bipolar I' diagnosis. If your moods don't cycle that diagnosis may be one of those 'spectrum' deals that psychiatrists are so enamored with these days. You want to be sure because the medication burden is, as you know, punitive. Clonazepam works for a lot of things but, as usual, there are side effects. Good luck to you.

I pretty much know my triggers & i actually do pretty well with my anxiety 2 weeks ago i went to the ER for chest pains & i had some pain in my left arm & left side of neck I have had chest pains occasionally for a long time & ive had several bouts of costochondritis, which is what i thought this was until the arm pain They did all the usual heart tests & i had a stress echo all was fine So i chalked it up to the costochondritis & the fact that i have several, 12, bulging or herniated discs in my spine & stenosis at all levels so i am thinking it has begun to affect my limbs. So when i went to my PCP thursday he asked me what was i doing when this started & i said watching Good Morning America & drinking a cup of hot tea He says aha thats it something on that show triggered a Panic Attack I said no i dont think so i was pretty calm & i know a panic attack when i have it So he said no thats it, classic symptoms of Panic Attack Im going to start you on this medicine will help with your anxiety & lack of sleep I never asked for help with my anxiety nor do i think it is needed &,i sure am not going to take a pill with this amount of horrible side effects when ive never been diagnosed with bi polar, mania, or schizophrenia Im sure he and i will not agree on this.

I agree with you. Everyone doesn't need to be on meds for panic attack and<br />
anxiety. Good for you for not following your dr's advice blindly and being<br />
a good advocate for yourself.<br />
<br />
Joanne<br />

It is hard when you are socially phobic and have anxiety. I started by visiting with trusted friends and made myself volunteer for an hour a week. Sounds like everyone has a different way of coping. Hope you feel better.

Ok by myself, nobody to see me acting differently. Stable on meds. Retired with my husband. He knows what my moods look like. Usually I don't have any more moods. HAND tremors from somewhere. From inhaler which I use twice a week. Nasal Spray keeps me from using albuterol.. My doctor is helping tremors by getting me to wean myself from meds that cause tremor. I feel a great life emerging. My husband and our daughter help all of us every day. We have great support every day. I just am afraid to start something I can't finish. I would rather sleep all dday. The only wat I can get out of bed in the morning is to tell God about it. Then I go to sleep and somehow my day just happens. I get up and do things.