Anxiety advice please...

[okeydoke]

have had depression probs on and off for a v v long time now... but the word 'depression' has never quite felt right... and there has been other 'stuff' which ive never really understood and always been a bit afraid that im actually pretty close to being a total fruitloop, whilst at the same time ...

wow. this is incredibly difficult to put into words.

it has finally finally finally occured to me that anxiety is my main issue, and the root of all the other crap... (including at diff times, identity crises, ocd-type behaviour, crippling self doubt, depression etc etc) and since this lightbulb moment, everything, years worth of stuff, just sort of clicks into place and makes sense for first time really...

tis v longwinded, but my point is, i dont really know where to start with anxiety - is there any reading material recommended by any of you out there?

i am, generally speaking, a laid back, head screwed on, intelligent, balanced, relaxed sort of person - somewhat undermined by anxiety issues from biting nails, to considering running away from my children to spare them my terrible parenting... (hence my chronic identity crisis - which person am i???)

any of this make any sense?

[breakfastfairy]

Hi there

There are lots of good anxiety management books one I have used is self help for your nerves by claire weeks, but if your anxiety is chronic and severe it might be worth trying CBT therapy which is good for anxiety and depression, Ive just done an online course at my GPs and it helps you retrain your negative thought patterns. Anti depressants can also help bad anxiety, I am on cipramil for depression and anxiety and it takes the edge of.

Might be worth speaking to your GP for advice on local services.

If you are having panic attacks theres a website called 'nopanic' something or other which is specifically for panic attacks.

Hope this helps, its very common and theres lots of help out there.

Good luck x

[mamama]

Yes, this makes sense.

Can you talk to your GP? It sounds as though you could do with some help sorting through this all. Maybe some counselling? Or there are anti-anxiety medications although I don't know much about them. Hopefully other people will see this and add something more helpful.

FWIW, I'm sure you're not a fruitloop!

[mmelody]

Try www.livinglifetothefull.com
Its interactive and informative. Is also worth speaking gto your GP and find out what support there is locally for anxiety sufferers. There are loads of resources out there.. you just need to find them. Your health visitor and GP should know how to help you.

[jpip]

What is CBT Therapy? My son has anxiety every day but still goes to work and school. It is bad when he binge drinks. He is willing to do anything to make this go away.

[BarefootDancer]

CBT is cognitive behaviour therapy. It works for lots of people with many different anxiety or phobia or problems of that kind. I think the person has to want to change. and it sounds like your son does. Please ask your doctor about it.

Info here .
You can ask your GP if they can arrange some sessions - they should do but there may be waiting list. Or you can arrange it privately and pay.

No personal experience of it myself, but a good friend has been helped enormously.

I wish you well.

[noonar]

okeydoke. i can relate to what you are saying. have found counselling helpful. you are not the only professional, level headed, intelligent person to have anxiety issues. it can be very debilitating. good luck with tackling your problems.

i think you'd be amazed how many others there are out there.

i had a sismlar 'light bulb' moment talking to a post natal counsellor. i didnt feel depressed! then i realised that post natal anxiety is a condition in its own right.
xx

[fizzbuzz]

I have had cbt for both anxiety and depression, and it works. You are meant to challenge both thinking patterns (cognitive) and behavioural patterns.

Eg your son thinks: I am overwhelmed by everything and can't cope, to: I can cope with some of this even though it may be difficult, it is not present in all my life.

Also your son would need to change behaviour e.g if he avoids certain situation as they make hm anxious, he would need to change his behaviour to go into situation.

It takes a very short time to do it. I had 6 1/2 hour sessions. However there is a superb book about it which is recommended by "Mind" called "The Feeling Good Handboook". It is like a workbook which has exercises to do in it. I got hold of it just before I had my actual cbt therapy, and had really got to grips with it, which is why I needed only six. Normally I think it is 12.

That book is fantastic, and really makes you understand about how to challenge anxiety provoking thought patterns.

Tbh it changed my life (hate to sound all American here)and I am normally very cynical and suspicious about anything like that. Hate all those "tell me about your self therapies", but nothing at all like that