Not sure if it's just my anxiety

If you are stressed or suffering from anxiety, please ask our experts your questions here.

Moderator: talkhealth

Locked
4 posts
crazydaisy88
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Oct 13, 2015 2:08 pm
Quote

by crazydaisy88 on Tue Oct 13, 2015 2:28 pm

Not sure if it's just my anxiety

Hi there,

I have was diagnosed with depression in 2009 and have been on medication since then. Just recently I had to change my medication as I took a bit of a dip and found that what I was on at the time (Sertraline) wasn't helping me. After trying lots of different tablets and different doses I am now on the highest dose of Venlafaxine which has helped me get past a real low point. At the time I was waking each day with a feeling of utter dread, for no apparent reason, I felt sick with worry, couldn't hold a conversation without bursting into tears and basically spent my day counting the hours till I could go back to bed and to sleep, although my sleep was never restful. I have now been diagnosed with fibromyalgia too. My GP has hit a brick wall now though and doesn't really know where to go next with regard to my medication. I still have periods of excessive worry and I find I get angry really easily and I feel all my negative emotions are magnified, and when I don't feel angry or worried I feel nothing. I have had CBT before but didn't find it particularly helpful. I have had counselling and I do find this helpful, but I have always accessed it through charities, for example Mind, the local church and a women's centre, but because of this I am only ever entitled to 6 sessions and just as I'm getting somewhere it finishes. I feel like I am broken forever and don't ever see myself getting off the meds and feeling happy, but I also don't know if this is just another of my negative thoughts. I feel like I'm going round in circles without a way out!

User avatar
Mind
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Oct 08, 2015 1:36 pm
Quote

by Mind on Wed Oct 14, 2015 12:00 pm

Re: Not sure if it's just my anxiety

Sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time. You say your GP doesn't know where to go next with your medication, and also that your talking treatments never last long enough. Has your GP ever referred you to a psychiatrist or mental health team? The psychiatrist should be able to advise on medication (a different kind of drug perhaps, or a combination rather than a high dose of one thing), and also may refer you for talking therapy that would last longer than 6 sessions.
As you have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia too, have you been referred to a specialist for that? Ideally they would work together to find the best treatment for you.

Take care
Mind Info Team

User avatar
Dr Helen Webberley
Posts: 96
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2015 10:31 am
Quote

by Dr Helen Webberley on Wed Oct 14, 2015 2:40 pm

Re: Not sure if it's just my anxiety

Hi there, this sounds really awful for you, I am so sorry. What we really need to work out is why this is happening to you, is it a result of bad experiences in childhood or in your past? Therapy such as counselling, CBT, hypnotherapy can all help try and find out why. Anti-depressants are supposed to have done their job within 6 months and we are trying to move away from long-term use. Please go and ask your GP for some more help, like a psychiatrist, or perhaps try some therapy as I have mentioned. Best wishes, Dr Webberley
Dr Helen Webberley
NHS GP and Director of www.MyWebDoctor.co.uk
MBChB MRCGP MFSRH DipGUM DipIPM
http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... berley.php

User avatar
Wendy Green
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 11:27 am
Quote

by Wendy Green on Wed Oct 14, 2015 8:06 pm

Re: Not sure if it's just my anxiety

Hi,

As well as trying a different medication (though I agree with Dr. Webberley - anti-depressants are not a long-term solution) and talking therapies, I would suggest that you try improving your diet and lifestyle to see if this helps with your depression and anxiety. These are the areas I suggest you focus on:

Diet/supplements
Eat plenty of oily fish such as salmon and tinned sardines and nuts and seeds - they are rich in omega 3 fats - a lack of which is linked with depression.

Eat plenty of protein-rich foods like chicken, eggs and lean meat (as well as fish) to provide the amino acids your body needs to make brain chemicals such as serotonin, the 'happy hormone.'

Eat unrefined carbs such as brown rice, porridge oats and wholemeal bread to prevent the dips in your blood sugar that can cause mood swings.

Eat calcium-rich foods like yogurt, cheese, milk, almonds, dark green leafy vegetables and dried apricots. Calcium has a calming effect on the nervous system. Probiotic yogurts/drinks can also help boost good bacteria in the body, which have been shown to improve mental health.

Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables - they supply antioxidants which protect the brain from pollutants.

This type of diet will also supply other nutrients that are essential for a healthy nervous system - such as magnesium - which has a tranquilising effect and zinc - a shortage of which has also been linked with depression.

You may also find a vitamin B complex supplement helpful.

Exercise
Take regular exercise - preferably outdoors in a green space, as this has been shown to boost mood - because humans have an inborn need to connect with nature regularly.

Getting outdoors in sunlight will also boost your vitamin D levels - a lack of vitamin D is associated with depression.

Doing things you enjoy

Also, make time for pastimes and activities you enjoy. This could be a sport, reading, crafts, knitting or gardening - anything that you find absorbing will help to take your mind off your problems and make life feel worth living again. Gardening has been shown to help people with depression - again probably because it enables you to engage with nature and forget about your problems.

You may also find my books on managing anxiety http://amzn.to/1L3KoCX and depression http://amzn.to/1LMD9wr helpful

I hope these tips help you to find a way out of your cycle of depression and anxiety.
Wendy Green
Health Expert and Author

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... _green.php

Locked
4 posts