Home Depression & Anxiety

[absolut_blonde]

Anyone else struggle with this? It's like the chicken and the egg sometimes - am I anxious because I am depressed, or am I depressed because I'm anxious? I think the generalized anxiety is almost worse, for me, because I feel keyed up and tense ALL the time. I don't suffer from panic attacks (anymore), I just feel constantly on-edge, unable to relax or focus.

I do a lot of the things one should - regular exercise, good eating habits, omega-3s. But I think I probably need to go back on meds... again. I'm so wary because I've not had the greatest luck with them. Zoloft was too sedating, Celexa didn't do anything, Lexapro made me exhausted. Prozac would be next on the list as per my doctor.

Sometimes I just feel so hopeless, like it will never get better. I've dealt with this for years and at best I'm more functional but I can't really remember being happy and anxiety free. Now that I have insurance, I would like to get back into therapy as well butI honestly think that it's more of a chemical thing than anything (though coping via therapy is never a bad thing).

I don't know - just having a bad day I suppose.

 

[sba771]

I am really sorry you are feeling this way. I also suffer from depression/anxiety. I still have problems figruing out how to relax. I was on lexapro then wellbutrin. I have opted to go off it. I know it is different for everyone, but what really helped me, as cheesey as it is, is my dog. I bought a puppy as I was weaning and the affect has been amazing. He calms me, even when I end up cleaning up poop. I know there have been studies that show how animals can help and I really feel I am the poster child for that.

I also started exercising recently as it helps me feel better physically- I don''t mean hard exercising as I am lazy- I got a wii and wii fit. I know you said you do exercise, but maybe you haven''t found the ''right'' method to help calm you. Some people do yoga (it made me freak out more), some run...I wii

I do think it is also takes time to fine tune the chemical stuff, I know it sucks as you go through it though. Remind yourself though that there is nothing wrong with being on meds, you just need to find the right ones. They are there to help and they do!

I realize that it isn''t much help, but please know you are not alone.

 

[LauraBabe08]

I have gone through phases of anxiety and depression before. It sounds like you are doing all the right things so far, but there is only so much you can do on your own. If it is a chemical imbalance then you need medication, and hopefully your dr and you can figure which drug would be right for you. Unfortunately, it is difficult finding the "right drug" as everyones body chemistry is different. Its usually a trial and error kinda thing and eventually you will find out what works best for you.
Good luck, rest, relax, and feel better!

 

[Pandora II]

Agree that finding the right drug can be a nightmare, it really is horses for courses - and you can find one that works for a while and then stops.

I found Prozac the best of the bunch...

CBT would probably be a good option for you to try.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

2nd to CBT.

One thing I''ve used to reduce anxiety is a meditation CD. The one I use is:

http://www.brainsync.com/product.asp?specific=171

You need to use earphones and before doing it and practice relaxing all your body muscles.

There is a beginners Yoga video that, at the end of the first session, helps you learn to relax each part of your muscle groups (you DO NOT need to do the whole Yoga CD to use the relaxation practice). I practiced this for a while and then introduced the meditation CD and this workw wonderfully. The Yoga CD is:

http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Journals-Beginners-Patricia-Walden/dp/B000067D1C/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1242060633&sr=8-5

I take medication, but it never has been able to reduce my body tenseness like the relaxation CD.

 

[blingmyring]

I have been medication free for 10 years - before that I had been on Zoloft and Prozac each with excellent results. I also went through cognitive behaviour therapy to help me get through my panic attacks. Although the medication had me feeling ''normal'' rather quickly and the cognitive behaviour therapy also helped, the true healer for me was talk therapy. Although infertility triggered my depression I don''t know what was sustaining it and the meds only treated the symptoms not the problem. To this day I still don''t know what was sustaining my depression but, as I said, I have been off meds for 10 years and feel great. Oh, I also tried meditation, journalling, soothing music .... but the talk therapy made the biggest difference to me in the end. I feel for you and hope you find what heals you soon.