Lived Experience Forum

[mmarks1]

Hello, 

I've only just joined so I wanted to say hello. I've suffered with depression and anxiety since the age of 19 but the last 6 months I've really struggled. I've been having panic attacks, I don't like leaving my house so I'm very lonely and isolated. I feel like every body is staring at me thinking negative thoughts which I know probably isn't the case but I can't help but feel this way. 
I just seem to pull myself out of this.I feel sad and teary a lot too. I find reassurance really helps so I thought I would  reach out to you all. 

Thank you all in advance🙏

[pinklollipop15]

Hi @mmarks1 

Welcome to the forums. There are plenty of people here who are wonderfully supportive. 

Sorry to hear what is going on for you at the moment. I hope you find some great people to chat with on the forums. 

What do you find helps to pull you out of it when you are feeling this way?

I had depression for a short time and in that time I took it moment by moment - if I wanted to sleep, I slept and if I wanted to eat, I ate etc just tried to do what I needed to and eventually it got easier.  Anyway I hope that helps in some way. I also found meditation and journalling helped a lot. 

Take care. 

[MDT]

hi @mmarks1
I'm 28 and have been dealing with my mental health for a number of year now
you're never alone on here and i do hope you find connections
Always remember if you place a @ symbole in front of a user name then that person can be notified about what you said

Do you have support networks?

[NatureLover]

Hi and welcome, @mmarks1  🙂

It sounds like you're in a bad place 😞

I'm wondering if you have any professional support at the moment? Like a trusted GP / meds / a counsellor / psychologist / psychiatrist?

You can type any topic into the search bar above to find threads on that topic. 

I hope you find the forums supportive. 

[mmarks1]

Thank you so much🙏
I have a psychologist but apart from that I’m doing this on my own. I’m going to look into joining a support group.
I really appreciate you replying. 🙏

[mmarks1]

Thank you so much for your reply. 
I have a GP and psychologist and I'm on medication but lack family support. They just don't seem to get it! I'm going to look into joining a support group. I really hope I come out the other side of this, 

Thank you again🙏

[NatureLover]

Good for you for the professional support you have, @mmarks1 .

I can empathise with having people who don't "get it", unfortunately 😞

I want to encourage you...I had 3 years of intense SI (suicidal ideation), and things did get better - a lot better. I haven't been suicidal now for 13 years, and I was suicidal for a lot of my life, not just for those 3 years. So please don't give up hope that things can improve. 

A handy forum tip is if you type @ and click on a name in the drop-down box, that person will get a notification and won't miss your reply. 🙂

[mmarks1]

Thankyou so much for your reply🙏
I find exercise helps so I have just started walking in the last couple of days. Meditation is something I would def like to try, I'm also going to look into joining a support group. I hope I come out the other side of this 😢
Thanks again for great advice and take care🙏

[Krishna]

Hi @mmarks1 @Welcome to the forum. I too suffer from anxiety/depression and have for many years. There are some excellent online courses with phone support I.e Mindspot or This Way Up. I found them to be really helpful  in understanding the cycles of thoughts, physical reactions and behaviour and still use the methods taught to alleviate my suffering. I still have the occasional day where things are overwhelming but in general has helped a lot. Learning to do something physical when depressed, despite not feeling like it is essential and learning to slow down and simply breathe through the anxiety/panic is also a good way to return to a calm space. Mindfulness of my breath is the most important tool to deal with these episodes. I wish for you peace of mind 🙏

[CherrieRoyale]

Hi there, I'm new too and have been living with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks for a long time now. I also don't really like to leave the house and isolate myself due to anxiety, I'm trying to get better at leaving the house on my own but it's still such a struggle. I think we'll be able to get there, it'll be a difficult journey but I think it's possible. I'm mostly struggling with loneliness lately. I'm sorry, I wish that I could write something a bit more positive for you. Remember that you have survived 100% of your bad days. All my best