Depression/anxiety?

Question

How do you deal with depression? I've had fuoxetine tablets, counselling but none have worked. I feel constantly anxious all the time and i dread being in social situations. This is particularly unbearable as i'm training to be a teacher. I feel helpless and desperate. I've even contacted the samaritans but they were no help. Any advice?

Answer 1

Take the Homeopathic remedy ACONITE NAP200 once a day before going to bed in case of an anxiety attack take another dose and please do let me know about your progress you will get over your anxiety attacks in a few days. Without any side effects or complications.
Take Care and God Bless you.

Answer 2

I've had anxiety and depression for quite some time. Prescription drugs & psychotherapy didn't really get through though. I've managed to cope a bit better by exploring NLP techniques and admiteddly cherry picking the ones that I can make work for me (all self teaching). I know it sounds a bit gobbledegook but trying to change the way I think about things (& I don't mean inane positive thinking, that would never be the real me) is having a positive effect- especially dealing with being in social situations (For me, it's all about changing the inner chatter that's making me anxious).I also had to let my job go (it was making me very ill)and have taken a long time moving towards self-employment where I feel a bit more in control of things around me. I even found that a non prescription hayfeaver & allergy medication has mild but positive anti anxiety effects that work for me. There are many roads to try and all of us respond to different things.I hope you find some useful suggestions here.

Answer 3

Hi there,so sorry to hear you are going through this, it is a real pain I know.

I just answered another question which I have put the answer to below, it was asking about using the Linden method, but I actually found the book by Linda Basset more useful.

Hopefully some of the following will give you some hope or comfort and maybe a way forward.

I also purchased the Linden Method, but had previously read a book by Linda Basset called "From Panic to Power" which is similar in its message, although not as blunt.

Linda's book was the first time I realised that I was not the only one who suffered from this condition and that it could be overcome. I was not the only one losing it :)

My main problem was, and still is to some extent, trying to explain what it is I was going through and what sparked the attacks - as it is general it could be many things, and my symptoms evolved over time!!

I have now conquered my attacks to a point where my quality of life has returned to an acceptable and enjoyable level, although I still hit the odd things that trigger it.

You need to accept there is no magic cure. It's a hard thing to crack, but you are not alone, and it can be done.

Do not be afraid to accept drug treatment with counselling if your doctor suggests it will help - I refused any drugs for over 10 years and got no where, in fact I got worse.

Accept also that you may never be 100% cured, 95% is OK, 90%, 80%,or even just 1% bit better than you were last week.

You may also have a setback that is perfectly normal - I know I do :)

You will find that many people have hang ups about something, and in their phobic situation can be a lot worse off than you!

Do things at your own pace and try and build on things, but do not think you have to do anything you do not want to.

Follow the method, but if it makes you uncomfortable give your self permission not to do something and perhaps try again another time - stuff what anybody else thinks.

Learning to breathe deeply is probably the most important thing I learnt. I found that mints really helped as you can feel that cool rush of air hitting your lungs.

I now accept that I may have the odd attack, but can control my breathing which helps. I know that it is irrational, but have stopped beating myself up over it. It will pass, and after it has I know I will feel better.

This acceptance in itself was probably my biggest breakthrough and helped stop the majority of my attacks as I just did things and rode out the attacks - eventually they stopped in many situations.

One other thing - give your self permission to not do things you do not want to, or in situations you are not ready to face. I found that by doing this I did not feel obligated, and so felt more relaxed about things.

I now do things which sometimes I look back at and am amazed I did not even give a thought to, and pat myself on the back as I would not have been able to do it a few years ago.

Don't expect overnight results, but it can be faced. It will seem hard, and maybe impossible at times (maybe even now), but even if you only make small progress, it is still progress that you can build upon.

I think Linden also suggested that we sufferers stop spending money trying to find the elusive magic cure, as it does not exist - it was hard to hear that, but it is true.

But keep hope in the knowledge others have been here and gotten better - Linden and Basset are just two...and I am another ?;-)

Answer 4

I have been going through depression on and off for the past 5 years. The last time I was going through it the doctor put me on Prozac, they did help to start with but then later on they made me feel worsei.e I wanted to cry all the time - I also tried counselling and the samaritans.... like you say, they were no help - I then tried Rescue Remedy, you can buy from boots or Holland & Barratt....it worked a treat for me. There rae 38 to choose from, one for different types of problems... they take a couple of weeks to work but they do work. Good luck xx

Answer 5

Some people don't tolerate Prozac. I for one found I could NOT sleep after just a couple of days taking it; my brother took it for a while and found himself hallucinating a snowstorm in July! There are other things available, but be aware that drugs are not a permanent solution, they alleviate the symptoms but if you don't deal with the root causes, the situation will just go on.
Talking about things is often a good idea, if you can find a psychologist or therapist you can establish a rapport with. They can help you pinpoint the sources of stress and anxiety and deal with them in a positive way. Are you sure you want to be a teacher? I started in teacher training and about halfway thru discovered it just wasn't for me. I admire teachers who are good at their jobs, but I don't have what it takes. I had to admit that and try another path. Don't let yourself be convinced by others, as career choice is vital to your life. Think: if you weren't a teacher, what would you love to do?
Best of luck.

Answer 6

Diazepam is good for anxiety in the short term and fluoxetine is good for depression, although I;m actually allergic to it. Venlafaxine is also good you should ask your Dr. Iv'e been feeling quite anxious over the past few days and have started taking Female Essence from the health shop. Its made by Jan De Vris and there are many formulas available including Male essence. Give it a go, it might also help to get out and spend time looking after yourself, go for walks anything just to give your mind a rest . Good Luck for the future.

Answer 7

I've suffered depression for 6 years. Couldn't get out of my chair to fix anything. Cried a lot. Couldn't strum my old guitar. Lost my social nerve. Zombied. Tried most things and people and failed.
Then I discovered seratonin tablets (Citalopram) which take 2 weeks to kick in. This sorted the depression. And propanalol(taken as timed relase mini beads in capsule). This got me out of anxiety (as stated on the packet), back on my feet and onto to some good therapeutic hobbies (like the guitar, fixing things and running/jogging (this is the best of all)). But don't overdo it at first.
I've reduced my original doses by half to a third. Planning to come off completely in a couple of years.

Answer 8

I am diagnosed with depression and been offered medication by the doctors. BUT I have seen what those tablets can do, to me and the other person, they give a false hope that the tablet will cure what causing the depression. I am NOT saying that the case for every one. Each case is different. What I did to sort my depression out is buy a motorbike. It gives me a great buzz and really cheers me up. I am not saying that you should buy a motorbike, but I am saying that you need to find something to relieve your stress. try going for a walk, get a pet, (gold fish is great for stress relive) or if you REALLY want, get a motorbike.
The problem will still be there after your ride, but you will feel better and be ready to face whatever is causing it. Good luck and best wishes......

Answer 9

hiya
you need to talk to your doctor
you need to find the right tablet for you and it will take time ive only just found the right tablet after 3 years
in the mean time
have you got a girlfriend the best cure to feeling good is love
get your hair done get a new look
talk to a friend arrange to go out once a week but dont drink to much as it can make you feel worse
i have found films to be a good one it helps you forget for a few hours
you need to find things that makes happy
all of this does take time but you will get there good luck hun:0)

Answer 10

Prozac actually added to my anxiety and I had to take an anti-anxiety medication to combat that (Klonapin). I was on Prozac for about a year and never found it to be in the least beneficial. There are MANY other meds out there that can be of use to you. Such as Lexapro which is an anti-depressant with anti-anxiety qualities. Do some research on different medications and get back to your doctor with a list of meds you're willing to give a shot.

Answer 11

Fluoxetine can increase anxiety. Go back to your GP, and explain that you're having side effects from the pills, and ask for some different ones. Some anti-depressants are really good at tackling anxiety too. One of the best for this is venlafaxine, although this is usually only prescribed by a psychiatrist these days...although a psych referral might be a good thing if you feel you are not benefiting from the treatment your GP is giving you.