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[Anxiety Annie]

Hi all,

It’s been a few months since I last posted.   I have been on HRT and antidepressants (Setraline) for about 5 months now.  I am feeling better and less on edge but I am still anxious and have no real interest in anything.  I make myself go out and about to meet people and socialise, but to be honest I would much rather stay at home.
I am about to have an appointment as I and my family think that there is something much deeper in me that needs to be addressed.  Has anyone had ant experience in CBT.
Thank you lovey ladies

[CLKD]

'your family' 

I had CBT - didn't do a lot as my phobia is deeply embedded from the day that I was born = learned pattern. 

Anxiety can be helped by appropriate anti-anxiety medication: not anti-depressants though some do help.  What has your GP/Nurse Practitioner suggested?  Five days of 'valium' once a day then on an as necessary basis may be all that it takes to ease symptoms.  There are also emergency as necessary medications.  Something to discuss with your practitioner.  Many are scared of the 'you may become addicted' but 4me, that risk was better than feeling suicidal due to anxiety.

I would take list to the appt., to discuss with the therapist.  Let us know how you get on.

[Anxiety Annie]

I don’t mean to be rude, but what’s with the funny face when I mention my family,  they are extremely kind and supportive of me,  they have been with me through the darkest and best of time,  I value their opinion, they and I have agreed that there is something much deeper going on in my mind.

I am grateful for your reply, but please to not question their judgement.

[Flossieteacake]

It is so good to hear you are not feeling as on edge as you were. For me, CBT is usually a step into therapy. CBT can help with coping methods but for anything else a more in-depth therapy will be more helpful. NHS usually get people to try CBT before they will offer any other kinds of therapy so it is a good idea to try it. You never know, it may really help you with coping strategies.

[Penguin]

I've had two rounds of cbt, both for health anxiety, one which finished in May. It is definitely helpful in terms of being given tools to help challenge the thoughts/ beliefs behind the anxiety and strategies to put in its place. However, for me it only went so far and I needed both hrt and an srri to really get my anxiety down to a more manageable level. Even now I have active flare ups and, at that point I need either a beta blocker to reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, or diazepam (valium) to take the edge off and help slow my thoughts. Then, when these take effect, I am in a better place to apply the cbt tools I have learnt. I would go back to your GP and see what acute / ad hoc medication they would prescribed to help alongside the cbt.

Can I ask, what do you do when you stay in? Are you able to distract or take your mind off whatever you're anxious about? If not, and you just ruminate and get even more anxious, then it is worth forcing yourself to get out and about or at least do things at home that keep you mentally occupied. My instinct is to stay home too, but I end up in 'freeze' mode, doom scrolling on my phone or checking my body, it is not constructive. I don't know what your anxiety is rooted in, mine is health, but it would be worth thinking about what your triggers are and whether what you do at home is making it better or worse. Good luck, I know this is so hard.

[CLKD]

Sorry, sometimes family aren't the 'best' to give advice being too close.  Which is why speaking to an outsider for an individual viewpoint can really help.  Being able to rant without the therapist telling me 'that couldn't have happened in your family, they are professionals' really enabled me.

Let us know how you get on.

[Anxiety Annie]

Hi Penguin,

Thanks for the response.

As I said I am happy at home in my safe little world, where I don't have to deal with stresses and the daily grind.  When I am home I do try to busy myself and  not let my overthinking and anxiety get on top of me too much !!! 

However there are days where I could pull the duvet over my head and ball my eyes out - I don't do this often anymore.

I do love company of friends and family, but sadly my husband ( love him to bits) works away from home on  monthly rotation and my last baby flew the nest at the end of last year..... I definitely struggle with empty nest syndrome, I really miss them.   to add to this I have been diagnosed with a untreatable eye condition in one of my eyes which affects my vision, It doesnot stop me doing anything that I used to do, but I guess it has my confidence and I can feel quite vunerable at times.

[CLKD]

Of course you can feel vulnerable.  What support have U for the untreatable eye condition?  Every condition seems to have a support group these days 

Many years ago I was completely housebound, thought that I would never emerge.  With medication I have managed to cope, especially if I am spontaneous.  I also have a lot of hobbies which once the anxiety was under control, keep me occupied.

[Tinkerbell]

CBT is often the first therapy suggested but my teen daughter did not do well with it . We then went private so she could get EMDR and the improvement in her anxiety has been life changing. It was originally meant  for trauma, which my daughter did have, but there is a growing number of reports where it has been used for anxiety over CBT with very good results.

[Penguin]

That's really interesting Tinkerbell, I'd be up for giving that a try. Can you remember where your sourced the practitioner from please, is there a list somewhere?

[CLKD]

Touch Therapy I think it was called?

[Penguin]

Thanks CLKD!

And Anxiety Annie, I have those days too, sometimes the sanctuary of my room feels the safest place. Still have primary school age children though, so I tend to hibernate upstairs in the bedroom until pick up and then go and put a brave face on x

[CLKD]

I have a drawer full of fixed grins  - it shouldn't be this hard!

Feeling safe is important!  If it means that our horizons become smaller for a while, at least we have respite.  Having hobbies to focus on as well as catching up on sleep is important. 

Anti-anxiety medication saved my Life ;-).  Being able to rant also helped and : any1 remember music tapes : I had relaxation therapy to listen to 

[SarahT]

I'm a bit weird in that relaxation music makes me want to throw the radio\cd through the window. And those sweet little adult colouring books?  They fill me with horror.
I guess the key is finding what works for us as individuals.

When I get really bad I try to go for a walk on my own and choose a route where if I see anyone in the distance I can walk a different way to avoid them. But if I am bad and indoors? I definitely won't answer the door or want to see anyone. Can't face them,want to be left alone,almost hiding.
 My husband has had depression and anxiety too which helps us understand each other and know when to step in or give each other space.

I send a hug to anyone having a hard day. And if you are offered an appt for cbt or any chance of therapy to go for it.

[CLKD]

Sweet colouring books for adults - do U remember colouring books where 1 painted a page with water  now that was an accident waiting to happen