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I don't know what to do..

Unknown userMember07 Oct 2016, 6:58 am AEDT

I don't know what to do..

I'm struggling.. Big time!
A psychiatrist put me on new medication over a month ago, but doesn't seem to work. She asked me to go back to my GP for follow up as it causes me too much anxiety seeing her. My GP says the tablets could take another month 😞 another whole month of feeling like this just seems unimaginable 😞
I'm seeing a new psychologist today, freaking out. I feel crazy because I can't find one that helps me.
Trouble is hardly anyone knows I'm struggling because I pretty much put on a happy face mask 90% if my life.

56 replies

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In response to: I don't know what to do..

utopiaSenior Contributor10 Oct 2016, 7:59 pm AEDT

Re: I don't know what to do..

@Former-Member. No wonder you're tired. Wearing the 'I'm happy mask' all day is exhausting. I struggled with this before I left work.
Is it possible to phone or text or email your friend and just say you are worried you have been leaning on her too much. And then just wait for her to respond?
When you are at work - I wonder if your thoughts go away or quieten down a bit - so you can focus on job tasks.
Regarding your physical symptoms you mentioned this morning - I'm unable to help. I do know that when I get anxious I have physical symptoms. I wonder if this could be what's happening to you.
But I always think - if in doubt - check with your gp

In response to: I don't know what to do..

Unknown userMember10 Oct 2016, 9:03 pm AEDT

Re: I don't know what to do..

Thanks for the reply, I feel guilty for messaging you guys so much on here.

I messaged my friend, and she said she would definitely let me know if it was getting too much, so I'm just over thinking it.

When I'm at work, I'm pretty good, it's a good distraction, it is however getting harder and harder to keep the happy mask on 😞

In response to: Re: I don't know what to do..

Unknown userMember11 Oct 2016, 6:37 pm AEDT

Re: I don't know what to do..

I'm a little unsure what I need to do from now, I know that i'm not ok, and that I need help, but I don't know how to make myself get the help. I understand that people are saying that face to face therapy isn't going to work, but I don't know what else there is? I absolutely cannot live like this, but what else can I do?

I can feel myself going in a downward spiral, my thoughts get worse, and things aren't getting better. I hate to be a 'broken record', this is the exact reason that I don't tell many people what's going on, but I just don't how much longer I can keep up this gig for.

In response to: I don't know what to do..

MacContributor11 Oct 2016, 7:05 pm AEDT

Re: I don't know what to do..

Hi sunshine I totally understand feeling all your pain don't have any answers yet but get out of bed every day in one way your very lucky you have work to distract you I still looking for work so that gives me to much time to think it's sort of nice to know that someone else can relate I don't have a sportive hubby hasn't got time for all that anyway chin up we will work this out one day. Hugs hugs to you.

In response to: I don't know what to do..

Unknown userMember12 Oct 2016, 8:38 pm AEDT

Re: I don't know what to do..

Hi there, does anyone know much about dissociation/panic attacks?
I've been doing some reading, and I'm just trying to understand what's happening to me.
I've had full blown panic attacks, but then I've had these other episodes, which I remember having as a kid.
No professional has really been able to explain it, other than some sort of panic attack/dissociation.
I guess I'm just after any feedback, because it seems I have to do most of the research myself and figure out how to cope with it happening.

In response to: Re: I don't know what to do..

Unknown userMember13 Oct 2016, 5:43 pm AEDT

Re: I don't know what to do..

Hi @Former-Member

Yes, suffered from it a few years ago. It can be very frightening - best to distract from these feeling and push through as much as possible. If we dwell on it this can quadriple the anxiety attacks. Talk back to the fear/panic/anxious thoughts with positive ones that contradict the catastrophe thinking. Better at controlling anxiety attacks than any drug - and better long term prognosis. It takes practise and consistency.

What comes first - the panic or dissociation?

This can have many causes being to my knowledge; - panic/anxiety/chronic stress, trauma and constant worry can trigger this. Also a big cause can be drug/medication side effects or from substance abuse. It can also be caused by some medical disorders of the nervous systems, brain chemical imbalance, brain trauma and various other diseases and/or vitamin deficiencies. Mine was triggered mainly by major a benzodiazepine tranquilliser which has now been banned in most medical practices. But also panic and constant worrying can do it.

Have you been suffering this for long recently? To have it as a child I would imagine there were environmental factors in the family home that was causing you major anxiety for this to happen then? Or was it a short lived/one off episode then?

Sorry to be a bit vague as I am not aware of your circumstances - only can draw from my life experience. Hope you feel better soon. Hugs x

In response to: I don't know what to do..

Unknown userMember13 Oct 2016, 9:31 pm AEDT

Re: I don't know what to do..

I've had panic attacks before, but this thing that's happening to me since I was a kid is different. I thought dissociation? From what I've read.
My eyes go funny, it's like the room closes in, and I can touch anything in my sight, even if it's far away. Then my vision goes weird. It almost feels like I'm out of my body maybe? I don't know. It's frustrating. I want to understand what's happening.

In response to: I don't know what to do..

KurraSenior Contributor16 Oct 2016, 9:05 am AEDT

Re: I don't know what to do..

Good morning @Former-Member
I have had similar zoning out experiences many times in my life. Initially I believed it to be a sort of self imposed time out but I was later told that this was in fact a form of dissociation. I've never really been able to work out how to stop it happening but now if I find my vision becoming distorted and my body becoming translucent, I try to pull myself back to the hear and now.

The workplace has proven invaluable for me as a distraction. I have found the bubbly, happy mask has helped me to protect myself from judgemental people around me.

When I can't keep my mask in place I know that I am in dire trouble. I usually lose my insight shortly after this and I almost always end up being involuntarily hospitalised at this point. I am slowly starting to reach out for help once my mask starts slipping although I do find this very hard to do.

Do try to get a psychologist that you feel comfortable with because I have found this type of talk therapy on a face to face basis absolutely critical to my ability to move forward on my journey to recovery.

I do hope this can help you a bit.
Take care and have a pleasant day. 🎶

In response to: I don't know what to do..

Unknown userMember16 Oct 2016, 3:27 pm AEDT

Re: I don't know what to do..

@Kurra
Thanks so much for your reply, I appreciate it.
How do you go when you are in hospital? Do they happen when you're in hospital? And has any professionals given an indication on how to stop these episodes?
Please don't answer if you don't feel comfortable 🙂

In response to: I don't know what to do..

KurraSenior Contributor16 Oct 2016, 5:57 pm AEDT

Re: I don't know what to do..

Hi @Former-Member
Once I'm put in hospital I deteriorate very rapidly because I give up trying to get better. In some ways I guess I adopt the 'victim' role and have a pity party. Eventually I do start to get better but most of my healing begins after I've left the hospital when I can start making my own decisions rather than other people.

Yes these episodes have occurred in hospital and they have mainly been treated with antipsychotics but when I'm in the community I prefer to use my connectedness to other people to lessen the amount of zoning out I do. This is mostly successful.

No professional has advised me how to stop these episodes but I just kept on developing different strategies until I found one that worked most of the time. Acting on your strategies as soon as you find yourself zoning out seems to work best for me.

If you've got any other questions please do ask.
Hugzzz 💕 🎶

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