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Anxiety, Social Anxiety and PTSD

PrincessOdetteNew Contributor15 Oct 2023, 5:10 pm AEDT

Anxiety, Social Anxiety and PTSD

Hi,

I have suffered a degree of anxiety all my life but 18 months ago I was diagnosed with PTSD. Since the trauma, my anxiety has been 10/10 to the point where I sometimes can’t leave home.

I live in a place where psychiatric care is not readily available and I am on the waiting lists for online sessions. I have a couple family members, my partner as well as a GP for support.

Essentially I am trying to make my way through this as best I can, on my own at the moment. I have recently reached out to SANE, I have visited MindSpot and I regularly utilise other free services.

I am hoping that someone can give me some helpful tips on calming down after triggers, fighting the anxiety and being around people… Just any thing they’ve found helpful or works for them.

- Right now I’m trying to settle after being triggered again. I don’t usually have depression but I am left feeling so down because I’m just over all of it. (Also; no thoughts of self harm)

Thank you all

3 replies

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In response to: Anxiety, Social Anxiety and PTSD

tymeModerator15 Oct 2023, 5:45 pm AEDT

Re: Anxiety, Social Anxiety and PTSD

Welcome to the forums @PrincessOdette ,

I'm sorry to hear how difficult it is for you right now. It sounds so hard in that you struggle to leave your home, and you do not have readily available professional supports.

Has your GP been able to help you manage some of the symptoms of anxiety and PTSD?

I think this is something many of us here can relate to. I remember when I was under my bed covers for years because getting out and about was just too difficult.

Is there anything you are interested in that can help you slow down e.g. painting, exercise, watching a movie, mindfulness??

In response to: Re: Anxiety, Social Anxiety and PTSD

PrincessOdetteNew Contributor15 Oct 2023, 6:16 pm AEDT

Re: Anxiety, Social Anxiety and PTSD

Thank you for your reply @tyme

I am on a pension, and cannot afford regular GP visits. I am due to go again next week, which is a double appointment to reassess the medication. GP’s are hard here, I recently moved house so had to change GP’s. My medication has been stripped back and whilst it’s made things worse, I’m just getting used to it.

On days like today I sit and wonder when it’s going to get better. I’m tired of the constant jabs (basically ongoing trauma) and the fallout from these triggers. I try reading, journaling, watching movies, mindfulness … lots of things. I now struggle with my concentration badly which makes them difficult, but I’m working on it.

The lack of professional support is hard. I feel so alone 😔

In response to: Re: Anxiety, Social Anxiety and PTSD

tymeModerator15 Oct 2023, 6:55 pm AEDT

Re: Anxiety, Social Anxiety and PTSD

Hey @PrincessOdette ,

I'm hearing you. It sounds so difficult when you cannot access the services you need purely because of where you live.

Have you heard of SANE's Guided Service? I wonder if you are eligible for it? You can have a look here: https://www.sane.org/referral

We also have a Drop-In service whereby you can phone and speak to a counsellor on 1800 187 263 (M-F 10am-8pm AEDT).

Have you spoken to your GP to see if they are willing for you not a have to pay a gap fee? Or, can you look around to see if there are doctors who don't charge a gap? The clinic I go to doesn't require people to pay a gap. However, I'm mindful of your location.

Please know you are not alone. I hear how hard it is for you right now. There have been many on these forums who have been in a similar space. By connecting with other members, I hope you feel less lonely.

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