[Melmo]

I can't stop thinking. It's driving me crazy. I'm taking 5mg of Abilify right now but I don't know if this is something I have to deal with or if meds can make it any better.
-I am a huge animal lover, and I have 9 rats and 3 cats. My dad doesn't like animals and thinks I'm crazy for having so many but also when I spend so much money on them at the vet. For example 2 days ago, one of my rats had a vet appt and when he found out, he got angry that I am spending so much money on a rat. I don't live with him but he owns the trailer I live in and I am renting to own, and I am very close to him and he helps me a lot. I guess it boils down to me thinking hes disappointed in me.
-I am always on and off with jobs because of my anxiety, depression and other health problems like sleep apnea. I am always soo tired I can barely function.I'm always so behind on bills and end up borrowing money from my dad or asking for drives and I feel like a failure because I am always asking for help. I feel like I should be able to do things on my own.
-I'm constantly anxious about cleaning. Half the time my place is a mess and when I do clean, I feel like it's not clean enough and it drives me crazy. I feel like I am always trying to please people, especially my dad when he comes over but it's never good enough.
-My daughter is 4. Next year she is going to school, and I wanted to home school, because I have anxiety about the negative influences she will be exposed to, drugs, and just in general I feel like she could be kidnapped, school shootings etc. I know it's stupid but I can't help it. But I know I can't homeschool her because I don't have the patience and I know she will be better off in public school.

Do I need to up the meds or am I doomed to have to deal with this?

[Hobbit House]

Not sure about your upping your meds. abilify doesn't do anything for me unless taken with Prozac though. Buspar also helps my anxiety as well as my bipolar disorder. Therapy might also be helpful

[AngstyLady]

Hmm, it sounds like what your coping with is more of a mix of depression as well as anxiety- it would explain how your always feeling fatigued- If you were dealing with anxiety alone you'd feel so wound up you'd have trouble sleeping and would probably pay your bills early and always be cleaning and keep your place spotless to calm your nerves. It seems that perhaps your dealing with more depression symptoms and you are feeling more guilt for things you are not able to take care of on your own because of it.
First off, don't beat yourself up so much, I've been there myself. It's tough to be where you are. It's a tough place to get out of, but with the right support and possibly meds to help correct the temporary chemical imbalance, you'll be on your way in the right direction.

[healingme4me]

Sounds like a low dose of medicine. Did your pdoc say to increase? Are you seeing a therapist, on top of everything?

[Melmo]

I started on 2mg just a few weeks ago, now on 5mg. He just upped me to 7mg which I start today.
Id say the depression plays a huge part in it. I spend a lot of time inside, I don't want to go out and do anything but I make myself go out every few days. I hate depression, it's ruining my life.