[fight-flight]

Now been indoors for months and just feel like a robot. I get up and watch TV ..go to bed.

I drink to calm my anxiety but it jus makes things so much worse the next day... My partner is trying to cope but when it gets too much I end up in tears and this is upsetting for him when he knows he cant make things right.

Christmas is just going to be the pits this year...Ive told everyone Im away...I cant face them and I dont have the finances anyway to get out and about.

So tired all the time ...and have no feeling other than stress and anxiety..

[Severijn]

Hi fight-flight.

If you're unhappy about your life something has to change. This can be from taking up new activities, to taking medication, to doing therapy to doing exercise.

Have you ever read some self-help books about anxiety? This way you can learn more about your anxiety, and perhaps find strategies for managing it (or curing it).

From experience I know that doing exercise 3 to 4 times per week has a calming and relaxing effect on my mind.

If you want things to change you have to take some kind of action. I once had ocd, ptsd, and social anxiety but I cured them by using self-help books and audio tapes. The only thing that's still lingering but manageable is my depression. I'm just trying to say that life can change. But it does take effort on your part.

I know about Christmas... not my favorite time of the year, but I hope it will be one day.

[bluemountains]

(((fight-flight)))

I am so sorry! I hope you can find some peace as you get through the holidays. I understand your pain, and I wish I could magically make it go away for you!

Bluemountains

((((fight flight)))))

(((((fight-flight)))))

Are you currently seeing a therapist? Severe depression is not something we should go through alone.

[depressedalaskan]

I agree with Melissa on this one. Take care of youself.

[SoupDragon]

I am so sorry things are so tough for you right now, I can understand how the same thing day after day can make you feel like a robot and it is hard for you to see how this can change. Have you seen a doctor or a therapist? I have seen a T for a while now and although it can be really hard, I know it is helping change my life.

Big changes can come from really small ones and I was just wondering if there was even a tiny bit of you that could allow you to do one small thing differently tomorrow?

Hugs to you - Soup

[fight-flight]

Thanks for the support. Its much appreciated

..I am not seeing a therapist or taking any medication at the moment. I have tried medication in the past but the side effects were not great ..so I stopped. And the last time I went to the local surgery ...about 7 years back..., I talked first to the practise nurse who suggested I see the doctor who was 'great' with depression...He suggested I get a job stacking shelves and gave me some meds. I didnt go back after the course of meds finished (the side effects again were not great) and because there was no understanding

Ive also tried some self help and had some success esp with mindfulness meditation to calming the nerves. When I have the energy I also excercise and this also can give a me some relief.

My depression is cyclical ..and I kind of came to terms with this a long way back and just waiting for it to pass. This is a particularly bad spell however and triggered by moving home after working abroad where i was happy for the most part.

Its confusing ..I have a feeling of being duty bound to stay but since I came back...its just been a slow deterioration. I didnt reckon on how hard it would be to get a foothold again with just the basics..work, housing , relationships, family.

[SoupDragon]

I tried some medication for the first time a couple of weeks ago, but it made me feel worse, so I understand how that isn't always helpful.

I have done a mindfulness course and that can help me too - but sometimes it is a struggle to get my head into the right place to even start it.

I see my T privately and although it is a struggle to meet the fees, it has been so helpful to me.

There are some really great people on here too.

Take care - Soup