[Detia]

So, before I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder... I knew darn well that I was depressed and that I had some anxieties about dealing with certain things. Of course my worst anxieties dealt with family, friends, and school. I have been identified as a people pleaser plenty of times. I think I do a decent job at setting up boundaries despite being a people-pleaser... I just experience a lot of emotional consequences to certain things because I am sensitive and concerned about how I am understood or perceived by other people.

I have a lot more trouble identifying my troublesome anxiety than I have identifying my troublesome patterns of depression. I am starting to think, though, that they might definitely encourage each other. When I can't get the answers that my anxiety wants, then I go into a depression because there's nothing I can do. I start to feel powerless, worthless, and like even thinking about it isn't worth the time.

How do I deal with these feelings? The last time I tried to understand my anxiety disorder might be by being self-observant I kind of made my anxieties worse.

I'm trying to get in touch with a therapist but having a hard time with the phone calls and understanding things like Prior Authorization when it comes to insurance. I want help through this and I want guidance in reinforcing positive coping rather than the negative coping that I am so prone to.

So does anyone have any advice out there on what I can do in the meantime? I am so impatient with my recovery track, and I fight myself so much. Are there any basic coping skills to help with Anxiety AND Depression, or a way to figure out what will work best for me?

Thanks.

[tigerlily84]

Hi there.

I have also been diagnosed with MDD and GAD, but I think that you were able to verbalize how they tend to feed each other in a way that I have not been able to do. Thank you for that.

One method that my t has suggested to ease my anxiety is something called a body scan. Basically you focus on one part of the body at a time. You can start at your toes or your head. My t starts at the top of the head, and imagine pushing out your stress and anxiety as your work your way down to your toes. My t suggests to practice it when I am not in the middle of a panic attack first. It helps immensely.

Here's a link:

I also keep a journal as well. This helps me try to sort out my feelings. Even writing about when I feel empty helps as well.

I hope this helps. And good luck with your insurance as well.