I fear I'm having a nervous breakdown

j.e.j.

1234catlady wrote: »

I was only on the tablets for a few days and I became extremely suicidal and then decided meds were not for me for this problem and went down the therapy road instead.

1234catlady wrote: »

It happened on a few tablets so I'm totally against meds for me personally.

I can recommend Dr Weekes books and CDs, if you'd rather go down the self-help route. I wouldn't touch anti-depressants myself, though they do have their place, so I wouldn't dismiss them out of hand. They're just dished out far, far too often as a quick fix these days.

Here's a couple of her works, but if you put Dr Claire Weekes into amazon.uk you'll see many more, including reviews. She's about the only person whose techniques I really found helpful when I was suffering with nervous illness.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pass-Through-Panic-Freeing-Yourself/dp/1565119703/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1436296646&sr=8-3&keywords=dr+claire+weekes

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Help-Your-Nerves-overcoming/dp/B00IIB6WUU/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1436296646&sr=8-7&keywords=dr+claire+weekes

1234catlady

I decided to make a challenge chart. I made one when I was housebound a few years ago. Its a chart with all the things I am scared to do such as going out in the car, go to town etc. Made it two days ago and I've already ticked a lot off. I aim to do each thing ten times in the space of a month so I can see it get easier and easier as I grade how hard it is each time I do it.

I went into town today to see about new glasses and done all the talking in Specsavers. Usually I try and get my mum to do it (yes, I know that is bad at 23) and then I went over to see the cats. I panicked like hell and cried in the car but I done it.

I was like this after I had my first panic attack outside and when I had my first attack of vertigo and fell from it outside so I suppose me having that migraine aura outside last week is the same thing and I had to build myself up from those times and got through it. I suppose this time is no different.

Thanks again everyone for your replies and I wish you all well

teddysmum

Is there an Expert Patient programme in your area ? You can find out here and be referred by GP or self refer.




[EMAIL="hello@selfmanagementuk.org"]hello@selfmanagementuk.org[/EMAIL]


Some courses are ailment specific, but having asked about a specific one locally, I found that ours are general. You are given help with all kinds of things , such as planning targets (as you are already doing), dealing with pain and anxiety by studying how to break cycles of interactive problems, diet, relaxation and get to interact with other people having problems.


I didn't find the course (One class per week over 12? weeks) helpful, as it covered things I already knew about, but the interaction was pleasant and most people on the course said they found it very useful.

1234catlady

Never heard of that programme before but I'll look into it. I am interesting in going to a support group or a programme like that.

teddysmum

1234catlady wrote: »

Never heard of that programme before but I'll look into it. I am interesting in going to a support group or a programme like that.

The one I attended was supposed to be for diabetes, but turned out include people with COPD, arthritis, anxiety and other problems. Even the people running the courses (mainly volunteers) tend to have an illness or disability, so are sympathetic.

1234catlady

I've been feeling a bit better some days and then worse for moments on others. I'm able to go out more now and spent an hour at my mum's yesterday whereas last week I struggled to stay for even five mins. I'm sleeping better and dreaming. I've noticed when I am really stressed, I don't dream. I maybe do but I never remember them when I wake up and feel like I've had no sleep at all when in that state.

I still have this overall spacey feeling. Its maybe DP/DR. I had it about 6 months ago with another bad setback and I can't remember how I got rid of it. Distractions and not thinking about it will help as I constantly check all the time to see if the feeling is gone or lessened yet. Its like a bruise. If you keep prodding at it, it won't heal.

1234catlady

Happy to report I am finally back on the mend again. The dark cloud I had over me has lifted and when I get a panic attack now, I can mostly tell it to leave or just accept it whereas a week or 2 ago, I was on the phone to NHS24 nearly whenever I felt the slightest bit of panic. I have also been going out more and went into shops myself which is something I couldn't do for weeks after a setback in the past.

I went to the doctor yesterday and he was brilliant. He confirmed its just a setback and I am not going crazy or anything, I knew I wasn't but it helps when a doc tells you you are fine! He also reassured me that I am getting better from it and that all the stress lately has caused it.

asajj

Great to hear things are better!!

cavegrrl

Glad you're feeling better catlady, and well done on going to the shops!

I struggled with agoraphobia for a long time - there are unfortunately lots of lows and highs on the road to recovery. It sounds like you're not letting that get to you now anyway.
I wonder from reading back through the thread if you take anything non-prescription for your anxiety? I had great success with supplements taking the edge off and speeding recovery after attacks.

1234catlady

cavegrrl wrote: »

Glad you're feeling better catlady, and well done on going to the shops!

I struggled with agoraphobia for a long time - there are unfortunately lots of lows and highs on the road to recovery. It sounds like you're not letting that get to you now anyway.
I wonder from reading back through the thread if you take anything non-prescription for your anxiety? I had great success with supplements taking the edge off and speeding recovery after attacks.

Nope I'm not taking anything for my anxiety and agoraphobia. I didn't know there was anything non-prescription for it.