No hope to cope?

[LostSoul74]

I have suffered from depressive episodes and mood swings for decades but was finally diagnosed (10yrs) with Bipolar, PTSD, Depression, and Social Anxiety. Needless to say, it has affected my physical and relationship health greatly. Would like to know my challanges aren't just mine alone but experienced by others in my situation and how to cope... what is your experience, I'm willing to share mine for some answers. :-(

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[JCP]

Hey Lost Soul. Welcome, sorry you are going through all that. You are not alone! All of us here have similar issues. I have social anxiety, OCD and GAD.

Are you getting any help, meds? Therapy?

How does social anxiety effect you?

 

[LostSoul74]

Thanks for the reply! I am on meds and (seemingly) this combination works 'well enough'. My Psychologist (whom I see every 3 mo.) has me on a combination of Abilify, Effexor, and Clonazepam. I see a therapist about every 2 weeks to deal with my stress and anxiety issues.

As far as my social anxiety... I'm good in a one-on-one situation (as long as I don't have to initiate). Outside of one other, I start to shut down, recluse, become anxious and paranoid. I panic because I dont know who to listen to. Who to respond to, and trying to keep straight all the information being presented. I then become paranoid because I feel like my mannerisms, actions, personality, and appearance is being judged or criticized between those involved in the moment. (One-on-one, the focus is on one another but once the third person is present, I feel like THEY are 'againt me, judging me, talking about me'. I feel I have no control over the situation at that point. For this reason, I dont go out, partake in activities, or get involved in ANYTHING with groups of people. For this reason, it's impossible to work a job and I absolutely HATE 'panel/group' interviews.

Sorry so long. Just ensuring TLC address all your questions completely.

Thanks!

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[The_Lex_Files]

I have social anxiety, general anxiety, PTSD and depression so I feel your pain.

I find that a therapist who specializes in EMDR is the best for those suffering from PTSD and depression. Look up EMDR and ask your therapist about it! Best wishes!

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

Hi @LostSoul74 - You are definitely not alone! Hope you can find some good encouragement here.

 

[JCP]

Thanks for the reply! I am on meds and (seemingly) this combination works 'well enough'. My Psychologist (whom I see every 3 mo.) has me on a combination of Abilify, Effexor, and Clonazepam. I see a therapist about every 2 weeks to deal with my stress and anxiety issues.

As far as my social anxiety... I'm good in a one-on-one situation (as long as I don't have to initiate). Outside of one other, I start to shut down, recluse, become anxious and paranoid. I panic because I dont know who to listen to. Who to respond to, and trying to keep straight all the information being presented. I then become paranoid because I feel like my mannerisms, actions, personality, and appearance is being judged or criticized between those involved in the moment. (One-on-one, the focus is on one another but once the third person is present, I feel like THEY are 'againt me, judging me, talking about me'. I feel I have no control over the situation at that point. For this reason, I dont go out, partake in activities, or get involved in ANYTHING with groups of people. For this reason, it's impossible to work a job and I absolutely HATE 'panel/group' interviews.

Sorry so long. Just ensuring TLC address all your questions completely.

Thanks!

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Thanks for replying, this is pretty much how I feel in regards to social anxiety. Ive only had one proper job (which lasted 3 months), all other times I work from home being self employed.

Do you feel seeing a therapist helps you? Ive seen 2-3 therapists can't say it's ever helped me.

 

[LostSoul74]

Do you feel seeing a therapist helps you?

While it's taken almost 6 years and several therapists, in my opinion, I do believe they help and I have A LOT of issues.
;-)

What's important, is finding a therapist you feel comfortable with. It took me several because the first couple felt like it was a job. There seemed to be no real concern, compassion, or empathy for the issues I needed addressed. By the third one, she asked thoughtful questions and sought answers that provoked my own thought and understanding. She challanges me and I respected that. Sometimes it may take a few and every councilor is different in their approach. Until you feel the comfort and security to tell a councilor everything, you will naturally hold back something. Unfortunately, they need the full scope (everything) of your issues before they can adequately address them.

For me, and many others. Meds can only help so much. It is the process if understand WHY the things occurred in your life and how to cope with what has happened. I resorted to counciling because I was doomed to repeat my actions of being with abusive and unfaithful women based on how I've been treated/grew up/my mental state.

Hope this helps!

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[JCP]

Very interesting post! Thanks so much, and sorry to hear you’ve been those abusive women. Must have been a hard time for you...

I can relate so much in regards to finding the right therapist, the few I saw were so distant and robotic, I just dont think they understood my social anxiety at all. Although that was probably my fault for not telling them everything and withholding lots of my issues.

I always wondered, do you think it’s possible to be completely cured with therapy? Or do think it’s somebody to talk to and let everything out on?

 

[LostSoul74]

Although that was probably my fault for not telling them everything and withholding lots of my issues.

I always wondered, do you think it’s possible to be completely cured with therapy? Or do think it’s somebody to talk to and let everything out on?

Sorry for the late reply. Life is pulling me in a lot of directions at the moment...

So, thanks for the condolences... :-/
Part of it is my fault and not coming to terms with my issues BEFORE getting involved with them. Whike I didn't deserve it, it's wrong to place the blame solely on them.TBH, I shouldnt if committed to them but my issues and failure to resolve, disillusioned me to be more desperate than I should've been.

As far as Councillors... in my opinion, they don't CURE you so much as help teach to how to come to terms and cope with the situations in life that brought you to them. They can't change what HAS happened, flip a switch on mental or physical illnesses to make them better, or tell EVERY person the SAME thing for dealing with their issues. Everyone is unique and so are their conditions and circumstances. The good ones will take YOUR experiences and situations into account and formulate a treatment plan that is best for YOU. on the other hand, it's often nice to have an outside opinion about circumstances to provide an unbiased opinion or treatment plan for you. So, yes, it does feel good to vent to a 'stranger' and knowing the only side they will be on is yours... they may not agree with everything you buy ave to say, but in the end, they're there for you.

With that being said, it is VERY important to be completely open and honest with your therapist. If you hold back and fail to provide the full scope of what got you there, how can THEY decide what/how things have impacted you if YOU are deciding what it may/may not be. Best to put it all out there and let THEM sort through it.

Hope that helps.

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[Rinka]

I have suffered from depressive episodes and mood swings for decades but was finally diagnosed (10yrs) with Bipolar, PTSD, Depression, and Social Anxiety. Needless to say, it has affected my physical and relationship health greatly. Would like to know my challanges aren't just mine alone but experienced by others in my situation and how to cope... what is your experience, I'm willing to share mine for some answers. :-(

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Hi @LostSoul74 my difficulties are mainly with depression and anxiety/Health anxiety. It got so far that I was convinced once, that my pet dog got me infected with rabies and I wanted to buy the vaccine for over £200. The uk does not have rabies cases, the last once’s where in the 50s or 60s. Also I’m having health anxiety for my car. I’m always listening for something being wrong. That’s all very draining and exhausting.