Hi ladies,
Just wondered does anyone suffer daily like 24/7 with these. I am 32 weeks and its just getting worse, im not worried or stressed about anything.

I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder nearly 8 years ago, and everything is just geting to the point where i cant cope anymore, ive just had CBT but didnt really help in the long run. Im on 10mg of Nortriptyline from 20mg of Cipralex so finding it a daily struggle.

Can anyone else relate?

Thanks

Ah, typed out a long response, but lost it. Urgh....

But in short, I also deal with severe depression and anxiety. I was constantly in hospitals and treatment centers between 14 and 17. I only had an anxiety attack once, but I just remember how terrifying it was. I'm now on fluoxetine and have been on it for years. If I miss a day I always go downhill VERY quickly.

I was in CBT once! It was run by one of the hospitals I was in. Some binder that taught me how to communicate or something- didn't last long. I think it can really help some people, but it certainly didn't help me!

I'm sorry you're struggling - it seems that women who have a history of anxiety or depression are way more prone to PND, which can make it so much worse. Do you have people around you daily that can help you cope, or even just be there in case you need to blow off some steam?

yes myself, ive actually just made a post about being anxious, if you wana have a read! i am phoning my doctors as i hate how i feel!x

I also suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, for this reason I am not yet having a child a waiting till i am a bit better.

My best recommendation to all of you is to do twice a day breathing exercises. You can feel better from just one session, and a lot better after a couple of weeks not to say months. We don't breath well when we have anxiety, its usually shallow and quick breath causing us to hyperventilate and feeling anxious/panicky.

You have to set yourself a 10 minutes X 2 daily routine. This is usually the hard part, you won't want to do this, and your anxious mind will find all the excuses under the sun not to: I am too tired, I don't have time (but do have time to sit 2 hours at the computer or watching tv). But who decides in your life: your anxiety, or you?

So as you decide, you sit up, or lie down ( I wouldn't worry about this part at the moment, just get into the habit and then find the best posture), but try to keep back straight if possible and chin high so to allow clear breathing passages.

Fill your tummy with air, put your hands on it to feel the rise (don't make this a deep breath), and mentally say 1, and then slowly let the air go feeling your tummy go down (don't push it out quickly) while you say relax (lasting maybe 2 seconds). Do this again counting 2, and then 3... when you reach to 10 you need to go back to 1. One important thing is that you are learning to concentrate. If you lose count, get invaded by many thoughts, or find that you are counting to 11 or more, you are not concentrating and therefore really need this exercise. Don't worry how badly you are doing it, just keep bringing back all your focus to the exercise. It can take weeks or months of daily discipline (but remember, only 10x2 of your minutes a day) but you WILL feel better. (Try putting a chart on the wall where you can see it, where everyday you put if you did your exercises, and how successful you were at it, don't worry if you are marking yourself low, its just to see progress on the long run, and practice will make perfect.) Commit with a loved one that you will do this, tell them your reasons so they can remind you when you forget or don't choose to follow it) Remember, it gets easier, and surely you can spare your well being 20 minutes a day?

You then have to learn to be aware and control your negative thoughts. If you can learn not to compulsively think in a negative way and get out of that negative habit, you will be free from anxiety. By doing the breathing exercises above you will also concentrate your mind on something other than your negative thoughts (I am dieing, what if I have a panic attack, maybe I am going mad???) your mind gets a "break" and starts to feel better.

Anxiety, panic attacks, stress are all a unpleasant vicious circle. You just need to break it, find motivations to do so, and have the discipline and drive to do so. (If you center on your motivations you will find the strength).

Try to weigh out your options. Shall I do those things that will free me of anxiety? What will happen if I do? I will feel better, I will not lose time and energy worrying, I will be able to go places and feel fine, I will not live in fear, I will have more energy to do things... What will happen if I don't? I will have less energy, I will always be worrying...

There are many books that can help you learn what panic is, how unharmful it is, how you can take away the power you have givin it, and how you can manage it and get on with your life. Have a look at these books by Oxford University Press http://www.oup.com/us/companion.websites/umbrella/treatments/hidden/mforms/?view=usa . However lost we feel, however we feel that anxiety is what controls our life, there is a way out and a light at the end of the tunnel, its just having the knowledge to do so, and breaking that negative habit.

Very long post, but hope there is something there that can help you, take care all XXX

i will try that thank you x

I have anxiety attacks quite often so I went to see my GP and he gave me some Beta Blockers which are amazing and I also take a herbal tablet called St. Johns Wart....They both do wonders and I havent had one for 5 months now and I used to have them like very other day

Thankyou for all your replys. Im glad im not alone in all this. Calm thankyou, i will try what you suggested

Yeah, I suffer from anxiety. Had another episode recently which was quite scary. Didn't sleep for days really and got so so worked up and cried constantly.
Made myself ill over it.
Doc tried to give me antidepressants but OH won't have it. Got referred for counselling but didn't think it helped at all.
Can't really feel it coming either, cause it builds up over time and then hits me all at once. x

yep me to0 mines awful at the mo! the gp wont give me anything for it! wants to send me to cbt again! x

Personally I rather envy you for your GP, I had one years ago that put me on medication and I got really ill for years when I finally stopped taking it, panic attacks came back with a vengeance, at least CBT doesn't have any side effects ! XXX