I'm a traditionalist when it comes to treatment for depression and anxiety. I have seen great results. But it's so individual. And that factor makes things difficult to say what affect someone will have. There are SNRI's if SSRI's aren't working well for you. I personally find many holistic medicine and alternative medicine doctors to be full of hope based on nothing. Talk about not having science to back up your practice! My family was badly burned by an actual MD that had an alternative medicine practice. They took a lot of money for absolutely nothing. I'm very careful about such things because there aren't checks and balances that should exist in the natural health/holistic/alternative medicine world that would make it safe. If they had to live up to same standards as traditional medicine, much of it would never be able to do so. Just my opinion.
Katie, I know you are trying so hard to feel better. I want that for you too sweetie. There is no magic pill unfortunately. Whether you take traditional medication, alternative medication, do therapy, etc. . . . a lot of work is involved in recovering from depression and anxiety but your life and well being are worth it. I am on the other side and want you to have hope you will get there too!
Try going on anti anxiety meds and do some dbt it really helps ive suffered with anxiety since i was about 5 years old and im 19 now , altho mines quiet bad lately im not on any meds but my dbt skills from being in hospital are really helping me
Thanks I am being careful- the supplement I take is L-Theanine and was prescribed by my acupuncturist. I didn't know most CBT doesn't work. That's disappointing. I am using some cd's that use CBT. I do try strategies like breathing, affirmation and exposure. But I have mostly generalized anxiety which is harder to get a handle on than scenario specific anxiety I think. It does seem to be improving with the sertraline and therapy, but I still have really, really low or anxious days. Working on it.
If you're an anxiety sufferer and don't suffer from depression, you might find the anxiety forum a better place to talk. But I think most of us with either eventually get the other because neither is any fun and neither lets us alone to feel confidant. But yes, a whole lot of people do get over their anxiety. A whole lot don't. So you can't predict this is going to last forever. There is a form of therapy called CBT that is the most recommended for anxiety problems. It doesn't go into why you got anxiety, it just tries to teach you how to not think anxious thoughts anymore. It requires a lot of work. It usually fails to work. But when it does work, you're better, you don't need the drugs anymore. Drugs never cure anything with mental illness because science hasn't yet figure out why it exists. With time we can only hope we will solve this one. But we do know that, as Mom said, a lot of people have successfully basically talked themselves out of it. If you're the kind of person who can suspend judgment and logic and just do what the therapist says to do, if you can afford a good CBT therapist (most don't take insurance), and if you really really want to get over it badly enough to do the work and face your fears, there are again a lot of people out there who have beaten this. No benefit in believing you're not one of them.
Thank you. I know my scary thoughts and fears contribute a lot
That's terrible. Sounds like a viscous cycle. Does your therapist talk about anxiety with you? Perhaps the med you are on could be changed to one that works well on BOTH depression and anxiety. There are coping strategies to implement. Physical activity is excellent as a mood stabilizer. No, it won't cure you but it helps. Meditation if you can do it, breathing exercises, yoga, eating well, getting proper rest. Journaling can help you find a trend or pattern that will help figure out strategies. I would speak to your doctor/therapist specifically about this increased anxiety. I've had anxiety and yes, it can get much better. Keep the faith!