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depressed and anxious
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CMH7054 posted:
I am using this forum to have someone to talk to-I have an appointment with my therapist on Monday.
I am so anxious about the most ridiculous things-
I worry that my dog's allergies are going to drive me crazy. I have been to the vet a bazillion times and am doing what he said to do, but I just can't let it go.I keep going on the internet and writing things on forums, like an addict. Even though she's better, I keep watching her, waiting for her to start up with her scratching or scooting again.
I go round and round with this and cannot stop thinking about it.
Then, I have a colonoscopy scheduled on Tuesday-no big deal, I've just never had any kind of surgery or anything even close to it, and I'm anxious about that. I find myself wishing that they'll find something wrong with me so I can focus on something else. I have a wonderful husband and a good life-beautiful home, good job, people who care about me and I am still so depressed. I want to get well, and I have no patience for the process! What can I do? Any practical ideas for me??
16 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousI am using this forum to have someone to talk to-I have an appointment with my therapist on Monday. <br />I am so anxious about the most ridiculous things-<br />I worry that my dog's allergies are going to drive me crazy. I have been to the vet a bazillion times and am doing what he said to do, but I just can't let it go.I keep going on the internet and writing things on forums, like an addict. Even though she's better, I keep watching her, waiting for her to start up with her scratching or scooting again. <br />I go round and round with this and cannot stop thinking about it. <br />Then, I have a colonoscopy scheduled on Tuesday-no big deal, I've just never had any kind of surgery or anything even close to it, and I'm anxious about that. I find myself wishing that they'll find something wrong with me so I can focus on something else. I have a wonderful husband and a good life-beautiful home, good job, people who care about me and I am still so depressed. I want to get well, and I have no patience for the process! What can I do? Any practical ideas for me??
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alaska_mommy responded:
I deal with depression and anxiety too, and for me sometimes prolonged anxiety/stress will make me go into a depressive episode. I really feel for ya! I do!
While you're waiting to talk to your therapist, have you tried some natural remedies for anxiety like chamomile tea or Valerian root (for sleeping)? I like to use Tension Tamer tea by Celestial Seasonings, especially right before bed (I brew it double strength). Then when you see your therapist, talk to them about ways to help yourself, be it medication or exercises or yoga or whatever. In the meantime, keep posting here! We are happy to talk with you and are here to support...we all have our own struggles but this is a supportive group. HUGS!
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousI deal with depression and anxiety too, and for me sometimes prolonged anxiety/stress will make me go into a depressive episode. I really feel for ya! I do!<br />While you're waiting to talk to your therapist, have you tried some natural remedies for anxiety like chamomile tea or Valerian root (for sleeping)? I like to use Tension Tamer tea by Celestial Seasonings, especially right before bed (I brew it double strength). Then when you see your therapist, talk to them about ways to help yourself, be it medication or exercises or yoga or whatever. In the meantime, keep posting here! We are happy to talk with you and are here to support...we all have our own struggles but this is a supportive group. HUGS!
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CMH7054 replied to alaska_mommy's response:
Thank you! I did go to the health food store today and got a homeopathic remedy called "Calm". Also, I'll be going for a walk later. I think I'll ask my husband to "distract" me, too. I think I will look for the tea tomorrow. Thank you so much for replying. It helps to know I'm not alone.
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousThank you! I did go to the health food store today and got a homeopathic remedy called "Calm". Also, I'll be going for a walk later. I think I'll ask my husband to "distract" me, too. I think I will look for the tea tomorrow. Thank you so much for replying. It helps to know I'm not alone.
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alaska_mommy replied to CMH7054's response:
Oh cool, is it Hyland's brand? Calms? I use that one frequently. It's good! Usually I use 1 tablet if I'm just a little anxious, 2 if I'm stressing a lot, and 3 to get relaxed for bedtime.
Good luck!
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousOh cool, is it Hyland's brand? Calms? I use that one frequently. It's good! Usually I use 1 tablet if I'm just a little anxious, 2 if I'm stressing a lot, and 3 to get relaxed for bedtime. <br />Good luck!
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CMH7054 replied to alaska_mommy's response:
Yep, that's the one! In the morning, I'm going to go get the tea. I have taken 2 tablets three times today.
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousYep, that's the one! In the morning, I'm going to go get the tea. I have taken 2 tablets three times today.
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alaska_mommy replied to CMH7054's response:
Good for you. Did it seem to work for you? I've used Calms many times, it's very safe and doesn't have any drug interactions. I was even able to take it while pregnant with my son. When I take 3 tablets for bed, it doesn't necessarily make me sleepy, but it helps me feel mentally relaxed and not have those racing thoughts. Then my body can relax too and eventually I drop off to sleep naturally. Hope you get some good results! I find that the Tension Tamer tea, if I make it double strength (with a little honey of course ), it really makes me sleepy within about a half hour. Also Natrol makes a tablet (more like a horse pill) called "Sleep and Restore", it has melatonin, Valerian root, and some B vitamins and such. It really gets me sleepy too. And it's great because with all of these you don't wake up groggy.
Hope that helps, and sweet dreams!
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousGood for you. Did it seem to work for you? I've used Calms many times, it's very safe and doesn't have any drug interactions. I was even able to take it while pregnant with my son. When I take 3 tablets for bed, it doesn't necessarily make me sleepy, but it helps me feel mentally relaxed and not have those racing thoughts. Then my body can relax too and eventually I drop off to sleep naturally. Hope you get some good results! I find that the Tension Tamer tea, if I make it double strength (with a little honey of course <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"> ), it really makes me sleepy within about a half hour. Also Natrol makes a tablet (more like a horse pill) called "Sleep and Restore", it has melatonin, Valerian root, and some B vitamins and such. It really gets me sleepy too. And it's great because with all of these you don't wake up groggy. <br />Hope that helps, and sweet dreams!
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CMH7054 replied to alaska_mommy's response:
Hope you woke up better this morning! I feel a bit better. I will be going out later to buy the tea. I also reread some good parts of a book I'm reading called, Women Who Think Too Much by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, PhD. I am finding some helpful tips for breaking those racing thoughts. If you go to Amazon and find it, I think you can "Look inside the book" and read some excerpts.
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousHope you woke up better this morning! I feel a bit better. I will be going out later to buy the tea. I also reread some good parts of a book I'm reading called, <u>Women Who Think Too Much</u> by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, PhD. I am finding some helpful tips for breaking those racing thoughts. If you go to Amazon and find it, I think you can "Look inside the book" and read some excerpts.
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alaska_mommy replied to CMH7054's response:
Thank you, how are you doing today? Hope you found the tea easily. That book sounds really good...maybe I can get some help from it. I'll check it out. Sadly I fear nothing will help me! Hah! I say that laughingly but I know all the things that are wrong with me I just don't know what to do about it. Will be starting some counseling in 2 weeks though. Keep me posted, and did the Calms seem to help at all?
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousThank you, how are you doing today? Hope you found the tea easily. That book sounds really good...maybe I can get some help from it. I'll check it out. Sadly I fear nothing will help me! Hah! I say that laughingly but I know all the things that are wrong with me I just don't know what to do about it. Will be starting some counseling in 2 weeks though. Keep me posted, and did the Calms seem to help at all?
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CMH7054 replied to alaska_mommy's response:
I was crying again today, but feel better tonight. I see my therapist on Monday. The Calms helps a lot. I am not drinking the tea tonight-found it right away- because it's late and I don't want to have to get up in the middle of the night. I think I know what's wrong with me, too, but I am determined to work hard, dig deeper with my therapist and get past it. I have had depressive episodes earlier in my life, but never did anything except take Prozac. I'm not doing that this time. The book has some very helpful tips, and -it's written in a conversational tone that is very well done, I think.
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousI was crying again today, but feel better tonight. I see my therapist on Monday. The Calms helps a lot. I am not drinking the tea tonight-found it right away- because it's late and I don't want to have to get up in the middle of the night. I think I know what's wrong with me, too, but I am determined to work hard, dig deeper with my therapist and get past it. I have had depressive episodes earlier in my life, but never did anything except take Prozac. I'm not doing that this time. The book has some very helpful tips, and -it's written in a conversational tone that is very well done, I think.
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alaska_mommy replied to CMH7054's response:
I'm glad you're feeling better tonight, sorry to hear you were feeling down earlier. I'm also glad the Calms works! It works for me but I know not everything works the same across the board. Sometimes the depression feels a little easier to deal with if you can make the anxiety take a back seat. I'm glad you have a therapist.
I'm taking Prozac right now myself and Wellbutrin.

Since you seem to be interested in the natural route, there are several supplements that can help for depression. You've probably heard of St. John's wort, also there's something called Sam-E, that one is supposedly a naturally occurring substance that helps build the "happy chemicals" in the brain. I can tell you the Sam-E is expensive, if I recall it's $25 for a two week supply. I do recall it seeming to help some.
I hope you can land on a regime that works for you. Take care!
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousI'm glad you're feeling better tonight, sorry to hear you were feeling down earlier. I'm also glad the Calms works! It works for me but I know not everything works the same across the board. Sometimes the depression feels a little easier to deal with if you can make the anxiety take a back seat. I'm glad you have a therapist. <br />I'm taking Prozac right now myself and Wellbutrin. <br /><br />Since you seem to be interested in the natural route, there are several supplements that can help for depression. You've probably heard of St. John's wort, also there's something called Sam-E, that one is supposedly a naturally occurring substance that helps build the "happy chemicals" in the brain. I can tell you the Sam-E is expensive, if I recall it's $25 for a two week supply. I do recall it seeming to help some. <br />I hope you can land on a regime that works for you. Take care!
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susiemargaret responded:
hello, C --

having just recently been thru the same licking/scratching/scooting routine with my dog, you have my sympathy. my vet said the scooting means that -- gross-out alert! -- her anal glands need to be "expressed." sure enough, after a therapeutic "expressing," she has quit the scooting and seems to be much better. this is apparently more of a problem with some dogs than with others.

the vet also gave me some antihistamine for her, called chlorpheniramine, 4 mg twice/day. this hasn't eliminated the licking/scratching, but it has improved it noticeably.

i hope your therapy apptmt goes well on monday. have you talked about your anxiety -- not the things you seem to be anxious about but your anxiety itself?

i send you caring thoughts and hope you will keep us posted on how you are doing.

-- susie margaret
what good is gold, or silver too, if your heart's not good and true -- hank williams, sr.
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxioushello, C --<br /> <br />having just recently been thru the same licking/scratching/scooting routine with my dog, you have my sympathy. my vet said the scooting means that -- gross-out alert! -- her anal glands need to be "expressed." sure enough, after a therapeutic "expressing," she has quit the scooting and seems to be much better. this is apparently more of a problem with some dogs than with others.<br /> <br />the vet also gave me some antihistamine for her, called chlorpheniramine, 4 mg twice/day. this hasn't eliminated the licking/scratching, but it has improved it noticeably.<br /> <br />i hope your therapy apptmt goes well on monday. have you talked about your anxiety -- not the things you seem to be anxious about but your anxiety itself?<br /> <br />i send you caring thoughts and hope you will keep us posted on how you are doing.<br /> <br />-- susie margaret
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alaska_mommy responded:
Hi CMH7054, just wondering how you are doing these days. Feeling any better?
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousHi CMH7054, just wondering how you are doing these days. Feeling any better?
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CMH7054 replied to susiemargaret's response:
Thanks for the tip. I will check out the antihistamine. She gets her anals expressed every two weeks. Her problem, I think, was the food she was eating. She did scoot a bit last night, but she's getting her anals done on Sunday. She takes a thyroid supplement, a pinch of prednisone and an antibiotic-a lot of the scratching is from a bacterial infection that's not cleared up.

My appointment went well and I have another one this Monday. We do discuss my anxiety; we are also doing some inner child work. Most of my depression stems from my childhood, an dI feel it is helpful.

Today my stepson and grandson are coming for a week. Granddaughter, too. This is very stressful for my husband and me. I'm glad I have an appointment on Monday.

Thanks for caring thoughts! I will check in regularly! )
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousThanks for the tip. I will check out the antihistamine. She gets her anals expressed every two weeks. Her problem, I think, was the food she was eating. She did scoot a bit last night, but she's getting her anals done on Sunday. She takes a thyroid supplement, a pinch of prednisone and an antibiotic-a lot of the scratching is from a bacterial infection that's not cleared up. <br /><br />My appointment went well and I have another one this Monday. We do discuss my anxiety; we are also doing some inner child work. Most of my depression stems from my childhood, an dI feel it is helpful. <br /><br />Today my stepson and grandson are coming for a week. Granddaughter, too. This is very stressful for my husband and me. I'm glad I have an appointment on Monday. <br /><br />Thanks for caring thoughts! I will check in regularly! <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/eek.gif" align="top" border="0">)
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CMH7054 replied to alaska_mommy's response:
Yes, I do feel better. There's big stressful times coming-see above post from me. But I am coping ok. I had a colonoscopy on Tuesday (just a screening-everything is fine) but I was really sick afterwards. I still have trouble sleeping, but this week things will be busier, and maybe that'll make me sleep better. Tanks for thinking of me. I'll check back in a few days. You're doing well?
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousYes, I do feel better. There's big stressful times coming-see above post from me. But I am coping ok. I had a colonoscopy on Tuesday (just a screening-everything is fine) but I was really sick afterwards. I still have trouble sleeping, but this week things will be busier, and maybe that'll make me sleep better. Tanks for thinking of me. I'll check back in a few days. You're doing well?
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alaska_mommy replied to CMH7054's response:
Hi CMH,
I'm sorry to hear you have some major stress coming up. I hope you can get through it without too much disruption to your mental state. Take care of you first, and don't worry too much about everything being just so, OK?
I'm doing all right, still just feel tired all the time whether I have a depressed mood or not. Not sure what's up with that. Maybe when our finances are better I'll make a doctor appointment and get checked out. Anyway I have been doing better emotionally. So that's good.
Report This| Share this:depressed and anxiousHi CMH, <br />I'm sorry to hear you have some major stress coming up. I hope you can get through it without too much disruption to your mental state. Take care of you first, and don't worry too much about everything being just so, OK?<br />I'm doing all right, still just feel tired all the time whether I have a depressed mood or not. Not sure what's up with that. Maybe when our finances are better I'll make a doctor appointment and get checked out. Anyway I have been doing better emotionally. So that's good.
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