cometstail
27-03-12, 17:53
Hello,
I'm Sarah, I'm 24 years old and have suffered from anxiety/depression since I was 9 years old. More recently I have realised that I am anxious first and depressed second. Very recently my anxiety has evolved into a social phobia, which I find utterly crippling. I have tried several SSRIs over the years and am now on 20mg fluoxetine per day, I've been taking them for 3 weeks so far. Before that I was on sertraline, and before that citalopram.
I have now reached a point where I feel absolutely unable to function. I have been off work for 80% of the last four months. I am not eligible for benefits and my boyfriend is a full time student so we cannot afford for me to be unemployed, or even off sick so obviously this is an extra pressure. I now want to resign from my job as the thought of EVER going back to it puts me on the verge of a panic attack. I struggle to leave the house alone, and really have to force myself to go out. Generally, I only go out if it's completely unavoidable. Over the years I have worked out ways of getting other people to bring what I need to me, be that through online ordering or whatever.
I will soon be seeing a new counsellor as referred by my GP, my first appointment with them is next week and I am feeling positive about it, if a little terrified. I have seen a counsellor before and a 'psychological wellbeing practitioner' with little/no success.
I have come here seeking understanding and solidarity. I have no immediate support network as my boyfriend struggles to understand what I'm going through and when we talk about my problems we just argue. My best friends are miles away so I can't just pop round for a cuppa, and they can't come to me for an intervention!
So, I think I'm looking for a virtual brew. And probably a hug.
Sorry for the waffle.
I'm Sarah, I'm 24 years old and have suffered from anxiety/depression since I was 9 years old. More recently I have realised that I am anxious first and depressed second. Very recently my anxiety has evolved into a social phobia, which I find utterly crippling. I have tried several SSRIs over the years and am now on 20mg fluoxetine per day, I've been taking them for 3 weeks so far. Before that I was on sertraline, and before that citalopram.
I have now reached a point where I feel absolutely unable to function. I have been off work for 80% of the last four months. I am not eligible for benefits and my boyfriend is a full time student so we cannot afford for me to be unemployed, or even off sick so obviously this is an extra pressure. I now want to resign from my job as the thought of EVER going back to it puts me on the verge of a panic attack. I struggle to leave the house alone, and really have to force myself to go out. Generally, I only go out if it's completely unavoidable. Over the years I have worked out ways of getting other people to bring what I need to me, be that through online ordering or whatever.
I will soon be seeing a new counsellor as referred by my GP, my first appointment with them is next week and I am feeling positive about it, if a little terrified. I have seen a counsellor before and a 'psychological wellbeing practitioner' with little/no success.
I have come here seeking understanding and solidarity. I have no immediate support network as my boyfriend struggles to understand what I'm going through and when we talk about my problems we just argue. My best friends are miles away so I can't just pop round for a cuppa, and they can't come to me for an intervention!
So, I think I'm looking for a virtual brew. And probably a hug.
Sorry for the waffle.