JimmyM
14-04-16, 18:51
Hi all
This is my first post on a forum but I want to do it to see if it can help anyone that finds themselves in a similar position.
I'm a 40 something bloke who's always been fit, healthy and happy. I love my job but it does expose me to some darker sides of life both here and overseas. About 5 years ago I started experiencing mild anxiety but was able to put it to one side and found exercise a real help. I've run a number of half and full marathons over this time and always had something to train for.
This time last year I got injured at work which put me off my feet for 6 months. As I was on the mend I got a nasty stomach bug which I think has brought on a case of IBS which I'm still struggling with. Then before Xmas I got a chest infection with bowled me over again but more importantly put me into a state of depression and anxiety. I tried everything I could to get myself out of it but couldn't, it started taking over.
Eventually I did ask for help, which was a big thing for me! I was diagnosed very quickly with clinical depression and told to go on 20mg Citalopram. This was an even bigger thing for me but the psychologist insisted that I needed it. I held off and suffered for 2 weeks before I finally gave in and took them.
From the first day my anxiety went through the roof and this lasted for 4 weeks. I don't mind saying it was tough and I started reading these forums looking for hope but everyone seemed to be saying the same thing.
After 8 weeks I did start noticing a difference and so did the people around me.
I'm now coming up to 11 weeks and I'm quite surprised how much I've changed. I am receiving CBT once a week which I'm hoping will make the change permanent. I still and having stomach issues but I'm able to cope with them without spiralling into panic. I'm back running again and have signed up for another marathon. Although I know the dark places are still there but I am feeling a lot more positive and almost ready to start tackling them.
I know this is long but if anyone is as anxious as I was about asking for help and then taking medication please don't be. I wish I'd done it years ago.
This is my first post on a forum but I want to do it to see if it can help anyone that finds themselves in a similar position.
I'm a 40 something bloke who's always been fit, healthy and happy. I love my job but it does expose me to some darker sides of life both here and overseas. About 5 years ago I started experiencing mild anxiety but was able to put it to one side and found exercise a real help. I've run a number of half and full marathons over this time and always had something to train for.
This time last year I got injured at work which put me off my feet for 6 months. As I was on the mend I got a nasty stomach bug which I think has brought on a case of IBS which I'm still struggling with. Then before Xmas I got a chest infection with bowled me over again but more importantly put me into a state of depression and anxiety. I tried everything I could to get myself out of it but couldn't, it started taking over.
Eventually I did ask for help, which was a big thing for me! I was diagnosed very quickly with clinical depression and told to go on 20mg Citalopram. This was an even bigger thing for me but the psychologist insisted that I needed it. I held off and suffered for 2 weeks before I finally gave in and took them.
From the first day my anxiety went through the roof and this lasted for 4 weeks. I don't mind saying it was tough and I started reading these forums looking for hope but everyone seemed to be saying the same thing.
After 8 weeks I did start noticing a difference and so did the people around me.
I'm now coming up to 11 weeks and I'm quite surprised how much I've changed. I am receiving CBT once a week which I'm hoping will make the change permanent. I still and having stomach issues but I'm able to cope with them without spiralling into panic. I'm back running again and have signed up for another marathon. Although I know the dark places are still there but I am feeling a lot more positive and almost ready to start tackling them.
I know this is long but if anyone is as anxious as I was about asking for help and then taking medication please don't be. I wish I'd done it years ago.