wendell
04-12-10, 15:56
Hey everyone.
Found this site a few weeks back and reading around has been a real help for me in trying to get a handle on my problems, and reassuring me that I'm not alone and that I'm not going insane.
I started having regular panic attacks in August this year, seemingly out of nowhere, coincident with a relapse into depression, something which ive suffered with on and off for many years. I had a good couple of years 2007-2009 but since being made redundant I've been unemployed and living with my parents for nearly 18 months in a small town where i'm very socially isolated and starting to feel that i have no prospects of ever getting out.
My anxiiety is making everyday life seem like an enormous uphill struggle, where the hill is made of teflon and my shoe are made of butter. Some days i'm ok, but others going for a walk round the park can leave me feeling like i'm going to die. I recently blew a chance at a temporary job because i had a bad day and just couldn't make teh hour long bus journey. So frustrated with myself. It's a vicious cycle: unemployment->low self esteem->depression->anxiety->unemployment.
I'm trying to remain optomistic that i can get over this, im currently on sertraline (5th antidepressant ive been on) and I'm looking into CBT, which i think would be helpful for me.
I'm having real problems admiting to anyone i'm suffering anxiety/depression for fear of being stigmatised, especialy as a guy there's a real fear of being labeled weak and seen as inferior by other men. I'm not one for silly macho nonsense, and wouldn't look down on anyone for admiting they have problems. I see the double standard there but it doesn't change my aversion to being open about it. I guess posting my story anonamously on a forum is a step in the right direction.:D.
Found this site a few weeks back and reading around has been a real help for me in trying to get a handle on my problems, and reassuring me that I'm not alone and that I'm not going insane.
I started having regular panic attacks in August this year, seemingly out of nowhere, coincident with a relapse into depression, something which ive suffered with on and off for many years. I had a good couple of years 2007-2009 but since being made redundant I've been unemployed and living with my parents for nearly 18 months in a small town where i'm very socially isolated and starting to feel that i have no prospects of ever getting out.
My anxiiety is making everyday life seem like an enormous uphill struggle, where the hill is made of teflon and my shoe are made of butter. Some days i'm ok, but others going for a walk round the park can leave me feeling like i'm going to die. I recently blew a chance at a temporary job because i had a bad day and just couldn't make teh hour long bus journey. So frustrated with myself. It's a vicious cycle: unemployment->low self esteem->depression->anxiety->unemployment.
I'm trying to remain optomistic that i can get over this, im currently on sertraline (5th antidepressant ive been on) and I'm looking into CBT, which i think would be helpful for me.
I'm having real problems admiting to anyone i'm suffering anxiety/depression for fear of being stigmatised, especialy as a guy there's a real fear of being labeled weak and seen as inferior by other men. I'm not one for silly macho nonsense, and wouldn't look down on anyone for admiting they have problems. I see the double standard there but it doesn't change my aversion to being open about it. I guess posting my story anonamously on a forum is a step in the right direction.:D.