How do you pass the time? I feel like every hour is an eternity? Also when I sleep I don’t even sleep - I just lie there watching the hours go by? Anyone felt like this and come out the other side?
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How do you pass the time? I feel like every hour is an eternity? Also when I sleep I don’t even sleep - I just lie there watching the hours go by? Anyone felt like this and come out the other side?
Far too often, yes.
First things first: are you getting help for your anxiety right now? Feeling like this long-term isn't good for you.
In the meantime, I strongly suggest listening to podcasts or watching TV shows - use your phone and a pair of earbuds if necessary. It's not ideal, but it's better than just laying there watching the walls.
Hi Ma'am
Many of us here will understand what your going through because we gone through it ourselves. Of course it will pass but you need to do stuff to help yourself however difficult it may seem.
What medications are you on if I may ask?
You need to set yourself some simple, doable tasks each day. Even if only taking a shower and going for a walk round the block.
Then each day increase each task a shade. Like add on making a sandwich etc. Distraction of any sort will help.
The idea is that you slowly build up confidence. You don't need to push yourself too hard.
I'm sure yous get good advice and links to information from other guys here. I'm kinda new so don't know where those links are.
Your definitely not alone.
Charlie
Thank you both. I am pleased to see I am not alone- although sad you have had this too.
I have been taking St Johns wort but thinking of going on to Prozac which I have had in the past with good effects x
Didn’t sleep much last night - seems like an eternity before I will get better. X
Are either of you taking an medications? X
I am, yes. Citalopram basically saved my life.
Was thinking of trying that. I have tried Prozac in the past. How many times have you taken citalopram and how long does it take to work?
This is my first time taking it, I've been on it for a little less than a year. It started working fairly quickly for me, within a few weeks. From what I've heard, it's a wonder drug for some people and just doesn't work for others.
If it's any help my son is seeing a psychiatrist today and relentless insomnia is one issue. He's been on 20mg of escitalopram for months but I'm hopeful the regime will be changed. I'll let you know what is suggested if you like?
Hi Ma'am
I noticed yous trying to inpliment what Claire Weekes says. I got all her stuff on audio. and am a great believer. The problem for all of us is exactly how to "accept" instead of just "put up with". The reason for your lack of progress may be that you're not doing it proper.
The only real clue she gives how to accept is "relax your body as much as you can." Then I came upon a progressive muscle relaxation audio also known as body scan.
Essentially yous gotta let your whole body go limp like a rag doll. Slow your breathing down. Check for tension in buttocjs, shoulders and face especially. Let it all hang out.
To speed up the process, try doing meditation twice a day, 5 minutes each then gradually increase the time. My Name Is Terry got a great list of free meditation audios. Go for the breathing meditation. YouTube got some goodies too. My favourite is a uni student doing one to sounds if tree frogs on Terry's lists.
After a few days relaxation of body will become natural Stay present with your breathing. Try and welcome the depression and physical crap anxiety symptoms as friends.
I promise yous this will help just do it.
I got something to say about going back on Prozac but that can wait, not important.
I'm on venlafaxine which is supposedly an SNRI
Prozac and citalopram is SSRI. So you should stick to SSRI coz Prozac working beforre
It's really tough when you're in that state when all your time is so unpleasant and goes so slowly. I often think it's the direct opposite of the saying 'time flies when you're having fun'. Sometimes it seems the good things pass so quickly but when you feel miserable it just goes on and on. The good thing is you do come out of it. I took SSRI medication (Sertraline) for a while and as others on here have said, try and occupy yourself with anything you are able to do. Anything that you are able to focus on a little will help. I found being on the internet helpful or watching something on TV. Even occupying myself with the odd computer game got me interested to the point where I could lose the slow time obsession a bit. A pet can be a help and if you are able to get out at all any excercise or social interactions will be beneficial. Eventually as my condition improved I became more relaxed and less obsessive about time and my sleep returned to normal. Talking about what you're going through helps too whether its in therapy or just with friends as well as the support you get on a forum such as this.
Pulisa that would be great thank you. You are such a helpful person at the moment - putting a positive spin on things for me
X
Lebonvin - you are helpful as always- yes I am using CLAIRE Weeks. A lot of people say she is not helpful or outdated- but I think she is great.
Tyke - absolutely spot on - thank you x
How are you all today? X
I’m new to this thread and not doing so well either , I’m on a lot of medication and don’t know what ones are helping and what ones are making me worse
it’s nice to see I’m not alone as feel I’m the only one going through this
does anyone find mornings are the worst time , adrenaline, fear , scared and the shaking ??
welcome Tristan -and sorry to hear you are going through it. Yes I feel at my worst in the mornings- sometimes I just think to myself- is this only adrenaline? I don’t want to be in bed as it’s incredibly uncomfortable but even when out of it the horrible feeling follows me around - but it’s less intense. It does eventually go (the bad mornings) mine are back again but I keep having to remind myself that they will go x
Cbt4panic is a great resource to help you cope x
My bad mornings have been with me all year ,
they are worse at moment due to pressure of christmas Christmas and I really don’t know what to do !!!!
Try the cbt4panic - let me know how you get on. I know how awful it is x
What medications are you on? X
Duloxatine 120
quetiapine 300
mirtazapine 15
pregabalin 400
propananol 80
Zoppyclone 7.5
all this and still feel like shit , how do I get the cat for panic ??? C
Who put you on all that??
cbt4panic.org
let me know how you get on x
Psychiatrist, scared . Com for tomorrow
What does com for tomorrow mean? X
Just scared
Has anyone suggested increasing any of your meds Tristan? I believe Pregabalin can go up to 600 and Mirtazapine up to 45. Also Changing one of your meds to one of the old TCA’s could be an option, some of them are more potent than the SSRI/SNRI’s. I’ve been suffering anxiety and depression on and off for 12 years but this episode is my longest one, started in January so nearly a year now. I am on quetiapine 200mg, Mirtazapine 30mg, and just increased venlafaxine to 300mg this morning :scared15:. My psychiatrist added the quetiapine two months ago as a mood stabiliser as I was feeling better for 7-10 days at a time and then my mood would just crash again. She wanted to add Lamotrigine which is another mood stabiliser but decided to try increasing my other meds first. I’m also starting a course of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy in February.
I know how hard it is, all the upping, stopping and swopping meds but you still have plenty of options. You will get there, we all will xx
Thanks for reply , mine has been off and on for nearly 7 years now and like you been bad for most of the year , they just don’t know what to do with me anymore, fed up of all the med changes now and just feel shit mist of the time , I was put on quetiapine as I just wasn’t eating and when I take it at night I eat like crazy , they put me on 200 at night and 100 in morning
i sm starting to lose hope that it will ever get any better and wish I was never born today , so hard on family , I have 3 boys and have to put a front on for them and it’s just exhausting
do you find your morninfs are worse ? I wake early and takes hours to feel a tiny bit normal , what ever normal is , been so long I don’t know how to feel anymore , good luck with mindfulness and hope it helps
do you still wok ?
No I haven’t worked since July. I had a major meltdown at work and got signed off for 3 months but then got a letter from my boss telling me not to go back. I’m claiming ESA but have just managed to get myself a little admin job working from home, flexible hours starting in the new year.
I’m the same in the mornings but it has settled a bit since starting the quetiapine. It’s because your levels of cortisol are much higher first thing in the morning. I sometimes take propranolol or diazepam if it’s really bad. I always feel much calmer in the evenings when cortisol is lower, sometimes I feel almost normal again which is why feeling rough the next morning can feel even worse.
I’ve got a 4 year old boy who naturally wants all my attention but I find it so hard to show any interest. I know I love him and my partner but I feel so empty and just want to feel something for them again.
I think half the battle with anxiety is to try not be afraid of it. Sounds hard but fear is what keeps the cycle going.
Dare response is quite helpful https://dareresponse.com/
Also Joshua Fletcher Panicking about Panic
https://www.thepanicroom.co.uk/best-...-anxiety-book/
One other thing, have you had your thyroid levels checked?
I too tend to feel calm in the evening and as you say nearly normal , how much quetiapine do you take and is it in the morning or in the evening ?
In in the morning I wake with bad adrenaline and feel scared and just not in control
I also lost my job due to anxiety and depression, as I said I have been like this so long I often feel nothing or unsure how to feel , feeling nothing is the worst feeling
I’m on 200mg immediate release and take it all at night. I asked about taking some of it in the morning but was told no, for the depression it best taken at night. There is also an extended release version which is supposed to be better but the NHS won’t prescribe it in my area as it is too expensive . So if I get any bad anxiety/adrenaline during the day I take propranolol or diazepam if it’s completely unbearable. I got my last diazepam prescription at the end of August and have managed to make 14 tablets last all that time so not bad going. Got another 10 tablets before xmas but haven’t taken one yet.
I increased my venlafaxine to 300 two days ago so will probably start feeling the increased anxiety soon and need the diazepam. So far so good though my OCD thoughts were crazy last week and have settled down already.
So don’t feel safe today and don’t know what to do !!!!!
You are safe Tristan, nothing bad is going to happen to you, remember it’s your brain playing tricks on you. Try not to fear your thoughts as that’s what keeps the bad feelings going. Thoughts and feelings are not the truth and you have the choice whether or not to believe them. Do you have anyone you can call when you’re feeling like this? A crisis team? Call 111 or samaritans if you need to, you will be ok x
I did try the crisis line but always get same answer ... go to a and e but as you all prob know this never helps and is a total waist of a day , not calming today so will be on phone to doctor first thing tomorrow, something has to change as I’m going nuts