I need some help, guys

[JMathews]

Male, here, 45, with really bad anxiety and depression. Symptoms: lower back pain (internal), headache, foggy minded, light headed, extreme fatigue, trouble sleeping, nervous, constipated, body overheated, nausea, itchy skin, and bad thoughts. I've tried everything natural: yoga, headstands, handstands, exercise, swimming, eating healthy, etc. Nothing is fixing it (but my body is in good shape). What should I do?? Go see psychiatrist or psychologist? I've never been on any meds. My days are just suffering.

[gypsylee]

Hey J,

Yeah go see a doctor and get a referral to a psychiatrist. They can prescribe and all the psychologists I've seen have been pretty bad. Meds can make a massive difference to this illness and it helps a lot just to get it out there :)

Cheers,
Gypsy x

[Twichard]

Im 46 you just summed up how I feel exactly apart from the being fit I've been referred to a psychologist have been going to see her for about a year now Im slowly working through the thing's that haunt me and cause my depression I get long periods when I can't eat also but Im not about to give in I have a very ill son who depends on me being there whether im ill or whatever he's the reason why I keep going and Im seeking help

[Ponder]

Hello J,

It's not the meds that work. It's not the seeing of a therapist that works. Hell even eating well and exercise does not work. The only thing that ever really works is US ... only when we are truly committed and active in our own recovery does anything work. Only when we take that extra step other than rolling out of bed and taking a piss that does the world then fall into place. Until we actually start taking responsibility for ourselves ... nothing is ever going to work.

Any "professional" we see no matter the label we attribute to them is only as good as the power we give them. Take the meds and you be the gauge; it does not work any other way. See the psychologist and you do the talking, It does not work any other way. Basically you only get back what you put in. Yes there are variables that you learn along the way ... but you won't be able to gauge whose helping and whose not if your not helping yourself.

I'm pretty fit myself ... been working at it for a number of years now. I eat clean, go to the gym, see a therapist, meditate and do a number of other things ... I still have head issues but that's OK. Life is full of issues. :) Like I say, its not about the practices I choose; but more about → the way ← I choose → to work.

I have a LOT of mental health labels and no prospect for getting a J-O-B ... but you know what ... I WORK! - Nothing else does and nothing else ever will. :)

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!

[Twichard]

I agree with you it's what you put in but you can only put in what you're able to all anyone can do is what the individual thinks is the correct path for themselves

[gypsylee]

Hello J,

It's not the meds that work. It's not the seeing of a therapist that works. Hell even eating well and exercise does not work. The only thing that ever really works is US ... only when we are truly committed and active in our own recovery does anything work. Only when we take that extra step other than rolling out of bed and taking a piss that does the world then fall into place. Until we actually start taking responsibility for ourselves ... nothing is ever going to work.

Any "professional" we see no matter the label we attribute to them is only as good as the power we give them. Take the meds and you be the gauge; it does not work any other way. See the psychologist and you do the talking, It does not work any other way. Basically you only get back what you put in. Yes there are variables that you learn along the way ... but you won't be able to gauge whose helping and whose not if your not helping yourself.

I'm pretty fit myself ... been working at it for a number of years now. I eat clean, go to the gym, see a therapist, meditate and do a number of other things ... I still have head issues but that's OK. Life is full of issues. :) Like I say, its not about the practices I choose; but more about → the way ← I choose → to work.

I have a LOT of mental health labels and no prospect for getting a J-O-B ... but you know what ... I WORK! - Nothing else does and nothing else ever will. :)

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!

I guess this is our sticking point Ponder :) I believe meds DO work and that some of us are born with a chemical imbalance which they correct.

[Ponder]

I agree with you it's what you put in but you can only put in what you're able to all anyone can do is what the individual thinks is the correct path for themselves

To Thine Own Self Be True.
Is hard to know who we really are when living in a world that teaches individuals to define themselves based on what they consume and to that which we they have been labeled. The key to balance in an unbalance world is to wake up and start thinking for oneself. There is no right or wrong path ... there's only the path you choose.


I guess this is our sticking point Ponder I believe meds DO work and that some of us are born with a chemical imbalance which they correct.

Meds have their place (disclaimer → this forum is not a place for soliciting professional advice) ... but ... to clarify - There are no chemical solutions to lifestyle related problems.

[gypsylee]

It's a debate we could have for ages.. I do agree it's lifestyle but how far back do we go with our toxic culture, if you know what I mean? You and I are on the same page about the culture at least :)

[Ponder]

I am neither for or against. (trying not to be) I do admit I am human with a history therefore no doubt bias and am genuinely apologetic for that.

I see your point. I've found Tolle's teachings on "The Residual Effect" has helped me a lot by giving me more understanding how it is that our historical toxic culture has predisposed us all from the ability to living in the now. The inability to do so being the essence of anxiety. Yep you make a lot of sense with your reply gypsy. I hope mind kind of does?

My intention is not to debate so will concede to your excellent point. If I have not unsettled the waters too much perhaps others would like to chime in.

[gypsylee]

Yes, I know what you're saying and you haven't unsettled the waters too much!

I'm pro-medication because in 1993, when my anxiety got so severe I had to defer from university, Prozac changed my life very dramatically and I dare say it saved my life. Before that though I'd been put on a cocktail of meds, including old-school anti-psychotics that turned me into a zombie with my eyes literally rolling back in my head. It was absolutely terrifying. Mum said enough is enough and found me a different psychiatrist who took me off everything bar the Xanax. I saw him every week and he started over, trying various anti-depressants. The older ones didn't work but Prozac worked like a charm (after 3 weeks).

My brother suffered from less severe anxiety but still bad enough to see a doctor. He also found the SSRIs helped, though he eventually went onto Effexor because it had less sexual side-effects. Yes, he passed away from an overdose of heroin and benzos, but he referred to Effexor as "the good drug" in terms of how much it had helped his anxiety/depression.

I've done enough research into brain chemistry (and addiction) to firmly believe that some people are born with a chemical imbalance. My brother's upbringing was quite different to mine, so *nature* was a big factor I think. We had alcoholism on both sides of our family and in the detox profession would be classed as "genetic alcoholics". It's an area I'm quite passionate about and I'd like to work in it some day. So it's nothing personal against you, Ponder :) I just feel strongly about helping people with anxiety disorders and I think medication is an essential part of that in severe cases.

[Ponder]

None taken. Is good that you have so much to offer ... and you do offer it well.
Night guys ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/sleep/sleep.gif

[martin05]

None taken. Is good that you have so much to offer ... and you do offer it well.
Night guys ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/sleep/sleep.gif

Later, dude.

[Karalynn]

I have figured out that depression and anxiety make you feel sick all the time. When I am manic or during my good days, I feel fine. Have more bad days than good. Been on every medication and have yet to find one that works.

[gypsylee]

I have figured out that depression and anxiety make you feel sick all the time. When I am manic or during my good days, I feel fine. Have more bad days than good. Been on every medication and have yet to find one that works.

Hi Karalynn and welcome to the forum :)

P.S. Most of the threads here go on in the General Discussion board.

[Twichard]

Your not alone with the feelings you're having i also Have had many ssri drug's none of them helped me my gp gives me diazepam as a last resort many members of this forum have been down the same path hopefully knowing this and reading there story's may help you Sometimes knowing that others feel the same as you can help

[Karalynn]

That's why I am here. People that don't have these issues don't understand. It does help to talk to people that understand the struggles that come with depression and anxiety.

[Karalynn]

Thank you!

[Twichard]

Thank you!

Your welcome and not alone

[Carnelian]

Start with getting a total physical exam from a GP doctor. Take the tests he wants and wait for the results.
This may only be physical. No need for a psychologist or such now. I personally do not trust them. Too shallow.
you are not telling us everything--how your condition developed and what caused it
and so on. If your doctor wants you to see a specialist, then go. But don't start with a therapist!

[Twichard]

I don't know about usa but in Scotland it's the gp (doctor) that refers you to psychologist or psychiatrist or both but if you're referred to a psychologist you have to be open and willing to interact with the person you are appointed to no matter how difficult you're finding it or you're going to waste your time for no gain it's hard work trusting a strange person im giving you this advice from first-hand experience it will take more than one appointment before you realise if you're finding it helpful at the end of the day you're in charge and say when you can't continue or wish to carry on all the best twichard

[Ponder]

Well said Twichard.

Psychotherapy works for me. It's my medicine and works wonders. Several of my family now receive such help and are all benefiting from it. There's a system to the way it works which I base on mutuality. I don't settle for people I can't communicate with. I instead keep looking until I find someone that respects me and wants to help. That only works if you want to help yourself. As for GPs ... I am always changing those. Thankfully I find therapists much easier to work with. I only have to change those a few times early on and then bingo ... I am good for a few years running; usually until I move location. I then start the process again. Get a referral from a flaky GP to a more functional professional that suits my needs. Again ... I will not settle for complacent practices and will persist until I meet someone that I gel with. Then it's BINGO once more and again for a few more years I will work with that person - usually to find a reason to live and work towards living as well as one can.

I don't think our currently society can afford to be without Psychotherapy Services ... but that's just my perspective. I know I would regress very fast without them.