Newbie here

[seanyd6bg]

Hi there,
Thought I'd join up and share experiences and look for some help,
looking forward to speaking to others,
regs,
Seán (York,UK)

[lonelygirl]

Hi sean :) I am new here too

[Lin]

Called senior member now, but only joined couple of weeks ago. I think it is brilliant, had so much good advice, and so good to find others who feel same and understand. Answer and write lots of replies, it feels so good if you might help someone, and feels so good when you get a response.

[seanyd6bg]

Hi you two, been going through this for 15 years, have told people what I'm going through but it's reached new depths with a couple of hyperventilation episodes so time to look for others for support before it starts to have a serious impact on my life.

[Lin]

Yes try talking on here. Everyone understands and gives you some good advice sometimes. Just talking to people who understand helps. Not worry I once hyperventilated at work and they had to get Dr out to me. Embarrassing, but just a panic attack with anxiety and depression. If no paper bag to put over nose and mouth when you hyperventilate, just cup your hands over nose and mouth - it works. Learn to deep breath when it happens from your stomach because shallow breathing from your chest causes it.

[Lin]

Hormones cause my depression so had lots post natal depression after miscarriages etc during last 28 years and now during menopause. Trouble is my body not accepting anti depressants used to so depression lasting long time, and they can't find right hormones to stop my depression. Don't know how husband puts up with me, I wouldn't. So not worry, we all have lots of problems and try lots of different things to get better.

[seanyd6bg]

ahhh thanks for that, yep, been feeling run down/viral type infection for the past two months and I tend to get more anxious when I'm unwell anyway but the feelings just overtook me, I hadn't hyperventilated before, paramedics were called and of course all my results were normal as I am usually quite fit and active, this ill feeling is continuing and have decided to have some time off until I feel better as it seems to be prolonging things,
prior to that, this anxiety does rule my life, flying, cinema, busy restaurants, football matches, conference type events....all now impossible,
funny thing is...I work in mental health!

[Lin]

Using all my energy for work means I have stopped socialising. I have a football season ticket but not used it last 4 months. I hate the noise. I hate shopping too because of noise and meeting people. I used to meet someone for lunch nearly 5 days every week now I don't meet anyone. When I went back to work i thought socialising would come back, but it hasn't. Really have to push myself to meet anyone or go in a shop. Lots of the people I have met on NHS courses work in mental health, so you are not alone in that.

[seanyd6bg]

Yep work can take a lot of energy,
I went to a football game a couple of months ago and there was a bigger crowd than I expected so had to sit out the second half,
shopping didn't used to be too bad but starting to struggle with that now,
the pc is my social life.

(this is my third attempt at replying...my replies were disappearing!)

[Lin]

Yes find I am on PC a lot these days, especially in here - good to get things off your head.

[seanyd6bg]

.....before you go out of your head!