Anxiety Panic Disorder/Depression issue, what to do?

I've got a big Anxiety Panic Disorder/Depression issue, what to do?

It was diagnosed after going to every expensive doctor in New York City. After many, many medication options, and some major life changes, all was fine for the last six years.

I moved. I bought a house. In South Florida. Hurricanes. Became a 6th grade Teacher. And the meds recently stopped working.

I get life having challenges but I don't get when the suffering and pain never ends. I've been put on a set of different meds, the last one a new 'MAOI" plus Lamictle and Ativan; SSRI's don't work on me. The anxiety comes/goes, but the depression sucks. I hope the new meds work.

I have also tried cognative therapy, medation, food changes and "people editing" (err, diss the ones in your life that do not work), prayer, changing things, etc.

I just can't seem to get to a comfortable spot in my life, not one minute. I have no family, all died, and most of my friends here are moving away. Any hopefull suggestions?

It sounds like you are not thinking about solving one problem at a time, but focussing on them all at once, which can be stressful, overwhelming, and can worsen your depression. Here are some things you can try at home to decrease your depression. Hope this helps.

"GET OUT OF BED:

One of the most important things you can do is get up at about the same time every morning (even week-ends). Preferably, that means about 7 a.m. or earlier. You might not feel like it but Get Up. Such regularity helps your body function more normally so you're more likely to feel normal.

LIGHTS:

Light helps your body function better. So turn on a lot of lights as soon as you arise. Open curtains to get more sunlight. Better yet, go outdoors into the sunshine as soon as you can. Remove any eyewear so light will enter more readily (glass cuts out some of the sun's rays). But don't stare at the sun, of course.

MOVE:

Be active right away -- oxygenate! That means getting up and walking around your dwelling for five or 10 minutes, or perhaps riding an exercycle. Mild exercise gets the blood flowing and transports more oxygen throughout your body (especially to your brain), helping you feel mentally alert and alive.

MUSIC:

Select and play some energetic, happy music as you dress and have your breakfast. The audiovisual department of most libraries has albums and tapes you can check out.


BREAKFAST:

Begin your breakfast with protein (i.e., meat, eggs, peanut butter, nuts, cheese). When you get up, your body chemistry is ready to convert food, especially protein,into longlasting energy. To balance your most important meal of the day, add an orange or other fresh fruit and whole grain cereal or whole grain bread.

TALK WITH SOMEONE:

One of the quickest ways to beat the blues is to interact with others. You might not feel like doing that - you'd rather avoid people when blue. So make lt easier on yourself. Talk with someone you enjoy about a subject you enjoy so there is definite give and take.

And, force yourself to say "hello" to the persons next to you in class, those where you live, anyone around.

LIMIT CAFFEINE:

The long-term (four hours or so) effects of caffeine are depression. Try to limit coffee to no more than one cup in the morning. Coffee can make you more alert for an hour or so, but later you get an opposite reaction. Caffeine tends to increase the release of insulin in the blood, and insulin lowers the blood sugar level. When you have low blood sugar levels, you begin to feel less sure of yourself, and have low energy levels, which can lead to the blues or depression.

LIMIT SUGAR:

Sugar might give you an initial rush of energy, but within an hour or so the blood sugar level can become low, and when it's low you may feel low, too.

The caffeine/sugar cycle. It's easy to get caught in the caffeine and sugar cycle -- having coffee, caffeinated soft drinks, or something with sugar every two hours or so to "stay up." For example, cola contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar plus caffeine equal to about half a cup of coffee. In addition to bringing on the blues, this cycle can result in dependence, poor nutrition. and obesity -- reasons to get down on yourself even more and feel blue.

MAINTAIN FIBER:

Fiber helps food go through your digestive system at a proper rate, giving a more constant energy supply. Highly processed foods merely provide a quick surge of energy which can be followed by depression. You can maintain fiber in your diet by eating an orange or grapefruit rather than just drinking the juice. Eat fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grain breads and cereals.

STRESS B COMPLEX:

Some persons report receiving help by taking a concentrated vitamin B complex. You'll find these called something like "Stress B" or "B 50." This is controversial.
Some nutritionists say, "Yes, this really should be considered," and others say, "No, this is not a good Idea." You can try some and decide whether or not it helps you. If it does help, then perhaps you should consult a nutritionist to see if there are other ways you can augment your diet.

ROUTINES:

Changing your routines is another way to help shake the blues. Choose a different combination of clothes to wear, walk rather than drive, take a different route, eat at a different place. Do something different to help break the routine.

It's hard. Getting up in the morning, turning on the lights, eating a nutritious breakfast, keeping busy--keeping such a schedule is not always easy.

You might need help for the first few days, someone to help you form good habits, get you out of bed. turn on the lights, make sure you have a good breakfast, someone to help you be more active. One good way is to make a contract with a friend or friends who want to see you change. It might seem embarrassing, but
those friends want to see you healthy and happy rather than depressed and difficult to be around. Note: If you feel that you need the help of someone for more than three or four days, you probably should make an appointment with a counselor or psychotherapist. You don't want to wear out your friends!

DEVELOP SUPPORTS:

Good old-fashioned support works wonders. Most of us have not developed "support systems." We need to think about that idea ahead of time, if we have the tendency to feel blue, so that the supports can be available when needed. Plan ahead by filling out the last section of this publication and keep it handy. In addition to developing your own resources, you might know of some community support groups for persons with the blues. Call the local mental health center to see if there are some groups you might be a part of. Some places to call for leads at K-State will be listed at the end of this brochure.

What do I do when I feel myself coming down with the blues?

Recognize the change in yourself when you are "coming down" with an emotional slump. Don't deny it or feel guilty. Rather, take charge of yourself right away.

Perhaps taking a day off and doing some favorite things will restore you. Get more exercise: walk, garden, cycle, swim. You might not feel like it, but exercise is one of the best depression breakers and preventers.

PRETEND:

Put a smile on your face and pretend that you are happy. Stand straight rather than falling into that slouching, depressed posture. Sound hokey? Well, it isn't. Research demonstrates that forming a facial expression actually changes how you feel inside. And pretending to feel an emotion results in actually feeling it. Frowners feel sadder. And the depressing effects last for hours. So smile: at yourself and others, even trees or dogs or cats. Sure, it's tough to smile when you're feeling blue. The extra effort you muster to do it will help you break the blues.

Wear bright, happy clothes and pretend you are happy. You will then find yourself happy. Maybe, even wear a goofy shirt or blouse or cap so you can see others smile with you. Dressing cheerfully and pretending can beat the blues.

SEEK OUT HUMOR:

See a funny movie, read a humorous book, or listen to a comedy tape/CD. When you see a really funny cartoon, make a copy and save it. Consciously decide to use and employ these things when you find yourself coming down with the blues. Singing can help -- make yourself do it.

EXERCISE:

It's worth stating again: Exercise is a great way to break depression. Walk, go to the Rec Center and ride an exercycle, swim, or climb stairs if it's too cold or hot outside.

Do not give in to those inner blues that say, "I don't feel like it."
Doing almost anything constructive will be beneficial."

Trust me, i've been there. I know it's discouraging but it takes awhile for the doctors to get the meds just right. I am taking a drug called neurontin. Nothing else worked for me. Its a mood stablizer. It changed my life. I feel so much better since i've been on it and that has been for about 5 years now. Usually my system gets used to a drug sooner than that. I also take lexapro. It really takes the edge off. Hope this helps and God Bless

I am going thru the same situation right now. I have found out that I myself create the anxiety in many cases by stressing myself out about things that don't matter. I have learned to laugh at myself and allow myself to understand there are things I cannot control.

When I feel it coming on and I want to cry when I should laugh, or laugh when I should cry or just feel like I cant control things....I use all sorts of different things to help. Sometimes I zone off looking at my fish (if I am at home) or if I am in the car I turn on my favorite songs and sing loud and lusty (and I cannot sing..trust me)

But most of all....routine...keep a routine and keep control of what you can. It helps understand the things you cant control.

what's the reason for the panic and anxiety, is it hurricanes and people moving away? Maybe you should move too, would that make you feel safer?

Sometimes the body gets used to a medication a person is taking so they have to change, then the new one works differently or a person is alergic to it. If there is any way you can get off of depending on medications at all that would be great.

The mind controls the body (that's been proven time and again, as well as people being cured by using placibos). You say when things were working well things were better. Maybe you need to go back to that place and time in your life. Figure out what it was and move back. My mother used to say same as one famous person said that's something like "you are as you think (you are)". So if you describe things as horrible, terrible, always thinking about undermining yourself, maybe you need to talk to yourself and say how good things are going, that you enjoy what you're doing, that you have a way out if a hurricane comes, etc. etc. A lot of people come to Florida to see the sun that helps alleviate depression, so if you have depression then maybe you need more sun, or you do need to change your outlook. They say if you change your outlook you change your life.

You are in a very tough situation right now. But from what you said, you will not let anything get the better of you. I give you credit for that. Have you tried behavioral therapy? You know the song, from The King and I, "Whistle a happy tune"? It works as my theme song. I am usually depressed and very fearful, been diagnosed with PTSD. Except for flying (since 9/11) I can usually disable my fears by acting like someone who is not afraid. I can drive over bridges now. I refuse medication, so I have to rely on my own strong will to keep me going. It usually works. Still not a happy camper, but I function 80%.

By the way, I have a family, but they are very unlikely to help me. They very often wish me good luck and hang up the phone.

i do not know how to help you but
i suffer from panic attacks,anxiety disorder, and depression..for the last 25 years!!
i have been on so many meds..
but finally my long time doc gave me Ametrypteline,Xanax, and Zoloft
that keeps me under control most of the time..
the Zoloft can cause sexual side effects on some but not all people
hope i helped a little
at least i know where you are coming from
people who never had these things ca not understand them
hope you have a really good doc like mine
best wishes to you

You need to thoroughly audit yourself and see what went wrong with you. The reason of depression and anxiety is mostly your experiences with growing up. You might be in a situation when you start feeling withdrawn. nobody likes you, you are deprived of attention.
This is just a mental condition, chemical imbalances in your body may cause this. Conventional medication will have some pills available but most importantly it need a mind conditioning. Look around and see everyone likes you. Patience is the virtue. Relax your mind. Mind can see an overall and clear picture when it is at ease. use breathing techniques. Most of the time in depression and anxiety your muscles are tight and blood in not flowing. Breathing and letting it go will relax your body. Bring it to normal and you'll be able to control yourself. It is very easy to be said but utmost difficult to practice. You may learn over the time to learn with it until you feel fully cured. Remember you can cure within yourself if you can concentrate and be aware of your body and its pain, then knock it off. Get angry at yourself and tell yourself that you don't want to be like this. Allah Bless!!

What you're describing might possibly be a rare vitamin deficiency disorder known as Pyroluria.

I was diagnosed last Fall of 2005.

Now my seizures, rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, depression, panic-attacks, deja-vu episods, short-term memory loss, lack of concentration, OCD, and severe hormonal-imbalance are a thing of the past, amongst many other things.

I've got my life back.
All it took was the elimination of food allergens from my diet:
No grains
No sweeteners (except stevia)
No alcohol

I have replaced grains with steamed veggies & potatoes.
I eat beef, turkey, eggs, and goat's milk dairy.
Lots of fruits.
Lots of spices and seasonings.

I feel so much better.

Ask your doctor to check your B6, Zinc, and T-3 & T-4 blood levels.
You just might be deficient in any one of these very important nutrients.

Pyroluria is a deficiency in B6, Zinc, and the essential fatty acid: Aracadonic Acid (also known as Omega-6).

Look up Pyroluria in the Google Search Engine for more info.

Also, see the following links below. They are very informative.

This is a very good blog, a beginner鈥檚 guide to abnormal psychology.
Short, clear and simple; and you can even post your question and contact the author regarding particular subject you are interested in, for FREE

http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.co...