Finally bit the bullet...

[NatJones]

I posted a few weeks ago, and in that post I mentioned about me suffering with post natal depression and an anxiety disorder.

 

Well, earlier in the week I went to my local GP to see a mental health specialist, who has referred me to have CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy)

 

For me, this is a massive step forward, seeing as how I have been turtling these last few months. I am feeling incredibly proud of myself, for doing something that may seem to some as a simple trip to see a doctor, to me it is going into the outside world where there are many people, all of whom I am terrified will judge me. I have lived this last year with my head buried in the sand, but I am finally making a massive effort to change the way I am living, and moreover the way I perceive myself

[Spineblade]

It's fantastic that you've decided to speak out about this. It must have been incredibly hard for you to do, but you've done it. I hope it's all up from here.

[Personthing]

That's great to hear. Any step forward no matter how big or small is progress, so keep at it! It'll be hard at first, but don't get discouraged if you sometimes feel you wanna fall back.

Edited December 8, 2016 by Personthing

[Hycrox]

Best of luck in your current and future endeavours.

[Felicity]

Small things matter. Bless you for making the effort.

[NatJones]

Thank you, all of you, I imagine I will still have wobbles but I am determined

[Kurotsune]

Alright, so now I can be fully honest with you.

 

The truth of the matter is, most people never seek help. So when you came to me for advice, I tried my hardest to push you away immediately to try to convince you to seek help yourself - I'd rather not become a crutch to you since that'd harm both of us. I also didn't expect you to actually seek help. 

 

I've discovered recently that I've grown to have a certain enjoyment in being proven wrong.

 

Depression is treatable. So is anxiety. Most people never have remission of either condition ever again in their lives... You just have to actually seek out the treatment for it. CBT works great for both things -  And maybe antidepressants can assist if it's deemed necessary - but the important thing is to not give up.

 

Keep in mind you will ultimately self-sabotage yourself. You'll feel that therapy isn't doing anything or that it isn't working or that it's not working as fast as you want it to - These are all lies you're telling yourself. You have to keep at it adamantly.

 

Worse still, if you start taking medication, you might feel better enough to consider just using the meds and giving up on therapy. That's a major trap - Medication only alleviates symptoms, it's not a cure. Therapy is. Never stop until your therapist tells you they think you're ready to... Or better yet, when you're absolutely certain you are.

 

 

I'm happy that you're seeking help, and I hope seeing future threads detailing how much better you're getting.

[NatJones]

9 minutes ago, Kurotsune said:

Alright, so now I can be fully honest with you.

 

The truth of the matter is, most people never seek help. So when you came to me for advice, I tried my hardest to push you away immediately to try to convince you to seek help yourself - I'd rather not become a crutch to you since that'd harm both of us. I also didn't expect you to actually seek help. 

 

I've discovered recently that I've grown to have a certain enjoyment in being proven wrong.

 

Depression is treatable. So is anxiety. Most people never have remission of either condition ever again in their lives... You just have to actually seek out the treatment for it. CBT works great for both things -  And maybe antidepressants can assist if it's deemed necessary - but the important thing is to not give up.

 

Keep in mind you will ultimately self-sabotage yourself. You'll feel that therapy isn't doing anything or that it isn't working or that it's not working as fast as you want it to - These are all lies you're telling yourself. You have to keep at it adamantly.

 

Worse still, if you start taking medication, you might feel better enough to consider just using the meds and giving up on therapy. That's a major trap - Medication only alleviates symptoms, it's not a cure. Therapy is. Never stop until your therapist tells you they think you're ready to... Or better yet, when you're absolutely certain you are.

 

 

I'm happy that you're seeking help, and I hope seeing future threads detailing how much better you're getting.

 

I am on medication, and as much as I dislike them, I will continue taking them as long as my doctors deem necessary.

 

If I'm honest neither did I, but one day I just bit the bullet and went for it, I know that things wont improve straight away, but I am determined to see this through, even if it takes months  I'm nothing if not stubborn

 

I shall keep posting, starting from my first appointment

[mde2001]

Really excellent job on seeking help. As small as it may seem, I know from personal experience how hard it can be to take that step. I can promise you it will help at least a little bit, even if it just teaches you some techniques on how to control it. I hope that the therapy can help cure you and let you live life to its fullest potential once again.