I dunno what to do? Im suffering all the time from physical problems that I can't stop thinking bout and it makes me scared. I can't live with them. Everyday I just think I want to end it. I don't much any more either. I wish I had amnesia so I couldn't remember these things that scare me. I know I have to try the therapies medications first but I feel hopeless I don't see how this fear can possibly be cured. I don't think there is a solution. So just feel unmotivated. I just want to lay down and sleep and not wake up. How can I motivate my self to do my very best using therapies and medication and give my maximun effort to get well when I feel so hopeless with no quality of life any more and constant suffereing.
202944
You may feel that you are compleatly alone in your anxiety, but you really are not!  It actually gave me chills to read your question... It was an exact picture of me a few years ago.  My attcks got so bad that I had to leave a nice job at the radio station I was working at. I got to the point that I could not even get into a car.  I spent most of my time in my bedroom basically afraid to go out for fear that something else bad would happen to me.  I finally got to the point where I was going to end my own life.  Well, Oviously, I did not do it!  The next day I made an appointment with a theripist and reached out for help.  I would have never seen myself sitting on the "shrinks couch" bearing my dark inner thoughts, but there I was... And I am glad I did.  I learned that my attacks were being triggered by Post Traumatic Stress.  I had been in a terrible auto accident a number of years ago, but I fully recovered from my injuries, and never gave it another thought.  But apperently the memories of the accident lingered in the deep recesses of my mind, and would come back to me every once and a while in the form of a pannic attack.  It took me some time in theropy to actually see that not everything in my life was negitive.  I learned to look at the positive side of every sitation, instead of sitting back and waiting for the worst to happen.  I was also given Zoloft to help with lingering depression.  It has helped, sure I still get "down" from time to time, but nothing compaired to how things used to be.  It all takes time, and you have to be willing to compleatly change your way of thinking.  If you ever have any other questions about this situation, you can feel free to email me at jam961@yahoo.com  I am not a theripist, but I have been exactly where you are now, and I was able to fight back... If I could do it, I just know you can too!  Just stay strong!
432913
therapy and meds are essential for helping you...but have you thought about support groups?  sometimes just going through it with like people can help.  as for your not being able to articulate how you feel, i recommend journaling...writing down what you are feeling is a great way to help yourself and others fiigure out what you are really going through.  dont forget diet and exercise too...good luck
305694
Hi!I have a huge problem. I would like to be healthy. I'm not to sick but I'm also not in good shape. I'm always very tired and with little energy. IF i walk to school i get tired. If i do to many things at home i get tired as well. I dont want to be tired! What should i do?\n\nYour desperate friend\n\nCarmen
553994
My doctor has me on Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Lamictal and Adderall. A lot of drugs, I know. I even have Xanax in case I really lose it. I don't think that medicine is the only answer. Consider speaking with a psychologist, who can help you get down to the root of your anxiety. I know that exercise and a better diet would improve my attitude, if I were ever to get motivated.  Also getting in touch with your spiritual side, such as going to a worship service or meditating, can help alleviate the stress that causes anxiety. I hope to someday chose the path outside of medicine. I wish you luck with dealing with this struggle, and also Happy Holidays!
84586
Depressive disorders make one feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these negative views are part of the depression and typically do not accurately reflect the situation. Negative thinking fades as treatment begins to take effect. In the meantime: \nSet realistic goals and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility. \nBreak large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as you can.\nTry to be with other people and to confide in someone; it is usually better than being alone and secretive.\nParticipate in activities that may make you feel better.\nMild exercise, going to a movie, a ballgame, or participating in religious, social, or other activities may help. \nExpect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better takes time. \nIt is advisable to postpone important decisions until the depression has lifted. Before deciding to make a significant transition--change jobs, get married or divorced--discuss it with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation. \nPeople rarely "snap out of" a depression. But they can feel a little better day by day.\nRemember, positive thinking will replace the negative thinking that is part of the depression and will disappear as your depression responds to treatment.\nLet your family and friends help you. \n\nSelf help for depression\n\nEffective therapy needs to incorporate everything that works in lifting depression. You may be able to help yourself effectively, although often it is useful to get the help of a professional.\n\nHere we'll go through what you can do, as well as what you should look for in any therapy you choose to undergo.\nWhat you can do to help yourself\n\n1) Know about your condition - what you know about your depression has been shown to have an effect on well you respond to treatment. Take the Depression Learning Path - it's the best way to start helping yourself.\n\n2) Cut down on rumination. Do whatever you can to decrease the amount of rumination you are doing. (Ruminating is 'chewing over' emotional issues in your mind without coming to any decision to act.)\n\nIf possible, decide to put off difficult decisions for 1 or 2 weeks while you get your energy back.\n\nWays to cut down rumination are to:\n\na) Stop yourself when you spot yourself doing 'all or nothing' thinking. (See thinking styles)\nb) Read novels when you have nothing to do, to occupy your mind. (Make them exciting novels, not romance or self help books!)\nc) Do exercise (see 5)\nd) Work if you can\ne) Keep yourself occupied as much as possible in ways that stop you thinking too much!\n\n3) Find ways to assess and monitor your depressive episodes - The way depression makes us adopt all or nothing thinking is a unique and crucial part of understanding depression. The way depression makes us generate seemingly hopeless outcomes to our situation can make it almost impossible to see a way out of it. \n\nFinding ways to gauge your depression can help to show the shades of gray, that will ultimately defeat the black and white thinking on which depression thrives. This is often done in the form of a diary, where you grade how bad your days have been on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the worst and 10 is the best. Then, after 2 weeks or so, you can look back and see how things have varied over that time. \n\n4) Lower your emotional arousal levels calming down emotions such as anxiety and anger helps your brain function more subtly and decreases the amount of catastrophising you do. Along with getting proper rest, being able to relax is incredibly important.\n\nRelaxation therapies are effective in overcoming some of the other issues that can co-occur with depression. The effects of panic attacks, anxiety and anger, etc can be lessened and overcome with the ability to relax properly and deeply. Physi
38911
You're just going through a hard time right now. You wouldn't be here with out your parents and God all mighty as your creator. and you are surely loved by all of them ! if you are having suicidal thoughts PLEASE don't do anything like that. your family and friends then suffer for the rest of their life aching for you missing you and wondering WHY. I Know I have lost siblings to suicide. talk to a teacher a minister.your parents your doctor or anyone who can help you. given medication and time you will feel TONS better. Get moving as hard as that may sound get up and get busy go hang with some positive influence friends or family. do anything except sit there and let depression win. You are stronger than that.need a friend to talk to ? email me @ granpamma@yahoo.com Lots of people who don't even know you care. LIFE DOES GET BETTER !!! you are still young and haven't even got to really make your own life what you want it to be. the possibilities are endless and LIFE IS WHAT WE MAKE OF IT ! if you are doing drugs or alcohol STOP IT ......that causes major depression and Life does suck when you put that kind of crap in your body ! Love to you ! I will pray for ya !Best of Luck !
629060
You obviously are feeling very out of control, for good reason.  You are avoiding having to take medications due to side effects and yet the side effects of not being on medications are becoming significant.\n\nI'm so sorry you are having this kind of pain and emptiness.  It is really such a difficult place to be.  Know that you are not the only one who has been there and others, who have come before you, have gotten better.\n\nThe fact is that you have to choose between two things you don't want:  medication side effects and suicidal depression and panic attacks.  Perhaps you can commit to trying medication for just a short time, say three months, and see if the side effects are better than how you feel now.  No one says your treatement will be forever.  With medication, you will perhaps be functional enough to learn new skills to deal with your panic, but when you are as deep down in a hole as you are now, doing behavioral therapy will seem impossible.\n\nTry the meds, and realize that nothing is forever except suicide.\n\nMy heart goes out for you my friend.  Treat yourself like you would treat your best friend.\n\nGood luck.
292857
Would you consider seeing a doctor or psychotherapist? If not, please take care of yourself in these ways: Drink lots of water, walk or exercise as much as possible, get outdoors as much as possible; if you don't eat much, eat well (fresh foods). Don't drink alcohol or do drugs, it'll make it worse, trust me. Go to a bookstore and browse the self help section as corny as it sounds. Please try to find something that will speak to you. Good luck.
506635
First of all, listen to the mystic man!  He is absolutely right.  Thoughts of suicide are frequent in times of desperation and anger.  It isn't a way out, it's a way into something that you know nothing about.  It feels like you are saying to the people who have failed you, "See!  Look what you finally did!!  Don't you feel terrible about the way you made my life so unhappy?"  It's a feeling like you will get the last word.  It won't be viewed that way by your friends and family.  They will say things like, "We did the best we could, we can't help it if he/she went crazy and did something like this.  He / she must have  been on drugs or in the wrong crowd."  Then you will never have your chance to prove them wrong!!    \n\nBe strong for now, we never know why we are put through the things that we are put through.  Later in life, maybe you can help some one in a position like yourself.  You can overcome what is going on now.  DO NOT let them win by breaking who you really are.  I am e-mailable, feel free to e-mail me if you wish, I just hate to see some one give up when you haven't really even started your life yet.   \n Please call one of the hotlines if you think you are in need to that one of the other people listed for you.  Just do not do anything rash that you will regret.  You may have a great future waiting for you!!   Most strong people who are very successful are that way for a reason.  You would be surprised at the people who over came the past and went on to have a life filled with success and happiness.
236752
I totally appreciate that intellectually u r convinced that your fear is extremely exaggerated but u just \n"cant help yourself". I have been suffering from OCD for many years.... only about 50% of cases can be cured, and depending on severity, medication usually is taken in addition to cognitive therapy... perhaps your doc an try different medications/doses, aand maybe a combination of more than one medication, especially if you suffer from other illnesses e,g, depression or addiction , etc..\nWhat yr doctors tell you about : "keep my stress level down: sleep as much as i can, take vitamin c, go to the gym to work out stress, breathing excerises, and listening to claming music" is excellent advice. The thing I found however, you must experiment AND perservere for a while. By that I mean try different kinds of excerci8ses e.g. swimming, dancing, running, etc...when i switched from soccer to the gym i enjoyed it alot more, and i usually have the motivation to go. PERSERVERE: I read tens and listened to at least 100 different relaation tapes; i recommend quided imagery tapes with voice and backgroung music, and choose a theme which u personally find appealing (e.g. the sea, forrest etc). I learnt tens of different breathing techniques and I have been doing them for at least 6 years now, and the benifit didnt come before a few years (sorry about that!). keep yr stress down: my be you have to change your job, improve yr social life ( i found that especially helpful).\nIt is of great value to have a partner or family, maybe get married (but be careful that could turn into a major stressor if the relationsghip is unhealthy). Are u religeous or spiritual? if so persuie that avenue whether it is going to church, a mosque or whatever, it doesnt really matter what religion ...\nConcentrate on cognitivem behavioral techniques ( with help from yr doctor) and practice practice practice,,,...\nI can suggest one more thing: is there an activity whether job or hobby u have always tried to pursue but never got round to it? start doing whatever it is whatever makes u feel at peace, and do more of it...\nI hope this is helpful..good luck
630588
First off, breathe....Wow, I am really sorry for the pain you are going through right now.  Life isn't easy, and I really should have paid more attention to my mom when she told me to enjoy my childhood, cause being an adult is not so much fun.  \n\nYou are not alone.  I have buried both of my parents after long illnesses where I helped them out the last few years of their lives by living with them and being their nurse.  After that pain was over, I thought things would finally be better, and a year later my husband had a heart attack.  The next year he was hospitalized for an infection.  And then when things finally looked better, he was hit by a car and was unable to walk for almost 9 months.  He is still in physical therapy and can barely walk.  Prior to all of this, we have been trying to conceive since 1997 (no luck and lately hard to even try).  And as far as the scarring goes, I was a perfectly healthy beautiful 17 year old (a long time ago) and got the chicken pox.  I ended up with horrible scarring all over my back chest and arms and will also never be able to wear a swimsuit or shortsleeved shirt again without being self conscious (ie-I never even try).  This may also have caused my infertility.\n\nAside from all of this suck, and when I was in my darkest place thinking thoughts like yours, my husband and I took a brief one week vacation together.  No cell phones, or visits to friends.  The only expectation was to have fun.  It was truly life affirming.  \n\nTo fight depression, try to eat healthy, get plenty of sleep, drink 8 glasses of water a day, and spend a little time everyday in the sunlight.  Talk to your doctor.  If the pain is physical, they have methods to reduce it.  If the pain is emotional, there are prescriptions and therapy available.  This will not solve your problems, but help you understand how your mind works so that you can stop your depression response.  \n\nIt is not easy, and my heart goes out to you, but try to spend more time focusing on the positive and things will seem a little better.  You still have your mind, and from the sounds of it your ability to move around freely.  Is there something you have always wanted to do?  My something was photography, so I took a class.  It was only one hour a week, but it was nice to spend one hour a week on myself for a change.  Perhaps get away and visit your friend in Europe?  Spend some time spoiling yourself.
461592
I know your pain so much.  I live it.  Trust me.  It's really hard to make that first step.  It took me several years.  I went to a counselor, but she didn't help at all.  So now I'm going to sit here and wait a whole month to see a psychiatrist.  I don't feel like a person anymore, just a lifeless being.  Please, get help.  You know you need it as much as I know I need it.
600514
HI! IVE BEEN  THROUGH WHAT UR GOING THROUGH...I.E THE DEPRESSION PHASE. WE ALL GO THROUGH IT. THE BEST WAY TO OVERCOME THIS IS TO GET BUSY IN CERTAIN ACTIVITES LIKE EXERCISE...WORKING OUT AT THE GYM WITH A FRIEND...HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS OR JUST SHARING UR FEELINGS WITH A FRIEND OR SUM1 WHO'D UNDERSTAND U...TRY NOT TO SIT IDLE FOR TOO LONG CUZ THAT WILL END UP IN DEPRESSIVE THOUGHTS COMING BACK TO U. JUST TRY EATING FRESH HEALTHY FOOD E.G FRUITS ETC. BELIEVE ME UR CHOICE OF FOOD REALLY HELPS AND A LITTLE TIME IN THE KITCHEN IS FUN IN ITSELF..DONT LET ANYTHING BRING U DOWN. SAY UR PRAYERS AFTER U WAKE UP AND BEFORE U SLEEP AND THANK GOD 4 EVERYTHING U HAVE ....WE USUALLY WAIL OVER THE MINOR ISSUES AND IGNORE THE MAJOR BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES. JUST BE THANKFUL AND LOVE URSELF 4 WHO U ARE. IT'LL ALL BE PERFECTLY FINE . TAKE CARE AND CONTACT ME IF U NEED SUM1 TO TALK TO ID BE GLAD TO HELP :)
428141
I have also suffered severe depression on and off for quite a while, and am currently battling post-natal psychosis.\nAnti-depressants aren't any good for me either. If medication isn't working for you, then more medication probably isn't going to achieve much.\nSelf-confidence comes with self-esteem, which cannot be provided by any drug. I'm not sure feeling elated all day is exactly normal, either.\nI am currently being treated by a natural therapist and an excellent psychologist, and have come further in the past eight weeks than in the past four years.\nYou need to check things like your hormone levels (these will most likely be out of whack with the depression), there are nutritional factors to consider (depression, anxiety and stress deplete the body of many many nutrients), cognitive behavioural therapy is brilliant, as is learning relaxation techniques. There are probably past issues you need to deal with (psychologist), and good regular exercise is suprisingly helpful (I hate it but I do it!).\nI honestly think you'd be better off exploring other treatment methods than putting your poor mind and body through another horrible experience with medication.\nWhatever you do, I hope it works for you :)
431552
I feel the same sometimes; it's like a sense of fear and just this ominous scary feeling. Some people have a phobia of going outside, you might want to consult a specialist before it develops into anything uncontrollable. It really does take over your life and deter you from achieving a lot of goals. To get rid of it naturally, I would suggest first of all to consult the approprate specialist, so you can be diagnosed with whatever it may be that's causing this. Remember that it's really common and there's nothing to be ashamed of- specialists go into that line of work because the want to help people, not judge them. I would also recommend meditation, and a mode of thinking that whenever a negative thought enters your mind, immediately dismiss it and reinforce a positive thought, that way, once your mind is trained not to think about negative things anymore, whenever you do actually think of a negative image, it's to be taken seriously because it's more intuitive. You might also want to check out affirmations. Good Luck! I personally suffer from OCD, but it is controllable. OCD is an anxiety disorder, but remember that these things should never be treated with medicine. It's just not healthy and natural. It alters who you are and it'll change your mood, just stay away from them in general. For example, for depression they recommend Prozac- when you're on it, it makes you think slower and tired and the long term effects do have an impact on your thinking. So, once again, Good Luck. See a specialist!
130685
Erin, when I was your age, I thought about it a lot! Never actually tried it directly, but I did a lot of crazy things that could have killed me.\n\nI always felt like I was alone in the world. Like no one understood, everyone hated me, or worse that I didn't matter to anyone. I thought if I died, it wouldn't matter. I also felt like all my problems would be over. \n\nBut the fact is, life has problems. We were made to work through them. Without problems, we wouldn't grow. Did you know that a plant that grows without any wind pushing against it grows weak and spindly? (You should try that as a science experiment some time!) Just like a plant, we need tough times to make us stronger.\n\nThe best thing you can do is stop focusing on what's wrong and start focusing on what life will look like once you've gotten through whatever's wrong. Ask yourself, "How is this going to look to me when I'm 18? 25? 40?" Picture yourself through the problem and living just the way you want to live. Whenever your mind wanders to bad thoughts, go back to that picture. Write it down even.\n\nThen, TAKE ACTION!!! The best way to beat depression is to GET BUSY!!! \n\nExercise, help someone else, do some research on how to fix the mess you're in, just DO something. Lack of activity causes the mind to linger in places it ought not be. You have to engage your mind in something that excites you. \n\nAlso, start telling yourself something positive several times a day. Don't let bad thoughts run your mind. YOU take control of your mind! Positive thoughts will sound silly at first, but it doesn't matter. Your mind believes what you tell it. SERIOUSLY!!!  :-)\n\nYou are special and important to God and to this world. Whether you choose to believe that is up to you. You may be struggling with those around you right now. Maybe your parents or a boyfriend, but don't give up. Love yourself enough to get through it. You will be stronger for having survived!!!
190285
Hi, \n\nI have suffered with depression my whole life & have been on medication since I was 17. I am now 28. I think you need to try & find a good therapist. Talking combined with medication is the only thing that truly works. Yes, being in love, doing sports, finding a hobby, etc can help, but these will not cure the problem. Maybe like me, you just have to accept that you may always suffer from this disease & just enjoy the times in between bouts of sadness. I keep a diary of he times when I am happy, then when I am down & feel like I am losing my mind, I can reassure myself. It helps in a small way.Whatever you choose, good luck.