First I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Troy :) Been suffering from depression and anxiety disorder (as per usual hehe) for a while now. I had a nervous breakdown (failed suicide attempt) in May and ended up in hospital. They put me on meds and I started seeing both the psychiatrist and psychologist there.

However, my psychologist always insisted on talking about very "high-brow" subjects. He concluded that I'm going through an existential crisis (who isn't?) We spoke about dreams I had and views and opinions I have on different issues and what I thought about different philosophers and philosophies (which is slightly relevant as I study philosophy) He also gave me "homework", look up the word sissiphos, etc. The thing is, and I didn't know how to express this at the time, but what I needed was practical advice. As in, help me to function on a day-to-day basis!

My belief-system is fine. I figured that out a long time ago. What I can't do, is leave my house, talk to people, walk down a street, check out a book at a library, make plans and execute them, basically anything... basic. I can't do these things for lots of different reasons. And what I need is PRACTICAL advice.

I started seeing a (private) psychologist, and she was much more helpful. Broke things down, gave me lists (like, when you start having bad thoughts, tell yourself you will think about them at a later stage, and get on with whatever it was you were doing).

So, have any of you been in a similar situation? And more importantly, what practical advice can you dispose onto me? :)

Hi,

If you don't like your psychologist, it's ok to get a new one. There needs to be a good fit so that you're comfortable talking to him/her.

Hi Troy. Here's my input....At one stage I had difficulty leaving my house b/c of anxiety and I'm slightly agoraphobic due to childhood issues. What I did was use other people to help me, for a whole year I couldn't do laundry on my own so I always went with my friend. A couple of months ago I was finally able to go to the laundromat on my own and it was very freeing. I also depended on my sister a lot which I think kinda became a drag for her but I mostly wouldn't go out unless someone went with me. For a while I had to take cabs to work instead of the train b/c my anxiety was paralyzing, sometimes I didn't make it in at all. All of this went on when I was trying to live my life without meds and then it became apparent that it was necessary. Deep breathing has proven helpful to lessen the anxiety and for a long time I did meditation for 1/2 hour every night. I go to therapy as well. Almost forgot...for 6 months my sister & I went to yoga, it was extremely helpful.

Howdy Troy,

Welcome to the Depression board. I think what the psychologist was doing was trying to divert your mind from perhaps depressing issues. I don't know but that is what came to my mind. If you have a psychologist now compared to the previous one you can work with and is giving you the practical that you need that is great.

Practical tips? Well the yoga, deep breathing, and meditation are all good suggestions and ones I recommend. I journal as much as possible that way later on I have something that might sort of clue me on what has triggered the latest episode or other things. I also have a puppy that I take for walks in the afternoon and before we got him I just went either with hubby or by myself. They don't have to be huge jaunts or anything like. I also watch the music I listen and try to play more upbeat stuff one of my favorites is Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves. Yeap an eighties girl if ever there was one. lol I also try to take time out to support others who are going through a rough time and for me that is helpful to me to feeling better. I have a hard doing the social thingy a lot but sometimes just plastering a fake smile and saying hi is enough at least to strike up a conversation with our neighbor. And I feel better overall.

Deb

Troy, I agree, practical help is much better! I got better by staying in the moment at all times and dealing with what was at hand. There are thoughts in your head that dictate everything you do IMO. If you are doing/feeling things that aren't helpful figure out what is causing it in your head and fix it. I did this step by step until I got through the dysfunctional pile!