Lived Experience Forum

[OCDadhd]

I've had depression , anxiety , panic attacks for 16 years, 2014 I was diagnosed with OCD ( no surprise) ADHD and maybe Autism.  I was on meds but 2 years ago I took myself off them as I felt better.

But now my depression and anxiety with panic attacks have returned in a big way, really big impact. My life is in a mess. Now I'm back on the medication with Meds to help me sleep. Last night I had the best night sleep getting 6 hours of sleep, compared to 3 hours. 

Im hoping that things will work out and I will return to some normal state soon, but ATM I'm down.

[Zoe7]

That's completely understandable. I'm in a similar situation with regards to depression, anxiety and panic attacks - and trying to get the medication right to help out. Not getting enough sleep just compounds the issues. Over several years I would get on average 3 or 4 hours sleep at a time and have also found the medication to help at night to get 6 or 7 hours sleep. Even though it may not seem like it at the moment, the more regular sleep I get the more I am able to 'cope' (at times really struggle through)  but keep my head above water. Fatigue can definitely make any symptoms/issues feel more heightened. 

Hope this all keeps working for you and you can soon get back to the 'normal' YOU very soon. 

Being down is ok, and although you may feel alone you have reached out for support and that is a great first step. 

[Former-Member]

What you are feeling is normal and understandable. I too suffer from depression, anxiety and panic attacks. I hope the medication can help with your symptoms and that it takes the edge of things for you.

How do you cope day to day? I find having some structure really helps me and also self care stuff too especially diet, exercise & sleep. I understand the impact of lack of sleep and how that really impacts how you feel and tends to exasperate your symptoms too.

What types of supports do you have to help you?

I am still struggling with the sleep I average about 6 hours sleep a night, but I am restless quite a bit too throughout the night. I have been told its one of the hardest symtoms to treat is the sleep aspect but I am hoping I can get better quality sleep and see how that helps me.

I hope you are back to feeling your normal self soon.

[OCDadhd]

Thanks, 

            My sleep was bad last night, woke with a massive panic attack. But I did the breathing and it calmed me down. Feeling sad and  restless. Just have to face this day and then I can go back to bed and sleep

[Ellu]

Dear OCDadhd,

It sounds as if you are going through a particularly bad time at the moment. Lack of sleep is a factor, because it is when we sleep that our bodies and minds have a chance to recharge and recover.

Who is looking afer you? I hope you are seeing a GP or preferably a psychiatrist. It sounds as if things are confusing and unstable for you at the moment, and you really need a health care professionl you can trust to pull things together and organise the medications. Don't give up on medications - some work for some people and some work for others,so it is a matter of finding the best mix for you.

In the meantime are you seeing a counsellor or psychologist? Your GP will be able to recommed someone, and it makes an enormous difference to e able to talk to a profesional to help make some order out of chaos and develop some techniques for coping with your various illnesses.

I find that leading a regular lifestyle helps - getting up an going to bed at the same time every day, keeping to a daily routine. I felt awful when I read your post this morning and heard that you had woken with a massive panic attack. Another thing I find useful is writing a list in the morning of the things I plan to do during the day. Make sure you include at least one thing for YOU - a walk in the park, a cup of coffee out, wrting in a journal, ringing a friend... I know what you mean, it is hard to face getting through another day and sometimes all you have to look forward to is going to sleep at night.

I have been where you are now, and believe me I understand your feelings well. But I am now well - that gives us all hope that we can get through this stuff and have a future. I am willing you the strength to keep going and work towards your recovery. Best wishes,

Ellu

[Heart]

@OCDadhd, Just read through your post and the replies of @Former-Member & @Zoe7. They both have great support for you as we all do.

Hopefully your meds will take full effect real soon. Lack of sleep does effect the rest of what you are experiencing at the monent. 

A couple of thing I have tried: Calming music, play that when you go to bed and if you wake during the night. During the day go for a walk, even if is just in you own surounds and look at the plant, grass, the sky. Listen to what you can hear, birds, cars, bugs, traffic. Smell what is in the air.

The idea is to distract you from you panic in a calm way.

Great to hear that you are doing your deep breathing and that it helped this morning. Remember that you can do that anywhere and when ever you need to. 

Keep talking to us and letting us know how you are going. I do understand what you are going through and how you are feeling with all of this as I have panic attacks, depression and anxiety.

How is your diet and are you exercising. Are you seeing a theropist at the moment? 

Just remember you are not alone and there are alot of help and support on this forum.

Speak soon.

[Zoe7]

Writing a list of things to do is a great idea - if you only do one thing on your list you have accomplished something. If you are not capable of making a list in the morning try making one before you go to bed to have when you get up. Can sometimes help focus in the morning and can also help to see that you are capable of planning ahead (this one often escapes me also!) Definitely need the support of a GP and/or counsellor/psychologist/psychiatrist. I have found when I'm extremely agitated that focussing on one point in the room (or anywhere you are) and using rapid eye movement can help settle my anxiety. Plan to do one thing which is just for YOU today and tell us about it. Feeling sad is ok - try and channel your restlessness into something active (doesn't have to be much - start small and simple).

[OCDadhd]

Sleep meds didn't work much last night. Got about 4 hours of sleep. 

I have a great gp and he has referred me to the right specialist and I'm seeing one tomorrow. Seeing my gp today in about a hour to discuss the medication 

thanks everyone 

[Zoe7]

I too have a great GP and she has made the world of difference in her support and being able to keep my head above water. I was lucky enough to find an excellent psychologist (by chance - the one I was initially referred to was unavailable and I had to see someone urgently and was placed with the one I'm seeing now the next day). We too are still trying to get the meds right. Can see some progress but still have the sleep problems also. When I am too wired to sleep (even with sleep meds) I have been writing (and spending lots and lots of time on this forum). Really does help to know you are not alone and there is more support out there than you could have imagined. You have already done ONE THING FOR YOU - seeing your GP today is a positive step and seeing a specialist tomorrow shows you are looking forward (even in a small way - it does count). Stay strong and stay connected. 

[OCDadhd]

Well my meds have been doubled and I was given more of the sleep meds and was told to take one and a half.  Hopefully I can get a good sleep tonight.