Recovering from stress when suffering from anxiety and depression

Hi all,

I have experienced a prolonged period of stress over the last 8 months due to various issues. I do tend to go through these phases of high stress and then everything smooths out, however I find that after struggling to hold it together during the stressful period, I don't recover afterwards. I usually get a lot worse and have to go on medication.

The period after the stress is where I usually become moody, withdrawn and experience severe anxiety with panic attacks. I'm starting to experience this now and I know it is only downhill from here if I don't do something effective to recover from the stress instead of being overwhelmed by this delayed reaction.

I have done my best to avoid the counterproductive behaviours I usually succumb to after stress i.e withdrawing socially, seeking arguments and drama with loved ones and others, not eating properly, spending more than I can afford, staying up late all night, promiscuous/over sexed behaviour etc etc.

So whilst I have delayed the decline by avoiding behaviours that will make me feel worse, how can I improve my mood and wellbeing? I am trying to eat regularly and healthily and get exercise when I can. My sleep has been very poor, I feel exhausted. My closest friends are too far to see regularly as they are the best medicine for me.

What do you do to recover from stress? What can you recommend for me to try?

Why haven't you seen a doctor for the mood disorder? Going on/off meds and engaging in manic behaviors creates even more stress and subsequent depression. Get a check up from a qualified psychiatrist and then follow up closely with a CBT trained therapist.

I usually succumb to after stress i.e withdrawing socially, seeking arguments and drama with loved ones and others, not eating properly, spending more than I can afford, staying up late all night, promiscuous/over sexed behaviour etc etc.

Why haven't you seen a doctor for the mood disorder? Going on/off meds and engaging in manic behaviors creates even more stress and subsequent depression. Get a check up from a qualified psychiatrist and then follow up closely with a CBT trained therapist.

Not sure how you could conclude that I don't see a doctor about this when I need to see the doctor to obtain a prescription. I always go on the medication for at least a year before coming off when I feel more stable, as recommended by every doctor I have seen.

I have not been referred to a psychiatrist and see no need to do so as it has not been suggested by any doctor I have seen that I have a psychiatric disorder. I had a doctors assessment (questionnaire and interview) that showed me as having moderate depression and severe anxiety at the time. The last appointment I had it was suggested (finally) that I might have some underlying issue such as a thyroid disorder and I should go back for that to be checked out. I am no doctor but surely they should rule these things out before hand? Will be making an appointment for that tomorrow.

I was referred to a counsellor who I believe specialised in CBT but we never got that far as he actually caused me a lot of distress in one session and I didn't go back. I currently see a counsellor who is very good and has helped me figure out how to reduce these behaviours, she doesn't employ the CBT method as far as I am aware.

Yes I am very aware that these behaviours worsen my depression hence I am asking how you deal with stress in order to recover effectively? My previous "coping" methods don't work so I am looking for alternatives.

"What do you do to recover from stress? What can you recommend for me to try?"

Thornz.

Not quite sure what to recommend, as every case is different and every single person is different. What is stress for one person is not stress for another. Thresholds differ so much.

I have to first ask: what causes you to stress so much, do you think?

Like everyone else I can get stressed from time to time, but can safely say never been over-stressed.

I think cultivating resilience is the key. Visualization is hugely helpful. And as much exercise as you can stand lol. These would surely improve the mood and well-being.

IMO stress and anxiety are not quite the same thing, so just wondering why you have to take medication.

As I say, what would work for me if I had a stressful day or two might not work for you.

Just keep at it in terms of the exercise, eating healthy, and trying to get adequate sleep. I know you're say it isn't helping now, but sometimes it takes a month or two before you start seeing positive results in your mental health. There are some people who have to constantly be on anti-anxiety/depression meds, so that is nothing to be ashamed of. My advice though is to avoid benzos, because they are easy to get addicted to.

For me, I can usually keep my anxiety and/or depression at bay, but since I started PA school (which is insanely stressful), I have noticed that my anxiety/depression is getting the best of me to the point where I need to be on medication.

Unfortunately that sounds like a classic manic episode, not just anxiety. This is why a second opinion would benefit you so much.

Agree that benzodiazepines to treat anxiety may make things worse. Talk therapy works best in conjunction with a good evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of what's really going on.

Particularly if things are unsatisfactory or there are frequent decompensations manifesting as poor stress tolerance. Keep in mind stress is a symptom a well as a cause of issues.

seeking arguments and drama with loved ones and others, not eating properly, spending more than I can afford, staying up late all night, promiscuous/over sexed behaviour etc etc.

"What do you do to recover from stress? What can you recommend for me to try?"

 

Thornz.

 

Not quite sure what to recommend, as every case is different and every single person is different. What is stress for one person is not stress for another. Thresholds differ so much.

 

I have to first ask: what causes you to stress so much, do you think?

 

Like everyone else I can get stressed from time to time, but can safely say never been over-stressed.

 

I think cultivating resilience is the key. Visualization is hugely helpful. And as much exercise as you can stand lol. These would surely improve the mood and well-being.

 

IMO stress and anxiety are not quite the same thing, so just wondering why you have to take medication.

 

As I say, what would work for me if I had a stressful day or two might not work for you.

The things that cause me stress are legitimately stressful occurrences i.e moving house or losing my job etc. I am actually very resilient, my counsellor tells me that she is very impressed with this characteristic of mine, that I always seem to pull good things out of bad circumstances. It just seems that these kind of things always happen to me and I never seem to go any substantial period of time without attracting some form of drama or negativity and then it snowballs along with other bits of drama until I feel I can't cope with it any longer.

I don't feel like I have ever had any form of physical stability and the emotional instability is a reflection of that. I haven't had any real recovery time that I can remember to just unwind from all the stress. Oh I also have chronic migraine which is a source of constant stress. If I don't eat early enough or if I am running late or I don't drink enough coffee or I drink too much coffee, if the moon stars and planets don't align exactly I will get a migraine so I am constantly trying to regulate x, y and z to avoid a severe attack which will then cause me to miss work or a social event. It's debilitating.

I think if I ever had a long enough break to chill out and recover from all this stuff then I would find managing my anxiety and depression so much easier. The most recent issue I have had is with my car. You literally couldn't make up what happened. Causing me severe stress and arguments with my bf. Just need a break!!!

Just keep at it in terms of the exercise, eating healthy, and trying to get adequate sleep. I know you're say it isn't helping now, but sometimes it takes a month or two before you start seeing positive results in your mental health. There are some people who have to constantly be on anti-anxiety/depression meds, so that is nothing to be ashamed of. My advice though is to avoid benzos, because they are easy to get addicted to.

 

For me, I can usually keep my anxiety and/or depression at bay, but since I started PA school (which is insanely stressful), I have noticed that my anxiety/depression is getting the best of me to the point where I need to be on medication.

This is the longest I have been off medication (about a year) in 9 years so I can't be doing too badly.

Today I had a very stressful morning but managed to recollect myself by afternoon and focus more on work. I went for a walk to the shop for healthy breakfast, made my tea and am in bed trying unwind. That seems like a reasonable start. Hopefully getting up early for healthy breakfast will be a positive start to the day without any drama ruining it!

Yes, Thornz. It never rains but it pours! I know.

Thank you for your reply to your post. You'll be all right.

Unfortunately that sounds like a classic manic episode, not just anxiety. This is why a second opinion would benefit you so much.

 

Agree that benzodiazepines to treat anxiety may make things worse. Talk therapy works best in conjunction with a good evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of what's really going on.

 

Particularly if things are unsatisfactory or there are frequent decompensations manifesting as poor stress tolerance. Keep in mind stress is a symptom a well as a cause of issues.

Yes it does to me and I am diagnosed as having depression so mania would fit that diagnosis. I have had many doctors and they have all agreed with the original diagnosis after an informal interview or a questionnaire form and formal interview. Some don't bother they just look at your history and write you a prescription. This doctor, who I have booked another appointment with was the first to finally suggest that actually the recurring episodes may have an underlying hormonal cause. Hopefully I will be given a treatment for the cause not just the symptoms.

I would say that I actually have a very high level of stress tolerance until the point where I become overwhelmed and then the anxiety kicks in and then it's usually and extremely severe decline where I have to go seek medication. I usually experience a prolonged period (at least three months) of moderately to severely stressful events before I start to loose my ability to cope.

The latest stressful period has lasted around 2 years with the more and less intensely stressful periods. I'm just trying to get stable and have a low drama, low stress life but it's really not happening for me. I can say thankfully that the last year is probably the best I have been able to manage stress in my life.

Yes, Thornz. It never rains but it pours! I know.

Thank you for your reply to your post. You'll be all right.

Thanks, I think the visualisation is a very good point, I think the point where I lose my ability to visualise positive outcomes is when I start to tip over the edge so to speak. If I get lost in my head everything just feels so negative, I expect the worst, I envision the worst, it's horrible. I spend too much time alone, I get lost in my thoughts.

Totally understand you Thornz. But by visualization I don't mean visualization of positive outcomes or any outcome.

Visualization is entirely another kind of exercise. Very beneficial. It takes time to master, and it is almost magical.

Totally understand you Thornz. But by visualization I don't mean visualization of positive outcomes or any outcome.

Visualization is entirely another kind of exercise. Very beneficial. It takes time to master, and it is almost magical.

Oh OK, I will look that up. Thanks.

Totally understand you Thornz. But by visualization I don't mean visualization of positive outcomes or any outcome.

Visualization is entirely another kind of exercise. Very beneficial. It takes time to master, and it is almost magical.

Are you referring to manifestation? I was reading about this the other day and yes it does sound very good and I believe it would help me a lot. I always achieve well and enjoy life so much when I believe I am already in a great place and that I can achieve even greater things, when I lose that belief and self confidence then everything falls apart for me

Have you ever thought of starting yoga? Teaches us to be mindful and in the moment instead of focusing on past or future catastrophes and mindfulness shares many tenets with CBT. Having a pet can also help. Personally, I would monitor my stress level if you are not already doing that, try to have a mood chart that allows me to see what is happening with me when. This way, you could develop little strategies instead of tackling the whole huge thing at once. When you mention attracting stressful situations, I think that you may increase your skill to remain detached, rather than finding yourself enmeshed in stuff - maybe you are taking too much responsibility, emotional or otherwise?

Have you ever thought of starting yoga? Teaches us to be mindful and in the moment instead of focusing on past or future catastrophes and mindfulness shares many tenets with CBT. Having a pet can also help. Personally, I would monitor my stress level if you are not already doing that, try to have a mood chart that allows me to see what is happening with me when. This way, you could develop little strategies instead of tackling the whole huge thing at once. When you mention attracting stressful situations, I think that you may increase your skill to remain detached, rather than finding yourself enmeshed in stuff - maybe you are taking too much responsibility, emotional or otherwise?

Hi, yoga doesn't really appeal to me but I love swimming and walking but unfortunately can't find much time to do it at the moment. A mood chart is a great suggestion thanks. I might try this along with journaling to get my thoughts out, so to speak.

I've actually reduced my responsibility as much as possible by moving into a shared house that has all bills included, stopping my studies and just not taking on as much. I removed toxic people but still I am probably at one of the most stressful points in my life. I am certainly handling it better than ever though