Where can I find help with my complicated mental health problems?!
Question:
Where can I find help with my complicated mental health problems?
I am a 27 year old male. I live in Ohio, between the Cleveland and Pittsburgh, PA areas. I have had depression and anxiety problems my entire life. I am currently on at least 6 psychiatric medications and I have taken every other drug currently available. I am suffering more now than ever. I have no friends and no family, except my parents. I live with my parents in a small town with nothing to offer(It takes 20 minutes just to drive to the nearest pharmacy.) Besides being lonely and depressed, living with my father is hard b/c he is even sicker than I am and is constantly antagonizing me. I want to leave home, but I can't drive(b/c of panic attacks) and I can't be responsible for an apartment. Every group facility that I know of won't have me b/c I'm too old, b/c I've never attempted suicide, b/c I don't have drug problems, etc. Does anyone out there know how I can get some help?
Answers:
Sounds like you are having a horrid time. Please try the following steps. They will help your depress, anxiety and panic attacks a great deal.
1. Breathe properly! If you control your breathing, you control panic. As soon as you notice the signs of anxiety, check your breathing: breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out (to the count of 5 or so). Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer (to the count of 7 or so) through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area). This will soon restore the balance of oxygen and you will feel a lot better.
2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy! CBT is proven to be the most effective thing for panic attacks and anxiety. It takes a bit of work, but it is super effective. You can take a course for free online at: livinglifetothefull.com It has been funded by NHS Scotland and has had great results thus far.
3. Try relaxation exercise tapes (progressive muscular relaxation). They really help if you practise often enough.
Best of luck to you.
p.s. I have a useful link for ‘progressive muscular relaxation’, but Yahoo is now censoring my ‘outside links’. I think you can look them up on my old messages on my profile though.