Depression, GAD, and Other Pleasantness

[Geister]

Hey guys, I was wondering if some of you could help give me some peace of mind, or just share your experiences with depression and what helped/helps you get over it? I think I've hit my first really bad low, which is bad enough, but on top of that, my anxiety paranoia and hypochondria are also getting worse.

It feels like every breath is a struggle, like I can't get enough air or I'm not going to be able to breath. It also sometimes feels like there's water or something in them, just a..heaviness about them. Makes it hard to sleep because I'm scared I'm going to stop breathing. I feel like there's something very wrong with me.. an infection... something like that. Like something is poisoning my body slowly making it sicker and sicker. I feel nauseous, spaced out, and have random aches and pains, mostly in my head and stomach. I'm also finding it harder to remember things, how to spell easy words, I forgot how to spell the word this a few minutes ago.

All that aside, I also feel useless, worthless, and that I'm just dragging my family down and they'd be better off without me. My brother and I are both mentally ill, and so is my mom.This takes a great toll on her mental and physical health, making me feel even more guilty if I go to her with a problem of mine because it's gotten to the point that she's just as lost as we are about how to help, and it stresses her out. She doesn't deserve that. I feel like there's really no point to being here if I'm just going to feel awful and make everyone around me feel awful too. :/

 

[Dreamline]

I have thought I was sick when I was severely depressed, it was a delusion I had.  I even thought I looked old, everything was ugly...food was rotten and gross...like it literally smelled bad and rotted before my eyes that happens more with mixed episodes but the sick thing happened with strait up depression. 

One think that may help you is write or type some of the thoughts.  Then answer them as if you were somebody else.  Or you can bridge your thoughts from negative to positive....ex: Something is slowly poisoning me.  I feel like I am poisoned because I am tired and have random pain.  I know this pain is from being depressed and feeling like shit doesn't mean I am poisoned.   Other people feel like this too and they eventually are ok after they ride it out.  I feel bad now but it won't last forever...etc.  Make sense?  I do this with my anxiety and it helps if I remember to do it.

:-/ 

[Phyllis]

I dunno if I have anything that can help. Whenever faced with those feelings, I try to talk myself out of them. I know it's not much to offer, but it's all that I got.

[spongebobfan]

I'd like to start by saying that if you feel really sick and you are having trouble breathing its never a bad idea to call you doctor. Breathing is important so its best to rule out other causes. Particularly if these are new symptoms for you it may be good to rule out other causes. That being said I have all of the same symptoms you are experienceing when I'm depressed. My most common problem is difficulty breathing. It feels like I can't get enough air and sometimes like the air is thick. Like trying to breath in jello. Other times it feels like I actually forget to breath. Then of course I start thinking about breathing and end up hyperventilating! That is usually accompanied by chest pain, pounding heart and fast heart beat, nausea and body aches. When these things start I also start thinking that something is medically wrong with me. I think all these things are very common. Once you learn about your own patterns and symptoms you might be better able to talk yourself through them. I no longer worry about suffocating because I know that Its anxiety/depression. I find that positive self talk is very helpful. Sometimes that means saying the opposite of what you are thinking. For the last few days I've been trying to cut back on my meds. Every morning I wake up and start to get anxious about work. I literally say to myself "today is going to be a good day. I can be cheerful and live without anxiety. Im allowed to be free from anxiety" it sounds weird but it helps a little. Sometimes something as simple as standing outside for a few minutes is refreshing. Writing or coloring I find helpful because I have to use my hands and focus on something other than the depression (coloring inside the lines). That's all I can think of right now. I hope you start to feel better soon. Remember you are not alone and its ok to call your doctor. Then you can have a little peace knowing that there is not an illness causing your symptoms.

[Geister]

Thanks for the suggestions guys I'll try them out and see if I have any luck feeling better.