Struggling with Mental Health and Coping Skills

I know it doesn’t always help to hear this, but you are not alone in this. I am honestly feeling this exact way right now. I had to start taking a PRN benzodiazepine (hadn’t been on one for a bit) because I was unable to regulate despite using my coping skills since an event on Friday. Even tho now I have that, I feel very alone and hopeless because that med isn’t the end all be all. I’ll stop talking about myself and my struggles, I just wanted you to know that I am here with you. And because I am feeling similarly it seems to how you are, I want to say that I hate that you feel this way and are experiencing this. No one should have to feel this. A lot of the advice here in the comments is very thoughtful, kind and caring. I hope maybe something someone said can be helpful for you and I don’t know you, but I hope the pain you are feeling subsides, because no one deserves to feel that way. 💕 💕 💕

They are being bitches to me like this too. I don’t know if it is the current state of the medical system or what but imo it’s pathetic they should help when people require coping skills. If you look at my post at all you will realise I have been having similar trouble with them and they were completely unsupportive to my mother (also my carer) when she was needing help for me to take my morning medication this afternoon (because my seizures would not stop). They first said call 999 but my mother knows 999 cannot do anything with neurological things like epilepsy so she explains this and they wouldn’t give her any help or information and said that they ‘could not help us’. After 10 minutes of silence alone I got my seizures to calm down enough to take my own medication. I’m resting in bed now to recover although it can still sound like a rattlesnake is in my head but glad it isn’t causing seizures. As far as coping skills are concerned I had a hug off my mum (for me love and hugs helps). Also I am listening to operas which is music I am actually finding soothing right now. These coping skills may or may not help or something similar. If you are exhausted you need to have some rest no matter what they have said to you. Look after yourself I cannot believe they are not giving adequate support to anyone it’s honestly disgusting. Find music that is soothing to you and relax breathing in your bed.

I ran upon your post and I sure can identify. I’m disabled, more or less homebound. I do have home health come in (which it sounds like I may lose that). I will be 62 at month end. I get Medicare/MA. I don’t live in the “boonies” but you would think I live in Siberia when it comes to getting help. I’m also being told that I’m doing pretty much everything that can be done but it’s not enough. It’s all very frustrating. People love to tell you what to do when they don’t know what the hell they are talking about. I see your post was 3 months ago. If u r still around, let’s chat.

I’m sorry you’re going through this. Sounds very lonely. You might want to get a second opinion if you feel like this therapist isn’t helping you. Perhaps it’s a med issue, have you talked to your psychiatrist?

Anxiety can get so overwhelming that you can’t see a way out, especially when you are in the middle of it. I don’t know what you’ve been trying or what your emotional state is, so I will speak from my own experience and I sincerely hope it helps. First off, you have to give yourself permission to be struggling. It doesn’t matter if you think your anxiety is irrational or an over-reaction, you have a right to your feelings. If you say you’ve tried the coping skills that your therapist gave you and they didn’t work, I believe you. Sometimes it can feel like the people in your life don’t believe how bad it feels and like they are blaming you for these things that are not in your control. It is ok to take a step back from that negativity. If the medical professionals you have talked to won’t listen, then you might need to make a change in your care team. I have trouble stopping my mind from getting out of control and going to bad places when my attention isn’t fully engaged, and often that means that I need to have at least two things going, like driving and singing along to music. It seemed counter intuitive, but I used to watch Dance Moms when I was feeling overwhelmed because seeing all the stress and drama on the screen let me separate myself from it for a little while

I feel this. I am so close to just giving up. I finally started seeking help and wound up being put on short term disability because my anxiety attacks were affecting work. And I'm still getting no answers but now I also can't afford to live. I always was scared to get help and I should never have to regret it as much as I do. I try mobile games and TV to distract me but it doesn't help very much and everybody around me just thinks that I'm addicted but it I turn off the TV, I start thinking and I can't handle the dark thoughts.

When I felt completely overwhelmed by everything, so restless I felt like I was crawling out of my skin, I ended up crawling under my bed, and everything stilled for a bit. For some reason, being in a dark, enclosed space was enough to help me shut out a lot of the world. I remember doing this as a kid, hiding in the closet. Beyond that (assuming that doesn't work), maybe check out some self care books specifically for autism? I know I've never had a therapist who actually understands my autism, so maybe reading about coping techniques from one of us might help/make things click better.

I agree with Snowy. New therapist and talk to your psychiatrist, if you have one, about changing/starting meds. Another thing I've heard is "if it's worth doing, it's worth doing poorly." It means if you can't bring yourself to shower, just wash your face. Can't exercise, stretch. Eat a snack, if you can't eat a meal. Take baby steps. Eventually you'll get to the place where you want to do those things. And STAY HYDRATED. Eating snacks high in water content helps with that. Get one of those time-marked water bottles if that's what you need to get enough water. And as Snowy said, you are not alone in this.

My first thought is to try a different therapist. If the one you're working with is out of ideas, try someone else. Another thing is to just keep trying the things. Eat a small meal, walk outside, get sleep, etc. Going through the motions, even if you don't feel like it's doing anything, can help. You're not alone! 🤗