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Mental health advice.
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So I had a breakdown just after Christmas as I felt I could not cope with anything due to historical and recent reasons. I'm now medicated and I'm in therapy I don't feel my meds are helping and every time I have a therapy session I just feel so drained and a whole host of other mixed emotions that I'm just finding so hard to deal with. Is it normal to feel this way or am I truly just that broken, I want to get back to what's normal for me but it seems impossible. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I'm sorry to hear that. Sounds very tough. If your meds aren't helping you, have you spoken to your GP? It's so common for people to need to swap around or change the dosage of anti-depressants. They've got to work for you - please let your GP know. I've tried several that just didn't work for me over the years.
Even if the therapy leaves you feeling drained - is there a bit of progress each time? A breakthrough or a realisation perhaps? It's hard work, and emotionally taxing working through issues. Very. I've been talking to a counsellor for over 6 months and it's only now that I don't feel wiped out after every session.
I hope you keep persevering and believe that people are trying to help you - believe in the process. There will be little chinks of light coming. |
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It sounds as though you’ve been through a really tough time  . I imagine it feels pretty frustrating and like you’re not going to get back to being your old self again maybe.
I’m training to be a counsellor and it’s completely normal for therapy to make you feel worse before you feel better. Have you discussed these feelings with your therapist? I’m also wondering what type of therapy you’re having? There are lots of different types and some will be more suited to some issues and people than others. I imagine you should also be having medications reviews with your GP where you can discuss how you’re getting on with your meds, it might be worth going for a chat about that too x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"So I had a breakdown just after Christmas as I felt I could not cope with anything due to historical and recent reasons. I'm now medicated and I'm in therapy I don't feel my meds are helping and every time I have a therapy session I just feel so drained and a whole host of other mixed emotions that I'm just finding so hard to deal with. Is it normal to feel this way or am I truly just that broken, I want to get back to what's normal for me but it seems impossible."
I've had this for 6 years although I've been on meds for two. The meds do help me as I'm on a double dosage. I'm slowly getting back on track and back to normality. Before that It was horrendous. Used to live from day to day thinking it could be my last. Go back to the GP and tell them your meds aren't working. They might up the dosage or change you on to something else.
Good luck. Hope you're feeling better soon.
 |
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"It sounds as though you’ve been through a really tough time . I imagine it feels pretty frustrating and like you’re not going to get back to being your old self again maybe.
I’m training to be a counsellor and it’s completely normal for therapy to make you feel worse before you feel better. Have you discussed these feelings with your therapist? I’m also wondering what type of therapy you’re having? There are lots of different types and some will be more suited to some issues and people than others. I imagine you should also be having medications reviews with your GP where you can discuss how you’re getting on with your meds, it might be worth going for a chat about that too x"
Originally I was on mirtazapine but that just made me ill I'm now on sertraline but dont feel Amy different but I have a review soon. The therapy at the moment is just a place for me to talk they are still figuring out what is going to be best for me as its a mix of historical trauma and other things as my therapist says I'm a complicated case.... I know in the long run things will get better but right now I just feel so alone and that's stupid because I know I'm not. My ex from years ago surprised me she found out I was in a bad place and keeps checking in on me she's the last person I thought would care. |
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"It sounds as though you’ve been through a really tough time . I imagine it feels pretty frustrating and like you’re not going to get back to being your old self again maybe.
I’m training to be a counsellor and it’s completely normal for therapy to make you feel worse before you feel better. Have you discussed these feelings with your therapist? I’m also wondering what type of therapy you’re having? There are lots of different types and some will be more suited to some issues and people than others. I imagine you should also be having medications reviews with your GP where you can discuss how you’re getting on with your meds, it might be worth going for a chat about that too x
Originally I was on mirtazapine but that just made me ill I'm now on sertraline but dont feel Amy different but I have a review soon. The therapy at the moment is just a place for me to talk they are still figuring out what is going to be best for me as its a mix of historical trauma and other things as my therapist says I'm a complicated case.... I know in the long run things will get better but right now I just feel so alone and that's stupid because I know I'm not. My ex from years ago surprised me she found out I was in a bad place and keeps checking in on me she's the last person I thought would care."
There’s nothing at all stupid about feeling alone, it’s about more than the presence of people in your life. If you’ve started unboxing lots of old traumatic stuff then I’m not surprised you’re feeling drained. Often we cope by keeping these things packaged safely away, so it’s bound to feel raw if you’ve been poking around in there again. It’s part of the process though and ultimately I’m sure you’ll start to feel better once you’re getting the most appropriate therapy. It sounds as though you’re in good hands though, all too often people are referred for a few sessions of CBT on the NHS and often it’s not the best fit and doesn’t even scratch the surface.
Try and be kind to yourself, you’ve been through and are continuing to go through a lot. You’re right, it probably will be ok in the long run but that can feel so far away when you’re feeling rubbish, and I know from first hand experience just how exhausting living with mental health issues is on a daily basis - being inside your own head all the time is tiring (and probably where the feelings of being alone come from).
I think I’d urge you to make an appointment to see your GP about your meds asap rather than waiting for a review. And definitely share these feelings with your therapist, they’ll be able to explore them with you x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"It sounds as though you’ve been through a really tough time . I imagine it feels pretty frustrating and like you’re not going to get back to being your old self again maybe.
I’m training to be a counsellor and it’s completely normal for therapy to make you feel worse before you feel better. Have you discussed these feelings with your therapist? I’m also wondering what type of therapy you’re having? There are lots of different types and some will be more suited to some issues and people than others. I imagine you should also be having medications reviews with your GP where you can discuss how you’re getting on with your meds, it might be worth going for a chat about that too x
Originally I was on mirtazapine but that just made me ill I'm now on sertraline but dont feel Amy different but I have a review soon. The therapy at the moment is just a place for me to talk they are still figuring out what is going to be best for me as its a mix of historical trauma and other things as my therapist says I'm a complicated case.... I know in the long run things will get better but right now I just feel so alone and that's stupid because I know I'm not. My ex from years ago surprised me she found out I was in a bad place and keeps checking in on me she's the last person I thought would care."
It's a lonely business being in your head all the time. I have pushed myself to reach out to others and it helps, just a short exchange in a shop helps. Sounds like you have people who're trying to help you - that's great.  |
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By *avie65Man
over a year ago
In the west. |
MH is exhausting. People on the outside don't realise what it does to your body.
You certainly are not broken. Any time I have been struggling I found routine helps, then some exercise, as I wouldn't do much, and that got my body moving and diverted my mind when I was either running or in the gym. |
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"MH is exhausting. People on the outside don't realise what it does to your body.
You certainly are not broken. Any time I have been struggling I found routine helps, then some exercise, as I wouldn't do much, and that got my body moving and diverted my mind when I was either running or in the gym. "
I'm not really the gym type but there are plenty of wooded areas near me I can go for a walk, I like nature so once I'm feeling upto it it'll be nice to walk through the trees and listen to the birds. |
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I was on meds years ago and doing cbt but the meds made me not care and ruined my relationship and I felt uncomfortable with the therapy so I stopped both and I'd love to say I'm now ok but I'm not. I have just learnt to cope a bit better by trying to do something that takes a lot of concentration so I don't think about other things.
Apparently rock balancing is very good and maybe you should give that a try to distract your mind because it takes a lot of time to get the weight balanced right and also looks impressive as well |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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If I have an injury and I go to physio, I often feel tired and sore afterwards which I guess is part of the healing process. So, when you're working on healing your mind, I guess some recovery is normal?
I recommend yoga to everyone. And forest bathing.
Hope things improve OP. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"MH is exhausting. People on the outside don't realise what it does to your body.
You certainly are not broken. Any time I have been struggling I found routine helps, then some exercise, as I wouldn't do much, and that got my body moving and diverted my mind when I was either running or in the gym.
I'm not really the gym type but there are plenty of wooded areas near me I can go for a walk, I like nature so once I'm feeling upto it it'll be nice to walk through the trees and listen to the birds."
Yes! Do it. Paddle in a stream. |
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"MH is exhausting. People on the outside don't realise what it does to your body.
You certainly are not broken. Any time I have been struggling I found routine helps, then some exercise, as I wouldn't do much, and that got my body moving and diverted my mind when I was either running or in the gym.
I'm not really the gym type but there are plenty of wooded areas near me I can go for a walk, I like nature so once I'm feeling upto it it'll be nice to walk through the trees and listen to the birds."
Any exercise is good and walking is a great place to start but running, cycling, rowing and lifting weights gets you producing serotonin which as I'm sure you already know is a mood balancing chemical.
Like yourself I'm not a natural gym bunny but as I have to have a certain level of fitness for work I have to go to the gym.
I hate pretty much every minute but feel good for after.
I'm not saying it's a miracle cure but it may help a little.
Also watch your diet, if you don't have enough of the correct amino acids you can't produce the serotonin.
I know it's easy for me to say but stay strong.
R
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When I was in therapy sometimes a session would end with gastrointestinal distress and a very early night. Therapy is pulling yourself apart to put yourself back together again. It's absolutely exhausting. Trauma sucks.
Re meds, do talk to the doctor about it. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Never tried meds as doctors did not think I needed and once was afraid they would give me the kick to try again
Done counselling which helped for a while
Currently going to therapy which is hard and long journey. Not sure when will know of there has been breakthrough. Have somewhat better understanding of why I feel like I do but not how to change it or what life would be like if I could change |
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By *avie65Man
over a year ago
In the west. |
"MH is exhausting. People on the outside don't realise what it does to your body.
You certainly are not broken. Any time I have been struggling I found routine helps, then some exercise, as I wouldn't do much, and that got my body moving and diverted my mind when I was either running or in the gym.
I'm not really the gym type but there are plenty of wooded areas near me I can go for a walk, I like nature so once I'm feeling upto it it'll be nice to walk through the trees and listen to the birds."
Do you have a camera OP? It is amazing the things that you will notice if you have one when you are out and about, then you can edit them when you get home. Both are very diverting and can take you away to a happy place. |
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"When I was in therapy sometimes a session would end with gastrointestinal distress and a very early night. Therapy is pulling yourself apart to put yourself back together again. It's absolutely exhausting. Trauma sucks.
Re meds, do talk to the doctor about it. "
I understand that I've had the squits for 4 days because I'm very stressed, it's a shit (no pun intended) situation but I think once I have my own place I'll have time to reflect and rearrange my brain. |
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"MH is exhausting. People on the outside don't realise what it does to your body.
You certainly are not broken. Any time I have been struggling I found routine helps, then some exercise, as I wouldn't do much, and that got my body moving and diverted my mind when I was either running or in the gym.
I'm not really the gym type but there are plenty of wooded areas near me I can go for a walk, I like nature so once I'm feeling upto it it'll be nice to walk through the trees and listen to the birds.
Do you have a camera OP? It is amazing the things that you will notice if you have one when you are out and about, then you can edit them when you get home. Both are very diverting and can take you away to a happy place. "
I have my phone camera might have to give it a go. |
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By *avie65Man
over a year ago
In the west. |
"MH is exhausting. People on the outside don't realise what it does to your body.
You certainly are not broken. Any time I have been struggling I found routine helps, then some exercise, as I wouldn't do much, and that got my body moving and diverted my mind when I was either running or in the gym.
I'm not really the gym type but there are plenty of wooded areas near me I can go for a walk, I like nature so once I'm feeling upto it it'll be nice to walk through the trees and listen to the birds.
Do you have a camera OP? It is amazing the things that you will notice if you have one when you are out and about, then you can edit them when you get home. Both are very diverting and can take you away to a happy place.
I have my phone camera might have to give it a go."
Camera phones are great. I use Google photos to edit them. |
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"When I was in therapy sometimes a session would end with gastrointestinal distress and a very early night. Therapy is pulling yourself apart to put yourself back together again. It's absolutely exhausting. Trauma sucks.
Re meds, do talk to the doctor about it.
I understand that I've had the squits for 4 days because I'm very stressed, it's a shit (no pun intended) situation but I think once I have my own place I'll have time to reflect and rearrange my brain."
Find tools to ground yourself and self regulate. I can't guarantee it'll go away entirely, but it should ease |
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"So I had a breakdown just after Christmas as I felt I could not cope with anything due to historical and recent reasons. I'm now medicated and I'm in therapy I don't feel my meds are helping and every time I have a therapy session I just feel so drained and a whole host of other mixed emotions that I'm just finding so hard to deal with. Is it normal to feel this way or am I truly just that broken, I want to get back to what's normal for me but it seems impossible."
---If you don't feel that meds are for you (and if you have Complex PTSD for example ie even historical, they may not be) then MIND could support you on this. They seem to understand that meds aren't the solution for everyone. It could help you to refer to someone anyway (ie with your doc). A lot of people are pressured onto meds sadly as they are the cheapest option next to group CBT sessions. Also if you find that your therapy is too CBT based, you could consider paying for more bespoke stuff privately, perhaps while you are pushing the NHS for full support.
If you are having classical therapy and it's tiring you out, you could try a new therapist perhaps?
If you feel the meds are making you worse (esp suicidal - and that can happen to some people) you need to tell this to your doctor in no uncertain terms. Some people can walk under a bus on those things. It's vital to get the right type of treatment and to feel positive about what you can in life, as life is simply impossible to fully predict. Simple things can happen that lead to subtle shifts etc.. that can eventually change everything. --pt |
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