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Coping strategies....please help. I really can't carry on like this much longer.


Guest sophiethecat2003

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Guest sophiethecat2003

Hi everyone,

Not been here for a while.

My therapist has gone on leave for 3 weeks and l have no CBT. It isn't really going anywhere anyway as I just can't engage.

I just can't stop mirror checking. I am going insane. I am much worse than last time I posted.

My therapist who is not a BDD specialist just tells me not to check! Go out without make up and cover all my mirrors.

Good if you can do it, but I can't.

I have tried limiting the amount of times I check but I can't do it. It is like a drug.

If the only strategies are the ones above I might as well give up as they aren't working for me.

I have all the self help books but can't engage with them either.

My doctor is changing my meds from Citalopram to Paroxetine a drug I can find any good reviews for.

I think my eye bags circles etc get worse daily.

I have no hope, I have a partner and lovely friends but I feel alone with this hell.

Anyone any hope for me? Any coping strategies? Anyone seen a BDD specialist?

Anyone experience of Paroxetine?

Please help if you can I am going mad...

Big hugs

Sophie ☺ x

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Okay, what you need to do is refrain from compulsions and ignore the thoughts. Something that may help is to try and be as aware as possible when you're giving into a compulsion. At that point, maybe take a walk outside(nice and sunny these days) and watch the nature, wildlife and take note of individual moments of beauty. Admire it, think about how it came to exist, think about the life of your surroundings. It may act as a calming effect on your life, and you may feel better. I like to think about this because I get stressed easily but I love the stories that lie behind the birds and the squirrels, or just watching them being busy doing their daily routine. Appreciate things around you, all the while keeping a nice calm breathing pattern and keeping your heart rate normal. It can really make your day sometimes.

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I agree.

I pent 4 months at the Bethlem Hospital sepcialist unit. The most important thing i leanrt, although not easy, was simply this "Get out of your head". The more you are able to do it, the easier it will become.

As you walk down the street listen to everything around you, see how many different sounds you can hear. How many different smells are there? How does the ground feel under your feet etc. Believe me, it works.

I understand your hell, and i can assure you that you can be helped. I was in the same living turmoil for so many years until i reached a point where i said "No More" and i was determined to get the help i needed.

I still have BDD, and always will have. I am still sensitive to comments, but i dont act of the irationalk thoughts like i used to. I still get times when i HAVE to look in the mirror, and i get them every day, but i dont always do it and i dont spend anywhere near the amount of time i used to.

You CAN get your life back. But you have to help yourself. Do the things you hate the most, regardless of how much it will hurt... ie.. DO go out without makeup etc etc. The more you do it, the more you will see that people are not criticising or even looking!!

You owe it to yourself

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Guest sophiethecat2003

Hi both,

Thanks for your replies,I really am grateful to you.

I have tried the Mindfulness technique when I go on my morning walk, but am finding it really difficult to let my mind wander. I am the same with visualisation, l can't hold images in my mind.

I am not even sure I really care what other people think or see. It is what I see that I can't cope with, that is why the make-up exercise doesn't work.

Don't let it win, how did you get the help? Did you get referred to the Bethleham unit?

My CBT therapist has discharged me as she can't help me as I can't engage.

She has referred me to a hospital unit for a review of my meds which could take 6-8 weeks and if I show improvement for my anxiety I might be able to get some more CBT.

I feel as if I have been left on the scrapheap with little or no help. Sorry for all the moaning but I think maybe a BD specialist would be a good starting point, if there are any.

I think it may be down to where one resides as to a accessing the right services.

I really appreciate your replies and suggestions.

Have you found particular meds helpful?

I am here if either of you need to talk.

Big hugs

Sophie ☺ xx

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