Stress Center Peer Support

I know I'm in the right place, but I find it really difficult to be honest about how I'm feeling, even here! I just started week 2 of the program, and am hopefull that it may make a difference. I've suffered from depression, on and off, and am just learning - anxiety - for most of my life. I was labeled shy as a child - so the social anxiety fit right in with what was expected. But as an adult there are so many situations where I feel anxious - because I am such a perfectionist, and want to appear in control at all times. I'm finding it hard to relax even at home. I'm tired of the migraine headaches, acid reflux, IBS, and just general anxiety that I feel. I was on 2 antidepressants - one for migraines - but they were causing my appetite to increase, so we're trying something new. Now I'm awake at 3 am since one of the positive side effects of the elavil was that it made me sleepy.

I'm looking forward to getting a good night's sleep where I wake up refreshed, not tired. I'm tired of being tired all the time. How can I totally give up caffeine and still function?

I'm trying to take a yoga class with a friend, but while I know its good for me, I feel a lot of anxiety standing in front of the mirror in front of a bunch of people I don't know.

Help!

Ya that would cause me anxiety too. Have you tried any meds that would help you to sleep through the night. I'm on trazedone and it keeps me sleeping. I am someone that would stay up all night but on the meds I actually get sleep. I haven't taken them yet tonight, obviously. But maybe you could look into it. Jody

I just wanted to add that I think a lot of us deal with depression and anxiety and we can all be here for eachother. I know that I do better when I have support from others and sometimes you just need to vent and let others know what you're thinking and feeling. They may have the perfect advice to keep you going for even one more day. Jody

Flying Mom,

I think this is a safe place to be and I have become more honest as I visit. Odd that you had mentioned being honest even here as I have had this same fear, as if someone I know is going to recognize my age, my screen name, my hobbies, etc and then put 2 and 2 together and know who I am and what I am going through.

Then one day I realized, if they are here and recongnize me here, then they are here too! This isn't a site you generally stop by just to hang out and post.

So, I am trying to be as honest as I can with all the posts I respond to, my experiences, etc. I feel pretty safe here, not that I would give out my home address or something like that on any forum, but as far as my fears, symptoms, experiences, I have grown comfortable and it is not even quite a month yet I have been posting here.

I hope you feel better soon, I sleep through the night, but have to say, most days I seem to wake up tired.