Struggling with depression, panic and anxiety.

sharona97, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2007

IMO Time does heal. i suffer from anxiety/depressive disorders and hardly left the house for 4 years. I was misdiagnosed and it effected my acute nursing care for my patients.

Does she see a therapist? So important, I did for years to gett the frustration and anger out. How about a psychiatrist? Again , important for medical follow-up.

My husband had a difficult time seeing the drastic change in me, yet he was very supportive, but became very burned out. She needs your support, yet you need to be able to stay strong, that's where the specialists come in. Don't try to handle all of this by yourself.

Many times meds need changing, or she may bot be comfortable with her therapist. Communicate.

It's been 7 years for me, and I know am feeling so much better. My circumstance dealt with a illness not treated. So the time factor may be a mute point, but it does get better.

Good Luck, Chin Up, and God Bless

Sharona

markjrn · Oct 19, 2007

IMO Time does heal. i suffer from anxiety/depressive disorders and hardly left the house for 4 years. I was misdiagnosed and it effected my acute nursing care for my patients.
Does she see a therapist? So important, I did for years to gett the frustration and anger out. How about a psychiatrist? Again , important for medical follow-up.
My husband had a difficult time seeing the drastic change in me, yet he was very supportive, but became very burned out. She needs your support, yet you need to be able to stay strong, that's where the specialists come in. Don't try to handle all of this by yourself.
Many times meds need changing, or she may bot be comfortable with her therapist. Communicate.
It's been 7 years for me, and I know am feeling so much better. My circumstance dealt with a illness not treated. So the time factor may be a mute point, but it does get better.
Good Luck, Chin Up, and God Bless
Sharona

Thanks for your reply!

She did have a psych, and just got a new one. She's starting therapy for the first time next week. She was told she has "trauma" issues. As for her meds, she's tried Lexapro and is now on Cymbalta and Geodon.

I'm here for her, she's just very afraid that she'll lose her career. She's afraid that she'll never get better again. I don't know what to tell her because I'm not in her shoes.

It's a tough situation.

sharona97, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2007

Time does heal. I am in the process of reaching my RN through the LPN to RN bridge program. I keep up with my CEU's, I've tried working out of the nursing field. Everyday is different in how I feel physically, emotionally and mentally. But I haven't given up inspite of the same fears, will I ever be able to work again (in nursing). I don't have the answer, just hope and most days the strength to focus on getting better. The concept of hope seems to stay with me and help with staying positive more than anything else.

It is tough, I wish you and your wife the best treatment possible.

Prayers,

Sharona

markjrn · Oct 20, 2007

Thank you. I wish you the best. :)

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Oct 20, 2007

I know it's very difficult to find a low stress job in nursing but perhaps she should try a different area of nursing than what she is used to.

If shrink # 1 or 2 doesn't work, try yet another, same with the meds. Weekly talk therapy in the beginning can do wonders. Best of Luck in a difficult situation.

Get her here onto allnurses...the best free therapy in the world.

P.S. IMO: I don't think the disability thread is the appropriate. Depression/Anxiety being a chemical imbalance is no different than having diabetes in terms of an illness and IMO is not or doesn't have to be a disability. A vast majority of us have faced the same problems (I'm living/surving proof myself) and there are threads galore out here on all nurses. Perhaps a moderator can point you in the right direction.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2007

Get her here onto allnurses...the best free therapy in the world.

:yeahthat:

Lots of good people here.

I'm going to be buried with a vial of Xanax and my SSRI du jour clenched in my sweaty little hand.

Yes, there is life after paralyzing depression and anxiety.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Oct 20, 2007

:yeahthat:
Lots of good people here.
I'm going to be buried with a vial of Xanax and my SSRI du jour clenched in my sweaty little hand.
Yes, there is life after paralyzing depression and anxiety.

:yeahthat:

Just don't try the Generic!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2007

HAH!

The generic sertraline was fine for me, but I'm now on Lexapro. Much more helpful, to me, with anxiety.

Sabby_NC · Oct 20, 2007

My wife is an RN, returning to work after several physical struggles. In the midst of these, she has been hit with depression and anxiety/panic, and it seems to be destroying her life. She's unable to go to work without having a panic attack and just gave up her full time job. At home, she just sits or sleeps all day, and feels bad because she can't seem to do anything else. She's currently taking meds, but nothing seems to help. Does it get better than this?

Hang in there mate it does get better but this will be a time thing. Be supportive as you are and give her time and space.

Encourage her daily over and over again.

I agree with the other posters and yes get her onto allnurses that will be very theraputic. At least she is guaranteed giggles with this mottley crew :lol2:

I pray comfort and healing for your dear wife and huge hugs for you!

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Oct 20, 2007

HAH!
The generic sertraline was fine for me, but I'm now on Lexapro. Much more helpful, to me, with anxiety.

It was almost the death of me! I reported it to the FDA and was informed that a considerable amount of people had reported a similar experience and that generic sertraline is currently under investigation.

Lexapro didn't work for my dd or ds, they're on Effexor, Lexapro works great for dd. Goes to show you 2 things. We're all on an antidepressant and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for everyone. Glad you found something that works for you. I've been on Zoloft about 8+ years and very happily so.

Now back to our regularly scheduled thread....!

sharona97, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2007

I know it's very difficult to find a low stress job in nursing but perhaps she should try a different area of nursing than what she is used to.
If shrink # 1 or 2 doesn't work, try yet another, same with the meds. Weekly talk therapy in the beginning can do wonders. Best of Luck in a difficult situation.
Get her here onto allnurses...the best free therapy in the world.
P.S. IMO: I don't think the disability thread is the appropriate. Depression/Anxiety being a chemical imbalance is no different than having diabetes in terms of an illness and IMO is not or doesn't have to be a disability. A vast majority of us have faced the same problems (I'm living/surving proof myself) and there are threads galore out here on all nurses. Perhaps a moderator can point you in the right direction.

I agree that a panic/anxiety/depression/psychotic disorder doesn't have to be a disability; unfortunetly, it is a crippling disability to many. Diabetes is a known diagnosis, where panic/anxiety/depression/physchosis does not always have clear cut origins. It takes work to discover that origin and work to defeat the beast. I agree depression is everywhere, not just in the medical field, but I certainly woulnd't want people not to post because one might think it's not a dibilitating disease...IMO that would only add to the shame that guilts many who are struggling with disorders of this kind. I personally find it healing to read comforting posts and look at information pasted on posts. I agree have your wife join in this "non-threatening" "non-shameful" environment and as an added plus get some laugh therapy in there too. Anyone else? :idea: