How do you approach the co-occurring psychological symptoms? (e.g. anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and

..depression was cut off in the title!

Hi dear community,

I've been struggling mentally a lot over the last few months (I made a longer post about my symptoms, which have become particularly bad recently). This is why I came across mind-body approaches at some point (but I'm still at the very beginning!). My questions are: How do you cope if you've been mentally unwell for a long time? What are your thoughts on 'conventional' psychotherapy, hospital stays, and medication (e.g., SSRIs)?

My symptoms developed at a time when I was having a lot of panic attacks and experiencing obsessive thoughts. At the same time, a severe depressive episode emerged as a result of my symptoms. My symptoms have completely turned my life upside down over the past year. I had never been "physically" ill before, nor experienced any symptoms, and yet suddenly I am this "sick version" of myself who cannot work, has withdrawn socially, and is angry, sad and anxious all at the same time. I recently had an initial consultation for psychotherapy (CBT), during which the subjects of medication (SSRIs/SNRIs) and hospitalisation (i.e. psychiatric hospitalisation) came up. I already take low-dose antidepressants for pain, but until a year ago, I was someone who never took medication. I am still very hesitant about taking medication. On the other hand, I realise how easy it is for me to think, 'What if a medication REALLY helps me? What if it really makes things "easier"?' I wonder where the point is at which I should admit that I can no longer manage my mental health on my own and that a stay in a psychiatric hospital should be a realistic option. At the same time, I can feel how fragile my nervous system is, to the extent that even some noises are stressful for me. I'm afraid that everything could become too much for me in a clinic because I won't have my boyfriend there to calm me down in the evening and I won't have the opportunity to soothe my nervous system with long warm showers.

I know only I can make this decision, but I'm interested to hear your opinions and experiences, especially as, in my experience, conventional Western medicine still treats mind-body symptoms from a dualistic perspective that failed to helped me in the past.

 

Do you have any TMS aware therapists near you, or you can even look into online therapy with one. I know the US has quite a few now, not sure how many are in Germany.

I think therapy has its uses, I am actively in therapy, but I think it can be very easy for traditional talk therapy to becoming a paid venting session that doesn’t really lead to lasting relief.

I cannot give advice regarding admitting yourself to a hospital that’s a decision for you and your therapist and doctor.

 

I think a big key to learning to work with the nervous system is understanding that although external things can effect it, it is internal things that ultimately begin to calm and regulate it.
Your boyfriend is an “external” thing, as is ultimately the shower.
Looking into the parts of these things that evoke a way you ultimately feel more regulated can help you practice those elements anywhere. Is it the scent of the shower? The isolation? The white noise? Warmth? Or a combination? You can mimick those things elsewhere by thinking of the scent - focusing your brain on it even if it isn’t there. A warm blanket, a quiet place.
Same with your boyfriend and the experience he provides.
You can discuss with your clinician where you might go for hospitalization and ask about solitary rooms? If lights are off, nights relatively quiet, what you can take with you (if you like white noise can you take a machine) etc. private and public hospitalization are very different things and offer different options.
I love that you are willing and able to be open about your choice of care. Taking responsibility for your own mental health, that’s a big step. Being able to put your mind to a positive and open “what if it helps me” is a huge shift.
Best wishes for whatever you choose, and the journey you are taking to wellness.

 

Thank you for your answer. Unfortunately, there is only one practitioner here in Berlin, and his sessions are hopelessly overpriced. I have considered explaining the concept of TMS to my psychotherapist, perhaps she is open to exploring it with me.
Regarding the hospital: Sure. I meant it more in the sense of: Has anyone had experience of a ‘TMS mindset’ alongside psychiatric hospitalisation, or what the general consensus in the TMS community is regarding antidepressants.

 

Thank you so much for your kind words!!
Your comment was truly helpful, and I have been reflecting on the outside-inside-thing. It made me realise how vulnerable I actually feel to external stimuli, and that really helped me. I think the hot shower is a great example — in my case, I think it's likely a combination of things: a salient, pleasant stimulus for my brain in the form of the pattering of the water on my skin and the warmth, as well as the sounds, which calm me down. It's the perfect way for me to find peace. Unfortunately, I tend to struggle with visualisation and meditation techniques, but I will use the image of the shower while practising.

 

“while practising.”

It IS practice! There is no perfect or right way to meditate. Your mind gets pulled away a thousand times, that is normal. Especially if it’s on high alert searching for the “dangers” it feels that might be lurking in every corner.
Even munks with many, many years of practice face the challenge of getting into the “zone”.
Have you read or listened to a book by Dr. Sarno and recognized personality traits as part of TMS? This is a very helpful part of the journey. You begin to see where things developed, how none of this is your fault and that you don’t need to fear the “responsibility” of “fixing” everything. That when you can do the TMS work it will come together for you over time.