I have to start by saying, please do not be angry with yourself for feeling anxious or depressed. It is not your fault and your anxiety and depression does not define you. I think counselling is always a positive and while you wait for therapy looking for other avenues of support is a great idea. This program is based on CBT principles which is one of the best treatments for depression. It does take quite a bit of work but if you put the work in you will notice a difference.
It sounds like work and social situations cause you anxiety. Has your doctor talked to you about anxiety at all? You might want to check out paniccenter.net for a CBT program focused on anxiety disorders. We often have members working on both programs but it is important to focus on one program at a time. Some members find anxiety can sometimes hold them back from completing the depression program so they may switch mid program. You decide what you feel is right for you. If you have any questions about the program please feel free to ask.
It looks like we have had a few new members join our group this week so I also encourage you to post in other threads as well as here. It can be so helpful to receive support and give support to other individuals who are going through what you are.
I am new to the site and forum, and am trying a new site in the hope it can make a difference. I have had previous episodes of depression over the last 20 years however this latest episode is by far the worst and the longest. I have been absent from work for 1 year now and feel I am still no further to getting to the point of going back. I have had several types of anti depressants all of which have not worked, been suggested that it is bi-polar and given meds for this which again did not work and now have been told that the only help will be therapy which can take a year to receive. I have seen a psychiatrist who after one hour said it is depression with attachment issues and that I need to wait for therapy, but no need to see me again!! I seem to start to get better but then when I think about socialising, meeting people and returning to work have severe anxiety and end up crying for days on end. I feel so angry with myself for getting in this position again and cannot believe how supportive my wife is. I now the reason why I am like this after having numerous amounts of counselling but not how to fix the engine in my head!!! Hope I have come to the right place and can start looking at the road to recovery by coming on this site.
