How to cope with sleeping difficulty, stress, anger issues, anxiety attacks, and suicidal thoughts?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The information provided is inadequate to conclude a diagnosis. The symptoms are common in certain conditions, which I am discussing below:

1. Depression: The symptoms include low mood, decreased energy levels, decreased interaction in pleasurable activities, decreased concentration, decreased sleep, sleep disturbances, passive aggression, sudden anger outbursts and irritability, death wishes, suicidal ideas, losing hope in ourselves and the future with decreased self-esteem for a minimum period of two weeks.

2. Anxiety disorder: Excessive worry and thinking about day-to-day activities and the future, decreased concentration, episodes of palpitations, sweating, shivering, difficulty in breathing, choking, chest heaviness, abdominal discomfort, dizziness, low frustration tolerance, irritability, anger outbursts, and sleep disturbances.

Some people may experience both depressive and anxiety symptoms at the same time.

The suggested management includes:

• Pharmacotherapy (medical management): Medical management includes starting antidepressants. Usually, it should start with a low dosage and be titrated accordingly to prevent side effects. Antidepressants have a slower onset of action (at least 10 to 14 days to experience the benefits). I suggest there is a need to take a longer duration for long-term benefits (minimum of 6 to 12 months), depending on the individual. A common myth regarding medication, once start on an antidepressant, you have to take it lifelong, which is not true. We can stop medications once you show improvement. As all allopathy medications have side effects, antidepressants also have side effects that can be manageable.
• Psychotherapy (counseling): Focusing on lifestyle modifications, stress management, and improving your coping skills. Tips to overcome anxiety and depressive symptoms, you need to practice:

1. Early morning stretching exercises, yoga, or any other physical activity.

2. Meditation.

3. Organize your day with a proper schedule and try to finish it.

4. Practice breathing exercises.

5. Talk to close ones and try to relieve the stress.

6. Learning a new habit or skill.

7. Reading books, going out with friends, vacations, etc.

8. Sometimes, change of environment if possible.

9. One more suggestion is to practice JPMR (Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation technique), which is a relaxation technique, a guided technique available on the web.

It is better to consult a psychiatrist in your locality for further management, including medical management, psychotherapy, or both.

Hope this information helps you.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your query and concern.

I suggest you try to follow the tips mentioned. It is better to consult a psychiatrist, as you may need regular follow-ups, and the consultant may refer you to a psychologist so that you can undergo counseling (psychotherapy) simultaneously.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards.