I think I’m having a nervous breakdown.

[tandor]

19 hours ago, ezzra said:

Try to take Diazepam first for few days see how its help you: Diazepam is a medication that treats anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms or twitches. It can also reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It works by helping your nervous system calm down. The brand name of this medication is Valium.

dangerous unqualified advice.

[JensenZ]

19 hours ago, bogs smith said:

So the kfc i just ordered was a bad idea? 

No, it was a very good idea. The last thing you need to do is stress out about your diet in a depressed mental state. Comfort food will help you.

[Sharp]

CBD oil 4 drops under your tongue when you wake up and same before bed. 

The bottles without THC 

Trust me it works 

[NORDO]

For various reasons, we all go through stressful periods in are life and usually depend on booze or drugs to cope with it.   You are not alone, many of us have been there.

 

You need to take serious measures to turn your life around before you are unable to do so.

 

Religious?   There are Churches and such of many faiths in Thailand that have counseling available.

There are health specialist as well.   Possibly friends to head you in the right direction.

 

But you need to accept that preemptive actions are imperative.

[JBChiangRai]

1 hour ago, Sharp said:

CBD oil 4 drops under your tongue when you wake up and same before bed. 

The bottles without THC 

Trust me it works 

I can confirm the miraculous properties of CBD oil, I took it and my amputated leg grew back overnight.

[Yellowtail]

1 hour ago, Sharp said:

CBD oil 4 drops under your tongue when you wake up and same before bed. 

The bottles without THC 

Trust me it works 

Isn't CBD oil without THC something like "Near Beer"?

[jesimps]

22 hours ago, bogs smith said:

Everything seems to be getting on top of me lately. Im also drinking way too mcuh and using the booze to self medicate. 
 

if i go to the hospital what are they likely to do for me? 

Things that work for me: 1. Eat healthy food. 2 Get plenty of exercise, long walks, bike rides etc. 3. Don't drink alcohol before 8pm. 4. Set some projects. 5. Start a hobby. 6. Don't spend too much time on the web, especially forums (guaranteed to depress).

[ade591]

22 hours ago, bogs smith said:

Everything seems to be getting on top of me lately. Im also drinking way too mcuh and using the booze to self medicate. 
 

if i go to the hospital what are they likely to do for me? 

Hi mate, 

If you're feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment, try the following:

1. Stop or drastically reduce your reliance of alcohol. Getting out of mind problems, you got to start by making it healthy. Stopping drinking will clear your mind to help you on your way. Alcohol just impairs your judgement. 

2. Don't use diazepam or any other benzodiazapines. They may seem to help initially, but they quickly become a crutch and you will want to rely on them, adding to your addictions. 

3. Ditch caffeine and use caffeine-free/decaf alternatives. Caffeine wreaks havoc on your mind by overstimulating it. This was the no 1 factor of my anxiety problems. Ditching this was like switching off my anxiety. 

4. Exercise. Get out and do some walking. You don't have to run marathons, plenty of walking is fine. Go look around, find out stuff that interests you. Take photos, talk to people. 

5. Take a notepad and pen and write down a list of the things bothering you. Then tackle each one individually, making notes on how you will make better or eliminate your problems. Writing them down allows your mind to let go of them instead of them swirling around your head all the time. 

6. Get sleep. Put the phone down and get plenty of sleep. A good sleep can help you feel so much better. 

7. Keep hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water, your brain is mostly water and dehydration can affect your mind. 

8. Get some easy music on an mp3 player and go listen to it at a beach or park to chill out.

 

Mind problems can be really debilitating at times, but if you treat it well and give it a break to let it relax, you can overcome them and come out better the other side. I'm living proof of that. 

 

Best of luck. ????

[h90]

22 hours ago, James105 said:

5th (or first).   Exercise.  An underrated but very effective tool in the mental health toolbox.     

1st stop drinking

2nd start exercise

3rd stop talking to negative people

4th exercise more

 

If the body is tired and there is no constant hangover everything looks better......

[renaissanc]

23 hours ago, Gaccha said:

They won't solve it. They might provide a little relief with some medicine or possibly a suggestion of a therapist.

 

...But the truth is the solution will be rather boring and rather obvious: you need to cut back on whatever is causing the stress, you need to touch grass (go for a walk in a park, listen to the birds), meet friends, make time for family, make a plan to resolve the issues which are stressing you, even if that means compromising your current lifestyle. And stop drinking.

 

Good luck.

I just wanted to point out something in this person's advice, which you might have ignored. He mentions earthing / grounding yourself, such as on grass. This is a major piece of advice. There are documentaries on earthing and grounding on YouTube that will explain how it can help us.

[norfolkandchance]

He's feeling a lot better today. Buying a place in Pattaya.

[Tropposurfer]

23 hours ago, ezzra said:

Try to take Diazepam first for few days see how its help you: Diazepam is a medication that treats anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms or twitches. It can also reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It works by helping your nervous system calm down. The brand name of this medication is Valium.

EVERYONE WHO READS THIS:

 

Do not self medicate any emotional or mental illness. Pill shopping and self diagnosis or layman diagnosis is not safe.

 

Be warmed benzodiazepine's generic names e.g's.; Valium Mogadon, Serapax are highly addictive.

 

The onset of craving and the need to increase dosage in order to recreate the initial effect of the drug also increases rapidly from initial usage (a matter of weeks if taken every day).

 

Withdrawal from 'Benzo's' as they are commonly called, is undoubtably one of the worst withdrawals in the drug world and can last for years in the cases of prolonged use and dependence!

 

I speak as a 30 year licensed psychotherapist.

[The Theory]

23 hours ago, bogs smith said:

Im also drinking way too mcuh and using the booze to self medicate. 

You need to stop that, if you don't wish to die. Drink water instead, lots of water everyday. You will feel much better after a week. 

[bob smith]

10 minutes ago, Tropposurfer said:

Withdrawal from 'Benzo's' as they are commonly called, is undoubtably one of the worst withdrawals in the drug world and can last for years in the cases of prolonged use and dependence!

ive probably taken thousands of valium pills in my lifetime.

 

never had withdrawal or even a hangover....

[Yellowtail]

2 minutes ago, bogs smith said:

ive probably taken thousands of valium pills in my lifetime.

 

never had withdrawal or even a hangover....

You're not taking enough at one time.

[JayClay]

4 minutes ago, bogs smith said:

ive probably taken thousands of valium pills in my lifetime.

 

never had withdrawal or even a hangover....

This might be a valid comment if you hadn't happened to have started a thread about how you think you're nearing the state of nervous breakdown...

[bob smith]

5 minutes ago, JayClay said:

This might be a valid comment if you hadn't happened to have started a thread about how you think you're nearing the state of nervous breakdown...

i havent taken valium for years. so they are totally unrelated, 

Edited July 6, 2023 by bogs smith

[SOTIRIOS]

...Lonely & Unfulfilled...(?)

...Will You Lie Down & Let 'The Sauce' Get The Best Of You...(?)

...That Would Be Very Sad...

...Exercise...Yes...Get Out & Walk...Get To Nature, If Possible...

...Search In Your Memories For Happier Times...Latch On To That Feeling...Nurture It...

...Reach Out...Don't Hold Back...

...B-Vitamins Often Help Alcohol-Ravaged Brains To Function Better...

..Chicken Is Good...'Tryptophan' Has A Calming Effect...

...L-Tryptophan (An Amino Acid Has Done Wonders For Some)...

...Don't Give In...Don't Give Up...!!!

[Tropposurfer]

Drinking will only increase your depression and anxiety. 

 

Reach out to a good private hospital and seek an initial consult with a psychologist or psychiatrist (often all that is available in LOS) then perhaps ask them for a referral if you are not satisfied with this initial face to face consult as hopeful and effective for you.

 

I would advise reaching out to AA. There are meetings all across Thailand where you can get understanding and expert help in cutting down and maybe stopping your alcohol intake of this is indicated.

Just ask Siri to look up and dial AA Thailand.

 

If you've been drinking heavily for a long time don't just stop 'cold turkey'. Ween yourself off. You may suffer a gran mal seizure/s if you don't. Again a decent private hospital can advise you on how to do that.

They may prescribe benzodiazepines to help you avoid such seizures but be very careful if you use these and be strict with the shot time you use them and do not 'add-dosage' other than that prescribed at at the correct intervals. If you consult with a doctor be honest and tell them exactly how much you drink each day and how long you've been doing that.

Thai doctors can be pretty free with medications so be careful.

 

As to your depression this is something to treat in concert with your moderation or cessation of drinking, but it may be a seperate issue not related to, but exacerbated by the alcohol.

 

Some longer term conversational therapy and the development of a trusting relationship with your therapist will help for sure.

If medication is, even short term indicated this can help you get over the hump of the 'black dog' and begin to see more possibilities. Then if you're moving along well and not suffering form a serious depressive illness you can see whats needed a little ways down the track.

There are lots of specific target SSNRI anti-depressants e.g Pristiq which aren't sledge hammer med's and they have moderate side effects unlike strong hammer like drugs such as Zoloft and some of the earlier generation SNRI medications.

Don't get too focused on a drug solution as getting the drinking down to moderate levels and your health lifted is all part of feeling better about yourself and life. 

 

Ask your doctor for some Vitamin B2 B9 OR a really good qualioty strong dosage B Complex. Omega 3 fish oil is also good for anxiety and lowered feeling states (its called the Happy Oil in Aussie mental health circles). None fo these will hurt you in any way, well, not unless you eat them lie candy lol ????.

 

Please be aware: If, If you have any predisposition to turning to any other sorts of chemical/s to amend your situations and your worries then be super careful with yourself and watch, like a hawk, your head telling you its okay to use this or that in order to get away from the booze. 

 

I encourage you to be around moderate drinkers, don't go to places where people drink heavily (especially bars and girly bars) if this can be achieved. Try to take some exercise but be careful initially of you've been drinking heavily as this can cause bad reactions like seizures.

Again get the doctor to give you a good checkup, blood work, ECG wouldn't hurt to check 'da ol'  ticker' out.

Try to spend a some time each day with nice, gentle people, reach out to someone around you and ask for some 'mateship' time to avoid being alone too much with your own thoughts.   

 

Remember my friend we often see things as far worse than they are so being 'in our own heads' can be a dangerous place to spend too much time.

Having others who are moderate people and thinkers helps us check our thinking and se ourselves better. This reaching out is a risk yes, but one we must take in order to get help and the support we all deserve and need in life.

 

I'll be thinking of you and sending calm, strength, love, and light to you.

 

 

 

[Tropposurfer]

1 hour ago, bogs smith said:

ive probably taken thousands of valium pills in my lifetime.

 

never had withdrawal or even a hangover....

Lucky you. Medical science is not wrong about this drug.

 

Perhaps you take them intermittently and thus haven't developed an addiction to them.

 

It is a medical fact that if this drug is taken daily and for a little as few weeks to a month each day cravings and dependence sets in.

 

This is not a posters opinion but an established worldwide medical pharmacological fact.

[Final Farang]

Some years ago I was in a similar boat. Made many threads here (under a different handle) just like OP about my disconnect with Thais, lack of friendships, nobody smiling, nobody giving a rats <deleted> about me, etc. The responses here made me feel even worse, like there was something fundamentally wrong with me and that I should stop whinging and just leave (which I couldn't and still can't because all I have is my business which I built here).

 

I still harbor many of the same negative thoughts today. But there were a few changes I made that made my life vastly more enjoyable:

 

- stopped drinking altogether. It was screwing with my sleep, left me drained and made it easier for me to make poor decisions.

 

- started taking exercise and fitness seriously. When you're proud of and love your body it loves you back. There is simply no substitute for the benefits you get from a hard workout. I tried a lot of things and found combat sports and trail running to be my thing. 

 

- started taking regular international trips. This helped to put things in perspective and reminded me that nowhere is perfect and people are ultimately people no matter where you go.

 

- got myself a brand new big bike that I love driving everywhere. I'm a naturally anxious person so being on the roads in Thailand is a constant reminder of mortality. Helps me to be aware and prioritize the important things in life. Road trips in Northern Thailand can bless you with some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet.

 

- shopped for new clothes and shoes. As I lost weight and got into shape I started getting compliments and caught attractive people checking me out. Dressing well took it to another level. Thais are very image conscious and looking decently sharp did a lot to boost my confidence and the quality of interactions I have. Thanks to good fitness, clothes and nutrition I'm in my mid 30s but pass for mid 20s all the time. Sounds vain but at the end of the day it helps me feel better about life.

 

- started dating high quality women who were a decade younger than me. My previous long term relationship wasn't bad but we were the same age and she did little to match my masculine energy with the little femininity she had. Emphasis on "dating" here - not pay for play or short term casual relationships. I prefer to nurture intense emotional connections with high quality women (ie caring, feminine, beautiful, ambitious, fit, young women) over quick flings. This showed me that there are plenty of wonderful kindhearted people here who try to make the best of life despite having very little. Being in love with those women was a humbling experience for me and motivated me to become a better person.

 

- took time to research what weed to stay away from. Found out I was aggravating my neuroses with the wrong grass. Some people can smoke anything and feel great. I need stuff with low THC and high CBD. Helps to relieve tension and give myself some mental breathing room. Anything else puts me in a hole of pain.

 

- took up Thai lessons. Yes, it's a convoluted language with questionable utility outside of Thailand. But even knowing just a few zoomer meme phrases goes a long way to foster interesting conversations. 

 

- got serious about time management and scheduling. It's very easy to let yourself go in Thailand. I find I'm the most fulfilled when I have lots of responsibilities and grind through them with the help of productivity apps. Time blocking, routines, pomodoro technique, journaling, stretching, meditating, reading, etc consistently puts me in a great mood. 

 

- got better at making money. I wasn't reaching my earning potential previously and this is something I'm taking seriously now. I still spend the same amount as before but having a bit of extra cash gives me breathing room. It's important to feel like you have options even if you choose not to take them.

 

- fixed my relationship with my family. My siblings and I grew up separately, occasionally seeing each other for Christmas get-togethers. There wasn't a lot of heart to heart talks in my family. It was difficult reconnecting with everyone but once I did it grounded me. Made me remember there's someone just like me on the other side of the world who's going through similar problems. Someone with whom I share a deep bond. Not everyone has that luxury and it was good to remember that I do.

 

- made an effort to talk to strangers when I'm outside. Something small but it helps me get out of my head. Even something seemingly insignificant like asking for directions or what's good on the menu reminds me that I share this world with other human beings.

 

My life here is still far from perfect. No I still don't have any friends other than a few guys I play online video games with. Yes I still hate soi dogs, trash, burning season and Thai people's penchants for irresponsibility. But things are way better now. I no longer have daily suicidal thoughts. Stuff still drives me up the wall but I've learned to step back and ask myself if stressing over it will make anything better (something I learned from observing Thais which us Westerners could really benefit from). I'm no longer obsessed with the thought of where else I should move to. In fact I'm now entertaining the idea of parenthood with a sweet girl I've been going steady with. It's something that was unimaginable for me just 5 years ago.

 

After a decade of hating my life here I'm finally starting to see the wisdom of happy old farts in Thailand. OP, don't give up. If an uneducated neurotic opinionated selfish brainlet like myself can learn to change and find the beauty in living here I'm sure you can too. Give yourself permission to grieve and wallow in self pity, pain and loneliness. It's ok. Then when you're feeling ready take the first step to creating a better life for yourself. That step doesn't need to be big. It should be manageably small and easy for you to do. Then take another one. And another. Some people land here and find themselves in perpetual Nirvana. Not us. People like us have to work on it.

 

I will add that I should have listened to advice by members here and sought out a therapist. It would have greatly sped up my progress and helped me see the validity of my suffering from someone else's perspective. Instead I chose to clench my teeth and grind through it alone. I came dangerously close to taking my own life on a few occasions. The things you're feeling are normal. But you're unlikely to find the answers you seek on a forum like this. Neither will you find them through self medication. Pills can give you breathing room but it's temporary and comes with side effects. The goal should be slow gradual adjustment to a sustainably satisfying life. This option is arguably more difficult since it requires internal change. It's up to each of us to decide whether we're up to that challenge. Are you?

[soalbundy]

On 7/5/2023 at 10:33 AM, bogs smith said:

Everything seems to be getting on top of me lately. Im also drinking way too mcuh and using the booze to self medicate. 
 

if i go to the hospital what are they likely to do for me? 

Dry you out. The booze is just making things worse. We have all gone through difficult situations, life throws us challenges. You have only 3 possibilities, change the situation, leave the situation, accept the situation. Remember, no good or bad situations last forever. The stoic philosophical Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius once said, "You have power over your mind - not outside events, realize this and you will find strength".  He also said, "Alter the things that you can and accept those you can't"; good advice. I wish you well.

[bignok]

43 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

The stoic philosophical Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius once said, "You have power over your mind - not outside events, realize this and you will find strength".  He also said, "Alter the things that you can and accept those you can't"; good advice. I wish you well.

True but winning lotto still be nice

[PJ71]

On 7/5/2023 at 4:51 AM, bogs smith said:

1 strip of 10 will be nowhwee near enough

lol!!!!

[bignok]

6 hours ago, JensenZ said:

No, it was a very good idea. The last thing you need to do is stress out about your diet in a depressed mental state. Comfort food will help you.

Fat oily food? Should be eating stuff for gut health. Thats where your immune system mostly is. Immune system is important under stress.

 

Also need certain nutrients to cross the blood brain barrier to make you feel better.

 

Also proper nutrients for sleep.

 

[Pink Mist]

Reported unsubstantiated medical advice has been removed as well as replies.

[thecyclist]

On 7/5/2023 at 10:51 AM, bogs smith said:

Ive had a lot of experience with diazepam . Used to be easy to get it and it helped wiened me off the booze before. Trouble is its harder to get over the counter this days. How many pills will the hospital or clinic prescribe me? 1 strip of 10 will be nowhwee near enough

Depends on the hospital. Go to a Government hospital. I know a farang who returned from public hospital in BKk with a whole bag of Alprazolam.They had given him a 6 month supply. At for profit private hospitals they want you to come back, and spend more money, so they are more "cautious "

[teeyai]

I can only talk from My perspective but I used to live in Thailand and Having no job etc to get up for Leaves Me feeling Worthless. Living in England I get up for Every day which gives me a sense of purpose. Perhaps helping out a Charity or Orphanage etc May give a sense of Purpose . Just a Thought .

[Gecko123]

1 hour ago, bignok said:

[...] Should be eating stuff for gut health. Thats where your immune system mostly is. Immune system is important under stress.

 

Also need certain nutrients to cross the blood brain barrier to make you feel better.

 

Also proper nutrients for sleep.

 

Quite agree that diet, sleep regime and exercise are excellent areas to focus on. Really surprised how many pharmacological solutions have been recommended before focusing on lifestyle issues.

 

Eating a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts, fiber, etc. improves one's mood. Sleep is absolutely critical too. I have tried to practice good sleep hygiene for a long time now, but about a month ago started adhering to a fairly strict bed time and wake up time, and I have been ASTOUNDED about how this simple technique has improved the quality of my sleep AND my daytime energy levels. Give it a try, it is truly amazing how much this can improve your sleep and daytime energy levels. You go to bed more tired, sleep more soundly, and as a result, have more energy during the day.

[bignok]

45 minutes ago, teeyai said:

I can only talk from My perspective but I used to live in Thailand and Having no job etc to get up for Leaves Me feeling Worthless. Living in England I get up for Every day which gives me a sense of purpose. Perhaps helping out a Charity or Orphanage etc May give a sense of Purpose . Just a Thought .

Don't watch the Ashes then