Anxiety

[FrontNakedChoke]

Who else struggles with Anxiety?

Lately it's been affecting my life relationships more and more. I think it gets worse in the summer time. Got into a fight with my girlfriend last night about how I don't come to her house enough, even though she always complains about her family. I find my anxiety disables me from being able to go out into the world and live a normal life sometimes. It's been really bad especially the last few weeks.

I fall in and out of a healthy lifestyle with working out and eating clean. I still have an addiction to junk food which is difficult to curb once I get going. I know living a healthier lifestyle helps my anxiety but I'm lacking the drive to pull myself out of this.

Everything in life seems like a burden to me lately. I just don't feel like I have it in me. Work is mundane and I appear to I'm not living up to the expectations my girlfriend has for me in our relationship. I use Marijuana for my anxiety which helps, but apparently not enough.

I've tried to avoid prescription drugs, but I'm seriously considering it now. Have any of you ever been successful with them? How does anxiety affect you in your day to day life?

Feel free to share your experience with anxiety. Or flame away.
Either way. Either way is fine.

 

[Phlog]

Sure, I generally don't want to talk to people, I avoid confrontation. I tend to gravitate toward activities that challenge my inadequacy though.

Singing, fighting, doorwork etc.

I smoke as well and it does nothing for anxiety. It makes it worse. I use it as a zen mind challenge though, I force myself to center myself and act logically regardless of the unfounded fears.

I'd recommend quitting the weed if your anxiety is an issue. Try seeing how that helps. Lean into that which you avoid. I think that helps to keep everything in place and prevents back sliding.

Also recommend team sports.

 

[LatFlare]

Just remember that in 100 years from now you and everyone you know will be dead and no one will give a fuck about how you were feeling this week. Let the feelings go.

 

[Chindit]

I discover recently that my anxiety is/was linked to my half-deafness. Sometimes, a small disturbance can have big effects that we underestimate. Check yourself.

From my point of view, I see anxiety as an overreacting mechanism of the body & brain. A mechanism useful 30 000 years ago, for being alert, functionnal, hormonally prepared to fight in a harsh world but totally unsuited now. I link anxiety to fear, stress and this kind of old, extreme emotions, unsuited in our "civilized" world, in Occident at least. That's like a defense mechanism currently overactivated for futilities.

I tell that to myself , and that soothes me.

 

[HomeRun916]

OP, if it's really that bad get off the CPU and seek treatment. I also Suffer from severe anxiety, borderline crippling. Was just like you "I'm tough don't need shit".

It took going to my primary care physician getting checked out, he tried to help but just didn't hit the bullseye, so he referred me elsewhere.

2nd guy was a real creep, was absolutely positive it was just "to much porn/video games and past drug use" like ok? Bolted from there, but I finally found a lady that didn't just give up after 1 failed attempt. Tried a few things out and finally found a low cost prescription that really helps me live a comfortable life. All this took over 3 years mind you, because I was to terrified to try and help myself.

If you smoke marijuana regularly, I'd stop being such a goof and get checked out because a pill a day IMO is no worse than 2-5 grams a day.

Good luck.

 

[Peteyandjia]

Quit the weed for awhile. No drinking for awhile.

Set your alarm a half hour earlier every day, and go for a 20 minute walk, first thing out of bed. Nothing fancy, just a simple walk around your hood, easy. Anyone who goes for a walk first thing in the morning, will have a better day, with more perspective & less anxiety.

Listen to classical music, try to avoid filling your head with shit for awhile. Especially while you are trying to swim out of an anxiety funk. Keep it simple, and put on some nice soothing sounds.

Take a deep breath, in through your nose only. Try it. A really deep breath, like pulling back an arrow in a bow all the way, as far as you can. Hold it a moment. Release your breath through your mouth, or your nose if you want; but inhale through the nose only. Repeat this. This sounds simple, but it is legit, overlooked, going back as many thousands of years as we do. You will find yourself getting calmer & more tranquil with every one of these breaths. And you can do this in any situation.

Don't worry about the relationships right now, with your girl or with the world, it doesn't sound like there is any big problem there, just work on you. Those things will fall into place as you do. In the meantime, just be kind to people, be patient with them.

And that includes you: don't beat yourself up. There is no point to it. Nobody's perfect, we're all just here for a little while, & then we go. In the meantime, sure, why not try to do our best, or close to it? It's good that you are trying to improve yourself. Don't worry about perfection, just work for improvement. You will get there.

If things get really bad, there are always professionals out there in this field who can help you, psychologists & psychiatrists. Otherwise, try these methods. Either way I think you will be okay.

 

[mac11]

I've tried SSRIs and an SRNI. They didn't work. There are studies showing that they work no better than a placebo. They are antidepressants
that doctor's prescribe for anxiety because they no longer have an alternative. That's because they didn't realise the dangers of Benzos until people tried to withdraw from them decades later.

Benzos absolutely work but if you get on them you won't get off them (easily). Which is why doctors no longer give them out easily. They prescribe them for about two weeks.

 

[FrontNakedChoke]

Sure, I generally don't want to talk to people, I avoid confrontation. I tend to gravitate toward activities that challenge my inadequacy though.

Singing, fighting, doorwork etc.

I smoke as well and it does nothing for anxiety. It makes it worse. I use it as a zen mind challenge though, I force myself to center myself and act logically regardless of the unfounded fears.

I'd recommend quitting the weed if your anxiety is an issue. Try seeing how that helps. Lean into that which you avoid. I think that helps to keep everything in place and prevents back sliding.

Also recommend team sports.

OP, if it's really that bad get off the CPU and seek treatment. I also Suffer from severe anxiety, borderline crippling. Was just like you "I'm tough don't need shit".

It took going to my primary care physician getting checked out, he tried to help but just didn't hit the bullseye, so he referred me elsewhere.

2nd guy was a real creep, was absolutely positive it was just "to much porn/video games and past drug use" like ok? Bolted from there, but I finally found a lady that didn't just give up after 1 failed attempt. Tried a few things out and finally found a low cost prescription that really helps me live a comfortable life. All this took over 3 years mind you, because I was to terrified to try and help myself.

If you smoke marijuana regularly, I'd stop being such a goof and get checked out because a pill a day IMO is no worse than 2-5 grams a day.

Good luck.

Quit the weed for awhile. No drinking for awhile.

Set your alarm a half hour earlier every day, and go for a 20 minute walk, first thing out of bed. Nothing fancy, just a simple walk around your hood, easy. Anyone who goes for a walk first thing in the morning, will have a better day, with more perspective & less anxiety.

Listen to classical music, try to avoid filling your head with shit for awhile. Especially while you are trying to swim out of an anxiety funk. Keep it simple, and put on some nice soothing sounds.

Take a deep breath, in through your nose only. Try it. A really deep breath, like pulling back an arrow in a bow all the way, as far as you can. Hold it a moment. Release your breath through your mouth, or your nose if you want; but inhale through the nose only. Repeat this. This sounds simple, but it is legit, overlooked, going back as many thousands of years as we do. You will find yourself getting calmer & more tranquil with every one of these breaths. And you can do this in any situation.

Don't worry about the relationships right now, with your girl or with the world, it doesn't sound like there is any big problem there, just work on you. Those things will fall into place as you do. In the meantime, just be kind to people, be patient with them.

And that includes you: don't beat yourself up. There is no point to it. Nobody's perfect, we're all just here for a little while, & then we go. In the meantime, sure, why not try to do our best, or close to it? It's good that you are trying to improve yourself. Don't worry about perfection, just work for improvement. You will get there.

If things get really bad, there are always professionals out there in this field who can help you, psychologists & psychiatrists. Otherwise, try these methods. Either way I think you will be okay.

Thank you guys for taking the time to give advice and recommendations. I really appreciate it. A lot more helpful and detailed responses than I was expecting. You've given me a lot to think about.

 

[HelloJapan]

Quit the weed for awhile

 

[A Pennysworth]

I've tried SSRIs and an SRNI. They didn't work. There are studies showing that they work no better than a placebo. They are antidepressants
that doctor's prescribe for anxiety because they no longer have an alternative. That's because they didn't realise the dangers of Benzos until people tried to withdraw from them decades later.

Benzos absolutely work but if you get on them you won't get off them (easily). Which is why doctors no longer give them out easily. They prescribe them for about two weeks.

There are also mood stabilisers such as Seroquel that may be helpful.

 

[TCE]

I was diagnosed with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), I would not wish it on my worst enemy. It's terrible.

Heart palpitations 24/7, chest pain - always feeling like a heart attack, shaking non stop, numbness, head aches, panic attacks, hyperventilating.

A whole 2 years I couldn't leave the house. But the meds I'm on are doing it's job. I am currently cutting down on my meds though, because I only get anxiety now after a night on the town lol.

 

[TCE]

Who else struggles with Anxiety?

Lately it's been affecting my life relationships more and more. I think it gets worse in the summer time. Got into a fight with my girlfriend last night about how I don't come to her house enough, even though she always complains about her family. I find my anxiety disables me from being able to go out into the world and live a normal life sometimes. It's been really bad especially the last few weeks.

I fall in and out of a healthy lifestyle with working out and eating clean. I still have an addiction to junk food which is difficult to curb once I get going. I know living a healthier lifestyle helps my anxiety but I'm lacking the drive to pull myself out of this.

Everything in life seems like a burden to me lately. I just don't feel like I have it in me. Work is mundane and I appear to I'm not living up to the expectations my girlfriend has for me in our relationship. I use Marijuana for my anxiety which helps, but apparently not enough.

I've tried to avoid prescription drugs, but I'm seriously considering it now. Have any of you ever been successful with them? How does anxiety affect you in your day to day life?

Feel free to share your experience with anxiety. Or flame away.
Either way. Either way is fine.

I've heard weed works for some people with anxiety. It makes me feel worse though. I get really bad heavy breathing on it when I smoke it which leads to panic attacks for me.

All the best with your anxiety man, hope you get it sorted.

 

[VanteMMA]

I've had anxiety issues in the past. They were terrible. I couldn't sleep, couldn't enjoy life, was always in a bad mood thinking about the past or the future. Even when things were fine, I'd always ask myself 'Why the fuck aren't I happy?' I don't know anyone else who has it, so I couldn't tell you how bad I really had it relatively, but it was bad as fuck for me. I never did get professional help, never got on any meds.

I did get a lot of Self-help though. I have a bachelors in Psych, so I do understand the disorder and how things work with it.

What I've learnt is that being Happy starts with a decision to be happy. Funny as it sounds, Its a state of being more than anything else. Ask yourself one simple hypothetical question:

Lets say you know you were going to die tomorrow morning. You also know that there is nothing at all you can do to change this. The only thing you can do in the meantime, is to meditate (ie. just observe your breathe). Meditating is the sum of your existence, and observing your breathe is all that life is to you. How would you choose to perceive this experience of the remainder of your existence? Would you agonise over your impending death for your final few hours, or would you rather choose to enjoy the existence that you have left before you pass away ie the experience of breathing, the feeling of cool air rushing into and out of your lungs?

This is life.

You know you are going to die, and your living through a life which is for the most part mundane, and yet the little things can bring us the greatest joy. The experiences of our personal journeys and how we choose to perceive them in the moment is what brings happiness.

Once I understood this and started to practice it in my day to day life, I freed up alot of willpower that I used to battle my anxiety, and instead devoted it to things I actually wanted to pursue. The result is that my life has changed completely in the last 1.5 years (I am not kidding, ask me and I'll tell you how. Best part is, its just the beginning).

 

[HHJ]

I used to have it,and sometimes it rears its ugly head,but ive managed to dominate if for the most part at this point. Its really changing your mindset. Alot of the things we have anxiety about either 1) dont matter in the big picture or 2) we cant do anything about at the time we are having the anxiety and isnt worth thinking about then,and you have to compartmentalize it. It can be a struggle but everyone has to find their own way to shift things around in their head and prioritize whats important. Which is enjoying life and not being stressed. Also Tommorow is a new fucking day,you can start all over again. You dont have to choose failure,or have it be a preference.

 

[HHJ]

Another thing too is sometimes when you are about to do something that causes you anxiety,look at it as a challenge and look foward to doing better at it. Cos life is always a challenge and there will always be stupid shit in your way...Its good in a way cos it keeps you sharp and you can come out if it better than you came in.

 

[HHJ]

I did get a lot of Self-help though. I have a bachelors in Psych, so I do understand the disorder and how things work with it.

What I've learnt is that being Happy starts with a decision to be happy. Funny as it sounds, Its a state of being more than anything else.

.

So true

 

[Benoitthegr8]

Anxiety can be a SOB if you have incapacitating panic attacks, really the only way to control acute anxiety is through meds. I've dealt with this for about 7 years now and the acute attacks happen less and less, especially because I know the signs before they take hold of me. People who have never experienced anxiety have no idea what it's like for your own body to turn on you and create symptoms that can have lasting and irreversible effects on your mind and body. While my anxiety can be traced back to being event related and I didn't get the effects until i was in my mid-30's, people who deal with this from childhood have a real up hill battle.

 

[MUSTKILL]

Your doctor will try to prescribe you with Ativan or some other benzo for general anxiety. My doc calls them "fire extinguishers", as they quickly lower the heart rate and get you calm quick. These are extremely habit forming and can get out of hand if you don't watch yourself.
Zoloft, Xanax, and Valium are other options if the benzos don't work. They're also non-habit forming drugs and last much longer. A pill in the morning is all that most people need.

Personally, I use cannabis as my preferred method of dealing with anxiety, however, my doctor and as many others have said, it actually doesn't help, it makes it worse. I've heard Zoloft does wonders for people but makes their dick inoperative. If anyone has more info on Zoloft, I'd love to hear first hand experiences as I've considered it myself.

Anxiety sucks, but getting help is the first step to getting better. Whether its by talking to people or getting on medication, take the steps to improve your lifestyle.
Daily meditation works wonders and having positive people around will help boost yourself. Sometimes we beat ourselves up worse than our own enemies.

 

[EJAXXX]

Quit the weed for awhile. No drinking for awhile.

Set your alarm a half hour earlier every day, and go for a 20 minute walk, first thing out of bed. Nothing fancy, just a simple walk around your hood, easy. Anyone who goes for a walk first thing in the morning, will have a better day, with more perspective & less anxiety.

Listen to classical music, try to avoid filling your head with shit for awhile. Especially while you are trying to swim out of an anxiety funk. Keep it simple, and put on some nice soothing sounds.

Take a deep breath, in through your nose only. Try it. A really deep breath, like pulling back an arrow in a bow all the way, as far as you can. Hold it a moment. Release your breath through your mouth, or your nose if you want; but inhale through the nose only. Repeat this. This sounds simple, but it is legit, overlooked, going back as many thousands of years as we do. You will find yourself getting calmer & more tranquil with every one of these breaths. And you can do this in any situation.

Don't worry about the relationships right now, with your girl or with the world, it doesn't sound like there is any big problem there, just work on you. Those things will fall into place as you do. In the meantime, just be kind to people, be patient with them.

And that includes you: don't beat yourself up. There is no point to it. Nobody's perfect, we're all just here for a little while, & then we go. In the meantime, sure, why not try to do our best, or close to it? It's good that you are trying to improve yourself. Don't worry about perfection, just work for improvement. You will get there.

If things get really bad, there are always professionals out there in this field who can help you, psychologists & psychiatrists. Otherwise, try these methods. Either way I think you will be okay.

Petey is on it with the breathing technique. I do this whenever I feel stressed. When I can't sleep I take deep breaths like that, when you lay down the breathing naturally comes from your stomach, like when a baby sleeps. It calms you. I try to take a few minutes a day to do this and I always feel better.

You would be surprised how well this works.

 

[Papawash]

Yes, it sucks ass. I've been struggling with it for quite some time too.

I remember when I was a kid I was one of the last to finish a test and then my hands suddenly started to shake and sweat, I couldn't control it and had to pass my paper w/o completing everything. It didn't get better as years went on, I even had a panic attack last year thinking about the water reserves drying up in my area lol.

The only thing that works for me is to lie down and focus on my breath.