Worse than ever

I have been dealing with anxiety and depression for 4years. I'm taking 3 mg of klonopin and 10 mg of pristiq. Right now my anxiety is worse than ever. I don't know what to do.

[KI-100]

Hi Ms. Puppy. I am sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Are there any lifestyle changes you can make to help reduce your symptoms? Try to eat healthy and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Try to get some exercise. Try to get involved in things you like. Try to remove stress from your life. Spend time with positive friends or relatives.

Earlier this week I was feeling pretty calm and then I had two light beers with dinner Thursday night; as a result Friday morning I awoke with a very strong fearful feeling. I had greater than usual anxiety the rest of the day. I did exercise at my gym on Friday, but I didn't notice much of a change in how I was feeling. This morning I also woke up with a crazy fearful feeling- this faded to just anxiety, but then I practiced martial arts later this morning and afterwards I was amazed how calm I felt after those two hours of strenuous exercise.

Are there any things in your life that are giving you greater stress?

Next weekend I have to take a trip out of the country, and I am a bit worried about the border crossing. I am trying my best to not worry about this. Earlier in the week my daughter was in the hospital and I had some anxiety about that. She was fine and I wasn't worried about her health (she is an adult) - I was nervous because I don't like to be in hospitals in the middle of the night (for fear of not being able to get out easily), and I guess I was worried I would be expected to visit her in the hospital that evening.

I love to watch my favorite sports team in person or on television. Sometimes, when I am having an anxious day, I dislike watching an exciting game because the excitement feeds into my anxiety. Crazy, eh?

When I am feeling nervous, I always feel better with a family member or friend. Or, just knowing I could call a family member or friend makes me feel better.

As I have mentioned in other posts, I am a big believer in breaking the anxiety/panic cycle by not feeding into secondary fears. Everyone is different and there are multiple reasons for anxiety, but in my case, I can usually keep my anxiety and fears in check by not allowing myself to obsess about my situation or how I am feeling. It is ok to feel nervous. Try not to run away physically or emotionally but rather try to accept it.

I know it is easier said than done. I am not always good at it. Sometimes I am nervous in the morning but after I get to work, I get so centered at my job, I hardly notice the anxiety. Find something you enjoy doing that requires mental focus.

hmm....my thoughts are all over in this post, but I hope you can find something helpful. Stay positive! Smile!

[JChrist]

Hi, I'm going to start on antidepressants. I hope it works for me. Wish me luck

[Hidden in reply to JChrist]

It does help as it helps with your resilience but do all that God wants you to do, slowly and in fear in needs be

[Hidden]

have u a faith or interested in a relationship with Jesus who is far better than anything this world can offer? This is a possible alternative for you if you want to go down this route. That's the route I'm on and it has been very hard but not a single promise of God has yet failed

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes but having a hard time with it

[Hidden]

Ye I know, part of me thinks the Christian life is as close to impossible you can get without it being impossible

[Hidden]

never the less I'll try and help you with it - the priority is obedience to God, we need to do as much as what he wants as we can do. Try and aim to make what you think and want lower, the same also with your emotions - many times you might simply need to do all you can to stand, but stand you can as God will give you the strength to do it. To avoid standing you'll have to convince God you can't, when he knows you inside out, that's a tough one.

Please send me a message if you want

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I go to a bible church and bible study but the anxiety and depression are more than I can bear.

[Hidden]

it's Sunday so you do not need to do much now today - what about watching tv, if you have a pc there are some good true movies on you tube

u at work tomorrow?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I went to church after crying all day and felt a little better

[Hidden]

It's ok to cry but try and do stuff at the same time. What will it be you think that God wants you to do tomorrow? The house chores, the shopping - do you think you can do some of those irrespective of how you feel?

I don't know where you are on the Christian journey but if you are suffering anxiety then maybe in years 0-10 ?

The journey is a process that comes in definite stages and endurance building is certainly in the early part.

How are you with the concept of God's sovereignty - that he can do anything he wants and that nothing ever comes to pass without his permission. It is God who is allowing this painful anxiety to come to your life for some purpose, it's probably 2 fold - to increase your resilience and to learn to trust in him. There is really very little you can do to stop it, but what you can do is learn to grind out this tough period for you, allow the spirit to do its good work in you. God brings pain and suffering to his own children, it's just the way he works but don't for a minute think all what is happening to you is outside God's control. He isn't soft though and he will expect you to submit to suffering, all Christians have to, as much as we dread it.

Lastly then may I encourage you do to all you can to stand, then when you have done all, then to stand again - this might continue for a while but God will not let you suffer more than you can endure. Ask Jesus directly to help you to endure (I have also asked him for you) and he will help you.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for praying. I have asked him to help me. Many times. My anxiety is bad. I have bladder pain, fear, stomach upset. When will God help me? This is four years.

[Itsjustmeagain in reply to Hidden]

This is a good scripture 1 Corinthians 10:13

13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to men. But God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Because it reminds a person that sometimes God doesn't always take away the problem but he gives us strength to go on and endure.

Also 1peter 5:7 says while you throw all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

So no matter what you do don't give up on God or yourself. As hard as things can be. I hope you are able to find some peace and comfort

[Hidden in reply to Itsjustmeagain]

Thanks I'm going to see a new therapist this morning. Pray for me.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Don't think what happened to Joseph is the exception, it is the rule for Christians. God doesn't just nicely lower us in but we are slung in to the pit. How we escape is God's work and not ours, we simply complain, cease trusting him and believe he doesn't work to our good - despite all this he is able to lift us out, how he does it I have no idea as I know what a rebel I truly am.