Defeated

[Defeated50]

I am here because anxiety and depression have taken over my life! I am searching for answers because I'm at the end of my rope! I don't know where to turn to anymore so here I am! I've tried medicine, I've tried counseling one on one, nothing seems to help me!

[Hidden]

Don't search for answers, you won't find any answers that will satisfy your need, anxious mind's have real problems with acceptance that while the symptoms are very unpleasant and often overwhelming, they can't harm you, your quite safe even though you may feel otherwise, you may benefit from arming yourself with as much knowledge about anxiety/depression as possible, honestly this is a must to help you accept and eventually overcome this, once you truly understand how anxiety works and how not to fight with it then your on the right track, xxx

[Kobojunkie in reply to Hidden]

What do you mean about how not to fight with it?

[Hidden in reply to Kobojunkie]

Before my own recovery from severe anxiety/depression I used to search for answers, I was convinced it couldn't be anxiety, I would fight the symptoms by constantly checking that I was ok, I would stop dead in my tracks whenever anxiety attacks hit, I would retreat and spend hours in bed, scared to move incase I got an attack, I became scared to venture to far away from home just incase I became ill, eventually I stopped going out all together, lost weight, lost all hope, was to ill to work etc, I was well n truly stuck in the anxiety cycle, I feared feeling fear, spent endless hrs at hospitals...then a very good friend told me to stop fighting and accept, at first I thought this an impossible request, but thought I had absolutely nothing to loose by trying. My story goes on and is no different to many other's, but I began to notice the attacks became less the more I accepted the,re presence, in stead of fearing the symptoms and thinking "what if I die" "what if I'm out and have an attack" "what if this n that" I slowly replaced these "what ifs" with "so what", I began studying anxiety and its process, I read books on the subject and even attended a 6 weeks course, I watched endless youtube videos from people who had recovered and from professionals who specialize in anxiety/depression/mental illness etc, now I'm bk at work full time, I travel alone on trains, I exercise and live a full life, don't get me wrong, once in a blue moon I experience that scary feeling of panic, but I don't shy away from it, I don't look for answers or try n push it away, instead I just accept its there and carry on with my day, and guess what...it works....it just disappears, people can and do recover, it seems impossible to imagine when your stuck in the nightmare of anxiety, but please believe me...you can recover....Acceptance n Patience is the key xxxx

[Kobojunkie in reply to Hidden]

I still don't get it. How do you accept it. What of it do you accept? The uncontrollable rush of blood? The heart palpitations and inability to speak? the shortness of breath? The tremors? what is it that one ought to accept of it?

Do I accept it by somehow remaining calm while my senses and body are all out of my immediate control? How?

[Hidden in reply to Kobojunkie]

I never said you could remain calm, the acceptance is you telling yourself that when the anxiety attacks you with symptoms you know that it's anxiety and that it will pass, example...your hands are shaking with fear as your bagging up the supermarket shopping...but so what...carry on...bag up your items with the shaking hands, what's the alternative? do you leave the shopping and rush out? do you rush home where you feel safe?....staying there and carrying on is accepting, there's no magic pill or potion, you are the captain of your own ship, I completely relate to your struggle I truly do....xxxx

[Hidden]

Hey there. I totally get how you feel. Don't lose hope, there is some kind of help out there for ya ☺ Have you ever tried group therapy? That's something I found helpful. I've never found one on one therapy helpful and i have bad reactions to medications. I have anxiety and depression like you. I changed my diet, do yoga and exercise, I find hot tea very comforting, walks, Valerian pills, journaling, arts and crafts. You have to find things that you like. Make a connection to things that bring you happiness. Its not easy, but it can be done! ☺ you can beat this anxiety and depression. Take life day by day, step by step. I wish you luck my friend!

[Kobojunkie]

What medicine and what doses did you try please?

[Elenatrix]

Hi. Hope your feeling a bit better today. My anxiety like yours is a constant struggle. Good days, bad days, I'll even feel like a med is working until its not and then I'm back to square one. The best thing I can do is try to manage it as best I can. If I'm anxious I try breathing excercises and I tell myself to breathe and I'm safe. Ive been trying to work on my triggers- I've eliminated caffeine, I've took meds to make sure I sleep at night. Its a constant struggle. Be kind to yourself you are not alone in this.

[carrot24]

I just started celexa 10mg and already feel immediate relief from my anxiety i had a hard time calling people, going grocery shopping I thought everyone was judging me, hell I even got anxious with green traffic lights, I was always overthinking and freaking myself out. Sometimes medication is necessary I have had horrible anxiety since 16 and at 22 finally felt that it was time to take care of myself and mental health and seek help from professionals. there is nothing wrong with medication as long as you don't look at it long term maybe a year or two to get life turned around then weaning.