Facing Anxiety

[Angelgirl510]

I have never done a support group of any kind so I am not sure how this works quite yet..But I think I've always known I had anxiety but never quite came to terms with dealing with it. Now that I have recently graduated college, I feel like my anxiety has only worsened. Often times I do feel very alone because my significant other truly just doesn't understand how someone like me could be so unhappy. Just "stop worrying and just relax" is what I always hear. So hopefully, someone out there has experienced some of this as well and can shed some light on ways to get your life back. I don't want this indescribable fear of nothing to dictate my life anymore.

[mjlitl13]

Hi Angelgirl,

You cannot just "snap out of" this kind of thing. A lot of guys (boyfriends/husbands) tend to believe this because they have never experienced it.

I have suffered from depression and anxiety for most of my life.

I always thought I only suffered from anxiety, but at one point, my therapist told me she felt I also had low grade depression.

Long story short, I have been to 3 therapists and a Psychiatrist (just to monitor my meds), and I have been doing much better anxiety-wise!

What helped the most for my anxiety, was when I joined a free support group!

It is always good to be around other folks who are going through similar stuff. You don't feel so alone and you finally have that all important support community!

Have you been to a therapist about your issues? That would be a very important first step! You might need a medication for your anxiety. I take Klonopin which is not physically addictive, like valium or xanax, although I have taken those over the years.

Look online for Self-Help groups in your area as well.

Keep coming back here and let us know how you are doing.

You are NOT alone in this! We are here for you.

Also, remember it takes time to get better and progress is never a straight line, so don't get discouraged if you fall back at times.

Good luck and Hugs,

MJ

[Angelgirl510 in reply to mjlitl13]

MJ,

Thank you so much for your kind words! It's definitely comforting to know so many people have a similar experience as mine.

I tried therapy for the first time on a regular basis this past year, and I really felt like it helped. But since graduating, I have moved to a new city and I am still in the process of finding a new therapist.

I'm curious to know if you've ever taken Zoloft? I tried it about a year ago and I had horrible side effects, which scarred me from taking medication altogether. Although lately I feel as though my anxiety and depression has gotten to a point where meds may be my only option. What was your experience with Klonopin? Did it take a lot of trial and error to find one that worked for you?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!

Xoxo

Angelgirl

[mjlitl13 in reply to Angelgirl510]

Zoloft is one of the few anti-depressants from which I have had no side effects! Well, one but it is insignificant.

But everyone is different, so try different anti-depressants! Tell your Dr about your SIDE effects and see what else you can try.

As far as the Klonopin, I have not had any problem with it at all! I have been taking it for decades now!

I think anti-anxiety meds are easier to tolerate and work more easily than anti-depressants, which tend to work differently for each individual.

My boyfriend also suffers from depression and only one anti-depressant worked for him but gave him terrible acid reflux problems.

So, he's now in the process of trying to find one that will work for him. He's tried various ones but, so far, he hasn't found the right one.

Don't give up though! Keep trying!

Sometimes a combination of 2 types of anti-depressants help best!

Hugs,

MJ