Anxiety is Winning

[coop11]

I have always been very successful in my life. About a year ago I became very anxious and depressed. I started my own company and did pretty well for almost a year. The traveling and hours worked took their toll. I sought treatment at a residential facility but didn't get much out of that. It was a 28 day program. Upon returning, I decided to sell my shares of my company and change my direction. I have struggled to regain my life at this point. I did go back to work but it just seems really odd. I am always on edge now. I don't take any medication and wonder if that would help. I know I have a mental illness but don't know what to do about it. I have been to counseling and see several doctors with no luck. Any health advise is welcomed. Im nearing the end of my rope.

[jkl5500]

I recommend that you see a psychiatrist ASAP. You almost certainly need medication to help correct your condition. You must be a goal-oriented person if you started your own business, so please recognize your situation and start getting treated for it.

[coop11 in reply to jkl5500]

I have seen several psychiatrists and tried different meds which made me feel nothing. I just can’t take the meds.

[jkl5500 in reply to coop11]

Getting on the right med is, unfortunately, a hit-and-miss affair. You have to wait 6-8 weeks to see if it helps. If it doesn't, you start over for another 6-8 weeks with something else. It can be very discouraging - believe me, I know.

It's just that something usually will work for you. It takes patience, which you have very little of when you're depressed. But that's the best they can do right now. I'm not a doctor, but you might want to reconsider the medication route.

[Scott1951]

Have you considered genetic testing to see what antidepressants would be most likely to work for you? There are so many drugs available and this test helps to narrow down the possibilities based on your genetic makeup.

Also, you might want to investigate transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which is a non-drug intervention for depression. It is an FDA approved treatment that uses a high- powered magnet to stimulate the neurons in the portion of the brain responsible for mood control.

[coop11 in reply to Scott1951]

I have done geno testing. There is only one med it said I shouldn’t take. Also, I skipped the magnets and went straight to ECT. It worked really well. I hadn’t been able to work for several months prior and was back to work in less than 3 weeks after ECT.

[Scott1951]

Maybe maintenance ECT treatments would be a way to go. There is also ketamine infusions.

But it sounds like you have tried most everything already. It must be scary to feel you are running out of options. I don't know where I would turn if I were in your position.

[jkl5500]

I am on a maintenance schedule of ECT treatments myself. It definitely did the trick after all the drugs started to fail. Are you still on ECT now?

[Aesclepius]

Hi,

You don't realize how lucky you are! If you are an anxious person, and you have always been very successful in your life, your anxiety has been an asset that propelled you to success.

It's a very powerful weapon to succeed if you can harness it, and you have been able to do it in your life. I doubt that you have mental illness given your success in life. And even if you do, then you should be proud of your accomplishments in light of your mental uniqueness.

It's not how many times you fall, it's how many times you get up. And I am sure you have the mental strength to get up again and push hard. You have the power within! Harness it!