anxiety

[laura920]

I've had anxiety for most of my life, but it was well-managed in college. I was physically and sexually assaulted in my last 2 years of college and has since made my anxiety much more unmanageable. I've tried therapy, but haven't felt like I made much progress with it. I recently started taking Prozac, but I'm struggling everyday with hateful thoughts, anxiety and depression. Even the best moments of my life don't do enough for me anymore. I came here looking for advice and support because although my friends are supportive, I don't want to put too much on them and I know they are all very worried about me.

[ZenGiraffe]

Hi there, I’m so very sorry to hear about the assault, I understand that it’s truly tough to handle and some days seem much worse than others. Therapy is a great place to turn, and try your best to remember that as far as making progress, therapy is more of a marathon than a sprint. Do you know what kind of therapy you’re participating in? There’s all kinds out there, w the standard talk therapy, then CBT, DBT, IOP, etc. it can get overwhelming sometimes. But the fact that you’re taking part in some form of therapy in the first place tells me that you’re a fighter and you want to get to a better place, so that’s a great start!

[laura920 in reply to ZenGiraffe]

I'm not sure. When I saw I counsellor specifically for trauma, I think that helped the most. I've also tried addiction counseling and just psychotherapy. I just don't really know where else to go and my recent bill was too high and I see it causing me more stress trying to pay it, than how much it helped me.

[ZenGiraffe in reply to laura920]

Ugh I know how that goes. I’m so sick of the prices for healthcare!!! Maybe if you search for low-cost therapy near you it could come up w a counselor that’ll work for your needs. In the meantime, sometimes writing things down in a journal can be helpful. I’ve found when I’m having recurring, almost obsessive thoughts about my abuse, if I write down the random thoughts I’m having it helps to shut those thoughts down.

[laura920 in reply to ZenGiraffe]

I used to journal but one time I re-read what I wrote and it scared me. Like how sad I actually was and how bad things were. It is a blessing because I can see how far I've come since then, but sometimes I get scared to commit those awful thoughts to paper.

[ZenGiraffe in reply to laura920]

Yeah... I get that too. Maybe if you tore them up once you wrote them down, then you don’t need to worry about coming across them again? I dunno. Just thinking out loud.

[laura920 in reply to ZenGiraffe]

I used to do that. Maybe I should try again.

[ccattjenrn]

I had anxiety ever since I can remember—4 or 5yrs old. It was never discussed, just that I was a highly functioning child. I had stomach issues my entire life up until I finally sought some help at 39 for daily symptoms—I also lost 20lbs in 2 months, had no appetite and just plan ‘ol didn’t care. Not to mention a sexual assault In 2005 that still creeps in to my thoughts. I started on Lexapro Feb or last year and gained so much weight on it I decided to stop the following year—but it made me feel so much better! Now, 4 months off of meds, I just recently went back and asked to put me in something as I now had symptoms of depression. Taking Prozac now—-gotta take care youjr self! I’m in talk therapy, as well. I use a product called Alphs stim—size on an iphone. Has ear clip electrodes—basically a super small version of ECT—my opinion make you feel buzzed but I really good after—one woman’s story—I hope you exercise if you can, that has been shown to be if you exercise ei