Anxiety Issues

[Spicy_cat]

So I’m new to this website because my boyfriend recommended it to me. I suffer from sever anxiety. I feel like there’s always something for me to worry about. My worries keep me up at night and I always seem to wake up in a cold sweat stressing about anything my mind could think of, even the smallest of things, which leads me to lack of sleep and I even have problems eating sometimes because I just don’t feel hungry (not that I purposely don’t want to eat). I have panic attacks often, so many it’s hard to count. I’m working on some ways to cope with it but it’s extremely hard, I just want to get healthy again.

[Hidden]

I know how you feel, and it's horrible, have you been prescribed anything or having any coping strategies in place ?

[Spicy_cat in reply to Hidden]

No I’ve never and I’m currently not taking any medication for it. I have been pushed to try out meditation and I’ve yet to do so but I should try it out soon. Most of my regular doctors just tell me not to go down the medicine route. I’m looking into getting some sort of therapist though, and maybe they’ll be able to understand a bit better.

[Hidden in reply to Spicy_cat]

I don't know what to say because most meds make me worse, usually because I've read the side effects and think I'm going to get every single one of them, have you tried taking vitamin D and b12

[Spicy_cat in reply to Hidden]

I haven’t

[Hidden in reply to Spicy_cat]

Give them a try, especially in the winter, and drink lots of water every day. Anxiety is an awful condition

[Casewest20 in reply to Hidden]

OMG I do the same thing! I know it’s not a good idea, but I can’t help myself from looking up health conditions and side effects of medications online😂!

[Hidden in reply to Casewest20]

I always do it, the thing is them side effects are actually real, they only put them on the leaflets because they have to by law.

Some of the side effects aren't worth the risk, so I completely understand why your weary to take meds, I don't think people are given enough credit for not wanting long term every day medication, especially when they are suffering badly too.

[Casewest20 in reply to Hidden]

That was a reply to @Onlyme2019 ... The thing about looking online, I mean. I can’t remember if I hit reply specifically to your comment or not😊

[Casewest20 in reply to Spicy_cat]

Hi!! I also understand how you feel. I also can understand why maybe some of your doctors feel medicine may be the wrong way to go. BUT... I have found that there are a lot of people nowadays that are pretty extreme about the not taking medicine thing. I am not saying to ignore your doctors or that they are wrong. May I ask you, do you have a history of substance abuse or alcohol abuse?

[Spicy_cat in reply to Casewest20]

I understand and no I have no history of substance abuse although people in my family do. I guess I’m being extra cautious because of that

[Casewest20 in reply to Spicy_cat]

I definitely understand your concern. Soooo many studies have proven that a family history of alcoholism and addiction CAN mean you may have an increased risk of developing them. BUT, not always. Again, I REALLY REALLY am not saying “Go get on meds, you definitely need them”😂. However, if I may, I’d like to give you the following advice...In my opinion (which is not necessarily right, obviously lol) it would be good to Maybe learn more about medication options. If you ever are ready to. If things get really bad, sometimes people need medicine there’s nothing wrong with that. There are so many different factors that contribute to diseases such as addiction... having a family history does not make it a sure thing that you would become an addict. There are lots of medicines out there, some of which have no addictive properties. I guess it just worries me a little bit that all of the doctors whom you see on a regular basis have told you it’s not a good idea to think about meds of any kind. I think the whole opioid crisis is generating fear in many people when it comes to any medicine, even when meds are needed for emotional/mental issues. I mean, I feel that IF you wind up deciding medicine could be an option, you have a right to receive treatment. I believe that if you are honest from the beginning about your family history and are open with an MD regarding any concerns you may have, you are definitely on the right track for someone in your situation who MAY decide they want to try medicine. Then you can be educated about warning signs, red flags, etc. I hope I’m not giving out advice that is bad. If anybody disagrees with me about this, please, feel free to say so. I feel like we are all in this together, and I don’t know about others on this forumbut I definitely am not a doctor or psychiatrist or psychologist of any kind. Just someone who understands how you feel, and someone who doesn’t want you to think that medication in general for mental health is not acceptable.

[Hidden in reply to Casewest20]

I think the more aware people are becoming about the danger of meds, the more they are weary of taking them. Remember some of the meds that are given can cause permanent brain changes, I think the internet has probably wiser many up to the downsides of meds

[brokenlight]

I can relate Spicy_cat.

I too stuff from chronic anxiety (along with Major Depression & PTSD) & struggle with eating.

In my records, it states that I have an “Unspecified eating disorder” but I never fit into typical categories.

I’m not purposely trying to not eat.

I just stop getting hungry &/or I feel sick to my stomach.

It’s related to my emotional & psychological state.

And it’s about control in the midst of chaos.

It’s all so frustrating and not many understand.

Different forms of cannabis have been helpful at times & so has psychotherapy.

Good luck & thanks for being here.

[Spicy_cat in reply to brokenlight]

Thank you 😊 and I’ve been meaning to try out cannabis

[JAYnLA]

Hello and thanks for sharing. I lost 30 pounds last year even though I forced myself to eat three meals a day - it's just what anxiety did to my system. If you aren't seeing a counselor right now I recommend audio books by Dr. Claire Weekes - look her up. Her perspective on anxiety has helped me tremendously.

[Spicy_cat in reply to JAYnLA]

I’ll make sure to take a listen then, thank you 😊

[Righteoustakeme]

Hey there,

I totally understand what you’re going through. My anxiety prevents me from functioning normally on a daily basis. Makes it so I can’t have a job, can’t drive to certain places, etc. there’s a lot to be said for not eating/losing weight too, I lost 14+ pounds in the 2 months since I moved back to my hometown. It’s terrible. Constantly filled with worry and anxiety and depression til I can’t do anything. I used to be so good at life, but now it’s like I have to start over. At 22. It’s terrible. I feel like I’m in a pit I can’t get out of. So I feel your pain

[Spicy_cat in reply to Righteoustakeme]

I feel the same thank you for sharing and hopefully one day we can both get out of this pit 😪

[Celtic27]

Hi spicy you've got a great person beside you. If he's driving you to get help a close friend or partner are a great help in you getting well! Have you thought about going to your doctor or even counselling for your anxiety ! I have anxiety and depression besides other ailments so I know how anxiety can affect your daily life! Please take care and I wish you good luck!

[Spicy_cat in reply to Celtic27]

Thank you he’s great 😊, and yes I’ve been meaning to take up some counseling for it although so far none of my regular doctors have been any help.

[Kat63]

I think I have something called “free floating anxiety.” As soon as a situation I’m anxious about gets resolved, that anxiety finds a new thing to attach to.

[Spicy_cat in reply to Kat63]

That’s exactly what my anxiety does

[bluestars725 in reply to Kat63]

I can relate to this. I have generalized anxiety disorder (as well as depression), and I often feel like that. The worry is always sort of there no matter what is going on in my life.

[Hidden in reply to Kat63]

Lol I couldn't have put this any better myself, my mum is actually worse than me for it, my daughter is self employed doing very well for herself, my mum has been ringing me every week talking about all the things that could go wrong and worrying about things that haven't happened, today I found myself saying but mum we spoke about this last week, why are you worrying about something that might not happen, I got my anxiety problems

from her, I'm just so glad that I haven't passed it onto my daughter, I tell my daughter she can do anything and she will achieve and she just goes straight for what she wants, she sailed through college and university and started a very successful business, yet my mum rings me every week worrying about her, I actually get tremors when speaking to my mum, because she triggers my anxiety with her anxiety, not deliberately, but it's the floating anxiety you just mentioned, she always looks for what could go wrong even when something is so evidently going well.

[bluestars725]

Welcome to the forum. I've been here about three months, and it's just nice to know I'm not alone in my struggle with generalized anxiety disorder and depression. People have been really supportive and kind.

[Spicy_cat in reply to bluestars725]

Thank you and yes so far I’ve received some very good recommendations from people. I think it was a good idea joining this site.

[dore13]

A GP does not know the intrigues of psychiatric issues, advising you not to "go down the medication route" is extremely bizarre, if not reckless. It is the type of thing a doctor can lose their medical license over. They should have immediately referred you to a psychiatrist to be Properly diagnosed, and then that psychiatrist should decide if the severity of your issues would require medication , in a addition to therapy to learn proper coping skills. Medication is used to curb the effects of the issue so you can learn coping skills , and be able to deal with your problems. I don't where you live, but the doctor you spoke to is not that good, if they said that too you. In my state, they'd be out of work in a week! It is a reckless medical decision, and I am horrified that I even read it!

[Spicy_cat in reply to dore13]

Hm yeah it’s seemed a little suspicious to me those two doctors who told me that worked at John Muir because that was the place I use to go to but I’ve recently switched to Kaiser and I’ll be scheduling an appointment soon so hopefully they’ll offer me a bit more help. And I live in California

[dore13 in reply to Spicy_cat]

I live in MA, we don't take that kind of BS. LOL! I forgot to mention, there is a website called DBSA (depression bipolar support alliance) it is a free website that has online meeting for all types of issues, including anxiety. You can talk to people who are going through what you have been through, or people are going through it right now. I find it is a good support system, I think you feel less alone and even scared when you talk with others who are dealing with similar issues. I use to have terrible anxiety, and panic attacks so bad I didn't leave my house for a year, no one should live like that. It can be controlled, it can be dealt with, it takes work, but you can do it.I am glad you are seeing someone else!!!!