Anxiety and depletion and the meaning of life.

[Jeff1943]

Does anxiety have any positive part to play in our progress through life? Maybe it does though that's not what comes to mind when having a panic attack on a number 19 bus.

Thousands of years ago the Greek philosopher Heraclitis revealed the meaning of life as 'the evolution to higher forms'. We come into this world with a degree of knowledge and by the end of our lifetime's experience we have evolved into something higher.

Unfortunately the main way in which we learn life's lessons is through dealing with adversity. Problems, crises and disasters come our way and we must learn how to deal with them. In doing so we emerge into a higher form, according to the old Greek.

This adversity with which we must deal takes many forms and responding to anxiety disorder and depletion (depression) is maybe one of them. We all have our cross to bear, who is without one? Everyone must face terrible ordeals in life from time to time but we emerge from them stronger and wiser.

For whatever reason the thing that has been sent to try us is high anxiety. And deal with it we can through understanding, therapy, medications and by exploring the revelations of self-help gurus.

It's tough, maybe the toughest test of all, but when we emerge from our battle with anxiety disorder we are stronger and wiser. And yes, everybody can recover from anxiety and depletion no matter how long or how deeply they have suffered.

So when you ask yourself "Why me? Why me to be cursed with this dreadful affliction?" the answer may well be because this is the hardship we must go through to eventually emerge as some higher form of being.

It's only a suggestion of course.

[hzhang35]

As always, great insight!

[Calmonoutside]

Thank you, I needed to hear that

[Babyboomer1960]

Thank you for your post Jeff. I have been going through hell due to unrelenting anxiety that my health care providers refuse to treat adequately for almost 2 months. They are trying to find a psychiatrist to see me, but so far that hasn’t happened. I am in the U.S. and I have health insurance. I live alone, I had to quit my job, there is nothing meaningful that I am able to do. (I have already posted about it on this forum).

What I am going through feels like torture, because I am being denied the adequate amounts of anxiety medication which would allow me to feel more comfortable, tolerate the antidepressant side effect of increased anxiety, eat, sleep, and keep better control of my blood pressure, which has gotten as high as 200/125. I am told that a psychiatrist (that still can’t be found) would need to prescribe it for me. I am also told that even a psychiatrist is found, it may take 4 - 6 weeks to get an appointment. In the meantime, I am rationing the small prescription of Ativan that I have, because my health care provider claims that she can’t prescribe anymore. Sometimes, I feel like I am losing my mind. I have never felt this bad for this long, and I fear that this may end up being something I don’t survive. Without help, there is no hope.

To think that I might emerge from this stronger and wiser is a thread of hope to hold onto. I never thought about that before. I definitely have a better understanding of how intense human suffering can be, so I will probably be more compassionate if I survive and get better. I hope there is a purpose for this, because right now it feels meaningless.

Again, thank you

[Jeff1943]

Babyboomer, I'm sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. I don't understand why your health care provider won't provide you with an effective level of medication. From what you have said, when the level of anxiety disorder becomes overwhelming medications are the route to take. By overwhelming I mean you have had to give up your job because of it.

Babyboomer, maybe you could apply more pressure on your health care provider. Maybe imply that without proper levels of medication your life feels like it's hardly worth living. Drop a few hints like that. The last thing any doctor wants is patients self harming because it reflects on them not doing their job properly. Persistence may pay off in getting you what you need.

If you ever do feel like self harming, Babyboomer, you must go to the nearest hospital emergency room and tell them how you feel and what you feel like doing. That way you should get the help that you need.

But do go see your doctor and make a nuisance of yourself and plant the idea in her mind that "she must take responsibility for your actions".

I do hope you get some relief soon and in the meantime, as I always do, I would suggest you read Claire Weekes' brilliant book "Hope and help for your nerves" available new or used for just a few dollars from Amazon. It will bring you understanding and reassurance and I believe that book will help to lower your level of anxiety. I wish you happier days ahead before long.

[Babyboomer1960 in reply to Jeff1943]

I do have the Claire Weekes book. It is very helpful for the typical anxiety that I deal with. What I am going through now is more like the aftermath of a complete breakdown, brought about by a series of ongoing stressors that eventually just overtook me. I just kept pressing forward through my circumstances until I became thoroughly depleted.

Apparently, over the last few years the benzodiazepine class of medication has fallen out of favor due to concerns of addiction. Basically, they have gone from passing them out like candy, to withholding them from people truly in need. At this point, the benefit truly outweighs the risk for me. I wouldn’t be having this problem getting medication if I had this issue 10 years ago. Bad timing for me, I guess.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Babyboomer1960]

The demonisation of benzos is a tragedy, properly used they are a God send. One has to convince the doctor that one is a 'responsible user' who knows all the so-called pitfalls of benzos and is careful to avoid them. Worth a try.

[Hidden]

it's an optimistic way of looking at things

Thank you

[JAYnLA]

This is exactly the perspective that I hold on to with all my might. Thanks for posting.

[Kkimm]

Really interesting post Jeff

[lillyofthevalley37]

I was listening to a service on radio 4 the other Sunday and in the sermon the priest said that we have to go through hardships to get to heaven, this is so simple but it rings true and there is no better explanation

I believe 100% that there is an afterlife and if heaven is good then I guess you have to earn it

[Spaz119]

Maybe it’s just me but after having anxiety 24 hours for over 40 years, I think the only time anxiety comes in handy is to give you a shot of adrenaline when you’re being chased by a lion 🦁

Sorry, I can be philosophical...too bitter. And anxious 😦

[marheart]

Anxiety gives us the opportunity to explore our life patterns and discover how to improve. I know. What a bunch of krap!

I've learned to ask some people for help. That's a new side of me.

What have you changed that is good?