Living vs. Surviving

[jocie609]

So I have been struggling with anxiety for as long as I can remember. It started to get worse over the last 8 years and I am frankly tired of being so anxiety-filled all the time. I have been going to therapy since last September and I feel like I have been in survival mode since my adolescence. I want to be able to live and enjoy my life and not just be in fight or flight mode all the time. There's a lot of shame surrounding this condition because I am afraid to take medication for it and because I am not only a Christian but a preacher at that, so I am "supposed" to be anxious about nothing... Are there any medications besides Xanax that help with anxiety that are not filled with horrible side effects?

[Kat63]

Keep coming here - there are a lot of people with the same problems here.

I can relate to what you said about being in survival mode since adolescence. For me, it started as a young child.

Anxiety and depression are diseases that are no respecters of persons. Anxiety and depression don’t care if you’re a preacher or a bank robber. Needing medication does NOT say anything about your worth as a pastor or a person. Many people in high-stress postions or positions of authority suffer from anxiety and depression.

I’m on Prozac and have an Ativan prescription that I use on an as-needed basis. There is nothing wrong with using medicine to bring your brain’s chemicals to a normal condition. If you were diabetic, would you feel bad about using insulin? Depression and anxiety are just as serious.

The way I understand God, he gave us brains to think with and solve problems. The scientists who discover medicines that can help people are doing God’s work, IMHO.

[jocie609 in reply to Kat63]

You know what...you are exactly correct!! I think I get worried about the side effects so I say to myself that I would rather keep the problem that I already have. You are also correct that I would definitely take my medication if I had diabetes or any other health problem.

[Hidden in reply to Kat63]

Very sage advice! This is a great way of describing depression/anxiety. Thank you.

[backtonormal]

I'm so sorry you have been struggling with this for such a long time. I'm not a pastor or preacher but I can imagine how something like this would be harder to deal with if in that position. We know what the Bible says but have a hard time reconciling that to our own thoughts. I don't know how the apostle Paul did it but I always pray for strength & joy like Paul. I agree with Kat63 - I don't think there is anything wrong or shameful to acquire help from medicine. God did create the scientists who created the medicines. There is a wonderful resource that can help guide you and provide Christian counseling if you're interested at 855-382-5433. Also, my daughter is on Lexipro and has great results with little to no side effects (she's in a doctorate program with high stress and lots of anxiety!) Another great book that I read and covers a multitude of mental subjects is by Dr. Carolyn Leaf. She has a few books out but I think the one I read was called "Switch on Your Brain" I believe she also has a few TEDs talks on YouTube. In the meantime, I pray that God will give you the peace and comfort that only He can, that you realize how uniquely created you are and that's a true celebration.

[jocie609 in reply to backtonormal]

Thank you so much for your prayers and thoughts. Yes I watch her on YouTube a lot. My doctor gave me Lexipro but I was afraid to take it so I didn’t. My therapist is helping with my thoughts and my mindset. She is a Christian as well.

[backtonormal in reply to jocie609]

I'm glad you are seeing a Christian counselor. I think that their knowledge both in the real world but also with a Godly perspective is wonderful and most Christian counselors I know pray for their patients and that is powerful. I'm not a huge fan of medicinal remedies but I do know that sometimes they are needed even if it's just for a little while to get things set right in order to see things a little more clearly. You might want to give that Lexipro a try. Like I said, it worked wonders for my daughter. I will continue to keep you in prayer. Lots of love, strength and encouragement going your way.

[Sabio77]

@jocie609 nice to meet you. thank you for reaching out. I understand your position of being a preacher and a Christian, not worrying over anything. But you are still human. I am glad that you are seeing a counselor. Yes, there are other meds to take and what one works for one person may not for another. Every person is different. There are ways naturally to take care of anxiety. You may want to ask your counselor what they are. Also, I will pray for you. sending hugs and encouragement. here for you if you want to talk more. you can pm me.

[jocie609 in reply to Sabio77]

I’m still new to this so I don’t know what pm means lol.

[Sabio77 in reply to jocie609]

pm means private message me.

[jocie609 in reply to Sabio77]

I don’t know how to dm on this website.

[Sabio77 in reply to jocie609]

ok no worries. just write to me on here as a reply to my responses and I will get it that way. how are things going ?

[jocie609 in reply to Sabio77]

Things are going good right now. Today is my boyfriends birthday. How are you doing today?

[Sabio77 in reply to jocie609]

how was the bithday

[jocie609 in reply to Sabio77]

Hi Sabio77...my boyfriend's birthday dinner was very good...thanks for asking!! How are you doing?

[TrustnGod]

Hello jocie609. I feel for you. Knowing what the Bible says and what God has intended for us yet having such a hard time applying it to our lives. I don’t want to be on an SSRI (to be clear I have mad respect for anyone who is on an SSRI. I have nothing against them whatsoever) so I’ve looked into medications that you can buy without a prescription from a doctor. Something that’s really helping is a multivitamin called b-complex. Essentially, it’s a huge dosage of b vitamins as well as other vitamins that are supposed to help with anxiety. It does not take anxiety away, however it really helps me cope with it and allows me to come down from my adrenaline rushes quickly. Before I was unable to rationalize how I felt and now I am able to without having to see a doctor. I also am able to have shorter lasting anxiety and have more periods when I am calm and at rest. There aren’t side effects, just make sure that if you’re going to take it, you take it with food.

~Lia

[jocie609 in reply to TrustnGod]

Thanks Lia!!! I actually take Vitamin B6 & B12! I also take CBD oil drops which seem to help as well...Yeah I have been able to at least pay attention to what's causing my anxiety, which is stress, irrational thoughts, and when I am tired. Some of it may be neurochemical but I am not sure about that. I feel the most calm when I am listening to sermons, music, and journaling. Your screen name is actually what I desire to do more. I am also a semi-control freak which is causing some of my anxiety because you cant control things...God is in control...I am not!!!

[Sabio77 in reply to jocie609]

I am so happy to hear that you are listening to sermons, music, and journaling. don't forget to do breathing exercises and drink lots of regular water. you are doing better than you thought. hugs

[jocie609 in reply to Sabio77]

Thanks!! How are you doing???

[Sabio77]

good. I actually got a nap in. so now I have to stay up to do studying

[jocie609 in reply to Sabio77]

Ok thats great!! Praying for whatever test you have to take or whatever the reason is that you are studying.

[Sabio77]

thank you for your supportive prayers. One can never have enough.

[lillyofthevalley37]

Evening primrose is good for anxiety you can take 2 x 1000mg capsules per day

Fish oil capsules are good too I.take 3 x 1000mg a day