Anxiety

[Jaxson2013]

Does anyone that has anixity and depression make you feel paralyzed to wear you don’t want to get off couch or is that just me

[imasleep123]

Me, except it usually prevents me from getting out of bed

[Jaxson2013 in reply to imasleep123]

How do you get out of it . I don’t even want to bath and I have never been like this

[imasleep123 in reply to Jaxson2013]

Well, my approach is usually to be gentle on myself. I try to relieve all pressure of any obligations or expectations I have of myself or the day ahead of me, and just focus on the bare minimum, which on those days is making it to the edge of the bed and putting my feet on the ground. Once I get that over with, I’m basically like “that’s my accomplishment for the day.” And i allow my self to be satisfied with that even if I get right back into bed.

It helps when I think of this song, while I do it. youtu.be/OORsz2d1H7s(Not working as expected?)

[Jaxson2013 in reply to imasleep123]

I’m on oxygen and have copd and it’s harder on me . I feel like I’m a fetal am I crazy?is this normal with anixity

[imasleep123 in reply to Jaxson2013]

Especially when it comes to having health issues, I think it’s even more reason to be gentle on yourself. Because not only are you battling anxiety, but your health on top of that. That’s two major things. It’s not crazy, and it is hard. When I have health issues, I try to focus on my health first and my anxiety second, above everything else. If you’re struggling because of your copd, maybe try focusing on what your doctors tell you to do for it, if there’s anything more you can do that you aren’t currently doing. Then move on to the anxiety. Healthy body goes hand in hand with a healthy mind.

[imasleep123 in reply to imasleep123]

Well it’s like “at least I am taking care of my health. That is one thing I did today.” You’re on oxygen, so that’s one thing you accomplished. You did something good for yourself. And maybe on a day when you’re feeling better, you can do more things. One step at a time.

[abbeyainscal in reply to Jaxson2013]

One thing is when you’re not feeling the extreme anxiety almost try to “face the feelings”. Hmm trying to think about what I mean. Like reading your post made me think about my anxiety and instead of saying “stuff those feelings down” I let them wash over me. It’s almost like a desensitizing thing if that makes sense?

[abbeyainscal in reply to abbeyainscal]

And one tiny step. Like wash your face, then fold one item of clothing etc. tiny baby steps. That’s what helps me.

[notsureabtlife]

Yes, i get like that! A lot. i have to get up for work, but when i get home i get changed and lay down for hours! it isnt healthy. I started going to the gym and now i have more energy. I try to do the right thing for myself. now i do more, walk my dog more, do stuff around the house. play my piano...try to exercise a little. sometimes it goes a long way! good luck

[Jaxson2013]

Thanks for the encourage words ..

[TrustnGod]

Hello Jaxson. Oh absolutely. It is not just you. My anxiety makes me feel completely paralyzed. I once couldn’t move for an entire week. It happens for a couple of reasons.

1. Your brain is constantly sending signals down to your body and that takes up A LOT of energy. In the average person (aka someone whose brain is relatively balanced meaning little mental health issues), those signals being sent takes up 20% of your body’s daily energy. Add anxiety and depression into the mix and that number is going to go up meaning very little energy for the rest of your body.

2. The mind and body are closely related. If your mind isn’t balanced then your body is going to be off too. A lot of the time my mind tells me not to move because it perceives some false danger that I’m in. My body then obeys and because the idea that I’m in danger all stemmed from my mind, I must first fix what’s going on in my mind in order to then fix my body.

It’s normal and you’re going to be ok.

~Lia

[Jaxson2013 in reply to TrustnGod]

Please give me things to do to get me out of this . I need to move and I can’t seem to get any help . I’m on lexpo and I shake all the time . Plz help if you can . I am screaming out for help but know seems to understand

[TrustnGod in reply to Jaxson2013]

I can give you all the tips in the world but you must apply them yourself in order to get over them. The only person who can help you is you (and God). Remember that.

It’s important to understand what you’re going through. If you’ve been given a clean bill of health, it’s time to accept that and realize the depression and anxiety you’re going through. As I’ve said, they both are a result of chemical imbalances in the brain. That being said, your mind is speaking from the place of these imbalances. It’s going to tell you you’re in danger: you’re not. It’s going to tell you you can’t move: you can. It’s going to tell you a whole bunch of things that aren’t true and you need to accept that what you’re experiencing is all because of the imbalance.

Do you believe in God/have a religion? Prayer is the first thing I try to do when my anxiety is taking me over. Pray for peace and strength to get you through it.

One of the first things you should do is call your PCP or psychiatrist or whoever put you on lexapro and discuss the side effect (shakiness) you’re experiencing. Maybe this isn’t the medication you need and they’re the only ones who can help with that.

Next, take 30 minutes to breathe. Place your hands on your stomach and inhale so that your stomach goes up. Inhale for as long as you need and exhale for as long as you need. Some people do 5 seconds inhale, 5 seconds exhale. I usually do a longer exhale just because it works better for me. See what’s going to work for you. I do that when I get really antsy and it is one of the only things that helps.

Self affirmations. If you can’t get to a mirror then open the camera on your phone and repeat these: “I am safe. I am healthy. I am strong. I am going to make it through.” And repeat that.

Lastly, HAVE PATIENCE WITH YOURSELF. while anxiety and depression are not an immediate threat to your physical health, they are damaging to your mental health. There are going to be days when you forget you have this illness and can function normal in society and there are going to be days when you can’t. Healing from anxiety and depression isn’t a linear line. It’s a whole bumpy road full of ups and downs but you can get back to a “normal” state of being where you’re not being run by the constant feeling of fear.

Healing is a long road but it is a possible.

~Lia

[Jaxson2013 in reply to TrustnGod]

Thank you , I feel like that will help me going back and read this . I feel like my mind has a throne in it and I’m waiting on relieve . Thank you so much

[LadyO4]

I can relate to what you are saying - there have been seasons of my life where I slipped into a depression and obsessed over it to the point of not wanting to live. But in my heart I knew that is not where I belonged, and knew that God did not create me to feel so lifeless. I understand.

Have you been able to determine what has caused your anxiety and depression? It's different for people, and once you uncover the root cause, you can begin to find answers that will pull you of it and bring you to safety. Hope is always within reach, it's just a matter of where to look for it. I would love to share more if you're interested. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts.

[Jaxson2013 in reply to LadyO4]

Yes I would love to hear more

[Hidden in reply to LadyO4]

I would love to hear more also as I am struggling to stay alive

[LadyO4 in reply to Hidden]

Take a look at what I just wrote to Jaxon.

[LadyO4]

Hi Jaxon - thanks for reaching out. Trying to discern why people feel so trapped all the time really requires the intelligence of a functional doctor, but for now, I can share with you what I have discovered in my own journey towards being made whole again. Knowledge is power, and once you determine what brought about your own depression, you can start applying strategies and methods to help yourself.

1. Depression can be genetic, seasonal, or situational. Can you remember a time when you didn't struggle with depression or anxiety?

2. Depression can be the result of believing lies, past or present, which shapes your self perception and wires your brain to respond to any situation that reminds you of past threats. What threatens you the most?

3. Depression can be the result of unmet expectations, unrealistic high expectations put on ourselves or from an outside source, fear of failure, personality clashes, broken relationships, low self-esteem and low self-worth (most likely brought about from childhood experiences), and many other reasons. What do you struggle the most with in your thought life?

4. Depression can be the result of a poor diet and an undisciplined lifestyle. Yes, the gut is closely connected to the brain and they affect each other. Do you think you would ever be able to change your diet?

5. Exercise helps activate the production of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, our "feel-good" hormones. How much daily exercise are you getting?

6. Depression includes all the functions of our body, soul, mind, and spirit - they all overlap, and when one is hurting, they all hurt. If you could pull apart each of these categories, what would say about yourself for each one?

Let's talk more when you have the chance.

[Hidden in reply to LadyO4]

Depression also results from trauma. I am living proof of that. I was never depressed in my 61 years until trauma occurred 😢

[LadyO4 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, absolutely - I agree 100%

[Sprinkle1]

hello I just read your email, and felt all the pain and confusion you are dealing with. It is a wicked thing of nature to strike so many of us, to bad there is not a universal pill they can give us to get us out of this living hell. When I am paralyzed I spend a lot of time in my lovely bed. I find listening to nice quiet music helps calm me, I meditate, that is a big help. I know I need to exercise, but that is only on my "think" list at this time. I know it is good, I have been thru too many of these ugly trips. In fact I am surprised I am still alive after 2 suicide attempts, but I promised myself no more. I try to find understanding Doctors and psychiatrists, I take the med,s but they come back and bite me as I build up a tolerance. So it is hard , I can relate to you. I need someone I can talk to about this crazy stew in my head, thankfully I have a wonderful therapist and I see her twice a week, that and I just had my MD change my Antidepressant and I think it is working. so if you want to compare notes let me know I am Sprinkle 1, and I send you love, hugs and a peaceful brain. xxx

[Jaxson2013 in reply to Sprinkle1]

Sprinkle1 thanks for reaching out to me and when I’m in the mindset it’s just hard to be normal thinking and or when I have to think about the simplest thing I can’t focus on nothing . I watch my grandson after. School and I have notice that has started acting pantic and I’m not sure if it’s because of me . I think a lot of mine is loneliness and being on oxygen. Before I got sick and being put on oxygen . I had a hair salon for 27 years and clean office at night to sitting home and have lost contact with friends and to just being home all the time . And then I lost my house in2009 and I have been in a struggle ever since then.i don’t know if it’s all that or what is causing me to act like this . I love life and always was happy and now all I do is eye and feel awful in my body and mind . And feel like know one cares and I know they do. I don’t think about hurting myself but I just want to get to the root of what is trigging this and hope someone could help me find what is going on . I go to the doc but they just tell me I’m depress and give me meds that work . So if you know of anything that helps you if you don’t mind sharing it with me I’ll try it cause I want release so bad . I pray all the time and then I try to be patience with everything . Thank you for reaching out to me and I wish u well also

[Sprinkle1 in reply to Jaxson2013]

Hello, I call this living in hell, and sad to say I have had a few bouts with it, I love life, but sometimes find myself wishing I could die to stop the pain. I know getting on the right med's is very important. Finding a support group is a big help, there is a group call NAMI it is around the world, go on line, there may be one near you.We need to be around kind supportive people, but that is not always available. I meditate, can you do that, it is a good way to relax body and mind, you can get them on CD's, and they help with sleep which we generally do not get enough good quality sleep. Sounds like the last decade has been very difficult for you, for which I am sorry.I like to do those coloring books and they are a good distraction, don't cost much. Are you able to walk with your oxygen? Perhaps you could go to a local mall, window shop and walk. I volunteer at the local library and love it, can you do something that would get you out of the house and around people. I am joining a book club, I love to read, so hope to meet some like minded people in the group.

Believe in yourself and love yourself, you are a special person and we do care about you, I send you love, peace and big hugs.....Sprinkle 1 xxx

[NoRegret]

It does happen to me also.

Sometimes it is so hard to change the chain of thought,

but for me that is what I always need to do.

I found that when I recognize that I am paralyzed,

I need to engage...in anything other than my current thought.

Take your thoughts by the horns Jaxson2013

[avisonzoey]

Anxiety sabotages my entire life, especially now, during the pandemic. Though I found a nice article that kinda helped me get up in the morning and do things: thriveglobal.com/stories/ho...