Need To Hear Success Stories

[Rooster2020]

Hey everyone I’m just looking for some positive reinforcement from people who have had anxiety drag them to the lowest points in their life but found ways to overcome it. I’ve always been an anxious person but haven’t really had it amplify until the last month or so to the point where I’m starting to realize I actually have a disorder. It’s new for me cause at 26 I felt like the way I managed stress, while not necessarily healthy, wasn’t anything detrimental. But after going through a weeklong period of almost daily panic/anxiety attacks and obsessing for weeks over something being medically wrong with me such as cancer or a tumor it’s really affected my body. I took Lexapro for two days but called my PA and told her it spaced me out and basically made everything worse. That was about a month ago but I still have constant dizziness and eye strain mixed with pressure on the front of my head. I feel physically normal though besides the issues with my head and vision and still find myself laughing with coworkers throughout the day but the constant feeling in my head and eyes increases my anxiety. I’ve done tons of research on it and can see that obviously these are symptoms of the stress released chemicals in your body. I’m really just looking for anyone who may have went through the same thing or something similar and has come out the other end sane and better. Or any words of encouragement at all!

P.S. I’m trying to use naturally remedies before I commit back to medication because I had such a shock experience with it but I’m starting to see that I may ultimately need it. I’ve gone to two counseling sessions over the last month and that does seem to help but doesn’t ultimately solve the physical issues.

[BlueSky125]

I’ve gone through periods of time similar to what you are experiencing. What have you found to be helpful in your counseling sessions so far.

[Rooster2020 in reply to BlueSky125]

My counselor has recommended not only journaling but a way to counteract irrational thoughts that may drive anxiety or unhappiness. Such as writing down the negative or reactive thoughts you’re having and then go back and right the rational thinking beside it. Definitely feel like it’s a good practice but I have physical symptoms that I feel need to be alleviated before I can fully works towards mental wellness techniques.

[LiveandLetLive42]

Read my post about how I managed and accomplished!!

[Rooster2020 in reply to LiveandLetLive42]

Thank you! I actually hopefully have a big move out of state coming up in June that I’m really betting will refresh a lot about life for me. Currently in a job I don’t love and it feels like my life is on hold while I wait for other things to move into place leading up to June. Thanks for your inspiration!

[LiveandLetLive42 in reply to Rooster2020]

Absolutely!! I’m so happy to hear about your move and everything else will fall into place. Especially the job! I know what that’s like all too well 🤢 I was so stuck. The move should help!

[Sunnidayz1]

Hi! Yes, I have improved my life after struggling w anxiety and depression for a few years. With hard work it is cureable. You can do it! Try not to get bogged down w a diagnosis or what they say is a chemical imbalance. What has helped me is exercising and yoga. Mindfulness meditation and grounding techniques helped me. Parts therapy helped me too. Also learning about myself and accepting me for me has helped as well. Also my relationship w God has helped me too.

Keep coming back to this site. Just talking about your experiences will help. Theres a great community here.

XxSunni

[AuraAethyr]

I suffered with anxiety so terribly after losing my sons father to suicide in April. I didn't think I would survive it, and I almost didn't. A couple of things that might help (depending what you prefer) are Polyvagal Theory and The Healing Code.

[Rooster2020 in reply to AuraAethyr]

Thank you for the specific theories. That’s the kind of info I’ve been looking for.

[Cathy63]

CBD has helped me with my anxiety. I no longer feel like I'm in constant fight flight. I know this might not be an option for everyone. It's legal where I live but might not be in other places.

[Rooster2020 in reply to Cathy63]

I’ve actually been using it on and off and it does seem to help. But I also feel like I’ve had times that it’s caused me to have tremors or work my brain up.

[Cathy63 in reply to Rooster2020]

I haven't had that happen. I take it in the evening. I don't know if that would make a difference.

[Lm92]

I can't comment on natural remedies as none have worked for me, but I know counseling has been a significant help. When you're in the throes of anxiety the way you are now, I just don't see a couple of visits a month being sufficient. Typically, especially with CBT, one starts going 2 to 3 times per week and then tapers off to once a week, once every 2 weeks, etc. Right now I'm at a point where I have a visit once every 3 months, but if I need a visit or 2 in between, that's okay too.

[Kainan]

Medication might be a good idea because it can help take the edges off and help restore the balance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. It does take several weeks to start to have a therapeutic effect, so you may have to keep with it for a while. You might feel worse off at first, but it's part of the process. And then along with medication, you can put your other practices into effect, so that you can build up and maintain healthy habits and medication will become a maintenance sort of thing.

[Fun-Guy7000]

Your story sounds very familiar to me. I have found that my hyper-aware state has served me well so many times in the past that I just accepted it, and to shut it down used alcohol...That all changed last year after getting a DUI with as you may have guessed, a BAC of .399. I have been sober since March 19,'19, and am still learning how to deal with Depression and Anxiety without self-medicating. The other negative thing that these 2 things have caused in my life was a need to be controlling...I'm learning that there is very little that I can change around me, so, I try not to control it or LET IT CONTROL me. It's basically the same thing. Keep moving forward, we're all in this together.