I need help

[Princemalik]

I have been struggling with anxiety and depression for a long time now and it affect my decision and daily life. I have lost a lot of friends over time. And I can't even talk to strangers. I don't like the feeling of the low self-esteem it gives me. Does anyone feel this way too.

[Hidden]

Yes, I feel similar to this as well.

[Hidden]

Yes!

I'm sick of it!

I want to feel better....

I have really just been working hard on myself!

What do you do for self care?

[Princemalik in reply to Hidden]

I am thinking of going to the gym, I was told that regular exercise helps reduce stress.

[Hidden in reply to Princemalik]

It totally works. Literally in the brain chemicals. I work out hard to hard music.

I also smoke weed to help...

Lots of aroma therapy and music too!

[Hidden]

It's pretty much a given that happens to so many of us here. I know I've gone through what you do. I've grown more adapted to it over the years. It doesn't feel good for sure. Still having this site to meet others that go through this same stuff tends to give you support and strength even though we are strangers. Hope you find it easier to talk here cause so many of us are strangers to one another at the start until you cross over with out even knowing it. Many I have met here I am not sure I can entirely call them strangers anymore because we message directly back and fourth a lot for years. So yeah speak your truth here and I hope you find it as therapeutic as I have found it.

[Princemalik in reply to Hidden]

I am glad I have people to talk to when I am feeling this way, I will keep in touch to improve on my mental health.

[Hidden in reply to Princemalik]

Sure, connecting helps, even if it serves a distraction.

[kjaylah]

I was in a crippling state where I wasn’t even able to buy things at shops because it involved interacting with people and I had such bad social anxiety. I had CBT.

My therapist was great- but she basically said, what are you scared of?

It would be beneficial to you to write down what causes your anxiety and then look at it from a realistic perspective.

For example I was worried that I would stumble over my words when interacting and look really stupid and get judged/ ridiculed for it. I was asked if that had happened before- yes I had tripped over my words- was I ridiculed? Only by myself....

Sometimes the worst critic is yourself.

Anxiety is your brain reacting to threats, it’s a natural thing, however those of us with anxiety disorders create threats where there aren’t threats.

Work out what’s you’re scared of and what’s the worst that can happen if you talk to someone- ok so maybe they think you’re a bit weird- oh well- their loss... most likely they won’t, most likely it’s only you that thinks that way.

Perhaps set yourself goals to talk to people you wouldn’t usually talk to that don’t mean much to you- so if you do ‘mess up’ and want to hide for a year- then it’s no loss to you because it’s only a random person from the local store rather than your crush.

I hope you can follow my ramblings and I hope it helps

[HarryBags]

Hang in there brother. Just try your hardest to get through the difficult situations and rest aswell. Give you mind rest. Excercise is good but dont put too much pressure on your self. Be kind to yourself. Try to be kinder and kinder to yourself and build on this regularly.

[Hidden]

I know the feeling!!!!!

[Funkyfaerie]

Sorry you are feeling this way. The gym is good and I've heard that cold water swimming is invigorating and can lift your spirits.

Keep on trucking, it's hard, but stay on here and talk. It's been the best place for me. I would say I am 90% better now, for talking on here, people understand each other and are kind.

Best Wishes

[Princemalik in reply to Funkyfaerie]

I feel much better talk here and knowing that I am not the only one going through this. I know I am improving when I hear people talk about things that I have been through before but I am still struggling to stay calm in public and relate normally. But I know it takes time and I am ready to face it.

[Funkyfaerie]

You are not alone with the social anxiety, it's a difficult one. I used stay in because of it, but my life just became an existence. Now I go out more, meet friends family etc. Although I can feel myself tensing up, holding my breath, strange anxious habits, that make me feel tired and drained when I get home. I suffer a lot with neck and shoulder tension /pain because of this.

But as I said I am so much better than I was when I first joined this forum.

[Myre]

I experience anxiety an d a persistent loss for words all the time, I struggle to speak up even on this platform but it feels good to know that others can relate.

[Hidden]

Yes Princemalik. It occurs pretty much daily all day. It's horrible having anxiety and trying to cope with it during this Pandemic makes it worse for us who literally suffer from it..

You mentioned you lost a lot of friends over time and I too can relate to that. I have a few that were loyal enough to stay and continue our friendship. One is enough for me and I'm thankful for two. Is there a friend that did see how much worth you have as we all have worth, and did stay loyal that you can text or email?

I too fail to see that we are all worthy most times too and my Therapist reminds me twice/week.

Do you see a Therapist?

Are there different groups in your area like any clubs, book clubs, taking a gym membership out where you pay monthly and try it for a few months? They say exercise is good for the psyche and gets the endorphins going, those feel good hormones..you could meet people at the gym.. walking a walking track is good too.. music is healing, if you have panic attacks then deep breathing from the deep gut called Diaphragmatic Breathing..just a big term for taking several slow big deep breaths...

I'd make a list of things you enjoy and start there..also if there's a family member , friend or any neighbors you can text and say hello to?

Take the list and then try to turn into action steps for one thing you enjoy , or more...to a person suffering from anxiety, it seems like an insurmountable obstacle however there's no rush..you do this in your own time...if it's something you think might be helpful.

Keep me updated. Remember you are worthy and it's hard for those of us who've lost friends to believe it however believe it.

I'm always here for you as well as a lot of supportive people that I'm seeing are here.

[pamb67]

Yes i feel unworthy and constantly obess over my body and have low self esteem and keep comparing myself so ir not alone i have anxiety to