What to do...

[Marci671]

Hi I’m new here. I suffer from major depression and anxiety. I am also bipolar. But right now my symptoms are the depression and anxiety. I am medicated for the bipolar and depression but not for the anxiety. I don’t much care for the way those meds make me feel. Loopy and tired. How do you deal with your anxiety? I have several hobbies but even when I’m trying to do that I find myself all tensed up. Any suggestions?

[Hidden]

Hi Marci! Welcome to the group 😊 I’m glad you found this app/website. It has helped me so much and I hope we can give you the support you need! I love this because I can give others support as well and receive support as well.

I don’t blame you with the anxiety meds. I have to take xanax for a few days and I feel so loopy, tired and mostly just out of it! Sure it helps calm my nerves but I won’t be taking this forever. What hobbies do you enjoy doing? I usually get tense doing the hobbies around others since I have performance anxiety. I have tried Yoga 🧘‍♀️ before but I felt too weak even doing that using all different muscles so it caused me to be tense and shake a bit. Taking deep breaths had helped me a bit! Also like listening to relaxing music too.

[Marci671 in reply to Hidden]

Hi! My favorite hobby is crochet. But I’ve noticed that I tense up and start clenching my jaws when I do it. Even though it’s supposed to relax me. I enjoy it and I can’t understand why I’m so tense all the time. I mean I know I have a lot going on in my head. But I talk to a therapist about it. I just feel like I’m never gonna feel normal. 😥

[Pugglesworth]

Hi.

I also suffer from depression and anxiety, but I'm not bi-polar. I think depression and anxiety are two sides of the same coin. Right now I'm coming off my meds (with doctor's help) because they are making me sick. We're going to try something new. I also get tensed up in my chest and jaw. I use tapping, EMDR and I do Qigong to help. I also exercise.

The tense muscles suck. I try to relax: sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[HisDaughter]

I am glad you are talking to a therapist. That is very helpful even though you continue to have the same symptoms. There are other medications for anxiety besides Xanax. My doctor gave me Remeron for anxiety, which you take at night. I think walking outside can help you. It can be relaxing while you also get some exercise. I would recommend to continue to meet with your therapist and the doctor who is prescribing your medications. Sometimes it takes some time to find the right medications that provide help.