Just an update

[Llama00]

I've taken some of the advice that I've gotten here. I started therapy again and medicine for the first time. I'm going to the gym for the first time this weekend which is new because of social anxiety. I'm trying to be positive which isn't my normal but it's hard and I'm not feeling well at all.

[Agora1]

Llama00, give yourself time to readjust to the new you. It will happen. Medication

needs time to work as well as therapy. Nothing comes easy but the benefits are

well worth it. Start your exercise slowly. Remember exercise will release your

Endorphin level making you feel good after a time.

Thank you for giving us an update. Take it one step at a time. I'm proud that you are

going forward and not staying stuck any longer. Good Luck and keep us informed of

your progress. xx

[Llama00 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you. I know its progress but I still feel the same. I just feel alone and terrible.

[Agora1 in reply to Llama00]

Llama, I hope things change for you soon and you start feeling better

day by day. xx

[Llama00 in reply to Agora1]

I hope so as well. It just I've been like this for years.

[Agora1 in reply to Llama00]

So had I Llama, 30 years to be precise including 5 years of Agoraphobia.

I never gave up during that time. It was exhausting to say the least.

Friends left, family put me down, I was left on my own to deal with this

invisible issue that no one understood.

I had years of therapy and medication. But it felt like one day went into

another with no change.

I then did some deep soul searching. There had to be something I was missing.

Medication was no longer working and I had really heard it all in therapy over and

over during the years. And then the light went on Llama. I was not applying

myself to what I had been hearing all these years. I basically was sitting back hoping

that the meds and/or therapy would do their magic w/o me...

Once I started moving forward and acting on what I had learned through therapy, I felt myself getting closer to my goal. I did make it to the end of the rainbow. And life

is amazing. I could have cut out so many years of struggling, had I done this sooner.

I am off all benzos, I meditate each and every day and I use breathing technique.

It's hard work but once you find the key to the door, you realize it wasn't locked to begin with. Our minds were holding the door closed xx

[Llama00 in reply to Agora1]

I can try, I know everyone's different. I just started therapy again so I'll try to learn and give a while before I give up.

[Hidden in reply to Llama00]

That's the spirit!👍

Rooting for you: go, Llama, go!🤸‍♀️

[Llama00 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I hope things change soon I'm tired of feeling this way.

[Hidden in reply to Llama00]

I bet. Just a head's up that it might take awhile before you start feeling better.

[Llama00 in reply to Hidden]

Yea I've been told and I hate it but I guess it's better than nothing.

[Hidden]

Well done for taking these positive steps!! Like Agora says, give it time. The more you take these steps the easier it should become. Starting something new is always the hardest step.

Proud of you👏👏👏

[SKCW]

Great job! All steps in the right direction. Be kind with yourself. You might also try taking some vitamin D. I know that might sound a bit woowoo, but my doctor told me that I was really low, and I really felt a change when I started adding it regularly, within reason, of course, but something that seemed to help. There are things that you can do to help retrain yourself mentally (cognitive behavioral therapy) and things that you can do physically. Think of it all as building up more and more forces to gradually turn the ship around. Also, try to find music, videos, etc. to uplift you. On really tough days, this may sound weird, but have a good mug of hot cocoa made with warned up milk and 60-70% dark chocolate and a bit of sugar. It has a suprising way of helping trigger all the right brain chemicals. Also, try to get your mind rolling in positive directions. When we listen to negative thoughts 24-7, it's no wonder one feels down. Try noticing the things that go well, every little thing. You may have heard of people keeping gratitude journals, which may sound strange, but it is a concrete way to reverse the negative thinking process. This person smiled at me, that person held the door..that was really nice. And do things to extend out of yourself, because when we're depressed we spiral down into ourselves. Finding ways to do nice things for others, even as small as holding a door open or giving up a seat, etc., all those will come back to restore you in ways. It is a relief to get out of one's own mind, too. Keep going, really keep reminding yourself of every triumphant step. Peace of mind to you

[Llama00 in reply to SKCW]

Yea I am low on vitamin d. The cognitive therapy is something my therapist brought up that we would try in the future.