Why’s my anxiety so elevated???

[Strongest123]

Hello everyone on here. I’ve been feeling pretty anxious lately, and I guess maybe their are a few things triggering my anxieties. For 1, this whole pandemic, with the masks, and washing of the hands. Number two I’m thinking helping my daughter with her online schooling since schools are off, it’s been a handful I must say. And lastly but not least, I ran out of my Trintillex over a month ago, and that I believe might’ve triggered the anxiety. And I have psoriasis and it’s been pretty flared up now over a month. Anyways hope everyone on here is staying safe and trying to look at the positives in their lives. Blessings. SAMSON

[Marysblue]

I'm really into natural supplements, Ashwagandha, l-theanine and Gaba capsules and also teas you can buy for stress. I take a natural supplement for depression 5-HTP. You can find all this stuff online or health food store or vitamin aisle. I also get out and walk 20 to 30 minutes for anxiety.

These are weird times. Stay strong and if I can help let me know

[Strongest123 in reply to Marysblue]

Thank you so very much, I surely do appreciate it. Sometimes I think I’m losing my mind, and that sucks

[Masina1998]

Hey Samson !

About this pandemic situation, you are not alone , we all are getting frustrated . Sometimes knowing that you're not the only one facing that, might be helpful.

About helping your daughter, appreciate it. You are making your best to be a good parent. Your daughter will never forget that . Then you must be proud of youraelf and feel good about it .

And psoriasis. I'm a medical student and almost all of the psoriasis cases have flare and relieve periods. So don't worry about that too

It's gonna be ok 😌💫

[Strongest123 in reply to Masina1998]

Thank you Masina, I know deep down I’ll be fine but damn, can’t wait to get there. Thank you for your support.

[Agora1]

Hi Samson, you are in an ever stressful fear cycle right now. It's like a tumbleweed

that grows bigger and bigger as it blows in the wind and gathers other things in it's way.

Each one of the issues you have on your plate doesn't seem to be getting any smaller but

actually growing.

Once this happens my friend, you have to implement other resources in breaking this cycle as well as getting as much therapy as you need to get through this episode you are in.

It doesn't look like the Pandemic is going anywhere soon and so wearing the mask, washing

our hands and staying distant is going to have to be accepted as a new way of life. As with

anxiety, as soon as you accept it, it can become easier to tolerate.

The online schooling, I will agree has got to be exceptionally stressful.

Add the psoriasis flare up as a constant visual reminder of the amount of stress and anxiety you are under.

And then there's your medication that you have been out of for over a month. Why is that?

Did someone drop the ball on refilling your prescription? If so, that's unforgiveable. That is

more likely the topper on everything else you are dealing with.

All in all Samson, there is no quick fix but there is always a tool we have that can help....and that is our mind. Meditation, Breathing, Relaxation, Mindfulness, Affirmations and anything else that has helped in the past including your exercise, needs to be practiced several times a day without fail. Like food gives your body strength to go on, those other tools I mentioned give your mind the strength to go on and not get so overwhelmed.

Stay in touch with everyone on the forum. This is a most difficult time of our lives right now but together we can stay afloat. Sending you well wishes from my heart. xx

[Strongest123 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you Agora1, you’re definitely a trooper. Sometimes I wish my mind was as strong as my body. I’m trying Agora1, and your help is always a warm welcome. You’re friend. SAMSON

[Agora1 in reply to Strongest123]

Your mind can be as strong as your body Samson.

Just as you work on your body for strength and stamina,

we must also work on our mind to keep it sharp, rational and

in control. You're in a little slump right now my friend.

But I see you being able to pull yourself up when the time is

right for you. Make sure you give yourself 10 minutes "me time".

You deserve it. xx

[Hidden]

Hi Samson,

I’m not sure if you suffered any kind of withdrawal from the trintellix, but I might could see some worsening anxiety if your anxiety was managed fairly okay while on this.

The other thing and this is me, I wake up with anxiety, I can tend to stay hyper focused on it or in the case if my morning is a bit easier I tend to wait for it to come. I may be distracted but It’s lurking in the background per se.

I manage by letting the wave come, it’s going to anyways, it’s a mere part of my nature, an extension of me, I put into practice coping mechanisms like Agora1 mentions. As you know physical exercise is a big part of my management, acceptance is another. I’ll phone a friend (usually this is me texting my daughters to see how their day is going, deflecting my anxiety into distraction), etc. Deep breathing doesn’t work for me at all. 😁😁

I hope you are well and wishing you great day. 🌺💜

[KidatHeart]

Hi Strongest 123,

I’m from the U.S., and am feeling much the exact same things here, too. We’re all in this together - when I realize that SO many others are feeling the exact same things, and worrying about the future, etc., it actually brings a sense of comfort to me because it shows this must be a natural reaction all of us humans have when under unique, prolonged types of daily stress. It reminds me that I’m not “weird or atypical!”

I agree with Agora1 that suddenly being off Trintellix (or any anti-depressant) could be a major factor. Especially as the daylight gets shorter and shorter as we head into winter.

And, as far as decreasing daylight goes, I dusted off my trusty light box about ten days ago and began using it every morning, starting out with 20 minutes every morning and increasing exposure by five minutes until I got up to 40 minutes. After about the third day I began feeling noticeably better, and now the sudden surge in anxiety / depression that hit earlier this month has all but disappeared. This is the fourth year I’ve used light therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder. The phenomenon is real, and light therapy is a HUGE added step I begin using about this time every year. Alaska Northern Lights makes the sort of light therapy boxes that are the correct brightness (10,000 lumen). They have a website, of course. Their lights are made specifically for this purpose and their prices are very reasonable.

Good luck, my friend! You’re not alone!

[Shnookie]

Hi 👋 Strongest. This Shnookie. Going off one of your meds can definitely cause an adverse reaction. If It is a matter of cost,

and U live in the U.S., companies like

AstraZeneca can help U out. There is the

free RX card, from which can save U on

your meds as well. I also started a few mornings ago, turning on disco 💃🏼 music

when I woke up after taking my bills. Made

me feel so good. Pick whatever music U

like. music therapy is very helpful. I was a caregiver to a client who had severe dementia. I would turn on

YMCA buy the village people and she would be dancing 💃🏼 in her chair.

I’m in your corner hugs

[Albertina_G]

Anxiety in a closed environment for such an elongated period of time isn't uncommon and managing kids while managing home can be a handful. As a working parent I can totally sympathize with you.

My advice to you would be to seek medical help or a counselor. This too shall pass. Hugs.

[HD1960]

Have a good day and helping with School can’t be so bad. I have done it with my daughters 7 year old an it is different for sure. Have a good day.

[QuiltLady]

I've been reading about Magnesium lately, it's supposed to have some calming effects on anxiety and depression.

[Strongest123 in reply to QuiltLady]

Really? I’ve gotta check and see if I can take with my meds

[QuiltLady in reply to Strongest123]

Yeah it seems to help me, and I think there are different kinds, do some research and see what's best for anxiety. I take magnesium oxide, the stuff at Walmart, but there may be better types for anxiety at the health food store. I have to check it out yet too.

[hstroller]

Are you still taking pristiq? Does/did it help at all?