Anxiety has created Depression

[randolpr]

Hello. I have been suffering from anxiety since I was a child. I started taking anxiety medication and I no longer want to be dependent on this medication and it isn't as affective. Just recently it has created an element of insomnia. I just prayed and I hope this is the right starting point. When do you have group meetings?

[Krn210]

Hi Randolpr! Welcome to the group. To answer your question, we do not have any physical group meetings. However; we’re all here for you virtually 24/7. You can come here whenever you would like to make a post or search previous posts from others. We’re here for you. ❤️

[AnxiousSilver]

Welcome to this group.

Like Krn210 said, we don't have an "official meeting schedule", we are a community that is here to support others 24/7/365.

[Hidden]

Hey Randolphr and welcome. I had to respond to you regarding anxiety creating depression. I too have had anxiety since my teens, over 25 years now. I never considered myself depressed for much of that time. Took Benzodiazepines for years. Now taking Lexapro and was able to stop Benzo’s completely this past year. But here’s the thing; and this is just in my case. Years of anxiety is exhausting. Constant fight or flight. At some point, after all the years, it all just caught up with me and depression set in. Maybe if we have a propensity for anxiety, we also have a propensity for depression. Idk, I’m not a specialist in this stuff, but I do believe that my many years of taking Benzo’s sort of numbed me from addressing why I was so anxious. I now have a good therapist who taught me this: Anxiety is just around to tell you that something in your life is not right. Now I get it. Wish I had gotten that mental memo earlier in life, although I might have rejected that theory back then. 😀 Insomnia is something that I’m now left with as well, but don’t want to take any more pills. I use melatonin and sometimes Benadryl if it’s really bad.

Just wanted you to know that I relate to what you’re going through. This forum can really help give you different ideas, perspective, and support. Share whatever you’d like, whenever you’d like some support. Also, helping others here can be great therapy. Wishing you all the best. ❤️

[BrownPaperTowel in reply to Hidden]

I heard on a podcast with a respected brain guy (Karl Deisseroth) that it is very common for people who experience a year of anxiety untreated is almost always a path for depression. I could link you the podcast if you're interested!

[Hidden in reply to BrownPaperTowel]

Absolutely, I appreciate that👍

[BrownPaperTowel in reply to Hidden]

youtu.be/w9MXqXBZy9U?t=818(Not working as expected?)

It's time stamped for you as well. I'd highly recommend the entire podcast and Karl is truly one of the most brilliant people of our generation. His book Projections is beautiful as well as incredibly insightful and helpful for anyone struggling with or looking to understand better mental health/illness.

[Hidden in reply to BrownPaperTowel]

Thank you so much for this. I will touch base with you when I finish it!

[BrownPaperTowel]

We're all here for you brother. I definitely went through a phase where I did not want to take medication for it, stopped got back on etc.

For me, personally, I thought the medicine wasn't working as well, but I was also expanding my habits because I thought I was okay.

I.E. I was smoking weed, taking on way more responsibility at my job maybe than I was ready for etc.

I'm not saying this is the case for you, but try and make a list of your stressors and what you are doing during these times. It may not work for you but it certainly helped me.

I stopped consuming cannabis, I don't have a job currently but I lost it to being laid off so it doesn't bother me that much. I started working out more, even if its just 10 minutes of walking on a treadmill, you'd be surprised at how much getting your heart rate up even a little helps your day in the long run.

A lot of this may not apply to you sir, but if any of it does I hope it helps you and were here for you!