WILL IT EVER END???

[CoolWhip]

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well. So I’ve been on this journey for about a year and I know I’ve made tremendous progress but I still don’t feel “normal” or how I used to feel. I’m never at peace and some days are better than others but I have so many physical symptoms every day and I’ve been on medication for a year and I’m not sure if this is normal? I just recently increased my medication and I feel it’s helped with some of the symptoms but now I feel really weak, tired, and dizzy. I’m just curious if I’ll ever be symptom free or feel normal again. Thank you all for your support and I hope you all are having success in your journey.

[LoveforAll41]

Hi CoolWhip. I for one don't think things will ever end for me, BUT I think that I can change my thoughts and coping skills to the point where I will not have to feel it is a terrible struggle.

I think that 'normal' is hard to get back to. So much changes. As you said you have made tremendous progress so I hope that you can celebrate that. I truly believe that we can all find peace through one method or another.

I think the symptoms can be a trade off. Can you be sure it is caused by the medication? I have started having weird bouts of nausea and I am still trying to decide if I should lower my meds even though I feel they have helped quite a bit mentally. I am going to try to take half and take it twice a day and see how that goes.

So I don't think the things that make me prone to anxiety or depression will ever end, but I think that the struggle can and will! I wish you peace, hope, and strength

[CoolWhip in reply to LoveforAll41]

Thank you for your amazing response and I guess I’m ok with not being normal or I should say my old self cause I do believe the new me is better in many ways I guess I just wished that I didn’t feel the way I do and it’s still hard for me to believe that this all came out of nowhere and I still don’t understand how I got to this point and that life can just be flipped upside down in an instant. I’m sure if I give the medication more time I will start to feel better but a lot of times I just have this sinking feeling that it is something entirely different. I have done so much research and heard so many people stories and it’s so far off from my own and I know everyone is different and everyone’s journey is different but I’m just confused and don’t know what the right path to take is.

[nmgarcia]

I'm sorry that you don't feel too great. Unfortunately a lot of medications (at least in my experience) that can help with anxiety will often make us feel dizzy and disoriented. There was a time period in my late teen years when my mental health took a deep dive and I began the medication that I'm on now (treats both depression and anxiety). I noticed that I always felt "out of it" and a little off. Like my consciousness wasn't fully there. It was a really weird feeling and it lasted a very long time until I eventually just got used to it. I am really grateful for my medication because I personally would rather feel a little "out of it" than overwhelmed with anxiety and depression. Unfortunately though, when I go through traumatic events, such as I am right now, that overwhelming mental illness takes over again and even medication isn't helping. It's really really really hard to live with these disorders. I hope you can feel adjusted to your new medication soon and that it will greatly benefit you overall. Take care.

[CoolWhip in reply to nmgarcia]

Thank you for your amazing response and I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through a traumatic event I really hope it gets better. I’ve had my share of traumatic events the last year and I know how bad it can be when you already suffer from anxiety and depression. I guess my big problem is that I always thought this what temporary and I was told that by therapist and other professionals but the more I read and explore it seems that this is possibly for life and I really need to make peace with that.

[nmgarcia in reply to CoolWhip]

I'm sure the feeling will get better, either it fades away or you just get used to it and it won't bother you anymore. It's really hard to tell, sometimes you just have to wait and see. Waiting is my worst enemy, it can be so hard and you can feel so impatient, but all you have to do is hope and keep an open mind. I hope you feel better soon 🌼

[CoolWhip in reply to nmgarcia]

I hope so. I just want to live without having to feel uncomfortable all the time. It’s hard to enjoy life when you feel this way and you’re in your head constantly. I feel bad for my kids and I don’t want them to see me weak and I don’t want this to keep me from being present in their life but sometimes it’s so hard to push myself to do things with them cause of what I feel.

[MarileeKemp]

For my personally, I know I’m always going to struggle with this and it’s beyond frustrating. I do all the things like therapy, medication and fitness but I’m never going to feel normal. I think it’s finding a version of normal that works for you.

[CoolWhip in reply to MarileeKemp]

Very well said and I think that is why I’m no longer making progress because I have this illusion that this is something that can be fixed and instead I should just be making peace with it and trying to live my best life. im a bit of a perfectionist so that makes it kinda you.

[CoolWhip]

I’m doing ok but I know it’s too soon to tell.

[sabres4love]

I understand how you are feeling because I feel the same way! I have been dealing with terrible anxiety and depression for this entire year now. At times it seems to be improving, but then other times (like right now) it comes roaring back. Everyone says, "give it time" but it has already been SO much time! I feel like will never get back to a version of myself that I am happy with. I am sorry you are dealing with this also. This is an awful condition that I wouldn't wish on anyone. I hope we can both find ways to feel better soon. Take care of yourself.

[CoolWhip in reply to sabres4love]

It’s comforting knowing you’re not alone but at the same time it’s not cause you know someone else out there is suffering just like you. I’m sorry that you’re going through this and I hope that you can find a way to feel better and I know that if I find a way I’ll be sure to share it. Thank you for taking the time to respond and reminding me that we’re not alone in this fight.