My struggles …

[Desireehop]

I’ve changed my life around completely. I have stopped drinking stopped vaping and dropped most of my friends … I know I’ve changed for the better … but why is my anxiety worse than it’s ever been ? I feel it constantly and I’m trying everything in my power to stop it. Should I say screw it and turn to medication? I know meds can be worse but also beneficial. im just scared to take that risk. I’m afraid it’s going to keep me from doing things I need to do… I’m meeting my boyfriend’s family next month and I’m absolutely terrified. I overthink all the time. I feel like anxiety is taking over my life now. Does anyone else feel this way ?? I just wish I could feel more comfortable in my skin. If only my anxiety was gone life would be so much easier

[Starrlight]

I hear you. I’m in the process of quiting all that’s bad for me and it’s a challenge for sure. Good for you! I also have quit drinking for 7 months now. I have other bad habits I need to break. I bet the anxiety will go down some after your body has time to readjust. Hoping for that for you.

[teatin]

Im almost in the same boat as you. I quit drinking about 4 months ago, and im planning on quiting vaping at the start of the year. There's nothing wrong with taking medication to make yourself more healthy imo. I'm hoping that your anxiety will be alleviated soon, with or without medication.

[Desireehop in reply to teatin]

vaping is by far the hardest thing for me to quit. The only way I did it was cold turkey. That’s the only way for me

[teatin in reply to Desireehop]

same, ive done it several times and start back up a year later like a goober lolololol

[ICEolation]

Firstly, CONGRATULATIONS on accomplishing all that! Go you! I hope you're recognizing yourself and giving yourself praise for those accomplishments.

Do you drink caffeine? Sugar can also ramp up anxiety. Physical activities really help ease my anxiety and make it manageable. Walking is my favorite.

💜

[PadThaiNoodles]

I've been on an SSRI (escitalopram) for 10 years now. It was a game-changer for me. My depression/anxiety gets the better of me no more than 4 or 5 days a year now.

(I also took a CBT course which was helpful.)

[fauxartist]

Therapy and only therapist prescribed non-addictive medication if your in recovery is fine....staying away from slippery slopes and being with people who are also sober. Life does get better when you have a clear head,....but dealing with depression or anxiety or trauma sober is tough....and it's why I needed both....sobriety and therapy to help me keep sober and also start healing and learning to cope.

[tiggra]

Good job, just take it one day at a time and keep doing your best.

[LifeIsThePitts]

First, you're amazing for the accomplishments you've made so far. Most people can't let go of those tight social ties and habits. I've been where you are and know how hard it is. Congrats 🎉

Cold turkey is the only way I've stopped anything "bad" in my habitual self destructive habits, as well.

Cigarettes, drugs, food...all the same addictions, just different flavors of how they manifested IRL during my lifetime of avoidance with mental health challenges.

I just turned 50 and I'm finally facing and accepting my diagnoses as part of me as a whole and not something that needs to be eliminated or (gasp ) "cured".

GAD, ADHD, PTSD, TRD...the list also includes drug addiction, childhood sexual abuse, abandonment at birth, 7 spine, joint and organ surgeries in 5.5 years. Fun stuff for sure and worthy of placing blame in MANY directions for my decline into the inability to function.

Once I stopped fighting against Reality, attained acceptance for what Is and letting go of whatever illusion I believed should be happening, things started getting better in my mind.

This transition is happening for me right now and I wanted to share with you because I don't take meds either. I used to and that's a whole other nightmare to avoid at all costs.

We will never get rid of anxiety. It's hardwired into our DNA. We have to teach ourselves how to override it when it flares up in unnecessary ways.

Training our brains is the way out. I'm doing float therapy for the first time and I honestly can't believe the difference I feel after 2 sessions in 2 weeks. I'm going weekly for a month as an experiment after recommendation from my TMS clinic. So far it's exceeded my expectations.

Keep posting here. MANY sympathetic and empathetic folks in the same boat with knowledge and wisdom to share.

[Jb31990]

anxiety medication was a life changer for me, don’t be scared to try it. If anything you’ll be able to do more not less! And yes try doing cognitive behavioral therapy, that helped me too.