I am a 41 yr old mom and wife. I have been dealing with anxiety since July 2016. I am here for support as is everyone else.

[Ltown1975]

I hope to help others with my experience and learn from others as well

[Justneedpeace]

I am a 36 year old mom and gf

Dealing with depression and anxiety off an on my whole life

But but have been stuck in a never ending cycle since nov 2015

Still alive but exhausted

[Ltown1975 in reply to Justneedpeace]

I'm exhausted too. I had one good day this week and the other 4 were a challenge

[Justneedpeace in reply to Ltown1975]

My anxiety or depression make it difficult to feel present with my child and make me question my relationship with my bf. Make work hard and frustrating. Getting really sick of this.

[Ltown1975 in reply to Justneedpeace]

Same here. I isolate myself a lot. My daughter most times is my security to go places and to pass time. Work I have cut down to just working 4 1/2 hours a day. Which is still a struggle some mornings. I'm wondering what I need to fix this.

[Hidden]

Thanks Ltown1975. I've learned so much from being in this online support group. While it's sad that so many of us are going through this, it's good to know that we're not alone. Like you, I have that I have in some way helped someone with my words of encouragement.

[Ltown1975 in reply to Hidden]

My husband does not understand it and I don't want to put the stress on my teenage daughter because she has some issues herself. I just wonder if support would be good or if reading about it makes it worse

[Hidden in reply to Ltown1975]

Well, for me....it helps. It helps to communicate with people who understand me. Just like you, my boyfriend keeps telling me to calm down...don't think about your anxiety. Well DUH...you dumb dumb! If I could calm down and not think about it, I wouldn't be having these issues. No one judges me or thinks I'm crazy in this group.

[Ltown1975 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah my husband is the same. "It's all in your head" he says he gets it too but he doesn't let it bother him.

[Hidden in reply to Ltown1975]

Same thing my boyfriend says. He has social anxiety. And he says, he doesn't let it bother him. But I question whether his social anxiety symptoms are as strong as my symptoms.

[Ltown1975 in reply to Hidden]

I use to be a rock. I could handle anything. I remember the day that this started and it was truly from worrying.

[Hidden in reply to Ltown1975]

How and when did this all start for you? And you're still a rock!! You are dealing this crazy thing called anxiety. You're not giving up!!

[Ltown1975 in reply to Hidden]

It started when my 16 yr old told me she was depressed and she was crying and sad a lot so I started taking her to a conselour. Within about 3 trips of taking her I started having anxiety attacks driving home from her appointments. I think I was holding her emotions on my shoulders.

[Hidden in reply to Ltown1975]

Wow. You sure were. Is your daughter better? As a parent, we do have a tendency to carry our childrens issues. That's just what we do. But you have to stop before it destroys you. Then what good are you to your child? Not sure about your faith, but I am a Christian and I pray for God to cover me and my child with his mercy and grace. I also pray for strength to endure whatever comes my way. And that includes anxiety.

[Ltown1975 in reply to Hidden]

I do ask for peace and guidanceI have always had faith. She is not better but she chooses not to put that stress on me so I think she doesn't talk to me about it like she use to which makes me sad because I'm her mom and I should be there for her but with my anxiety it puts stress on me and she knows how bad my anxiety is right now so I think she is dealing with herself

[Hidden in reply to Ltown1975]

Have you'll tried counseling?

[Ltown1975 in reply to Hidden]

She was in therapy. I have not. To expensive

[Hidden in reply to Ltown1975]

Well I'll be your therapist. I won't even charge :)! My minor in college was psychology and I've been told that I'm a pretty good listener. So if you need me, I'm here for you.

[shahnaz1956]

My son with anxiety for long time and he is 26

He does not take medicine it is awaful and broke my family

Without medicine if any one can help

Please

[Kiwimama]

Seems anxiety is quite common for women in their 40's. I've always been a bit of a worrier particularly relating health issues. However full blown anxiety started as I hit 40 and has gradually gotten worse over the past 2 years.

Not very helpful though sorry.

[Ltown1975 in reply to Kiwimama]

I thought it was hormonal so I had blood work done. All that looked okay except I was a little low on vitamin d and testosterone but the doctor did not seem concerned. I still think it is a change I'm going through I just know closer to my period each month it intensifies

[Kiwimama]

Yep thats the one. Eostrogen dominance is often to blame and not something they include in the tests. A naturopath would run a broader range of tests than doctors typically do.

Try upping your progesterone levels with natural supplements such as Evening Primrose oil capsules and natural progesterone cream.

Sunshine without sunscreen for 10 - 15 minutes 2 - 3 times a day will improve vitamin d levels and exercize helps with endorphines.

Try cutting out all caffeine, sugar, white starches, msg and any artificial sweeteners too.

Not a complete cure but helps a bit with balancing hormones and sugar levels at least.

[alan1010]

I'm a 58 year old man who has been suffering with this anxiety and depression iv just been spiralling down 4 the last month just can't get of this merry-go-round it really affects your life iv got a great wife a good son and daughter I always think that there is always something wrong with me I just want a normal life

[Ltown1975 in reply to alan1010]

I feel like I'm on a merry go round to. I just make myself get up and do the things I need to do even when I'm feeling anxious. It helps when the family understands.

[Clurking]

Hi I'm 42 and i have suffered depression/aniety mostly since I was a teenager. I think its getting worse as i get older, and I'm not even going through the menopause. Just so fed up with feeling so sad, tired, i have no urmph anymore. Its a struggle. Don't know how to deal w anymore. Sorry. Rant over.x

[Kiwimama in reply to Clurking]

At 42 you are probably in the early stages of perimenopause. (The stage before menopause) Anxiety is common as it increased pms, headaches and moodiness during this phase. If you already have naturally low serotonin levels which is likely if you've always had problems with depression then they could be impacted by the other fluctuating hormones that are a part of this stage of life. Talk to a dr about this possibility.

[Clurking in reply to Kiwimama]

I did ask doctor if i was in early menopause, my blood tests came back normal. I do think its hormone related tho. Thanks for your reply.x