Do we actually get better?

[guynfl2chat]

First of all appreciate this community and the support and encouragement we give each other. Its truly great. I sometimes wonder if actually can completely feel better? I mean I manage it ok, but sometimes it can be really strong and last for days. I go away from home and its like a break, but when I get back to work/home it seems I get back into the same rut I had before. Does anyone else feel that way? I guess I try (in my mind) to break the cycle of my negative thoughts, but they keep coming back. Somedays they are stronger. I dont need meds all the time, but sometimes they just allow me to cope. Can anyone recommend an effective way to break the cycle of boredom/anxiety and overthinking? I appreciate your feedback

[Krazie]

Dear Guy, I can tell you, based on my personal experience, that it is possible to get better. I once suffered from waves of psychotic depression, intense anxiety, and episodes of suicidal ideation. To say every day was a walking nightmare would not be an exaggeration.

I struggled with this, not telling anyone, because it was the days of putting people into psychiatric hospitals, and giving shock treatments. When SSRI's first come on the market, I decided to try. It made a world of difference, and I wondered what had taken so long. After years on antidepressants, the effects seemed to dull. I also had years of counseling to learn new coping skills during this time. So I can't give medication all of the credit.

Here we are today. I have quit taking one of the meds I was on, Celexa, while continuing to take Trazodone, for sleep. After a couple of months, I began to feel a slump in mood. I am trying ionic magnesium chloride, along with GABA. I suggest you research the benefits of these two products. Both are easily available without a doctors prescription. I couldn't say if they would be right for you. For me, I am beginning to feel an uplift in mood, but it is too soon to say that it is due to the magnesium and GABA. I typically have mood swings. Several years ago, I changed my diet to eating more fruits and vegetables, especially when raw. I buy as much organic as possible. I never eat red meat, except for organic, and only in tiny amounts to use as flavor as flavoring stews, etc. I eat poultry a lot.

All in all, the psychotic depression episodes and extreme anxiety became much further apart, years apart, and only then when under extreme stress. So, I can say that, yes, it is possible to get better. It may take years of searching to find what is right for you, but the end result is well worth the search. Life can good, the down side can be coped with, until better days arrive. The extremes of mental illness can get better. Just hang, Guy, life has more to offer than constant misery.

I would like to mention your problems with negative thinking. When we are raised in a toxic environment, we tend to develop negative thinking patterns, along with other issues that need to be straightened out once we are adults. I highly commend you for recognizing your negativity. It is important to overcome such thinking. Here is what i did to change my thinking to more of a positive tone. Watch myself. When I caught negative thoughts, I would change them to something more positive. for example: 'that is an ugly person'. I would look at the person, and try to find something more positive about them. It could be that once I looked, I found the person actually has pretty eyes, or lustrous hair, or nice shaped lips, a great laugh; could be anything. This same principle can be applied to anything: take a good look around, listen to how great the birdsong sounds, notice how someone is helping another, and I would tell myself how super that is, and how I will look around and see if I can help someone, too. Pick up a rock and notice the color, weight, structure, and wonder how it was made so well. Take round rocks home and have a painting party with the kids. Practice saying nice things to people and say them. Anything else you can think of.

Changing negative thinking to positive thinking takes a lot of practice, diligence, and patience with yourself. It can be done. Remember the only time you fail is when you give up. Don't give up!

[jessiejakes in reply to Krazie]

Hi where can you buy GABA from ? I have read that some people have anxiety due to low GABA in the brain.

[Krazie in reply to jessiejakes]

Solgar has good products. i would not trust all of the brands. Solgar products can be purchased on line at Amazon.

[jessiejakes in reply to Krazie]

And I agree with all that you have said about changing the way we think.

[Kel76]

I do that too. I leave home/work life & if I stay long enough my anxiety chills out. When I get home usually a day or so but sometimes I can feel it on the road trip home, it creeps right back in. 😣