Losing my mind

[Irish112442013]

Hey guys,

I am a 30 year old Male who suffers from anxiety. I've always been an overthinker and a constant worrier, however lately I feel like I am getting worse, however I am not sure if that's the case, or if it's just the anxiety making me think it.

For maybe the past 2 years or so I've been suffering with bad brain fog, I feel like my thoughts aren't clear and that my memory isn't as good as it used to be. This brain fog is scaring me as I think this is the beginning of me losing my mind and not being myself anymore.

The best way to describe it is that I feel like I am zoned out 24/7, and that I always feel tired even though I get plenty of sleep each night. Not sure if it's my imagination or not, but I feel much more zoned out when I am surrounded by bright lights?

A part of me is thinking that maybe there is something wrong with my brain physically, another part of me thinks it's all anxiety and that I need to find a way to cope with it.

I am very anxious to visit my doctor again as I see him all the time for various different things (Health anxiety) He probably thinks I'm a lunatic..

Could this be depression? as I don't feel like I have anything to be overly depressed about, I don't feel sad, I don't really feel anything, I feel like I just float through life, I feel like I'm going crazy 😦

The only thing that seems to take the edge off is alcohol and benzos, however I don't want to end up dependent on those.

Not really sure what I am looking for by posting here, I guess I just wanted to vent and see if anyone else suffers the same, or has hopefully found a way to deal with similar issues.

I just want to get back to my old self who enjoyed each day and could think clearly, each day feels like it gets harder and harder. Also I always feel like I am about to die.

Thanks for reading

[Funkyfaerie]

The more we think, the more we worry and then we get anxious, and this can bring on all manner of strange feelings.As long as you are completely checked out by your doctor, then you can bet its anxiety doing this to you.

I know what you mean about getting back to your old self, who Just used to get on with their day, not thinking about what is wrong with them... I have had bad anxiety and over thinking, treated by doctors, tests at the hospital to make sure. But this forum has helped me more than anything, as you can talk to like minded people who don't judge you, give you time to chat about your crazy symptoms, and a lot of the time we have the same symptoms, that in a strange way gives you comfort, to know you're not alone or going crazy.

Take a look at Anxietycentre.com, lot of interesting reads on there.

Deep breathing, so hard if you are freaking out I know, but really works.

And stay on here, vent your feelings, talk to others....

Best Wishes

[Irish112442013 in reply to Funkyfaerie]

Thank you if anyone wants to add me on fb its Michael B Kortz I need people like you guys in my life

[janeene]

Your description of the way you feels is exactly what I went through 5 years ago. I tried everything antidepressant some helped a bit and some made it worse, like you the benzos would help quite a bit but only for a bit and then it would return. The brain fog and anxiety led to depression and it was just a vicious cycle. My brain felt like a hamster on a wheel and I could never relax. I worried about dependency of Benzos and the torture of coming off of them. My doctors began to try add ons to the antidepressants. While we experimented to try to find a solution they reassured me that the benzos were ok and we would come off of them as soon as we had the meds figured out. I was a tough case to treat and ended up working with a pharmaceutical psychiatrist that helped with the medication. In the end we found that adding Seroquel to an antidepressant solved the problem. No more brain fog, no racing thoughts. I still have to use therapy and coping mechanisms to cope with my anxiety but I can think straight again and do not take benzos for the past 4 years. Seroquel does cause weight gain but I have learned to adapt to a daily gym schedule. 4 years ago I didn’t know if I was going to make it, now I am able to tackle more than I expected. Just my story, but maybe it can help you find a solution and know you don’t have to live this way.

[Superzob]

I've cut and pasted the reply I recently gave to @Flower55 which may be helpful. I didn't get on with any form of antidepressant, so I just had to work it out for myself:

"Had a very bad period of this some years ago but, as it didn't last more than 3 months, I didn't get a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). However, the symptoms seemed very similar, but it did go away of its own accord (but does come back periodically).

I obviously don't know your personal circumstances, so what I'm going to suggest may not be practical in your case, but it worked for me. DON'T try to multi-task: deal with one thing at a time, and take your time over it. Since this is stress-related, try to avoid stressful situations or taking on stressful tasks (I know everyone says that, and it sounds unrealistic, but even small changes could make a difference). Do things which you enjoy, but require little concentration, because you want to relax your mind; don't try to force yourself to relax because, by definition, trying to force yourself to do anything is not relaxing.

You will probably have good days and bad days; try to avoid the urge to do too much on the good days (I tended to go through a phase of "alternate day syndrome", where I got a lot done one day, only to crash out the next!). Take one day at a time; try not to get too depressed on a bad day, as the next one might be a lot better. You probably need to pace yourself better; this is not easy but, as you get used to taking on less (and reducing the burden on your mind), you will probably find the fog has mysteriously disappeared. If you are predisposed to this, as I believe I am, then it will probably come back, but you should find subsequent episodes easier to deal with as you get used to mechanisms for dealing with it.

Actually, operating on autopilot may not be such a bad thing, as it gives your mind a rest. I found I couldn’t read and, on some occasions, even watch TV, despite it being probably the most passive thing you can do!

In my case, it was all about not being able to concentrate (after 10 minutes, I would find myself just staring at the computer screen, being unable to complete the next task, and I gave up driving for a while for the same reason ); I think that is maybe what is happening to you, with the apparent lack of coordination between mind and body. Trying to force yourself to concentrate is the worst thing you can do, because it’s just adding to the stress.

I had had a stressful time, trying to work, travel and having chronic pain. I learnt at a management course that PTSD (a form of which is what we’ve probably got) can occur up to 5 years after the event, so there may be no current stressor, only what’s happened in the past. So neither of us can do anything about what’s happened in the past, just try to learn from our mistakes (easier said than done, I know!) and relax our minds - it will improve with time."

[Cat33]

You aren't going crazy or losing your mindIt's extreme anxiety

Please please see your doctor they see it all the time and will be lovely to you

Have a look at Dr Harry Barry on Your Tube he's wonderful

Wishing you all the very very best

[Agora1 in reply to Cat33]

Hi Cat33, I just listened to Dr. Harry Barry for a few minutes and will be

going back to his videos. I can tell right from the start that his videos are

going to be excellent resource. Thanks for sharing . xx

[Cat33 in reply to Agora1]

I have found him a great comfort and have been doing the" flooding" where you have to do absolutely nothing and imagine your feet are glued to the floor when the adrenaline starts it was hard at first but really works and the anxiety dies down quickly and I feel fantastic Glad you liked him too xx

[Agora1 in reply to Cat33]

We find different tools from each other. I'm glad you shared that post. We never

know how many people we can help with responses. Thanks again xx

[SirGrits]

Hey Irish, the racing thoughts, memory lapses, brain fog etc. I think that was me during my peak insomnia a few years back. I read a few books on CBT, got treated for sleep disorders and got close to normal but it's still something I have to fight during stressful times. I like Superzob's advice about doing one thing at a time. I'll add to that an approach about thinking of your condition(s) or whatever as symptoms the require a whole lifestyle approach rather than something that can be treated just with quick techniques and/or pills. Quick cures definitely have their place, don't get me wrong but the wholistic approach I believe is more sustainable. My stress and anxiety is best when I am (or think I am) mostly in control of things. A one thing at a time approach is definitely part of that. I think this wholistic idea is a key CBT principal, but regardless of that, there's a hell of a lot of truth to the concept. And as you put things together, use this idea as a clear reminder that this is a marathon vs sprint.Prayers bro.

[Agora1]

Hi Irish, you've gotten some good advice here. I would like to add just one more...

Do not reach for Alcohol and Benzos. You can have dire consequences. It doesn't

solve the problem and only exacerbates the symptoms you are experiencing.

Keep Safe We want to help xx

[Irish112442013 in reply to Agora1]

Qell I quit drinking back in December but I take benzo daily cause that all I'm prescribed.

[Agora1 in reply to Irish112442013]

Good to hear Irish. Your doctor knows what's best for you.

Benzos can help break the cycle of fear and allow us to go forward.

I'm glad you are here with us my friend xx

[Irish112442013 in reply to Agora1]

Again if anyone wants to add me on fb I am open to it. Need more people like me on there so of we ever have a problem a d need people to talk to we can reach out Michael B Kortz

[Jimmyluke55]

I’m same love really bad for 2 months now can’t control my anxiety at all shaking all in side all day everyday and weak legs and exhausted I also think I’ve got something wrong with my brain as I’m thinking this can’t all be anxiety , just waiting for some new medication hope this one works all the best carole x