Anxiety and Eating Struggles

[8StarrySkies8]

I'm new to the group! I'm a mid-20s female studying abroad in Taiwan. I have struggled with anxiety since childhood but was put on fluoxetine 20mg at age 16 , which has helped me get through most anxiety waves. In the past few weeks, final exams from my first semester in Taiwan has changed everything. It feels like something in my brain has snapped and there's a fundamental imbalance in my body's hormones, the fluoxetine just isn't enough anymore. I was temporarily prescribed Xanax 0.5 mg by a local doctor and it allowed me to pull through my finals, but when I got off of it, the symptoms of anxiety, hopelessness, restlessness, shakiness, and loss of appetite all rebounded worse than ever. I cry a lot, and can't even enjoy my winter break. I think the worst part of my anxiety is what it does to my eating habits. The smell of food repulses me. I have no desire to eat anything, but try my best to eat something every day because I know my body is physically hungry. It leads to my body feeling weak and uncomfortable, which only further traps me in the anxiety wave. I am trying everything I can think of to cope and heal. I visited two different psychiatrists yesterday and was given Mocalm to try (Flupentixol 0.5 mg, Melitracen 10mg, I think it may be under a different trade name in other parts of the world). The prescribing psychiatrist claims it works well while not having the dependency issues of Xanax. For the past few days, I have been researching meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness. I have gone to church and pray constantly. I try so hard to stay positive and tell myself this will pass. Yet the fear and shame my anxiety produces makes me feel like I will disappoint everyone, including my extremely supportive Taiwanese boyfriend, and that I will have to go home without my degree as an unemployed, useless adult dependent on my family, separated from the love of my life. I'm praying the new medicine will help but I feel so discouraged. Does anyone have advice on how to manage appetite under anxiety? Exercise is supposed to help, but is it a good idea to go jogging when you're eating less than normal? Thank you for listening to my story. I wish nothing but the best for all of us.

[Agora1]

Welcome dearest 8StarrySkies8 It's so nice to have you here on this safe amazing forum.

I'm not sure what the medications are that the psychiatrists prescribed

but wish you well on them. The "key" is to think positively on both the

medication as well as your future in that you WILL complete your schooling.

You WILL become a productive adult.

When we put doubts in our mind it slows down our efforts.

Remember that what you think is what you get. Get rid of the

what if's in life. Believe in yourself and know that you WILL do the best

you can to succeed. We're here to support you new friend. xx

[8StarrySkies8 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you kindly for the warm welcome! I will work on fighting the what-ifs and reframing my thinking.

[DaveSpice]

These drug don't fix problems since they are treating symptoms, you need to treat the causes. I have posted this video many times before and it may help you,

youtube.com/watch?v=JiDaTi_...(Not working as expected?)

[8StarrySkies8 in reply to DaveSpice]

I appreciate the food for thought, I will try these techniques in the future

[Godlyman]

I'm glad to see it helped you to get through the hard times. I must warn you that this is not a medication you want to be on for the rest of your life. It is very hard to get off of it after three to six months of use! Yes there will be days you feel anxious however meditate and slow your breath in your nose out with your mouth. Takes time but will help you in the long run. Paul

[8StarrySkies8 in reply to Godlyman]

Yeah I took Xanax for only three weeks and the withdrawal symptoms were awful, I personally want to avoid using it in the future if I can help it. The Taiwan doctor did not explain the dependency risks to me when I was first given it. Breathing techniques has given some relief and I'm going to keep practicing.

[Hallyhooyou]

When my anxiety is high, I can’t even look at food. One time I lost 20 pounds in about 2 weeks. Xanax was a life saver until the anxiety subsided enough to where I didn’t feel so awful.

[Lotus4]

I’ve been talking 0.5 Xanax for years 2/12 mg spread out through the day it has really helped me I take whole pill at 9:00am 1/2 at 1:00pm 1/2 at 4:00 pm 1/2 at 7:30 pm 1/2 at 10:30 1/12 at 1:30am if you spread it out it stays in you system works better for me it sounds like a lot but it’s 2/12 mgs per day.

[Toniarenee2]

I’m struggling with eating and weight loss with anxiety as well. To me, it’s the worst symptom of anxiety. It makes me feel like something bad is wrong even tho I’ve experienced it before. I wish I knew of a quick fix for it. I try to eat what I can because I don’t wanna keep losing weight but sometimes it’s soooo hard when u just aren’t that hungry. Keep trying medicines to help, try to think positive 🤦‍♀️ (Preaching to the choir here), and continue to talk to people who understand. 😊