NFT: Anyone suffer from anxiety?

I recommend reading "My Age of Anxiety" by Scott Stossel

glass of wine.. shot of brandy... hope things work out for you

But be careful if you combine too much/alcohol AND anti-anxiety meds.

I once learned the hard way!

Like yourself I found myself extremely anxious and nervous. It led to loss of sleep and tough times at work. I ended up meeting with a therapist who suggested some mood altering medicine. She had me meet with a psychiatrist and after some discussion, he recommended Wellbutrin. It has been extremely helpful. It is not a narcotic but it has been very helpful. I've been on it for about two years.

Can pump endorphins into your system. Not sure if you're able to get prescribed any benzos for sleep with drug testing at your job.

A lot of it came on post college. It's doesn't directly effect my day to day life, but there are certain situations that amplify it. An example would be driving on highways, turnpikes, etc. When I was younger, I had no problem going 75, 80 MPH & cruising in the left lane. Now the thought of driving on those roads cause my hands to become sweaty & my stomach to be tied into knots.

Best of luck dealing with it.

but wanted to wish you the best of luck dealing with it, Ned. Take care

ago and I am much better. Anxiety can ruin your life. Don't ignore it.

and she says"Exercise. Get regular cardio-vascular exercise." Therapy should be helpful; mood-altering drugs are a quick fix, but as soon as you go off the meds, you are back at square one. You are in a transitional phase, having moved, etc. Drinking, she says, is definitely not the answer. Get regular exercise.

Yes but 5 classes this fall and beginning my senior year of college should be fun and incorporate for my sanity come December

The worst thing you can do when you have anxiety is treat it as if it is threatening. Over time, you create neural pathways that make your body and senses react as if you're in danger every time you feel anxious.

Medication can be helpful for some people and can get you back on a more normal schedule and give you that little push you need but ultimately, all the help you need is in your own mind.

You have to get to a point where you can learn to just live along side anxiety and accept it when it's there. Don't fight it. Let it just be there. It's a feeling and it's not harmful. It's no more harmful than being upset or angry. The difference is that when we're upset or angry, we don't feel alarmed by it. We allow ourselves to be in those states until they eventually pass.

There's no magic cure or way to beat it in a day, but when I was 21 years old I had a pretty bad panic attack out of nowhere and it rocked my entire world for a while because I didn't know what was happening to me. I thought there was something terribly wrong for a while. Doctors wanted to just fill prescriptions for me and I spent a few years avoiding a lot of things because I was at a point where I would have rather done nothing than feel the anxiety.

Eventually, I figured out the only way to get back to the way I was before it was to face it head on. I was so exhausted from running away from it or looking for cure alls that I just got to a point where I said "whatever.. if I'm anxious it can do whatever it wants.. maybe I'll pass out or something, who cares?"

Nothing bad ever happened. I just started to welcome the feeling in any time I started to feel it in certain situations and accept it rather than fight it and say "no way, I can't do this now.. maybe later" and as soon as I started doing that.. truly just having the midset that however I felt was ok.. it started to vanish faster and faster.

Eventually I was completely desensitized to it. I completely lost my fear of it and finally taught myself through exposure that it could never hurt or harm me in any way and that it was ok to feel that way whenever it came up. Unsurprisingly, it stopped happening as soon as I no longer worried about it. It always feels like there's a "monster" on the other side of the door but there's nothing there.

It takes time and patience. You'll have good days and setbacks and feel like you're not making enough progress but trust me, you just have to keep going. Don't get discouraged. Don't alter your life or accommodate it in any way. Keep doing all the things you'd normally do and just let yourself feel however you feel.

Like I said before, I am not against medications if they help you get jumpstarted a little bit but the magic cure you're looking for is within you. It's all in your mind. There's nothing wrong with you, you just have to change the way you treat anxiety and perceive it.

The only way out is through. Not around.

Good luck.

In comment 12397426 MookGiants said:

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but wanted to wish you the best of luck dealing with it, Ned. Take care

Thanks, Mook. Much appreciated.

I taught myself to focus on my breath and "welcome" the sense of anxiety, almost as if meeting up with an old friend again. I think trying not to react in a negative manner when the anxious feelings came was extremely helpful in its resolution. There certainly can be a good outcome for you.

and it's right on the money. Great advice.

is practicing an informal version of mindfulness meditation.

Virtually every modern school of psychotherapy includes or encourages mindfulness meditation as part of the treatment, particularly for anxiety and depression. I haven't started training in it yet, although I have been encouraged to do so. My son is in his third year of a PhD in Psychology, and he tells me that mindfulness mediotation is used in nearly every modern modality that he is aware of. It can be learned on line, but I won't claim to know the best on-line programs.

A link to a description of use of mindfulness with anxiety and depression included below. I will e-mail my son to see if he knows of a good on-line program.

that's a great way to look at it. I have been making incremental steps similar to what youve alluded to. When I am unable to get restful sleep I don't get up and pace and freak out. I try and lay in bed and relax. I am really working on this thing and hopefully in the next couple of months I'll be able to transition to a normal schedule. Being awake all night and then trying (often in vain as of recent) to go to sleep when everyone else is headed to work has been difficult, especially in a new place and it being my first time living alone. I have come to the conclusion that I am a VERY social human being and don't thrive with copious amounts of alone time. My fear is that my anxiety will ruin my relationship with my girlfriend who I am nuts about. But that's something I've got to work on.

Is not a permanent solution.. rather temporary.. and it works

I an three weeks into CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and I Bellerive I am getting results.

Hopefully intelligible

Give yourself some time to wind down before bed. Reading for a half hour or so usually works really well. Just clear your head and slow your thought process down a bit. Let everything go and don't worry about what you have to do the next day or week or anything like that.

Breathing technique is really important too and is something you can focus on. Breathe in deep through your nose for 3-5 seconds or so and use your diaphragm (put one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach.. your stomach should be rising and falling right below your ribs, not above) hold it for a second or two and exhale through your mouth for 5-7 seconds.

I think spending too much time alone is just making you internalize too much and worry about it. Whenever I have downtime and I'm by myself, I like to just force myself out for either a run or a bike ride or something. Usually helps clear my head a bit. Committing myself to really getting in shape and eating better a few years ago made a tremendous difference.

If your girlfriend is worth being with (and it sounds like you really like her) just talk to her and let her know it's something you're working through and she'll understand and support you the entire way.

I want to stress that it won't just vanish overnight but don't let it discourage you too much. You'll be making progress without even realizing it sometimes. Every time you feel anxious, just treat it as an opportunity or a chance to work with it and handle it better. It's all in how you view it and just allowing yourself to feel that way. They say that what you resist persists and it's true. You realize as soon as you stop fighting it so hard and stop worrying about it so much, your body just processes it naturally and it evaporates.

I've been there, man. I know exactly how you feel. Just know that it can and will get better and you'll go back to the person you were before all of this. It just takes a little time and patience.

In comment 12397479 Chef said:

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Is not a permanent solution.. rather temporary.. and it works

It's called self medicating and it accomplishes nothing.

It doesn't mean anyone who deals with anxiety has to avoid alcohol entirely or forever but it should never be a resort or a solution. No matter how temporary. All it does is put those feelings on "pause". It doesn't extinguish them or process them.

In comment 12397479 Chef said:

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Is not a permanent solution.. rather temporary.. and it works

Not really. It makes you intoxicated, on top of being anxious, making things worse.

I have an anxiety disorder. I've had attacks that put in the hospital because I was CONVINCED I was dying. Those don't happen anymore. Meds helped a ton, but they don't fix the problem. Lots of good other suggestions already. I would 2nd working out and meditation.

In comment 12397479 Chef said:

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Is not a permanent solution.. rather temporary.. and it works

I agree that it helps for sure.

a glass of wine or a pill of Zoloft

Thank you guys so much. Its helpful to know that I'm not the only one who is going through this. It's terrible now and seems like there's no light at the end of the tunnel but this helps me put things in perspective.

In comment 12397427 buford said:

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ago and I am much better. Anxiety can ruin your life. Don't ignore it.

If you don't mind me asking, did you suffer any of the sexual side effects? I was put on a similar drug and have heard that can be problematic

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I have had some panic attacks in the past few weeks. Required me to go to urgent care and miss two days of work (which i never do). they have seemingly decreased in frequency but the overall issue has been my next to non-existant sleep which is killing me.

sexual side effects using anti-depressants for men usually include lack of ease of ejaculation.. I have had this effect .. banged like a champ... is that bad in your life?

it would be nice if Paxil didn't change that but getting this taken care of has to be my number one priority

some weight gain. Over all I feel much better and that has improved my sex life. But I guess it's different for guys.

That was really well said (both your lengthy comments). It gave me an understanding of it I never had before. I'm gonna copy and paste it to a doc file so that I can refer to it in the future if I ever need to advise anyone (fortunately my own issues with anxiety are rather mild).

Below is a link to a short animated movie on the subject that a friend of mine made years ago. It's about 7 weeks of panic attacks that he went through (and ultimately came out of). It's a great little movie and won several awards for him.

p.s.-- He did the animation in my movie.
Evan York's "7 Weaks" - ( New Window )

is a combination of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and the proper medication
Link - ( New Window )

CBT is also a useful treatment for anxiety disorders. Patients who experience persistent panic attacks are encouraged to test out beliefs they have related to such attacks, which can include specific fears related to bodily sensations, and to develop more realistic responses to their experiences. This is beneficial in decreasing both the frequency and intensity of panic attacks. Patients who experience obsessions and compulsions are guided to expose themselves to what they fear in a safe and controlled therapeutic environment. Beliefs surrounding their fears (of contamination, illness, inflicting harm, etc.) are identified and changed to decrease the anxiety connected with such fears.

Paxil had an immediate positive impact on my life literally overnight. No side effects in my case. I was always more concerned with the potential impact on my liver, but my liver profile has been spot on.

As a side note, I don't drink alcohol. I have a friend who was a drinker and took a similar class of drug and his liver was a mess. His liver may have been a mess without the drug, but mixing the two didn't help.

If you want help relaxing, check out the mp3's offered by Steve G Jones on the Internet. He has one for anxiety and numerous other topics that you may find interesting.

You are not alone.

In comment 12397603 Boy Cord said:

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Paxil had an immediate positive impact on my life literally overnight. No side effects in my case. I was always more concerned with the potential impact on my liver, but my liver profile has been spot on. As a side note, I don't drink alcohol. I have a friend who was a drinker and took a similar class of drug and his liver was a mess. His liver may have been a mess without the drug, but mixing the two didn't help. If you want help relaxing, check out the mp3's offered by Steve G Jones on the Internet. He has one for anxiety and numerous other topics that you may find interesting.

BC. Thanks a lot I will definitely check those out. I am a drinker but I have decided to take a hiatus from alcohol for the time being to get this under control and let the medication work to its fullest effect.

I absolutely love dogs and I think a lot of my anxiety stems from the newness of spending a lot of time by myself. My only reservations are that my apartment is small (600 sq. feet) and I work 12 hour shifts.

right now. Dogs are great, but it could be a stressful situation. I would address the anxiety first.

Helped me greatly. Dogs work too. I feel less anxious at home so having a pet to hang out with allieved other issues.

I also take beta blockers which doesnt lessen the anxiety persay but it does lessen the symptoms when I am anxious such as shaking, sweating and high blood pressure.

Talk to a psychiatrist. Dont avoid situations that make you anxious but prepare for them.

When i have trouble sleeping, i try to focus on each part of my body to relax it. Start with feet and work up. It gets my mind off being anxious over not sleeping and I usually fall asleep before I get to my head. If it doesnt work, i meditate with doing the whole "hmmmmm" in my head rather than thinking and it also helps me sleep. I dont check my clock either. I also lie to myself and convince myself that being tired the next day wont affect my production These mind games all help me fall asleep.

Good luck.

only developed recently which sucks because I'm also the happiest I've ever been and really at the best place in my life. But now anxiety and probably slight depression have surfaced.

Weird, because I should be at my happiest, and I am but I'm extremely anxious.

Probably has a lot to do with 2 semesters left having decided to go back to school, just got engaged too which is a great thing.

The panic attacks suck, only a few ever happened fully, a few weeks ago I was able to stop it somehow, only got to the numb fuzzy finger tips.

It sucks, I have no advice since I am just trying to figure it out myself as well.

In comment 12397616 Ned In Atlanta said:

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I absolutely love dogs and I think a lot of my anxiety stems from the newness of spending a lot of time by myself. My only reservations are that my apartment is small (600 sq. feet) and I work 12 hour shifts.

Dog training can be very stressful. It might be helpful long term, but I'd address the anxiety with medical professionals first.

12 hours is also way too long for a dog to be on its own.

Or computer an hour before bed. The backlights can make it hard to sleep. I started doing this and saw quick reaults.

I know personally when I sleep I am less anxious. If you can get some better sleep the anxiety issues may improve to an extent.

I kinda know a dog isn't the greatest addition, but its a nice thought. Getting my anxiety and sleeplessness under control has to take precedence over everything else.

Ned, you sound like an aware, intelligent soul, probably too sensitive (I know from that).

I have low level anxiety most days, and a good workout, a couple of beers, is a nice tonic; I've never been on meds, but I worry about my daughter who seems frozen sometimes--as you say, mostly when she's holed up in her room, alone.

You're far from alone. And arc, really nice posts, man

really sounds like he knows what he's talking about. sounds like some good advice.

only thing I'll add and some people will consider this bad advice, is if you have the opportunity for valium don't say no, and otherwise I have no advice.

i had surgery in Jan and they gave me valium as they wheeled me in to the OR and holy crap that stuff is awesome.

if everyone was on valium there would be no wars.


seriously get well.

I don't have the experience to comment on the anxiety issues, but I've been fighting the bad sleeping pattern experience for ages. Make the environment in which you sleep as conducive as possible to a sound, restful night - cold room (65 deg for me), blackout curtains, restrict food intake before bed, no caffeine in the hours leading up to bed, and limit screen time in the the last couple hours awake too. Especially if you are working odd shifts, get that bedroom as dark as you can and chilled, it will help you get to sleep faster and sleep more soundly.

It just hits sometimes and I have trouble breathing. I thought I was gonna die last year because I was having so much trouble breathing. I went to the emergency room and they didn't find anything wrong. It may have had to do with a lot of stress I was dealing with. I have learned to deal with it better by breathing through my mouth. My co worker's wife goes through worst. He feels hopeless. Most of the time it has to do with something dramatic in one's childhood. Best of luck to you. You're not alone.

amazing how much useful life information i've gleaned from a football forum

you just need to get laid more.

anxiety can be caused by some medical conditions. Also diet and exercise and lifestyle can help or hurt. I know my anxiety and digestive issues are linked. Crazy as it sounds, being on zoloft has helped with my digestive issues, since a side effect is more digestive issues. I think being sick for so long depleted my serotonin and that is what caused my anxiety go to out of whack. Your body makes serotonin and melatonin in the gut, so if you have any issues or have the typical crappy American diet, you can help yourself out by eating a more whole food diet.

I spend a large percentage of my professional life working with people with anxiety disorders. I am glad you are seeking help. Good luck to you!

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browsing the Corner Forum.

Suggestions?

Has been suggested to me. It is related to CBT & NLP

nurse?

seriously, try to get regular working hours... that might help.

it was the first time I knew how serious it could be. Absolutely debilitating at times.

advice from many people on this thread, especially arcarsenal. I hope you feel better. Best wishes. Good luck.