Anxiety

[Cherokeekid88]

Just to give a short back story. When I was in 4th grade, I experienced something I had never experienced before and at the time I had no idea what it was. My parents had to basically walk me to class everyday or I would not go. This went on for the ladder part of my 4th grade year and I went and "talked" with someone. He told me that it was normal and that I would "snap out of it" one day, and that's exactly what happened for a while at least. For the last 10-12 years or so, I have really been crippled mentally by Anxiety, it keeps me from honestly being the person I would like to be and while I have tried to read and educate myself on the subject, I have had no real luck. I can usually go a couple weeks at a time where I am "fine". There are days where my anxiety is under control and I can live what I feel is a normal life. I am just always worried about everything and it has turned into almost an OCD thing where I feel like if I don't pray every morning, something bad will happen and I have to pray that I will have a good day. People outside of my family probably have no idea that I am an anxious person and even my family probably doesn't know the depths of it. I don't feel like I have the worst case of it, but I do feel like its just something that will continue to grow as I get older and things happen in my life.

My biggest issue is worrying about things that I really don't have any control over or things that might/might not happen. Change is also a big part of my anxiety, especially with work. I spend a lot of my time trying to keep busy because if I just sit, my mind starts to wander and that usually never leads to anything good and if I fixate on something for too long, it tends to take a toll on me for that day till I can shake it off.

I have always been one to not be on medication but I feel like talking with a professional could be of some help, just don't really know where to start. I know some of you on here are probably in the same boat as I am, and with a little girl on the way, I'd like to try and get some guidance on living with this and making things better.

 

[UTfball68]

I don't particularly understand it...I always thought 'buck up and be an adult, everyone freaks out now and again'. However, that's until I got older and realized my mother and grandmother both suffer from extreme panic attacks...different but still mental health. My 37 year old sister that just suffered the stroke, suffered from panic and anxiety attacks, and the doctors think the spikes in BP contributed to the stroke. And finally, my wife, she was always a worrier and hypochondriac...after having our first, her 'episodes' got worse. Doctors can usually get you medicated and recommend a good therapist. All my examples were similar to you, there's a stigma with pills for some reason...I told them their sanity and mental health is far more important. Beyond that, find a good reflexologist...and they'll find the hot points to that can help relieve the anxiety.

 

[Ron]

I've never understood the stigma.
If you have a broken arm, no one thinks 'Ewww I dont want to be weird and have a cast and be weak. Ill just wait it out' ....if you woke up with a 102 fever and felt like you were freezing due to an infection, youd take a pill to get rid of it, or potentially die. No one thinks 'Im not going to be one of those weird sick people'

But for some reason so many people think it it makes them weak or weird or whatever if they have a mental health issue and need treatment.

Break that cycle. ESPECIALLY because you have a daughter on the way. Make sure you are in your best position mentally and physically to care for her. You owe her that. You owe your wife that.

Now just basic worrying, welcome to being an adult. My kid leaves home I think...oh no. Everytime I get on an airplane I cringe because, what if... But I still function and go on. If it is preventing you from living your normal happy life get help.

 

[CasterTroy]

I feel like talking with a professional could be of some help, just don't really know where to start.

The Summit is just up the road off old 311


http://www.thesummitchurch.net/lifecare/

Great place to "start"

 

[shawn]

The Summit is just up the road off old 311

They have doctors? That's unusual.

 

[CasterTroy]

As a matter of fact, yes...2

 

[drkelly]

I've had trouble with anxiety off and on in my life. Xanax helps me through the bad times.

 

[Cherokeekid88]

I've had trouble with anxiety off and on in my life. Xanax helps me through the bad times.

I have had good luck with Lorazepam, but don't really know that it helps with my anxiety other than just taking the edge off.

Its something I don't really talk about with anyone, not because I find it to be a sign of weakness but just part of my personality and holding everything in. I feel like the less I talk about it and focus on other things, the easier things are for the time being, but when you faced with it not everyday, but multiple times a week, it becomes an annoyance.

 

[drkelly]

I have had good luck with Lorazepam, but don't really know that it helps with my anxiety other than just taking the edge off.

Its something I don't really talk about with anyone, not because I find it to be a sign of weakness but just part of my personality and holding everything in. I feel like the less I talk about it and focus on other things, the easier things are for the time being, but when you faced with it not everyday, but multiple times a week, it becomes an annoyance.

You may need some kind of daily medicine. Xanax is obviously not meant to be taken daily. It is meant for 'as needed' anxiety. I would definitely find a good doctor.

A LOT of people are on daily medicine for similar reasons as you.

 

[Jeff B]

I have always had it,

I have learned that if I exercise it's not as bad. I remember reading that there are studies that if one exercises A minimum of 21 minutes a day it will reduce anxiety and depression by 80%

For 6 years I have been doing this and it has helped me a lot.

Drinking will make anxiety worse.

 

[Jody Treadway]

Lay off any meds that will change the way your brain works.

With that being said...I am man enough to admit to currently seeing a therapist. I (we) have a ton on our plate and have for some time. It's beginning to pile on. I'm a dude with a very strong back and mentally tough. Been through a lot in my life and can certainly carry a heavy load without issue. But recently, that load has been too great for me.

I was honest enough to admit to myself I needed someone to talk to. Find a therapist in your area who can give you the tools needed to set yourself on a more fulfilling path.

I will gladly discuss whatever you need to via PM.

 

[Futbalfantic]

Weighted blankets are said to help with anexity and depression. Contacts are not in otherwise I would post a link.

Exercising as mentioned is supposed to help as well

But my biggest piece of advise. Every time those thoughts pop into your head, reframe them immediately. That part takes work, a lot of work, and you must do it consistently.

For those with panic attacks, practice tactical breathing (breath in over 2 seconds, hold for 2, out for 2, hold for 2, repeat). It will help lower your heart rate and easy then symptoms and lesson the duration.

 

[RatLabGuy]

I've never understood the stigma.
If you have a broken arm, no one thinks 'Ewww I dont want to be weird and have a cast and be weak. Ill just wait it out' ....if you woke up with a 102 fever and felt like you were freezing due to an infection, youd take a pill to get rid of it, or potentially die. No one thinks 'Im not going to be one of those weird sick people'

But for some reason so many people think it it makes them weak or weird or whatever if they have a mental health issue and need treatment.

Bingo.
The brain is a machine, made of billions of little parts. Just like a transmission or a radio or a cell phone or anything else. When some of those parts don't work right, the behavior of that device is not what it should be. Just like a tranny w/ the wrong weight gear oil or excessive shavings will not shift right, when you have a chemical imbalance in your brain it will cause your feelings about the world to be incorrect. Really this notion overall is very simple but its very difficult for many people to come to grips with. 100% of the way you perceive the world at any moment comes down to a bunch of chemistry and physics, a whole lot of little physical reactions happening. Any of those happening in the "wrong" way can affect your perception.
So, just like you'd fix a poorly running transmission or badly tunes radio or a phone wit ha cracked screen, bad battery... it is perfectly reasonable, and even expected, you should do the same thing with your brain.
The only question is, just like any repair, how "bad" does it have to be to warrant the cost/effort/side effects of repair, and what is the best way to do so?
This is where modern medicine and neuroscience comes in.

Lay off any meds that will change the way your brain works.

With that being said...I am man enough to admit to currently seeing a therapist. I (we) have a ton on our plate and have for some time. It's beginning to pile on. I'm a dude with a very strong back and mentally tough. Been through a lot in my life and can certainly carry a heavy load without issue. But recently, that load has been too great for me.

I was man enough to admit to myself I needed someone to talk to. Find a therapist in your area who can give you the tools needed to set yourself on a more fulfilling path.

I will gladly discuss whatever you need to via PM.

I'm going to pick on Jody here and say this is terrible advise. I think his intent and notion are right but the wording is wrong.
The actual goal, is in fact, to change the way your brain is working. Not fundamentally, but more like a light bias of one particular subsystem in a specific direction. Like swapping to a lighter trans oil in the winter to help with sluggishness.
Clearly something is not working correctly now, and needs "adjustment". Now, this doesn't HAVE to happen via external input into your body. Biochemistry is self-moderating and relieving stress - perhaps by talking to a therapist or a good friend - does in fact cause a neuromodulatory change. So can changing your sleep patterns, or your diet, or spending more (or less!) time with a loved one.
Lots of people "fix" anxiety or other mood disorders with exercise, diet, other lifestyle changes. It can certainly happen.
But, the ability to which that can be done really depends on the imbalance. In many cases it isn't enough. This is where external addition of chemicals (drugs) is the key. For a LOT of people, this is the only way to get it all working right.

The challenge is that balancing neural biochemistry is an incredibly complicated science that is largely guesswork at the beginning. It can take years to find just the right tuning. Unfortunately many people jump right into a too-high does of something that is just a guess by their physician and it starts down a roller coaster ride of imbalance.
Any doc worth their salt will make a lot of inquiry regarding family history, and if any blood family has anxiety issues (I bet they do!) then what family of meds they have that works, the doc will try first, low dose, then work up from there.

 

[drkelly]

I have always had it,

I have learned that if I exercise it's not as bad. I remember reading that there are studies that if one exercises A minimum of 21 minutes a day it will reduce anxiety and depression by 80%

For 6 years I have been doing this and it has helped me a lot.

Drinking will make anxiety worse.

I should have thought to post this too since it is very solid advice. I was told this exact information many years ago by my doctor. I have exercised regularly for most of my life. About 2.5 yrs ago my wife decided to quit drinking for health reasons. I quit with her, and don't miss it.

 

[Jody Treadway]

What I should have said is I would use those sort of medications as a last resort. However I am not a professional and don't claim to be.
All that matters is that the OP gets the help that he needs by whatever means are necessary.

 

[Mac5005]

When I feel overwhelmed and anxious, I do a number of things to help me mentally.

First I reevaluate my large goals to establish a direction. This can lead to worse anxiety but gets me going down the rabbit hole of thought correction.

I break these large goals down and reverse engineer what tiny minuscule steps I need to take, today, right now to work in that direction.

Set tiny goals, and achieve them. Carry the confidence of that knowing you are working towards a larger goal and direction.

Take a moment to think about all the positive things you have and be humbled by them. Appreciate the good.

Some group therapy at the range, some time in the woods, welding, or wrenching, etc help soothe soul and get me mentally back on track. I enjoy doing the things that I try and think I do well.

Smashing small goals reinforces the thought of working to change and affect what I can and trust in God about the things that I can’t.

Know that God has a plan, and we are just along for the ride.

 

[WARRIORWELDING]

Bingo.
The brain is a machine, made of billions of little parts. Just like a transmission or a radio or a cell phone or anything else. When some of those parts don't work right, the behavior of that device is not what it should be. Just like a tranny w/ the wrong weight gear oil or excessive shavings will not shift right, when you have a chemical imbalance in your brain it will cause your feelings about the world to be incorrect. Really this notion overall is very simple but its very difficult for many people to come to grips with. 100% of the way you perceive the world at any moment comes down to a bunch of chemistry and physics, a whole lot of little physical reactions happening. Any of those happening in the "wrong" way can affect your perception.
So, just like you'd fix a poorly running transmission or badly tunes radio or a phone wit ha cracked screen, bad battery... it is perfectly reasonable, and even expected, you should do the same thing with your brain.
The only question is, just like any repair, how "bad" does it have to be to warrant the cost/effort/side effects of repair, and what is the best way to do so?
This is where modern medicine and neuroscience comes in.

I'm going to pick on Jody here and say this is terrible advise. I think his intent and notion are right but the wording is wrong.
The actual goal, is in fact, to change the way your brain is working. Not fundamentally, but more like a light bias of one particular subsystem in a specific direction. Like swapping to a lighter trans oil in the winter to help with sluggishness.
Clearly something is not working correctly now, and needs "adjustment". Now, this doesn't HAVE to happen via external input into your body. Biochemistry is self-moderating and relieving stress - perhaps by talking to a therapist or a good friend - does in fact cause a neuromodulatory change. So can changing your sleep patterns, or your diet, or spending more (or less!) time with a loved one.
Lots of people "fix" anxiety or other mood disorders with exercise, diet, other lifestyle changes. It can certainly happen.
But, the ability to which that can be done really depends on the imbalance. In many cases it isn't enough. This is where external addition of chemicals (drugs) is the key. For a LOT of people, this is the only way to get it all working right.

The challenge is that balancing neural biochemistry is an incredibly complicated science that is largely guesswork at the beginning. It can take years to find just the right tuning. Unfortunately many people jump right into a too-high does of something that is just a guess by their physician and it starts down a roller coaster ride of imbalance.
Any doc worth their salt will make a lot of inquiry regarding family history, and if any blood family has anxiety issues (I bet they do!) then what family of meds they have that works, the doc will try first, low dose, then work up from there.

Only problem I have with this is the doctors I have been associated with this type of meds have treated patients like a dart board. Not accurately at that....it's complex for sure and I'm no expert. Some love ones and a few friends suffer from extreme med changes and dosages flips....they literally change who they are and resemble a mental pin cushion. Its incredibly tough to wanna put faith in some of the "treatments" I have witnessed. Then the other flip side is poor patients. Abused or skipped meds and such. Its all a very slippery balancing act.

 

[junkxj]

Bingo.
The brain is a machine, made of billions of little parts. Just like a transmission or a radio or a cell phone or anything else. When some of those parts don't work right, the behavior of that device is not what it should be. Just like a tranny w/ the wrong weight gear oil or excessive shavings will not shift right, when you have a chemical imbalance in your brain it will cause your feelings about the world to be incorrect. Really this notion overall is very simple but its very difficult for many people to come to grips with. 100% of the way you perceive the world at any moment comes down to a bunch of chemistry and physics, a whole lot of little physical reactions happening. Any of those happening in the "wrong" way can affect your perception.
So, just like you'd fix a poorly running transmission or badly tunes radio or a phone wit ha cracked screen, bad battery... it is perfectly reasonable, and even expected, you should do the same thing with your brain.
The only question is, just like any repair, how "bad" does it have to be to warrant the cost/effort/side effects of repair, and what is the best way to do so?
This is where modern medicine and neuroscience comes in.

I'm going to pick on Jody here and say this is terrible advise. I think his intent and notion are right but the wording is wrong.
The actual goal, is in fact, to change the way your brain is working. Not fundamentally, but more like a light bias of one particular subsystem in a specific direction. Like swapping to a lighter trans oil in the winter to help with sluggishness.
Clearly something is not working correctly now, and needs "adjustment". Now, this doesn't HAVE to happen via external input into your body. Biochemistry is self-moderating and relieving stress - perhaps by talking to a therapist or a good friend - does in fact cause a neuromodulatory change. So can changing your sleep patterns, or your diet, or spending more (or less!) time with a loved one.
Lots of people "fix" anxiety or other mood disorders with exercise, diet, other lifestyle changes. It can certainly happen.
But, the ability to which that can be done really depends on the imbalance. In many cases it isn't enough. This is where external addition of chemicals (drugs) is the key. For a LOT of people, this is the only way to get it all working right.

The challenge is that balancing neural biochemistry is an incredibly complicated science that is largely guesswork at the beginning. It can take years to find just the right tuning. Unfortunately many people jump right into a too-high does of something that is just a guess by their physician and it starts down a roller coaster ride of imbalance.
Any doc worth their salt will make a lot of inquiry regarding family history, and if any blood family has anxiety issues (I bet they do!) then what family of meds they have that works, the doc will try first, low dose, then work up from there.

You sir, are a smart dude!
Very well put!!

 

[junkxj]

Only problem I have with this is the doctors I have been associated with this type of meds have treated patients like a dart board. Not accurately at that....it's complex for sure and I'm no expert. Some love ones and a few friends suffer from extreme med changes and dosages flips....they literally change who they are and resemble a mental pin cushion. Its incredibly tough to wanna put faith in some of the "treatments" I have witnessed. Then the other flip side is poor patients. Abused or skipped meds and such. Its all a very slippery balancing act.

There is much truth in this statement, but if you understood how little doctors truly know about mental illness it would make more sense....
A doctor can not under any circumstance know exactly how a patient's body will react to a certain medication.
It is basicly guess and check...
As sad as that sounds, that is the level of human understanding of mental illness at this point of medical knowledge.

 

[junkxj]

One other thing I will add, not that anyone asked me too or cares for my advice....
So many of people's preconceived notions of anti anxiety or antidepressants is based on a much older class of meds than what is available now. The newer meds usually have less side effects and are a much milder change for the patient prescribed them.

 

[77GreenMachine]

I’ll admit I’m one to shy away from meds. I see a lot of strong points here that would argue otherwise and should be considered carefully. I’m guilty of always seeing them in a negative light myself though. I will try to be more open minded in the future.

I get anxiety on a small level. Mostly only if I try to take time off work. But this isn’t about me it’s about you so here’s what I’ve noticed. I work off of a check list and prioritize those things. I feel success and relief when they are done. What doesn’t get done gets rolled into the next day.

As far as life in general, I don’t get too bad, maybe slightly overwhelmed at times but hey who doesn’t with a demanding career and 2 young kids?!?! What I have noticed though that I will share is that the older I get the busier I get, and as time has gone by I’ve made less and less time to actually just hang out with a friend or friends. I don’t mean go help a buddy do this or that, or y’all go do some thing that distracts you, I’m talking bout sittin in a shop chair or in a tail gate and just talking. Talking about anything and everything, family, life in general. I’ve been trying to do this more lately. Couple times recently I went to my buddy’s and we didn’t really work on his Jeep or do anything. We sat there in chairs near the jeep instead and caught up on life.

That is one of my favorite things to do is have good meaningful conversations with people. I walk away refreshed and happy when I do that. I encourage to to continue to pray but know that God wants to bless you and loves you. He’s not standing there waiting on you to mess up, remember his grace. As always my previous offer is available if you ever want to meet and talk.
I also encourage you to consider how much time you spend with a friend or two that is meaningful time, not just distracted time that is mostly dealing with a task at hand.

 

[Cherokeekid88]

I’ll admit I’m one to shy away from meds. I see a lot of strong points here that would argue otherwise and should be considered carefully. I’m guilty of always seeing them in a negative light myself though. I will try to be more open minded in the future.

I get anxiety on a small level. Mostly only if I try to take time off work. But this isn’t about me it’s about you so here’s what I’ve noticed. I work off of a check list and prioritize those things. I feel success and relief when they are done. What doesn’t get done gets rolled into the next day.

As far as life in general, I don’t get too bad, maybe slightly overwhelmed at times but hey who doesn’t with a demanding career and 2 young kids?!?! What I have noticed though that I will share is that the older I get the busier I get, and as time has gone by I’ve made less and less time to actually just hang out with a friend or friends. I don’t mean go help a buddy do this or that, or y’all go do some thing that distracts you, I’m talking bout sittin in a shop chair or in a tail gate and just talking. Talking about anything and everything, family, life in general. I’ve been trying to do this more lately. Couple times recently I went to my buddy’s and we didn’t really work on his Jeep or do anything. We sat there in chairs near the jeep instead and caught up on life.

That is one of my favorite things to do is have good meaningful conversations with people. I walk away refreshed and happy when I do that. I encourage to to continue to pray but know that God wants to bless you and loves you. He’s not standing there waiting on you to mess up, remember his grace. As always my previous offer is available if you ever want to meet and talk.
I also encourage you to consider how much time you spend with a friend or two that is meaningful time, not just distracted time that is mostly dealing with a task at hand.

I appreciate everyone's input and advice, but I particularly like this one!
I tend to be the most carefree and not worrying when I am with friends and are just talking about whatever. I pray about it everyday and my biggest fear is falling deep into it. I think though with my daughter on the way, I know that she will keep my busy.
I am trying to think of all the blessing I have in my life and I tend to think about my daughter a lot. This weekend, we found out that we need a new HVAC unit...so there's that added to my wife probably going to need a c section and will have a new baby girl here within the next couple of weeks... so I am trying to keep cool and know that there is someone out there in a much worse situation than I am in.
When I do get down and out, I tend to work on something or do something fin to keep my mind off of it and usually works for me.