My anxiety makes me feel like I'm going crazy

I been dealing with anxiety for years but lately its been at its worst. I find myself question my existence and reality I barely sleep at night. Everything makes me anxious and I get really depressed at times. I'm a 29 year old male and I feel so strong dealing with this cause none of my family friends know how severe this is but then I feel weak for feeling this way in the first place. I'm new to this site and I would really like to talk to people who is going through what I'm going through please don't hesitate to reply, may god bless us all dealing with severe anxiety.

Jessek. I feel your pain you are not on your own it is such a common problem for so many of us.. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

You are strong dealing with anxiety it is something i truly believe that anxiety issues just proves how strong we are because we deal with it daily and still come out the other end.

Have you seen any Doctors in the past , if not i would advise it if you can. I know i left it weeks before going to the doctors , i suffered in silence but i was so glad when i had been. He really helped me.

Also the fantastic people on this site know so much and that really helps to, i have come on leaps and bounds since joining this site and i am so glad i found it.

If its any help i now use coping skills daily even though im somewhat less anxious, i am determined not to go back there.... I Use guided meditation on youtube. If you look in the resource page at the top it is full of links etc:

I make sure i drink plenty of fluid too as that helps me and a good balanced diet and i try and fit in a walk daily.

Good luck and keep posting . Others will post their support too 🎃

Oh, and to answer your poll question....

...all of this tools are great treatment options!!!

Everyone is different, so the needs of one individual varies from person to person.

The trick is finding YOUR perfect plan. :) (start by talking with your doctor, and trying different self help coping skills)

S.C.

Hi Jessek - so sorry you're having such a tough time. It is so stressful to be consumed with anxiety.

So far, honestly the best thing that has helped me is medication. I'd never taken any before and was scared, but I couldn't bear the anxiety, so I tried and it has been a big help. And it has calmed my mind enough to allow the other things - like exercise and meditation, also help.

Take that step and talk to your doctor asap. they'll lead you on the right path towards healing!

Hi Jessek, welcome!

As a long time anxiety sufferer I can completely relate...especially the part about not being able to sleep for an extended period of time. On reflection, here is what helped me come to grips with it:

1. Temporary relief - when it was at its worst a few years ago when I had stopped drinking (I didn't sleep well for 2.5 months), medication was needed. And by that I mean a benzo (Klonopin, Xanax, etc) and a sleep aid (Trazodone). This gave my mind some much needed "breathing room" to get on top of things.

2. Longer term relief - this has been broken down into four areas:
A. Medication - taking an SSRI (these take a while to start working
and can initially ramp up anxiety);
B. Meditation / self-reflection - keeping my mind occupied with
those small and large happy things in my life. I bet you have
plenty, you just have to stop and think and dwell on the good.
Our minds are conditioned to focus on the bad (for survival
purposes), but never hang on to the good.
C. Exercise - riding my bike 2 to 3 times per week for an hour has
helped and especially those days when I'm feeling a higher level
of background anxiety.
D. Healingwell Forum - the kind folks here have been my support
and I continue to both lean on them and also provide my
experiences and insight as best I can...it's therapy at its best! :)

Again, this has helped me, but everyone's experience is different so be sure to consult with your doctor to see what they think.

Hang in there! :)