Struggling with Anxiety Could Use any Tips or Insight

Im able to function but not really.I feel limited in what I am able to do because of how I feel. I have to pay myself on the back because although it was hard, I was able to get my associates degree. I want to get a job and start driving and get my own car but because of how I am feeling, I feel that doing both of those things are not in my best interest. While driving I feel motion sick and very scared/frightened and as I mentioned before I have the symptoms that I have on a pretty much consistent basis so I feel that although I can definitely do and have a job I will not be satisfied knowing that at the end of the day I am not feeling well and am ultimately not my "real" self while doing said job which will affect other aspects of a job such as socializing with coworkers and forming friendships. I'm not okay with how am I though and what I do on a daily basis. I feel as though and should be and could be doing much more.

I enjoy playing video games. That's what I do with most of my free time. I honestly don't know what I'm interested in. I'm at the part in my life where in trying to find that. That's why I haven't continued my education. I got my associates degree in liberal arts (what college will put you in if your undecided on what your major is). I am very blessed to have supportive parents. My mom is my rock. I definitely can do volunteer work but like I had stated before it's hard for me to get out there and do things. I have alot of doubt regarding my abilities because of how I feel and that's what keeps me in my bubble (my house). That's another part that really bothers me for what I'm going through. I have a fight in my head daily. I want to get out there and do things but me feeling the way I do physically creates doubt and worry and avoidance.

My mom and dad don't really urge me to do anything. They are pretty understanding. What they do want for me is to feel better and do all of the things I want to do in life. My mom is my rock because she is always there for me and she is the one that can usually calm me down. I am super close with her and tell her everything. In the beginning my mom and I took walks together in an effort to get me out of the house. After a while I was taking walks on my own. It is getting cold out here where I live so the amount of walks I take has been lowered but I still do go for them time to time. Im unsure what the best thing for me is. I think at the end of the day I would like to feel physically better and well so that I can feel comfortable about the idea of doing things. In college I took all of the basic classes that you had to in order to get your degree. Math, English, science, history and other courses that fall into other requirements that I don't really remember that well. My strong points are math and English and I communicate with others pretty well I would say. If I took something there might be a possibility of that might enable me to break the barrier so to say. Im unsure though because that's my problem. I have a hard time believing what's going on with me as anxiety and I also have a hard time taking a medication in general because of fear of side effects and long term effects. I saw a psychiatrist throughout this 2 year time period that seemed to be very genuine and invested in helping me and making it so that I'm not suffering any more. I have had a female psychiatrist before but I stopped seeing her because my younger brother who was also seeing her was prescribed twice the amount of medication he was taking by her and my mom lost trust/reputability in her as a result.

I think you should give the medication a try. As long as it is being administered by a professional of course. I went through a period of chronic fatigue 9 years ago after a viral infection. It did something to my central nervous system, and caused me to cut back at work and such. My doctor gave me adderall which made a world of difference for me at that time. I was able to go back to work FT and have at least some social life. After 3 years it basically went away. But my point is that the medication in this case enhanced my quality of life a lot. Without it things would have been tougher and also harder for me to cope with mentally. Just my 2.5 cents here.

Wow, ironic to hear that. I recovered after that viral infection, but as I said it took 3 years before I felt "normal". I am in another one of those funks due to a course of antibiotics a couple months ago. Those medications can really do damage to your gut and ability to produce energy I found out. I am back on Adderall now which again has helped me a lot. I seem to be getting a bit better each week, so hopefully this episode is much shorter than 3 years. But, at least adderall is there to help things out a bit.

Hi again Austin. I don't know what your personal beliefs are but despite, a Christian upbringing, Buddhist meditation & Hindu breath meditation helped me, tame my mind. I started watching videos on youtube to learn how. I even watched videos made for children. It felt strange at 1st but now I enjoy it. They diagnosed me with ADD anxiety depression(20 years ago). Changing my diet, taking specific natural supplements, stopping the ton of prescription drugs and learning these meditation techniques, changed my life. I began everything slowly. Changes were incremental but consistent improvement. Mild, occasional anxiety is the only issue I have left. Ashwaganda helps. It isn't always easy to live such a disciplined life but the results are worth it.

Hey black Tara. Can you inform me on how you changed your diet and what supplements you took. I made a follow up appointment with my neurologist to discuss what my next treatment plans are whether that be taking a medicine or going the supplement/diet/exercise route. That being said my doctor did note to me that there is a chance that the supplement route may not work for me. I might go down the route to just see before I wind up taking something. But then there's a part of me that tells me I've been avoiding medicine for so long so I should just take it already and stop beating around the bush so to say

Hi austinw712,

I am sorry to hear about the challenges that you are having. But it is good that you are reaching out for help.

Even though you mentioned that you are having a hard time accepting that anxiety may be the root of your problem, remember that everyone experiences some kind of anxiety in their lives whether it is temporary or long term. It’s like a battle in the mind and even if we may never completely overcome it, we can learn to cope successfully.

Our mind and body are closely connected, so lifestyle changes like diet and exercise are always beneficial whether you choose to take medication or not.

It will take time and effort but overcoming or dealing with the problems we have in life can eventually help us to be better, just like fruits that struggle to grow in drier climates are in the end sweeter.

Thanks Karen Happy to share the things that have helped me.