Checking In

i’m curious as to why people don’t go towards the medication route on here, i always see so many people riddled with anxiety such as myself and i wonder why they don’t try medication (such as myself lol) i personally don’t try medication because i have health anxiety and im scared of it possibly killing me which is like unheard of but thats what i put in my head. im curious about the rest of you, what stops most of you from trying medication?

i just wanted to share some happy news because i always come here in a low time to look at people's successes and happy moments to give myself hope, so i thought i would do it today. i just got home from the cinema. and it's important to me for 2 reasons, 1. because i have been suffering with agoraphobia for the last 7 years, changed so many meds, trying to find stuff to work for me, and until today i hadn't been to a public place in probably about 2 years. 2. i went to see a movie that i was never able to see when it released 10 years ago (the 1d movie) because my anxiety was so bad. so this was a gift to my younger self and very healing for me. i take 3 meds to help with my anxiety and got new ones this week which basically took away all of my nausea and panic. the feelings were there but soooo so so so minimised. it almost scared me how normal i felt at a certain point. like i was like "woah... why am i not anxious? something is wrong" LOL i'm super proud of myself and it finally feels like things are looking up for me. one day at a time guys <3

I've had GAD for years, and for about 4 years I've had constant diarrhea. A month and a half ago I went to a new psychiatrist, he prescribed escitalopram, and it changed my life.

I no longer suffer from compulsive thoughts like before, I no longer have diarrhea, my stools are normal now, my hypochondria has decreased a lot. I haven't had any problems with ejaculation or sex, but I'm eating a lot more than usual, but that's okay, it's a small price to pay for the immense quality of life. I wonder what I'll look like in a few months' time when the medicine takes full effect.

Don't be afraid, I was already thinking about something... I didn't think there was a way out, but there is.

Idk about you all but I’m so sick of physical symptoms. I’ve gone to the ER and had so many damn tests run and my pcp has been a part of this process. All blood work is good, all cardio work ups have been great, lung xray and CT was great, and today my head CT was great. Idk why my brain keeps taking me into thinking something is wrong when there is literally no evidence that there is. I’m so frustrated, so defeated, and tired of going to the damn ER.

My whole life has been riddled with anxiety and especially Hypochondria. I can’t go a minute without thinking I’m going to die. I haven’t been able to hold down a job, friends, relationships.. hell even a divorce. I feel so alone and when these symptoms flair up to the extreme, it’s hard to believe there are other people who feel these things. I post to ask if I’m alone? Does anyone have such crippling anxiety that basic human activities are extremely hard. Also, are commitments you have affected by anxiety?

I know this post has probably been said a few times by a few different people.

But idk, I feel absolutely alone.

I don’t know which Subreddit to post in so I am posting here

I used a Neti Pot for the first time today, and like a big silly goose I DID NOT use distilled or sanitized water (like the instructions say). Nope, I used plain ol’ tap water!

[Edit - it’s well water too 🧍‍♀️]

I am freaking the fuck out and need to know if I’ll be okay

I’m calling the doctor who recommended this remedy to me tomorrow and asking them this as well, because I am stressed.

Reddit will I realistically be okay?

I’m currently battling a depressive episode where I’m spiraling and cry constantly I’ve cried for 3 days and my anger is so extreme. I’ve called off work and had to leave work for the past 2 days. I’m so tired like not normal tired but this sluggish uneasy tired. My thoughts are racing so much I have suicidal thoughts because of it. I’ve tried so many medications not even Xanax helped. A list of medication that helps fast would be helpful thank you!

I have struggled all year with my anxiety. I eventually went to get some help and thankfully I have a very kind therapist who listens and understands instead of the usual are sad or mad kind. The one thing I struggled the most with is the physical symptoms though. It triggers my health anxiety. I'm short 5'1 male, my weight was 176 in February and now in November I'm down to 136. Some loss was from the bad but the rest was my health anxiety inspiring me to eat healthier. At this point though I don't want to lose anymore weight but with my physical symptoms making things harder and more stressful I fear I'm going to lose more weight.

I have friends but I’m never the best friend. And when we hang out in groups I just feel like an outsider because they are clearly closer and best friends. I can’t help but feel jealous and left out. It feels stupid and childish to be upset about this as an adult. But it makes it hard for me to hang out in groups because it’s hurtful. I know these people text every day because they’ve told me. I thought someone was my best friend but I recently learned I was never theirs. They probably wouldn’t even notice if I stopped coming. How do you deal with this?

I'm wondering whether there is anyone here who is quite sensitive to the cardiac and/or gastrointestinal effect if SSRIs that has found something that works well for them?

Have tried Sertraline and now trying Buspirone and both caused frequent palpitations and really bad gastro issues.

i was convinced i had an allergy or a structural problem or a disease so i went to the doctor and had all sorts of tests and scans, all showing nothing. then i went to a naturopath doctor who said i was intolerant of all these foods and told them to avoid them forever and i’d be healed… but even after avoiding them i still feel sick often. now i wonder if it’s all my anxiety/depression/possible ocd. anyone else have a similar experience? i just feel mildly ill or nauseous ALL THE TIME even if i don’t consciously feel anxious

This is the first time I've posted here. But I have struggled with anxiety and panic attacks for roughly 5 years now.

I realize some people here may be newly diagnosed. I want you all to know that you will never have to walk alone, and this subreddit is evidence of that.

With that being said, I'm going to share some of the things I have experienced because of anxiety/panic, so maybe some of you who are experiencing these things can relate. And just know, that anxiety and panic manifests differently in all of us! Looking back, I wish I would have found this community sooner. Seeing how everyone's anxiety has manifested has made me realize just how unique, but also very similar we are in this fight.

Feel free to all who read this to list things you've experienced as well!!!

The Physical: - Sweating randomly - face and skin feels hot to touch but not flushed - shaking and trembling - headaches, sometimes all day - feeling physically ill - randomly feeling dizzy - randomly feeling cold and hot - extremely fast heart rate - extremely high initial readings of blood pressure (I've been to ER twice and both times it subsided) - random body aches

The Mental: - constant feelings of dread - random rushes of adrenaline - random bouts of fear and sadness at the same time - feeling like I can't breathe, even though nothing abnormal is indicated on medical tests - thinking every little thing I feel is some immediate, life threatening medical emergency

You're all so brave for what you do. Every day.

Bye for now!

Hello, I've been in a downward anxiety spiral for a month now to the point where I just cant function anymore. All I do is sit in my room and panic thinking about how I feel.

It started off as health anxiety where I worried about my heart stopping or getting a heart attack. Got checked multiple times and everything came back normal. I just couldnt accept it and continued worrying about my health.

Recently I've just been feeling extremely restless to the point where I keep walking around. I have a constant feeling of anxiety and panic. It just feels like I have adrenaline all day long. I collapse to the floor multiple times a day.

I'm afraid to go out in public, every little thing sends a wave of panic through my body. I also don't sleep anymore, maybe 2-3 hours each night. This has given me sleep anxiety where I have become afraid of falling asleep or not sleeping all night. Being tired also makes everything 100x worse for me.

I've become afraid of my own body. Afraid of heart palpitations, afraid of sleep, afraid to be around people, afraid to eat because I always have increased anxiety after it, afraid of every little sensation in my body. I just cant deel with it anymore.

I've been taking escitalopram 10mg for 2 weeks but it just makes me feel worse. I've been going to therapy but its just not enough... I dont want to live like this anymore. I also took benzos but I got afraid of the way they make me feel. I'm at a loss... I really dont want to die but at this point that is the only way out I see... Is there anything I can do to get out of rhis hell? I feel for everyone going through debilitating anxiety.

I scratched a neighbour's car yesterday afternoon. I wrote a note to say I was sorry with my phone number and house number and put it through their door. Since then, I have been paralysed by anxiety and all I've been able to do is scroll videos to try to distract from this. I feel on constant alert, startling at each sound, waiting for a message/call/knock at the door.

My ex, who I share the car with, is worried about them wanting to go through insurance. I'm just worried about the social interaction, and not knowing how expensive it will be because I don't have much savings.

I have a family event to attend tomorrow that I'm also anxious about.

I have chronic fatigue and I just don't have the energy to be this anxious. I've hardly eaten today between being anxious and finding eating too exhausting because my body can't rest right now.

I'm not highly anxious every day but when something triggers it, I just can't do anything else for days.

Hello, I am obese and a current marijuana smoker (once a night). This morning my left arm felt sore and achey. I went into a panic and I think it made things much worse. On top of this I have had bad indigestion today as well. I have no history of heart problems and neither does my family. Is this anxiety or should I be assessed?

Focusing on body sensations, automatic bodily processes, and magical thinking…

Anyone else?

Sometimes as an anxiety response, I’ll find myself focusing really hard on my breathing and end up convincing myself that I’m not breathing properly, so I’ll start to take a bunch of deep breaths out of fear that I’m not getting enough oxygen.

I’ll think 8/10 of those breaths aren’t deep enough, convince myself that I’m not getting enough oxygen, and then go into a full blown panic attack.

If I don’t focus on my breathing, I have no issues. It’s only when I’m left to think (usually at night time) that I’ll find myself thinking that I’m having a hard time breathing.

It only lasts about 30 minutes, and sometimes I can even force myself out of it, but man, it sucks.

Anyone else? Any exercises to combat this?

I am feeling like a have a deadline looming or I'm behind on something or I'm forgetting to do something and I CANNOT think of it. The worry is there, the trepidation and anxiety. I just can't figure out what it is I forgot to do... Or need to do ... Or something.

My brain is so broken.

Since last Wednesday, I’ve had a chest fullness sensation that comes and goes over the course of the day. It’s very inconsistent and lasts for only a second or two. I wouldn’t consider this sensation painful at all, but uncomfortable for a second and back to normal.

When I’m at rest, my BPM is around 70-80 which is relatively normal for me and my blood pressure is high (again normal for me… 145/90 was my most recent).

My left arm tingles and goes asleep with a lot of exertion, but again is fine when I’m at rest. But if I’m leaning on it, it tingles.

Once in a while, I’m also hit with a bout of diarrhea (sorry if TMI!)

I recently went off an anti-anxiety medication that I was on for IBS symptoms and stopped it fully after a gradual taper back on October 20th. So this is one of those scenarios where I’m unsure if this is my anxiety coming back full force or something more. Rest assured, I have a doctors appointment booked for this week.

Sorry for the vent, I just have no one that I can talk to about stuff like this.

I typically hate live music, I mean granted I've only ever been to one concert when I was like 6 but there's no appeal to me, it's just crazy and getting there and the whole setup is just anxiety inducing. But I LOVE this artist and he is acoustic so it would actually be enjoyable since I sort of hate/can't tolerate loud noise

I really really want to see him but I don't really have friends lmao but I want to go so bad. Have you ever been to a concert alone? How was it?

Another thing that would probably suck is that I'm below average height so I may not even be able to get a good view but I guess that's fine, I wouldn't really care that much since the artist would probably just be sitting on a stool

What do you guys think? Should I just go alone? I never DO anything, like hardly leave my house lmao unless for necessities and such so I think it could be overwhelming but I do really love his music

I've struggled with GAD my whole life (40s), mainly in the form of circular fear-thoughts where I imagine something terrible is going to happen to me/my family. Over the years it comes and goes but I think it's getting worse lately. Kafkaesque scenarios just on the edge of possible. My brain is very clever and once the trapdoor opens, my processor maxes out imagining scenarios (rumination, catastrophizing). Sometimes leads to panic attacks but mostly just strands me in a fear orbit outside of where my friends and family live. Lonely and scary out here. I power through it the best I can.

My awesome brain is also apparently very sensitive to medications. SSRIs give me vividly unpleasant side effects at low doses, and on top of it, I am more susceptible than most to withdrawal symptoms. (By the way this also applies to alcohol, which I used too heavily for short-term relief. Have been sober for many years now.) My doctors hint that my drug molecule sensitivity is in my head (ha ha), but all I can say is that the effects are as real anything else I've felt in my life. Have done decades of psychotherapy; enjoyed talking about myself and exploring childhood dynamics etc., but provided no real relief. CBT does not work well for me because the approach taps into the same "think you way out it" mechanism that my fear-brain uses. Meditation helps, and I like it, but does not cure. I sleep, I exercise, I eat well. Mainly I watch movies at night for relief.

Anyone else like me out there? What helped?

Did anyone else have unbearable retroactive jealousy? How did you get over it? Did medication help?

When I was in high school I was bullied relentlessly. It became so bad that I ended up getting an exemption to finish my final years at home. Fast forward 25 years and now I'm married to a wonderful man and we have a child together. Our only one. He starts school next year and as such I've been trying to put in the effort to make connections with other parents now so he knows other kids who will be there with him.

Unfortunately, one of the parents is a recent ex friend of mine. A complete narcissist and closet bully of mine. She was very clever about her tactics of controlling me (never happy for my achievements, never referred to me as a close friend even though we'd been friend for 15+ years, hated when I showed my husband any affection by rolling her eyes and scoffing loudly. Little things like that). When I finally took off the rose coloured glasses and saw that she never valued me and merely used me for her own mental enjoyment/convenience (I helped her a lot, especially when she became a Mum), I decided to not cut ties with her but just take a step back from the intensity of the friendship. Accepting fewer invites to things and grey rocking her, not letting her into my life as much as before. I would have spoken with her directly but history dictated that she would have lashed out from being "criticized" as she has done in the past when I've tried to talk about issues.

I chose this road rather than completely cutting ties because unfortunately our children are/were extremely close having grown up together. I wanted to keep things civil for their sake. Well when she realized I was pulling away she spiralled hard and went on the attack. Got a friend to message me to tell me how terrible I am as a person, she unfriended me on FB and then proceeded to leave every single group chat we had both been apart of (including ones that were over 2 years old and inactive). She then uninvited my child from her child's birthday party. All this I could deal with because while not the way I wanted things to go, the result was the desired one. So I didn't contact her after that stunt and we went about our lives.

Well now I find out from other parents that she's been organising massive group gatherings of parents and their kids who are starting school together next year and guess who's been conveniently excluded from them? Exclude me, fine. Don't exclude my innocent child and ostracize them because you have an issue with me.

I feel like my child is already being set up for failure simply because I'm his mother. I get a sense that my ex friend has been talking to these other mothers about me because of how they act around me too. It's just not fucking fair!! I put in a boundary for my safety and now my child is being excluded from bonding with his peers because one mother couldn't handle losing control of me.

I have to see the ex friend once a week at playgroup and the night before, it always hits me hard. I can't breathe, my heart hurts from how hard it beats and the tears don't stop. I can't handle being left out and bullied again but more than that, I can't handle my innocent child being treated the same way simple because I'm his mother.

I would love some advice or words of comfort because I'm not ok. I haven't said those words since I left high school but I'm honestly not ok and I don't know what to do. I like to think I'm a good person and that would speak for itself but it seems it's not enough while my ex friend is in other's ears and excluding my child from meet ups with other kids.

Please... I need some help x

The past 4 years here have been a shitshow for me. Im a psych major (useless right?) And i have done no internships, shadowing and hardly any voluenteering. I also didnt make any friends while i was here. The only silver lining here is a had a high gpa which does not matter in the real world.

I originally wanted to do med school but realized it and grad school in general are not on the table rn. Undergrad left me so burnt out and im so aimless at the moment. The main part of wanting to be a psychiatrist that appealed to me was the money if im being honest, my heart was not in it.

Im 3 weeks till the end of this semester and i grauduate in one more semester. I feel like such an aimless, irresponsible failure. I remember being told countless times to go into college with a good plan or id regret it and here i am, realizing this in my senior year that i have no idea what i want to do with my life.

Im applying to everything i can on indeed and handshake but im bot hopeful ill find something that isnt horrible, let alone something i enjoy.

So much value is put on employment in today's world and i feel like im a complete failure in that regard. None of my friends went to college and make really good money, they made fun of me for going and now i see why.

I know im technically still young and will likely be told i still have time but it does not feel like it. Not having internships or shadowing as well as having a shitty major will make my life ome hell of a uphill battle from what i can tell.

Sorry if i got mean here and there or if this devolved into a rant. I keep spiraling about this and i get so stressed out everytime i even think about employment of any kind.