I've had it for a couple years now and its just getting worse. I constantly think people are judging me, and it's standing in the way of making new friends. It's like I want to be this laidback easy going person but this damn anxiety is standing in my way. Is there any other way of overcoming it, or are meds the only way? Any tips on how to deal would be much appreciated.
For some people, therapy alone is enough to combat anxiety. Most need medication. Don't be scared of medication. It is a tool that can help you cope. If you were diabetic, you wouldn't skip insulin. Why, then, would you even consider not taking meds for anxiety? There is NO redemtion in suffering...!
I'd suggest not going to your doctor to be put on medication. Go see her/him and get all the advice and information you need of course, just try and keep away from meds until you've exhuasted other therapies. I've had social anxiety since I was like 11 years old. I went into therapy when I was 13 and I think that did help quite a lot. I didn't understand my problem at the time (just thought I hated school), but whatever we talked about defintely helped as I was back in school from 14-16 with no serious problems. It came back again after I went from school to college and it seemed much worse. I went to my doctor who put me strait onto anti-depressants. Medication was the worst treatment I'd ever sought for the problem! Actually taking the pills made me nervous, gave me the shits, and messed up my diet. It was like social anxiety X 100. So with all that in mind! Sorry I've seemed to have rambled...I'd say try therapy or natural remedies before all else.
it IS all in your head, trust me! if you could just simply forget it, you would be much better off. but, studies show those with therapy got cured a lot more than those who just took medication, they highest rates where with therapy and medication combined though, but there are exceptions to every rule and i dont remember taking a poll, do you?
i hear ya. I used to suffer severely from it. Mine was attributed to the old "too much too fast" thing meaning after I became a heavy pot smoker and heavy all together psychadelic user & the feelings began. What's worse is after I started feeling this way I became depressed because I felt like I was losing myself to these uncontrollable feelings. Everywhere I'd go I felt people were lookin at me and thinking awful things of me & just all together didnt like me. I began to just hide basically. I hated being around people all together. This just made it worse because idle minds become depressed anyways so this just drove me deeper in depression and anxiety. Saint Johns Wort is a completely natural herb that you can find in basically any health store that raises feelings of contentment and joy. It's doesn't just shield your mind from caring about things as prescription antidepressants do, it just helps you to move past the anxiety. Like Fractual said it is in your head, things aren't really that way, but I also know that in many cases it develops to a point where you can't just tell yourself to get over it. Try the herb, it helped me a lot. Also if you do feel it is making you depressed as well try doing some things that greatly help with depression like changing things in your life. For some its moving completely, getting a new job, some are helped even by getting a new look going on. Depression and social anxiety go hand in hand and feed off each other to drive you deeper and deeper. The sooner you take some of these steps, the better you'll be. Try music, relaxtion techniques, meditation, yoga, and maybe even just talking to somebody about all this. Promise it helps. I feel you , email me if you wanna talk or got a question or whatever.
I used to have moderate anxiety, took meds and it went away and after I stopped taking them I got anxiety again but this time it was mild. I dont have social anxiety, but I know how tough it is. Meds can really ehlp, but the best treatrment is a combo of therapy and meds.
What med did they try you on. Most meds really shouldn't do this if they are prescribed/taken correctly.
This is outdated information. Current studies show success rates of medication to be superior to therapy, and only slightly less effective than therapy & meds combined.
Then number one side effect of pot and psychadelics is anxiety... St John's wort is a mild MAO inhibitor. It works in the same way as prescription MAO inhibitors, and very similiar to SSRI's. It is just very, very mild (often ineffective, but worth a shot if you are not on other meds. St John's Wort does have MANY drug interactions). Trying relaxation, meditation, etc will definately help if you give them a chance. They do not provide the instant relief our society craves, though, you will have to work at them.
I can't remember now, it was a couple of years ago. But I can answer your question in a way, because I don't think they were prescribed correctly at all. I wasn't depressed, just really nervous. I mean, that kept me indoors a lot and I got kinda bummed out, but if we were to of addressed the anxiety side of it at the time, I'm pretty sure the 'depression' would have disappeared with the nerves. I take this stuff called 'rescue remedy' these days if the anxiety gets really bad. I think it must help a little as without it I'd probably not do half the things I'd like to. In case it's not available the world over, the ingriedients are: Rock Rose, Impatiens, Clematis, Star of Bethlehem and Cherry Plum. Been reading a lot about 5HTP recently, got a post in here about it, sounds like it could help anxiety in a way too. Helps create more serotonin levels in the brain, I think it's fairly safe to say the happier you are the less nervous you are.
yes, yes I know. Anxiety is the least of my problems. I support the the use of all psychoactive drugs. I was bipolar manic depressive long before I began using psychs. Mine is caused by other things.
mirakulously dead--when did you first realise that you were bipolar? i mean my dad is bipolar i think--but he doesnt want to get help and i feel like im getting more and more like him every day. hes driving me insane. i mean i know i cant blame him but im really having a hard time controlling my thoughts sometimes.and then thoughts turn into actions. anyway, its hard finding someone you can really trust to talk about this kind of stuff too. if i try to talk to my parents theyre just gonna tell me to stop smoking pot. i dont really have any true friends--and the one i do have i dont want to always be complaining to her--as i always am. noone likes a complainer, and i myself cant stand to be everyones bandaid. so mirakulously dead, you sound like someone i can relate to-- --+peace+--
hey there shelly welly. I first realized things were wrong about 2 years ago (18). Nothing seemed to get worse and I eventually just felt like I was cool with whatever strangeness I was feeling. Then, about 2 months ago I noticed myself going through definite mania at times; endless energy, my mind was racing like I was tripping, I would find things moved around and changed in my room or something and then have absolutely no recolection of it. Other times, like now, to be honest, I'm just depressed outta my mind. Today was crazy. I was supposed to mow some of my family's lawns but said fuck it, i can't and just layed down on the couch. they called, i got pissed and say "what do you want from me, I can't work today". then i got so hyper today and my mind was so rampant I had to drive up to my aunts house and get these nerve pills shes got for herself and pop a couple. so right now, about 5 hours after poppin them, im startin to feel kinda rowdy again. Im 20 now, and like I saw that guy b4 post, it is the usual time for bipolar to set in, late teens, early twenties, but it can be any time. Help is hard to get for manics, my time when I decide i best go see the MD lasts about an hour or two and only comes bout once a week, then Im sure I need know help. Plus, im scared they'll fuck me up. I still love myself....or selves I guess email me definetly if you got any questions or just wanna talk MirakulouslyDead@msn.com take care yourself, Sky by the way, i know about the no-one to talk to thing, trust me, i have no friends for like 2 years now ~ email me
