Hi everyone,
new member. I appreciate all the tips and suggestions. I suffer from anxiety that started around 2018. I think anxiety is as varied as the people who suffer from it. I'd like to come at it from a different angle. A lot of the online help and suggestions assume the person is thinking about things that cause anxiety and/or depression (these are often linked in my experience), and that not thinking about them will help, or there's negative self talk going on that is causing anxiety, etc.
But what if there are physical symptoms and/or actual situations that are causing the anxiety?
I have had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibro Myalgia since 1995. CFS affects the hormones, hormones effect all the systems of the body. Having a chronic illness can be quite limiting in many ways, so this can affect mental health as well.
PTSD is a physical illness that affects mental health also.
I am an active and practical person when it comes to my illness. I take many vitamins/minerals, Chinese medicine, health supplements, St John's wort, and Seremind (lavender oil). I walk every day with stretches, I do 8 mins of yoga and chanting, I do a 40 minute workout every 4 days (isometric/dumbbells/abs), I don't smoke, drink small amounts of alcohol off and on, sometimes months without any, no drugs.
There's is not much more I can do for my health, but I still get depressed, and get anxious.
With CFS and the hormones not working, in my experience it is similar to someone with PTSD, or the old fashioned term for returned soldiers: shellshock. I am sensitive to noise, cold, lots of activity, smells, etc. It is like I am right on the edge of a nervous breakdown. So if I look at my circumstances: 51, no job, no family, no friends, no energy to do much, no socialising, living in a unit that isn't temperature stable, living in a cool climate, living on a noisy street, etc. with a small chance of getting out. Isn't it an wonder I am feeling anxious?
I just saying: sometimes the reality of the situation you are in is causing the anxiety and depression. Yes, you can meditate and it will help, you can exercise and it will help, but the situation is what it is. People end up alone with no purpose and our society isn't equipped to offer much help.
It is a lot to ask the person who is drowning to just change the way they think about the water...
I've thought about medication and been close to asking my GP for some, but so far I've resisted, but I think I need medication now.