Mind over Matter...

SkinnyMsFitness · June 2013

Hi everyone!

March 2008, I had a severe panic attack, heart palpitations, chest pains...the whole nine yards! Scared for my life, literally, I went to a doctor (an unfavorable action). Anyways, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Then it all made sense; I realized that yeah I did worry all the time (guess I still do)...no matter how I try to avoid it, it happens 24/7/365. I've been living with this ever since.

Through experience/education, I decided to opt against medication to control my mental illness...I REFUSE to live on pills for the rest of my life! Which, by the way, GAD is here for good...so the doctors say.

Although I still feel anxious, it's way less apparent now that I've been working out (almost) everyday, and I'm making better food choices. Well maybe not better, but I'm controlling my intake.

So now I'm wondering - in this day and age where so many people are diagnosed with mental disorders, is it just mind over matter? I feel like I have so much control over myself lately, a feeling I've never felt before. And we all know obesity is an ever-increasing issue...is this the cause of everyone's mental illnesses?

Doctors love to prescribe pills as fix-alls no matter a person's symptoms, but could it just be as easy as getting fit? I barely believe that my GAD is gone, but I feel probably 80% better nowadays. Wouldn't it be easier to workout, eat right, drop some pounds, and aim for total wellness than to live on medication?

** I know everyone's situations are different, and I'm not meaning to offend anyone, but this is something I've been thinking about.

What are your thoughts? :-)

michellechawner · June 2013

Funny, I had GAD and I don't take pills - i took them for about a year when my life stabilized out and then was taken off them.

People tell me my Fibro is mind over matter - and I tell them to go screw themselves. I am in constant pain, but there is no test to prove Fibro. But the meds work, so I take them 3 times a day, every day. It's better than collecting disability from the government and I still work 40-50 hours a week, and volunteer, and I do have times where the pain is worse, but for the most part the meds do the trick.

This is a condition I will have for the rest of my life, and it makes exercise hard (if you're in constant pain, would you want to exercise?) I know I will not always be on meds, but I've found holistic alternatives because We do want a family one day and then I will need to be taken off them. Although I aim for total wellness, I will always have this condition, whether I'm on meds for it or not.

I do get a lot of people who say "oh, I know so and so who has fibro, they did this and it works great!" REALLY? I've tried everything, and there is nothing I've found that works "better", I've found some stuff that makes it worse though. Each case is different. This may work for you, but it may not work for me.

I'll stick to my meds until we start getting serious about starting a family, then I will be weened off with my doctor's instructions.

MattKnight66 · June 2013

I agree.

In my early 20's I started to have panic attacks. Besides being stressed over the usual life events I was also in the worst shape I had been in years.

It was suggested I take medicine and like you I did not feel comfortable with that.

I chose to refocus on getting back into shape. Exercise and diet. Within a few months I was back in great shape and the panic attacks had stopped. Have not had one in over 20 years now. I will never forget the ones I had though. Nothing fun or funny about them.

I can admit that besides the diet and exercise I made a good effort to eliminate stressors in my life. I still try and keep those to a minimum. Having said that, I believe diet and excercise were the biggest factor in getting better and staying better. I think that physically I was in too poor of shape to take the stress.

I am with you

SkinnyMsFitness · June 2013

Thanks for sharing Michelle. I have no clue what you're going through...I can only speak through my experiences. However, I never knew GAD is curable...everyone (including doctors) insists it's here to stay. I'm sorry you're going through what you are.

The reason I will not live on medication is b/c my boyfriend's mother has cirrhosis of the liver b/c she lives on pills...so if avoidable, I think it's wise. Again, I know everyone is not capable of doing so b/c every illness is different in its conditions, ailments, etc...

I did take medication for my GAD for the first 3 months after diagnosis, "the time it takes to take full effect," and it worked. However, I started feeling like it wasn't, so the doctor's response was to put me on a higher dosage of a more potent pill. No thank you. It's tough, but I've been surviving.

Don't mean to offend anyone...sorry if I have.

Funny, I had GAD and I don't take pills - i took them for about a year when my life stabilized out and then was taken off them.

People tell me my Fibro is mind over matter - and I tell them to go screw themselves. I am in constant pain, but there is no test to prove Fibro. But the meds work, so I take them 3 times a day, every day. It's better than collecting disability from the government and I still work 40-50 hours a week, and volunteer, and I do have times where the pain is worse, but for the most part the meds do the trick.

This is a condition I will have for the rest of my life, and it makes exercise hard (if you're in constant pain, would you want to exercise?) I know I will not always be on meds, but I've found holistic alternatives because We do want a family one day and then I will need to be taken off them. Although I aim for total wellness, I will always have this condition, whether I'm on meds for it or not.

I do get a lot of people who say "oh, I know so and so who has fibro, they did this and it works great!" REALLY? I've tried everything, and there is nothing I've found that works "better", I've found some stuff that makes it worse though. Each case is different. This may work for you, but it may not work for me.

I'll stick to my meds until we start getting serious about starting a family, then I will be weened off with my doctor's instructions.

SkinnyMsFitness · June 2013

Thanks Matt! You brought up a good point..."in the worst shape of your life." I guess at my diagnosis, I was too, but I let it continue for 5 more years...but hey, the main thing is that I'm working on it now...and progressing! :-) Panic attacks are VERY scary, I remember thinking that I was going to die. Literally. And I was scared out of my mind for days after.

I'm so glad that you have your mentality under control for so many years and you are a great inspiration to me to continue what I'm doing. Thank you so much!

I agree.

In my early 20's I started to have panic attacks. Besides being stressed over the usual life events I was also in the worst shape I had been in years.

It was suggested I take medicine and like you I did not feel comfortable with that.

I chose to refocus on getting back into shape. Exercise and diet. Within a few months I was back in great shape and the panic attacks had stopped. Have not had one in over 20 years now. I will never forget the ones I had though. Nothing fun or funny about them.

I can admit that besides the diet and exercise I made a good effort to eliminate stressors in my life. I still try and keep those to a minimum. Having said that, I believe diet and excercise were the biggest factor in getting better and staying better. I think that physically I was in too poor of shape to take the stress.

I am with you

CeddysMum · June 2013

Well, I'm in the opposite corner (and no, Pamela, you didn't offend me, I understand where your musing is coming from

)

I didn't actually start gaining all that weight and 'loosing' my (well, then still reasonable) fitness until *after* I hit a massive break-down with combined depression/anxiety disorder (and multiple severe social phobias). At that time it left me physically (and mentally) so very weak for Months (even years, really) that I was barely able to walk to the bathroom unassisted (and yes, I am actually on long-term disability because of it, something I much rather would change

).

I have improved somewhat through 'fighting back' again and again, though with numerous set-backs, and I have to admit that to this day I am unable to function even with basic day-to-day tasks if I go off the meds (I even notice the difference if I forget to take just one dose)

Sooo, maybe it is mind over matter in some cases ... and I sincerely hope and wish for you that this is the case for you

... and Maybe I'll be able to say the same one day (Ohhhh, that would truly be a miracle!!!)

Again, I'm not offended ... I'm also in no way trying to get sympathy or anything like that ... but reading your post I thought I"d throw in the other side of the coin so that others, who may be in a similar situation as myself ... won't feel that taking the meds if they need them is something to be 'ashamed' of or that they need to 'hide' their illness

SkinnyMsFitness · June 2013

Thanks for sharing CeddysMum! I'm glad I didn't offend you and I do appreciate your opinion. :-) I studied psychology for a little while so I understand the different effects of different disorders...I know they're no fun! I know that my 'illness' is not the lightest of cases, but it's not the heaviest either...so I'm sure other individuals do need medication...which is completely okay and I do not wish to make anyone feel ashamed either.

On the other hand, I do know of many people (in my personal life) that use medication as a crutch; thus, why I mentioned about my bf's mother's liver failure...I believe she may have played a part in using constant medication to collect disability, but hey, who am I to judge...these are just my thoughts...I've been around their family for over a decade.

Anyways, I hope all is well...all we can do is continue to strive for optimal wellness! :-) And I'm glad that you're managing a little better nowadays. At least we can say we're stronger for what we've been through, eh?

Well, I'm in the opposite corner (and no, Pamela, you didn't offend me, I understand where your musing is coming from )

I didn't actually start gaining all that weight and 'loosing' my (well, then still reasonable) fitness until *after* I hit a massive break-down with combined depression/anxiety disorder (and multiple severe social phobias). At that time it left me physically (and mentally) so very weak for Months (even years, really) that I was barely able to walk to the bathroom unassisted (and yes, I am actually on long-term disability because of it, something I much rather would change ).

I have improved somewhat through 'fighting back' again and again, though with numerous set-backs, and I have to admit that to this day I am unable to function even with basic day-to-day tasks if I go off the meds (I even notice the difference if I forget to take just one dose)

Sooo, maybe it is mind over matter in some cases ... and I sincerely hope and wish for you that this is the case for you ... and Maybe I'll be able to say the same one day (Ohhhh, that would truly be a miracle!!!)

Again, I'm not offended ... I'm also in no way trying to get sympathy or anything like that ... but reading your post I thought I"d throw in the other side of the coin so that others, who may be in a similar situation as myself ... won't feel that taking the meds if they need them is something to be 'ashamed' of or that they need to 'hide' their illness

Parmcat · June 2013

I am a psych nurse, and deal with this in teens a lot. Last year, I suffered through a major depressive episode and acute anxiety, due to a horrific event at work.

I took Ativan for about a week, just so I could get some rest, and try to screw my head back on properly. As the depression got worse, I seeked help.

I did some therapy work, called EMDR. I did it for about 6 weeks. Everything started to get better, and I can say, today, things are back they way they were.

Check out EMDR,, and see if there is anyone in your area trained in that therapy technique.

Please feel free to friend me or send any questions you like

nomeejerome · June 2013

Hi everyone!

March 2008, I had a severe panic attack, heart palpitations, chest pains...the whole nine yards! Scared for my life, literally, I went to a doctor (an unfavorable action). Anyways, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Then it all made sense; I realized that yeah I did worry all the time (guess I still do)...no matter how I try to avoid it, it happens 24/7/365. I've been living with this ever since.

Through experience/education, I decided to opt against medication to control my mental illness...I REFUSE to live on pills for the rest of my life! Which, by the way, GAD is here for good...so the doctors say.

Although I still feel anxious, it's way less apparent now that I've been working out (almost) everyday, and I'm making better food choices. Well maybe not better, but I'm controlling my intake.

So now I'm wondering - in this day and age where so many people are diagnosed with mental disorders, is it just mind over matter? I feel like I have so much control over myself lately, a feeling I've never felt before. And we all know obesity is an ever-increasing issue...is this the cause of everyone's mental illnesses?

Doctors love to prescribe pills as fix-alls no matter a person's symptoms, but could it just be as easy as getting fit? I barely believe that my GAD is gone, but I feel probably 80% better nowadays. Wouldn't it be easier to workout, eat right, drop some pounds, and aim for total wellness than to live on medication?

** I know everyone's situations are different, and I'm not meaning to offend anyone, but this is something I've been thinking about.

What are your thoughts? :-)

It is awesome that you have found an approach to treatment that works for you. Yes, sometimes exercise, improved diet and changing thought patterns can improve symptoms. However, some people with certain diagnosis need medication and have difficulty functioning without it.

Mental health is a hot topic and there are many people that hold a stigma against those with a mental illness, which is uncalled for and that stigma can push people in the opposite direction of getting treatment. Most of the time it is people who have no knowledge of mental illness and base their opinion on whatever is hot on the news or from one psychology class in school or an isolated experience. There are individuals out there who need genuine treatment and sadly funding for mental health is not a top priority.

Timshel_ · June 2013

Hi everyone!

March 2008, I had a severe panic attack, heart palpitations, chest pains...the whole nine yards! Scared for my life, literally, I went to a doctor (an unfavorable action). Anyways, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Then it all made sense; I realized that yeah I did worry all the time (guess I still do)...no matter how I try to avoid it, it happens 24/7/365. I've been living with this ever since.

What are your thoughts? :-)

Yeah, been there. I was what I considered a strong, hard working, stable normal guy up until last year when I had a bout with depression and anxiety. Docotor said it was stress, extreme fatiuge, and such. I realized then, all of what I thought was strong, all that hard work and long hours, and what I considered normal had to change. I couldn't live as I was living. I made a lot of changes since then, including tackling some deep demons that have been pushed way down, but obviously still did bad things inside of me.

Anyway, I started working out, trying to understand the true 'me', and working to be more in tune with my spiritual side as well - mind, body, and spirit. I've come a long way, but I still have a lot further to go. I haven't had any large onsets of depression or anxiety, mostly because I am very concious of the triggers and my body. I am proud of that.

Knocked me for a loop, but a loop is a circle and you wil always come back.

Timshel_ · June 2013

Mental health is a hot topic and there are many people that hold a stigma against those with a mental illness

I had my own against myself. As a guy, that was tough.

ahviendha · June 2013

pamela, your story is my story! i went off my meds when i left university, knowing my main anxiety is academics, since i have very high standards and push myself hard.

i was still anxious, unhappy, weighing in at 206lbs. i also have hypoglycemia, and the two conditions fed off each other like you don't even know. if i was hungry, i was anxious. if i was anxious, i wanted to eat crappy food, which sent my sugar sky high, then a plummet, back to being sad and anxious.

as i lost more and more weight, and ate better, drank more water, exercised, the worries diminished. as i sit here, 158lbs, a weight lifter, the only time anxiety pops back up is during big life decisions or changes, and that's normal! i am moving this fall to a different country, finishing my schooling, and won't be on pills. i know i can do it.

also, weight lifting improved my insulin sensitivity, which in turn improved my moods since i wasn't on a sugar high and low every two hours. i'm happier because i feel beautiful, i'm strong.

i eat much fewer grains and processed sugars, and that helps a lot. grains spike my blood sugar, as does processed sugar, then i crash and want more grains and sugars! it is amazing to me how everything wrong in my life was intertwined, and once i figured out my mess of a life everything's gravy and sunshine

nomeejerome · June 2013

Mental health is a hot topic and there are many people that hold a stigma against those with a mental illness

I had my own against myself. As a guy, that was tough.

I bet! Stigma sucks all the way around and I am glad that you brought up that point.

dangerousdumpling · June 2013

I've dealt with anxiety in the past. I have an unopened bottle of anti-anxiety meds in my drawer. It's sort of a safety net. I've never taken one but I know it's there. Sometimes I feel the beginning of an anxiety attack, I know it's coming, and I recognize that my own thoughts created the feeling and therefor my own thoughts can reverse it. I recognize that I'm either thinking something that's not true or isn't beneficial to me and I reason with myself until I relax. Cognitive therapy can teach you how to do that. If you don't want to see a therapist I always recommend a book called Feeling Good by Dr. David D. Burns. It helps you identify what kind of negative thinking is going on and how to correct it. So, in a sense, it is mind over matter. While it's easier said than done, it's totally possible. It's possible to choose to think and dwell on true and positive thoughts rather than negative and false thoughts.

SkinnyMsFitness · June 2013

Thank you everyone for your input! I find everyone's thoughts beneficial and I can use them all in their unique ways! It's always nice to hear other individual's situations and how they have corrected them...or how they're dealing. :-)

Mind over Matter...

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