Anxiety and depression

Anyone else out there struggling with mental health? It gets the best of me and interferes with what I want to accomplish health wise. Trying to overcome it and get healthier and strong. Glad this app has so much support!

Replies

  • littletahoma
    littletahoma Posts: 27 Member
    Yes…one thing that helps me get through the tougher days or times is to think of what I’m grateful for. Also, give myself some grace, it’s ok to sometimes clear your calendar, or cancel a plan when I need rest. Knowing my limits and having boundaries has made a big difference in depression. I get anxiety still, it’s really physical in my body, that’s a tough one and I often have to just breath through it, deep breaths and excercise does improve this.
  • renew0127
    renew0127 Posts: 47 Member
    @avatiach the idea of the tight spirals has me intrigued. can you tell me more about what that does for your anxiety? thanks! :)
  • NolanBB
    NolanBB Posts: 1 Member
    I had problems with anxiety though I don't anymore. In a short comment, I can't explain exactly how I got rid of my anxiety, but I can offer a tip that may work for you. (Disclaimer: not a medical professional) Perhaps it may be useful to think through what exactly is causing your anxiety, and try to rationalize that thought. Often times in my experience the anxiety-inducing thoughts are irrational, and once I realize that, my anxiety is greatly alleviated.
  • OccultOrange
    OccultOrange Posts: 2 Member
    I also struggle with anxiety, and have most of my life. I can absolutely relate!

    Medication was by far the biggest help to me in terms of getting my anxiety down to a manageable level. Now that I've got that leveled out, I've been able to better focus on my goals as well as other strategies for working on my anxiety. It's still a work in progress!

    Meditation or some form of mindfulness, daily affirmations, and having a creative outlet have also really helped me.
  • finleycats
    finleycats Posts: 7 Member
    Lots of good tips here. I have to be cautious of meds as they have the opposite affect with me. One thing I've learned is I have empath tendencies and take on the emotions around me. So when I don't know why I'm having anxiety, I look around at the people I've been around. Knowing it's not my anxiety helps a lot (going to Walmart can be a real trip). Otherwise, for me getting into nature is HUGE, especially if I go walking. And sleep, OMG getting enough sleep! Aside from those, I also use Crystals, essential oils, and counseling when needed. Good luck! Took me years to get to where I am (the more you do what you need to do, the quicker it would happen) and I still have relapses (currently my one of my jobs plus fur babies not doing well and dying).
  • avatiach
    avatiach Posts: 298 Member
    @avatiach the idea of the tight spirals has me intrigued. can you tell me more about what that does for your anxiety? thanks! :)

    @shann55437 apologies I am just seeing this now.

    It is basically a meditative centering exercise. I found this interesting piece written about it:

    https://adamwestbrook.substack.com/p/62-spirals

    I like that you can do it anywhere!

    You can also Google “Lynda Barry” and journaling or curriculum, she has some interesting YouTube videos based on a class she teaches (and a book too!).
  • renew0127
    renew0127 Posts: 47 Member
    avatiach wrote: »
    @avatiach the idea of the tight spirals has me intrigued. can you tell me more about what that does for your anxiety? thanks! :)

    @shann55437 apologies I am just seeing this now.

    It is basically a meditative centering exercise. I found this interesting piece written about it:

    https://adamwestbrook.substack.com/p/62-spirals

    I like that you can do it anywhere!

    You can also Google “Lynda Barry” and journaling or curriculum, she has some interesting YouTube videos based on a class she teaches (and a book too!).


    Thank you so much @avatiach !! I will definitely read about that. I am all about knocking my anxiety off its block some!
  • CrazyMermaid1
    CrazyMermaid1 Posts: 356 Member
    As NAMI Connection Support Group says, Mental illnesses are medical illnesses that may have environmental triggers. There’s no shame in having to take medication for them, just like there’s no shame in taking insulin or heart medication.
  • crystallynnlu
    crystallynnlu Posts: 10 Member
    I have bad anxiety
  • renew0127
    renew0127 Posts: 47 Member
    As NAMI Connection Support Group says, Mental illnesses are medical illnesses that may have environmental triggers. There’s no shame in having to take medication for them, just like there’s no shame in taking insulin or heart medication.

    thank you for saying that. it's nice knowing there are people out there who don't listen to all the hype that just because i take meds must mean that i am crazy. <3
  • renew0127
    renew0127 Posts: 47 Member
    I have bad anxiety

    i hope you find this is a place that can help you. everyone is very supportive and have great insight with different ideas to help. <3
  • CTtugboating
    CTtugboating Posts: 4 Member
    Anxiety, depression, body image issues, addiction... I got it all haha. BUT I've always found that having a plan is best. Failing to plan is planning to fail. So many people just go go go go and get overwhelmed. The key is to always be mindful of your feelings and your triggers and never ever feel like you're alone. It's easier said than done, but if you put the work in anything is possible. A lot of my anxiety and depression comes from my self esteem issues which is of course directly related to my weight. It's taken me a long time to get to where I am and I will forever be a work in progress. You got this!
  • fishbonz3497
    fishbonz3497 Posts: 13 Member
    I have to fought this for years. found a good full spectrum cbd helps me tremendously.good luck
  • TeddyMaddox
    TeddyMaddox Posts: 2 Member
    Dealing with mental health stuff can feel super isolating, but knowing there's a space to share and connect makes a world of difference.

  • jess2023mac
    jess2023mac Posts: 41 Member
    edited June 10
    "The best thing is to not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Doing something is better than nothing even if it's not the timetable I envisioned or the "best" plan."

    I love this. So many of us(or at least me :() feel it's gotta be all or nothing. All that 'beautiful people' media rage can really get to a person, or just the media rage itself, how there's a right way and a wrong way to just be in this world. We all need to learn what's right, normal, beautiful, for US. We ARE enough. If people could get past the exterior of others and really get to know the interior light that shines in each and every one of us.
    I'm speaking from my own life perspective and from the things I know that has caused me depression/anxiety through my 70 years of life.

    I have been on medication for depression and anxiety since my peri-menapause days. I still need to take back my control of the mind a lot of the time. Changing our negative self-image can be very challenging.

    For me, part of the answer lies in being with people that make me feel good. And being in nature, can't say enough good about the effects of that. Being with my dogs.

    Good luck and best wishes; being depressed and living with anxiety is such a challenging life. But it can be managed by finding the things that work for you.