Dealing with Anxiety (chronic) and weight loss

nas24 · January 2012

So i've been on this site for a while now and was doing GREAT with weight loss. Lost 18 lbs and was feeling amazing. Then out of no where, my anxiety reached an all time high, mostly because of the medication i was on was completely wrong and not needed. Anyways, it got so bad that i had to be hospitalized. During that time i stopped eating and working out, which made me gain back about 7-8lbs. I'm back here and feeling way better mental health wise and ready to start back on the weight loss journey. Just reaching out and either letting people like me know you can get back on the right track and/or wondering if there are any others out there like me that have any more advice.

DreamiJeani · January 2012

I have anxiety. I havent ever had to conciously diet and work out all the time to lose weight but since having my son I just dont have the metabolism anymore. Now that I dont feel comfortable in my own skin I find that its a lot easier to melt down about it. and stop caring. and stop doing anything.... I really feel like if I got back in shape i would feel good again (in fact I know it from when I WAS in shape) but I just cant get into good habits. My life keeps getting interuppted by my husbands military lifestyle and it is really hard for me to settle into a good routine.

MaryDreamer · January 2012

I was having panic attacks and take Prozac 20 mg for it and that it working for me. Best of luck!

Crystal_Pistol · January 2012

Exercise is a great medication to deal with any MH issue. Bipolar II here, and physical activity is working WONDERS!

nas24 · January 2012

Thanks for the support guys! Yeah physical activity is one of the big reasons im feeling better. Just getting up and about helps wonders.

beerlythere · January 2012

I have GAD, and was taking Wellbutrin, which worked for a while. A few months ago I had some negative side effects when I upped my dose, so I decided to go off it. My anxiety was sky-high and I couldn't sleep. The one thing that I found helped was a workbook on "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" or ACT. It's based off of CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) but it's about accepting your anxious feelings and being proactive in your life. It really helped, more so than CBT. I was able to recognize that I was feeling anxious and just let it be, instead of trying to distract myself from it. CBT works for many, many people, but others find that they do better with ACT. PM me if you want more info, and good luck; living with anxiety is really tough... And of course, stay in close contact with your doctors and/or therapists!

servilia · January 2012

I don't have any diagnosed anxiety issues, and I know whatever I have is not as serious as what you're talking about, but I do find myself anxious and worried a lot of the time. Just today I looked into guided meditation CDs on itunes and really liked the one I tried, so maybe you can look into that to complement your medical care. Good luck.

daisydog101 · January 2012

I have GAD, social anxiety, depression and suffer from panic attacks. I'm not taking meds at the moment although I really should be.
The main struggle for me is motivation to push through and leave the house to exercise...and to control comfort eating.

But I always feel better after I've been to the gym/done something.

Best of luck to anyone out there with any type of anxiety disorder

kelliemackey36 · January 2012

I am just doing walking and yoga, non stressful weight loss management that I enjoy. I am going to try to not worry so much about the number on the scales but more about what I feel like inside.

Scorpioangel · January 2012

I have anxiety also and was on a bunch of medications before I got into shape and can relate. It was really hard getting off of the medications but with the help of my wonderful boyfriend I was able to get off of them. I still have anxiety unfortunately but I have Xanax for when I feel it is getting bad. My release has been activity. Sometimes I take all of my anxiety and stress out on my workout.

it_be_asin · January 2012

I have anxiety and depression issues on and off, and have been on citalopram (cipramil) and venlafaxine (effexor) on and off to deal with episodes. I find regular yoga practice assists my sleep and helps me to keep a calm and open mind. I find that exercise in general is great for the mind - and setting goals and achieving them does wonders for driving my anxiety down (on the flipside, my tendency to procrastinate can make me quite anxious).

I also find walking to be meditative also, and would suggest that also.

delilah514 · January 2012

I also suffer from anxiety. I find that eating healthier and working out does wonder for my mental health. People who do not have it don't understand. But I feel different when I take time off from my diet & eat out to much & don't get in my work out which happens a lot on the weekend. Because of this I struggle a lot on Mondays. I have been making some positive changes since joining MFP health wise which has helped tremendously with my anxiety. Now to keep it up, lose the weight & keep the anxiety away!

aquapussy · January 2012

Hospitalized? Are you talking about panic attack anxiety or paranoia? I am very surprised they would hospitalize you for panic attacks since they are harmless, just feel horrible.

Assuming you are talking about panic attacks:

Panic attacks aren't chronic. You can get over them. I have had the worst panic attacks possible (thought I was dying, in ambulance the whole 9 yards) and I am just fine today. Yes I get very anxious at times but I know it is just anxiety now.

I assume you are on the proper meds and seeing a doctor/counsellor.

Exercise is the #1 natural method for relieving anxiety. I'm talking intense exercise.
Stay off all caffeine
If you aren't already, get on some meds like Prozac. If you must you can get some benzos for emergency use but be VERY careful about taking those as they can be hard to get off of.
Get proper sleep every night. This is my biggest anxiety trigger.
Deal with the stuff in your life that you can deal with if you have anything you are avoiding.
Say no to booze. It only helps for a little while and makes things worse in the end.

Books have helped me as well, such as Panic to Power and the Anxiety and Phobia workbook.

Feel free to add or message me if you have any questions, I have been through the gauntlet when it comes to anxiety!

sylverkat · January 2012

I have severe chronic anxiety with OCD (internal mind nagging kind) tenancies. I am just starting MFP. I can't comment with advice, I am new to this. I can say that I feel the same about not being yourself or happy in your skin. Anxiety makes it sooooo much worse. If you want to friend me, I am here.

dancinonwater · January 2012

I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, as well as OCD (also an anxiety disorder), and panic attacks. It has been getting worse and worse the past few months, despite many coping stratagies, so I finally decided to try meds (which I was very relucatant to because I don't want to mess up my still developing brain, but it has gotten so bad that I can't even do my life what-so-ever). I just started, so nothing has helped yet, but wish me luck!
My anxiety actually caused my weight gain. I am a total emotional eater, so I eat when I'm stressed, and suffering from an anxiety disorder this severe means A LOT of stress. Hopefully the meds will help and I will be able to really get on my weight loss because the anxiety makes it almost impossible to lose weight. I found that when I was eating healthier, I felt less anxious, so I guess it is a vicious cycle, but it is seriously at a point that I can't even try to cope on my own (and trust me I try), but food is really one of the things that makes me feel a little better. I know that really I will feel much better when I'm comfortable with my body, but I'm working on it.

Dealing with Anxiety (chronic) and weight loss

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