I have similar worries. I'm a senior in college and I worry that I haven't learned enough, that I've been doing it all wrong, that I wont get a job because I dont have the skills necessary to do the job so they wont hire me. That all this time in college will be a waste. But I agree it stems from low self esteem. I have no confidence in myself but I'm working on trying to change my thinking. Do you take any medication for anxiety?

Hello - sorry to hear you are also struggling.

I take citalopram 30mg currently - i have been up and down on doses for the last decade. It does work well. I know i need to do more exercise/drink less. It all sounds so rationale when i write it down but it doesn't feel like that ha.

Do you have support services at college to help with anxiety/mental health?

Hello Jeff. Welcome to DS. Sorry for what brings you here, but glad you are here.

I have danced with anxiety for my entire life. I've been through more rounds than I can count of believing I had ^it^ licked, only to find myself flat on my ass in a new and improved shit creek. Sigh. . . Why can't life be as easy as a just?

Peer support has gone a LONG way in helping me stabilize that vicious cycle. Anxiety and its gnarly running buddies still hound me periodically, but having a support network to lean on makes a huge diff. Hope it does for you, as well.

Welcome aboard.

Yes we do have mental health counselors. They are helpful occasionally but it's hard to get an appointment with them and they never seem focused on me. They probably see too many stressed out kids that it all starts sounding like a broken record haha. I do have a psychiatrist that I treat as a therapist even though hes not the best at it xD I take zoloft for anxiety. Its supposed to help with panic attacks and perhaps it helps a little? But not enough. As for general anxiety I suppose it helps a little? Again I'm not sure. I've been on it so many years that I forget what it was like before I had it. I was a nervous wreck as a kid so i suppose it must be helping or i wouldn't be able to handle college at all. My medication for seasonal depression works wonders though and I will forever be grateful for it, wellbutrin if anyone is curious haha. But I think the cognitive behavioral therapy will help you. You just have to work on changing your thinking. Perhaps I should try it too.

Thanks Tashio and Alfie :)

A support network is so key - i need to talk to more people. Near my house there is a café that is run my trained mental health professionals and you can pop in for a cup of tea and a chat if you are unable to speak to a therapist there and then.

I know what you mean about being nervous as a kid - i used to have mild OCD; I would worry that if I did not count to a certain number before tasks then something bad would happen. I grew out of it but it maybe morphed into another thing - maybe something to explore.

I often wish there was a magic pill that would take it all away - although I guess battling with this does in some way make people more self aware and aware of the importance of looking after ourselves; don't know what you think about that. I definitely need to look after myself a lot more atm, got into a bit of a rut I have also started taking good probiotics as apparently there is increasing data about the importance of gut health and mental health; not sure what effect it is having but I will give anything a try

When my anxiety gets triggered...I find reaching out on here and sharing my experience with others and getting their support/empathy is really helpful. Knowing you're not alone...it's an experience millions of us are going thru.

Then I get off caffeine, extra sugar - anything that I was using to shore up my mood. It will lead to an additional crash if you utilize these stimulants. But what is often left...is more of a stable predictable mood.

I also notice that my body and mind are tired. I am constantly trying to solve, figure out whatever is making me anxious...so I'm reading too much, thinking too much, and asking myself how I am feeling too much. It's like my mind can't take a break...and a physical exhaustion follows. So I recommend, resting or sleeping more if that's possible. It helped me.

Try to get good quality sleep. For me that meant, setting a standard bedtime, watching a comedy or something relaxing.

Then when you're anxious thoughts pop back up, also ask yourself...have I really done anything wrong? Or am I just overanalyzing? Then try to think of things you have done right...and focus on those things.

Also try to get your mine submerged into other things....been wanting to read a new book....watch a new series? Go for it. Welcome distractions.

After a few days of this...I feel much better. I also acknowledge that I have anxiety...I can't solve it. It comes and goes...and all those days I worried...nothing fell apart those days...and today is nothing different. This is just my experience. Decide what works for you.

Best of luck. Sending you light and love.

Welcome! We all have magic within us, and we can use anxiety to help build our strength!

The more you write it out, the other words come out, and you'll find your way through "in the moment" ideas.

Staying hydrated, even breathing, practicing your appearance of calm in front of mirror until you can feel it naturally are all ways to help.

Therapy is good. Find what works for you. Cognitive Behavior Therapy takes a lot of effort, work, and determination to make it effective, and the results are excellent.

Best wishes!

In recent years, I've come to think of my anxiety management (by whatever name) as my spiritual diet. What meal can I eat that will save me from ever having to eat again? As I have grown more comfortable with that approach, I find myself wishing less for a *Cure* for the common me. Eating can be an honest and healthy joy with gentle attitude adjustments. Best done daily.

Or am I lost in metaphor again? That happens to me allot. . .

Hi,I’m new here too. I’m excited (not too many things get me excited lately) to know that there are people out there who understand exactly the way I’m feeling.
Thank you for your post Jeff, the responses are helping me too. I hope you find the support you need here. And I hope I can help others when I’m able to help myself. I’m just starting now, but we all have to start somewhere.

Hi All - well it's Monday morning and a toughy but reading your posts has really cheered me up. Thank you. It's great to feel like part of a community. Lavender I took your advice last night and chilled out with an audio book also ditched my normal two coffees for one this morning and am Putting one foot in front of the other. It's a sunny day in London so I got off the bus a few stops early and walked the rest of the way. Walking really helps my mood don't know about you guys?

Pamo welcome to you too I'm so glad this is helping you and I'm also excited about the community.

How are your Mondays? Wishing you lots of inner sun rays today even if the weather isn't sunny where you are.