Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
I was wondering if anyone here found that seeking treatment or help for anxiety was one nightmare after another? I live in an area or county that seems to do everything to not help me.
1. Assumptions that I am drug seeking, which makes me wonder if they even read my medical file, Ive seen the same Doctor for decades, my medical history is right there , everything is electronically synced , at least in my case, they even asked me one time about something that happened decades ago so I know they have access to my history.
2. I am not on any medications at all, don't have a drug or drinking problem, not suicidal, non smoker, stable life, job. Either I am not dangerous or messed up enough for help, or when I flat out ask for something because all my other pleas for help fell on deaf ears,I get this look like a smile, like I am lying, patted on the shoulder and told me it would pass, I'll be OK. I even went as far as telling them I did have a plan or suicidal, just to see if it made a difference, NOPE, the ER Doc gave me 1 Valium,and told me to talk to my pastor.
3. Self medicated, anything from herbal supplements to doing a shot or two, Gabba seemed to help the most, Ive tried everything, Benadryl, THC Edibles, talk about making it worse, that was a disaster OMG, I had to tell myself that at least this will pass as it wears off, and it did, that was horrible, I was forever grateful I was home by myself when that happpened, NyQuil, Benadryl work in a pinch.
I also find that when I try and talk to people,Doctors, who ever they blow me off tell me "Everyone has anxiety, or feels anxious at onetime or anther" Yes , I am not doubting that, but when it starts to destroy , or affect my life, to the point where I would do anything to make it go away , there is a bigger problem than butterflies in my stomach.
Even my best friend of 35 years who is on a ton of medications for Depression, anxiety, narcolepsy, herself ,kind of just laughs at me, because I am no where near her level of help needed, What because I don't break down and cry and flip the f### out , I grew up in a dysfunctional , mentally and physical abusive family, raging alcoholic father and now my brother, my sister is going through hell right now and I know all this is 100% intertwined with my anxiety, working ridiculous hours at work.
No one should ever have to beg for help, that's how I feel, like I have to beg, and plead, and when I do ask for help I do not get help, when a doctor told me she doesn't just hand out medications like candy, I told her "Lady if I wanted drugs ,of any kind, Oxy, Xanax , prescription, or Illegal whatever, I can go get what ever I wanted, and not have to go through this Bullshite , and that did not get me ANYWHERE , Gabba (Spring Valley750MG capsules I take 1500MG 3x a day.) seems to work the best, along with Benadryl , Zquil,
This is how screwed up this is, my cousin, we are the exact same age, only she got deep into drugs when we were in our teens , I watched her spiral down, into a unrecognizable full blown addict, her dad my Uncle told me that the Docotors just give her what ever she wants because she is going to go out and get it anyway, I am like really? I ask for help and get told NO, I feel like I fall through the cracks because I am not an addict of any kind, I am not a danger, stable life, so I must be drug seeking or lying or whatever they think.
Forget about seeing a counselor or Psychiatrist, Psychologist, because those appointments are already booked well into 2021, seriously I called every number I could find in several counties, all over the state this was long before COVID-19 hit or no one is taking new patients or all booked up.
Ive had 2 panic attacks, at least I think thats what they were, the first one was in the middle of a fire drill at work 2018 and 2nd one while in Las Vegas, my best friend and I went to see our favorite band doing a residency/show. I know now the treiggers and signs of a panic attack and seem to be able to stop it , weird, in Vegas, I was having they time of my life, having a blast, I have no idea where that one came from, each one I had not been feeing anything but normal feelings, then BAM!!!!!
This has been my life for the last 15 years. I am not being negative, or Woe is me, I'm just baffled, as to why I can not seem to get any help.
Anyone else have problems getting help, treatment ?.
-
I haven't written in my diary on my computer since May because I thought that my computer was dying. I got away from writing but my computer is hanging in there. I think that I will start writing in it again. It's so therapeutic.
-
Years ago, I won a mirrored armoire from my job. It's in my bedroom but I rarely stand in front of it. Yesterday, I had to have a dexascan done so I had to change into a gown. There was a full length mirror in the changing room. I'm aware that I gained 5 to 7 pounds over the last year from cheating on Keto but I didn't know what it looked like. It was a reality check.
Stop, pause, breathe.
There are a lot of factors involved in treatment of anxiety.
Keep a daily journal, writing out your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and words. This will help you find the pattern of what happens for you.
I've been talking with a high school friend recently who has bad anxiety. It's helped me learn my original therapist was missing a lot. I kept asking about relationships and was told its in my head. I now read that GAD commonly ruins relationships.
My approach is to do research before going into therapy again. I need to know what I'm possibly dealing with. I'm reaching out to older relationships to see what they noticed from me.
If I get the feedback I suspect, I'll feel better empowered to find a therapist that understands what I'm dealing with and can help guide me to therapies that make sense in the context of my past history.
Hope this helps!
Gentle empathy on the difficulty of "Just Getting Help!" There's nothing simple nor justy about getting help. I started psychotherapy at community outreach clinics in 1972 and have carried my healing needs across 3 continents since then, with the obvious need to start over every time I changed address and/or circumstance. Not too many of my psych programs have fallen together with kismet ease. One or two, but the vast majority have felt like building a dream house with throw away materials, especially here in socially distanced Coronaville. I was on the hunt for much needed therapy support when Corona crowned and? ? ? I've pretty much resigned myself to getting by with what I have on-hand until the masked madness clears, if ever it clears.
There is a Zen adage that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. I lean on that philosophy allot while I am struggling to stay patient with the process. God, please grant me patience. . . NOW GODDAMMIT! ! !
You are not alone. Welcome aboard.
Yes this is similar to my life, being profiled so the doctors can feel smart and on the ball. It’s so demeaning as I also don’t have substance abuse problems but treated as though I’m trying to get drugs. Never even tried them, except alcohol and cigarettes.
I have gone a different way now because I have lost faith in the system. I load up on vitamins and supplements like B complex and magnesium and a mostly healthy diet and yes it helps.
I also explore alternative ways of thinking about life, like Buddhism and Stoicism. I believe life teaches us lessons and we get credit in the next life for it. Be kind even if other people aren’t.
Western culture and diet and medicine leave a lot to be desired.
Good luck and I hope you find what works for you.
I hear you and understand what you're going through. The first step to anxiety treatment is finding primary care physicians, psychologists/psychiatrists who actually LISTEN to your concerns and respond with care and compassion. All too often healthcare professionals are dismissive or have a one-size-fits-all approach. Last year I wrote a scathing review of a doctor who was condescending and complete waste of time. I hope that he reads it because I was in a dark place and he offered no assistance. My hope is the the review will also help others who do the research to find quality care.
It takes research ansd effort of your part, much like dating, but in the end, you'll be glad that you seperated the weed from the chaff. That way you won't waste time, energy, money on endless appointments. Do google searches, ask family/friends, or seek out highly recommended/rated professionals. Even if treatment doesnt bring instant relief its good to have a professional validate your feelings. Please note that may people do not understand anxiety/depression so I dont waste my time on trying to expalain it. If your freind wants to know more, he/she could educate themselves with a simple search of the internet. As a friend, I would think they would be in a better ppsition to offer a listening ear and open heart.
If not, please keep coming here where we are here for you!
) I went to a therapist who referred me to a psychiatrist, where they did an intake and diagnosed me with GAD and depression. It was really a process. And I was a total mess--my legs were bouncing up and down controllably..couldn't control it at all. now, with that history, my current gp will offer me some benzos when she knows I am having a very stressful moment. but honestly--the lexapro is working better right now.