Hello again, Mari. Apology NOT accepted for the rant. Ranting is not only allowed here, it is encouraged. The cathartic value of a good rant is beyond measure.

My own psych herstory is especially complex, but I don't believe therapy, alone, is anywhere near enough to manage mental health. It takes a village and pros are far from the only doors in my healing village. This very website is one of the doors in my healing village with several inside doors to individual members. Pros are valuable --and expensive-- but it is my peer supporters who have the strictly personal insights to what I live with.

Will you ever feel normal? Jigged if I know. . . I wouldn't know normal if it bit me on the hind side. "Normal for me" is the only normal I believe in.

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

You've taken the important first step in writing it out.

Keep writing in a daily private journal to sort out everything.

I have had Generalized Anxiety Disorder all my life. I am 67. Medication helped me some. You can ask your family doctor for a prescription. You need to do a lot of work on your own. Even with therapy. So practice what you learned. I love water. And watch nature u tube videos. Rivers, lakes, etc. It is calming.
When there are leaves on the trees I watch the leaves swaying in the breeze.
Take slow breaths at the same time. A book that helped me understand my anxiety might help you. Rewire your anxious brain by Catherine Pittman. Search the web for anxiety websites. There is good ideas to help you there. Write in a journal. And here. Good luck.

Hey I agree ranting and venting is a good form of therapy in itself releasing your feelings and frustrations. Mindfulness and gratitude to ground you in experiencing the present moment despite letting your mind direct you in a reflective or prognostic path which can cause stress. Also finding things you enjoy doing to replace your focus. I hope that you feel better. Just know that there are a lot of people struggling and that this is not abnormal and your not alone. It provides relief for me to know that this struggle is not something I’m only experiencing but lots of others. I hope that you feel better.

You can possibly have a chemical imbalance. You can contact your doctor and tell him about how you are feeling. Just like you told us in your post. Your doctor can prescribe you some medications to help with your anxiety and you can go back and forth until you figure out a medication that works for you.

Sometimes how we are physically feeling can hinder our mental recovery or cause mental issues.

I have a friend who was suffering from severe panic attacks...and he finally couldn't take it anymore and reached out to his primary care doctor. He was given some medication, tried a few, and found something that works. That medication lead him to be more physically stable and motivated him to seek out the additional help from a psychiatrist.

I meditate daily. Meditation is a good tool...but it doesn't always work for everyone. And that's ok.

I will suggest "The Anxiety and Phobia Handbook". It is written by licensed therapist...and it is a hands on learning and gives you exercises to work thru.

Look up Trudy Scott and her work on Anxiety treatment thru food changes and supplementation.

You are not alone. Anxiety is a beast. I dont' think anyone is really cured of it. However I do believe that we all accumulate "tools" (therapy, medication, exercise, meditation, journaling, friendships, food changes, toxic environment cleanse, fulfilling our dreams, etc).

These tools are useful when anxiety peers it's ugly head and wants to wreak havoc. I'll try this or that tool...and then we give our mind and body a chance to recover and simmer back down.

It's wonderful you are wanting to learn more and find more ways. Sending you light and love!

You're not alone!

Thank you so much, for all of your answers!! I found so much comfort in your words and tips.
Knowing I am not alone does make a lot of difference. I don't have a lot of people in my life patient enough to try to understand me so your advice means a lot to me.
I will take all your suggestions into account.
Thank you!!

Hi Mari,
I live near a mental health hospital. They have a community center, and New York State provides free mental health services there. I don't know what state you live in, but if you live anywhere near a mental health hospital, you should check with them to see what services they can provide you. OR, they could refer you to the right place. I've been going to that center for years, and they have helped me tremendously. I hope you have one near you, and that the state gives serivices there.

Hi there , I am so sorry you have had to deal with this so long! Yes, there is help in the following options:
Many churches offer free counseling, and that is helpful for sure. Also, many have found that taking Magnesium (magnesium malate or glycinate is best) and Ginseng helped a lot w both anxiety and depression, they calm the mind body and spirit and get rid of sticky negative thoughts the loop around in the mind. Also, getting outside, laying on the grass to get grounded and breathe in fresh air, looking at stars, these things help a lot too. Our environment help or hurt our mental health and physical health. Speak aloud positive truths to counteract the negative thoughts and things said to us. Also, Volunteering helps us get our of our own misery to help others, which helps us. Call those negatives a lie and correct them to yourself. Protect yourself from those who put that added stress on you. Learn new things, meet new people, it will get you out of the pit.