Are anxiety problems hopeless?

[sanity72]

I have tried many different medicines over the last year and still have not found on or a combo that takes away my depression and anxiety.  i mean i would still like to have felings and enjoy life so i don't want to be a zombie but living my life feeling like i want to cry all the time and constantly shaking my legs cause i cant sit still is really annoying.  I try so hard to hide all my feeling from friends and family because i just don't want people to think differently of me.  i'm starting to wonder if there is hope of ever being normal ?????

[Nldy]

It is hard for family members, or other people in general,  to understand anxiety if they don't experience it themselves. But the important thing is that YOU understand what you are going through. When I was younger, I often used to feel like I needed validation from my parents or friends that I really was having a hard time. But It is possible to give yourself that recognition that your anxiety is troublesome and you are goin through hard times even If others think its trivial.  No one chooses to have the burden of anxiety. In a magical world we would all be happy and peaceful- but that's not reality. The good news is, there are those peaceful seconds, even amidst the chaos. That's what we need to focus on. Thinking of the meaning of the yin yang symbol really has helped me gain a new perspective. Focus on those good moments. You are stronger than you believe.

[sanity72]

Thank you to everyone who has given me good advice.  i have felt so alone in this journey and it's nice to know that there are other people who have an understanding towards it.  My family just tells me to relax!  Yea right if I could do they not think I would have already done that:)   I am not choosing this, it is just happening to me.  

[nursegirl6572]

Excellent post!  I hope "sanity" reads it  FEW times!

Most of us are "stuck" with anxiety fo the long haul, but the good news is, for a lot of people (me included), there are usually far more times where the anxiety is under control for the most part.

It's about continuing to work at it and keep trying new approaches (meds, therapy) until we find one that works for us.  That can be a bit of a process sometimes, with a lot of trial and error.  Patience is definitely a plus when going through anxiety treatment.

I'm also a firm believer that after you've been a "member" of the anxiety club for so long, eventually, it sort of improves with time.  I'm much less anxious (overall) at 40 than I was at 18. I've heard the same thing from a lot of people.  That could be due to maybe "outgrowing" it a bit, to finally getting to a better place of acceptance.

Anyway, whatever you do...keep trying.  Try a new med, therapy, whatever it takes and remember that these things take time.  Each med can require up to 6+ weeks before they really start doing their thing!

Hang in there, keep us updated!

[Nldy]

I've been dealing with anxiety and depression for 9 years. One of the hardest things I heard from my psycholoist was that my anxiety will probably never go away completely. I will never be 'fixed.' But does that mean we should stop working to make our life the  best it can be? Does that mean our anxiety cant lessen? No.
Our anxiety does not define us, and it does not label us as 'weird' or not normal. What is 'normal' anyway?? Everyone has a load to carry of their own.
My advice is to learn to know yourself really well. What makes you more and less anxious? Do you assume you will have a bad day filled with anxiety before your day even starts? We can either let our anxiety control us or we can notice that it is there, get to know it instead of constantly fighting it, and learn how to live on while being our authentic selves; our self free of the chains we have to anxiety.

[sanity72]

where do i find these 8 steps?  

[sanity72]

Thank you for your words of hope.  Everyday i wake up and just try to make it the best day i can.  Some are good and others not so much!  but your right "this too shall pass"

[Nighthawk61]

Hi Sanity, sorry you're having to go through depression and anxiety.  My son and myself both went through needing to shake your leg. I believe that t's a stage of anxiety and will go away with your aging process, if you're like us.  You must always hang on tight to your faith.  Please know that so many have this exact same cross to bear, more or less. Your friends and your family are there to help you get through this. This is not something you need to hide. This does not define you as a human being. I'm sure if a member of your family, or one of your friends had the problem, you would be there to help them be just a little less alone.  Think about it, would it negatively affect your judgement of them? I know in my son's crowd, 21 - 35 years of age, everybody has something unique to them, by way of anxiety & depression.  They are each other's family. It helps so much to be open and honest in your peer group. This is when you needs your friends and family most. Please don't assume that they don't care or that they would judge you. Anyone at all that would negatively condemn a person because of Anxiety or Depression, are total *** wipes. People that you can do without.  Test the waters with your mom, if she's around. Let her help you to carry the load, if not your mom, then some other entrusted soul.  I think everybody can relate to depression and anxiety at one point in their lives.  I know I went through a stage of depression and anxiety. Don't assume this will last forever, If you do the work, and you are, then there's a good chance that "This too shall pass".  You are in my prayers. Liz

[lex_cf]

Your not alone. I feel ya 100% . Look up the 8 steps to get though anxiety. It helped me.