Anxiety and depression

[corey90]

does anyone have anxiety and depression so bad it effects every aspect of yor life.

How do you cope with it when prescribed medication isnt enough.

[VolFan]

Talk about it. Have a professional help you through talking about it. Recognize that it’s not bad or good, and it’s something that is part of you. It’s like the size of your feet or the color of your hair. Accept it and work with it but don’t let it control you.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

You're not alone, no matter how uniquely depressed or full of anxiety you feel, lots of other people have and are going through it as well.  

 

Only thing I can promise you is that if you don't give up, try to stay engaged in life as much as possible, THINGS WILL GET BETTER!    Life is cyclical, the highs never stay, nor do the lows, we must just keep trucking along.

 

People here are for you, and I'm sure you have people in your life that are as well.   Never feel ashamed to keep seeking help and talking about it.....takes a real man to do that.  

[clayton86]

Get professional help if haven’t already. As men we tend to not seek the mental health help when we need it. 
 

I know it took me a long long long time to reach out to a therapist. I started to go to the VA for mental health this year. Same issues severe depression and a little anxiety. I’ve gotten better about it since going. 
 

I used to just go fishing or to the range for my own version of therapy it helped for most my life but the last few years fishing wasn’t helping at all. Range worked for a different take of group therapy but ammo and shooting gets expensive and it only freed my mind for a hour or two. 
 

I'm kinda against taking meds but that’s just me I know it helps a lot of people. Closest I get to meds is tums when I have heartburn haha. When I was younger I used to drink heavily to cope now I rarely drink, a 6 pack will last me months where in my 20s a 30rack a day was easy. 
 

 

[ironbjorn]

I suffer from a chronic mental illness. Here's what I can tell you. I'm on 3 medications for anxiety and depression alone. They don't do enough for me either. The only medications I take that actually help anything at all are my antipsychotic, my gout pill, and my blood pressure pill.

 

Talking with a therapist every week does nothing for me as far as helping my mental illness. It's all therapy-speak mumbo jumbo. BUT where it does help, is that talking with her gave me courage to talk to people who actually matter to me, and going weekly keeps my courage in peak form. That's where it matters for me. I used to keep everything to myself other than the odd behaviors that couldn't be hidden. Now I'm open and honest with my fiance about everything at all times, as well as a close group of male friends. That means the world. People like that in your life actually listen and care and make you feel like you matter. So that's what I would do. I always thought people would leave if they knew what was really going on, but the truth was that people left because they didn't know what was going on. 

[throttleplate]

I stay away from television news and when listening to the radio and the newsbreak comes on i turn the radio off for a few minutes.

 

[Captain Phil]

My mother suffered with depression all her life.  She was institutionalized for a time.  After she was released, I helped her regain her citizenship rights.  Even while suffering from a seriously debilitating condition, she was an optimistic person.  Each day was a new day for her.  I inherited her optimism.  What got my mother through was her faith.  Faith has fallen out of favor in today's culture.  Having faith does not mean you won't have problems or make mistakes.   Without it, you are alone with no purpose and have nothing to fall back on.  You live 80-90 some odd years, you die and it means nothing.   My mother believed she had a better future and she was never alone.

[corey90]

My doctor just swabbed my mouth for a test that shows how i digest the meds im hopining that works and she putsme on the right stuff. I am gratefull for everyones response its not easy talking about things 

[Koz]

The first thing to know is that you are not alone. It hits just about everyone to a varying degree. We also live in a time when we are bombarded by constant images, messages, and news.

 

But I am going to let you in on a secret that can help if you are going to commit to it. If you don't commit, it will mean nothing.

 

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference"

 

This is from the Serenity Prayer and most associate it with Alcoholics Anonymous. I'm not an alcoholic and I rarely drink. No matter. It works for me.

 

That first part is important - to accept the things that you cannot change. Too often we stress about things that we can never change.  Those things can eat us alive.

 

Combine that with the last part - the wisdom to know the difference - is also critical.

 

You have to read this multiple times a day and commit to it. I have a wooden tabletop piece of this at home and at work. You can even write it down and carry it in your wallet. Stare at it. Read it. When things get stressful recite it in your head or aloud.

 

It's not a magic bullet, but if you can believe it and commit to it then it will make things easier for you. I promise. I've been there.

 

 

[Mobasser]

My son in law Eric, is fighting depression and anxiety now. Eric runs his family farm and it's a large farm. He's currently going to group counseling, and one on one with a therapist.                               He's been prescribed medication which kind of flattens him out. He told me two days ago," I can't really laugh or cry".  I never thought this would happen to him, but he's proof that this can happen to anyone. Talking with other people helps him. And, as has been said, don't be Mr Macho. Admit that you need help and seek it. There's nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about.

[gim]

My wife gets daily anxiety.  She was diagnosed with it and takes medication for it.  Unfortunately there are side effects to almost every medication out there that you have to live with.  She says sometimes the side effects are worse than not taking the medication though, so she has to decide which route to go on her own.  She doesn't really like talking about it.  She always tells me "I live it.  I don't wanna re-live it."  So I just let it go.

[T-Billy]

On 7/9/2023 at 7:02 AM, Captain Phil said:

My mother suffered with depression all her life.  She was institutionalized for a time.  After she was released, I helped her regain her citizenship rights.  Even while suffering from a seriously debilitating condition, she was an optimistic person.  Each day was a new day for her.  I inherited her optimism.  What got my mother through was her faith.  Faith has fallen out of favor in today's culture.  Having faith does not mean you won't have problems or make mistakes.   Without it, you are alone with no purpose and have nothing to fall back on.  You live 80-90 some odd years, you die and it means nothing.   My mother believed she had a better future and she was never alone.

I'm with your mom. The transformation the Lord made in my life beginning in 2011 at the age of 41 is nothing short of astonishing. My family and friends were amazed, but noone more than I. It took time, it took effort, "still does and always will" but the results cannot be argued with. I no longer struggle with depression or anxiety, I'm 12 years sober and don't miss it a bit, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. I've been blessed far beyond anything I could have imagined.

 I always encourage folks to read the book. Then, whatever you decide about it, at least you're making an educated decision. Keep it simple to start. Begin with the gospel of John, and first John. You'll get the basics of who Jesus is, and what it means to follow him.

 I know I'm on thin ice posting this here, but please understand, it's meant only as encouragement, and shared out of love. I'm not trying to "push" anything on anybody. Just doing my best to love my neighbor as I love myself. 

[Captain Phil]

18 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Just doing my best to love my neighbor as I love myself. 

 

Think about what a great world this would be if everyone did the same.  ?

[Bird]

@T-Billy

Truth 

[webertime]

Walk/exercise a bit

Is there a source? (Relationship, job, etc)

Learn sphere of influence (mentioned above) ((worry about what you can control.))

I'm dealing with it bad right now and it's hard af...  meditation helps me.  Download the insight timer app and do guided meditation at least once a day with it.  I know I know hippie mumbo jumbo and it's hard at first and it's ok to "fail" but stick with it (like going to the gym).

[N Florida Mike]

On 7/9/2023 at 7:02 AM, Captain Phil said:

My mother suffered with depression all her life.  She was institutionalized for a time.  After she was released, I helped her regain her citizenship rights.  Even while suffering from a seriously debilitating condition, she was an optimistic person.  Each day was a new day for her.  I inherited her optimism.  What got my mother through was her faith.  Faith has fallen out of favor in today's culture.  Having faith does not mean you won't have problems or make mistakes.   Without it, you are alone with no purpose and have nothing to fall back on.  You live 80-90 some odd years, you die and it means nothing.   My mother believed she had a better future and she was never alone.

This ^^^

[bowhunter63]

I have a Daugter n law with it. It’s rough on everyone. But she attends counseling and makes sure to take meds as prescribed. I think the counseling helps a lot plus we are always there for her. A good support system helps also. It’s a horrible battle for sure. 

[corey90]

On 7/14/2023 at 7:52 AM, webertime said:

Walk/exercise a bit

Is there a source? (Relationship, job, etc)

 

I do what i can and i am a bank fisherman so im walking and standing for as long as i can before my nerve pain in my legs and back gets to the point is throbbing pain.

The source it started when i lost my best friend my father to cancer and then in i get a severe infection that coused my organs to fail from septic shock i still have memory problems and nerve pain from.i was an ahlcoholic but quite after getting sick. now life is starting to hit me.

I know there are people worse off than me and are making it and im just going a hour at a time

[webertime]

1 hour ago, corey90 said:

I do what i can and i am a bank fisherman so im walking and standing for as long as i can before my nerve pain in my legs and back gets to the point is throbbing pain.

The source it started when i lost my best friend my father to cancer and then in i get a severe infection that coused my organs to fail from septic shock i still have memory problems and nerve pain from.i was an ahlcoholic but quite after getting sick. now life is starting to hit me.

I know there are people worse off than me and are making it and im just going a hour at a time

Don't compare yourself...  you just beat yourself up.  Nobody measures up to what you compare yourself too.

 

Meditation man...  it's legit 

[Arevets]

I do meditation, running and eat healthy. That keeps my mind clearer, and my stress levels are low.

[Tackleholic]

Drop the meds if you are on them, drop alcohol if you are drinking.  Spend more time being  involved with fishing, and join a gym.  No one can go fishing every day, but today's gyms are mostly 24/7.  You will gain new friends, attain new goals, probably adapt healthier eating habits, and go to bed tired every night.

[MN Fisher]

2 hours ago, Tackleholic said:

Drop the meds if you are on them,

Are you a Dr? No?

 

My meds keep me balanced...without them, I'm a frickin' mess.

 

Don't be giving this kind of medical advice unless

A: You're a licensed psychiatrist

and

B: You have personal knowledge of the 'patient'.

[Tackleholic]

5 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Are you a Dr? No?

 

My meds keep me balanced...without them, I'm a frickin' mess.

 

Don't be giving this kind of medical advice unless

A: You're a licensed psychiatrist

and

B: You have personal knowledge of the 'patient'.

I messaged you.

[Texas Flood]

I take meds for anxiety and they do help but not all the time. I will say that taking edibles or smoking weed has helped me out so much. My doctor is even ok with it because he says he can tell a difference just talking to me. But like @The1Fist said, CBD oil can help out alot too without getting the high.

[gim]

10 hours ago, Tackleholic said:

Drop the meds if you are on them, drop alcohol if you are drinking.  Spend more time being  involved with fishing, and join a gym.  No one can go fishing every day, but today's gyms are mostly 24/7.  You will gain new friends, attain new goals, probably adapt healthier eating habits, and go to bed tired every night.

 

I generally agree with all lof this except dropping the meds part as @MN Fisher stated.  That part was a foolish generalization on your part.  Tons of people take life-saving prescribed medicine on a daily basis.

 

The rest of your post I agree with.  Exercise, adequate sleep, and eating a balanced diet most of the time will go a long ways.