Hi

[J. Ans]

Hi, I was on another anxiety forum for a few years (I don't think the website exists anymore) but that was many years ago, about 10 to 12 years ago. I've had anxiety and depression for a long time. Even with medication, I still have symptoms. But, I know that I would be a lot worse without medication. I am thinking of going back to therapy, which worked in the past, but cost is an issue. I want to develop a meditation practice. I'm in a transitional state (in between jobs), and that brings up a lot of issues. I've learned many coping methods over my lifelong time of having these issues. So hopefully I can help some of you from wisdom I have gleaned along the way (and maybe re-learn to help myself). One thing I've learned, there are peaks & valleys, but it sure is hard to believe when one is in the middle of a valley, but we do eventually peak, things eventually do get better. -J

[Anne1221]

I'm with you. I take medication and it helps me. When I am in the midst of anxiety, things just look so awful! But then things turn around, like you say, peaks and valleys.

[J. Ans]

Yes, and sometimes I need to realize that I need to take a little more medication when going through a hard time. Not too much, obviously. But taking a tiny bit more clonazepam yesterday did help, although I know it's a short term, and things like therapy and changing my environment and my actions will help diminish the anxiety in the long run.
And when some of the anxiety disappears and I feel a bit more "normal" again, I agree, I think things just looked so awful. Things look better when I am out of the anxiety. It's good to remember that we will get out of these bad times, and we will feel better, even if it's only a small incremental amount and it may take while to "get there." Thank you.



I'm with you. I take medication and it helps me. When I am in the midst of anxiety, things just look so awful! But then things turn around, like you say, peaks and valleys.

[fixmybrokenmind]

Hello J. Ans! I am new here as well :). I can understand the peaks and valleys as well. When I feel good, I feel good but when I am in a rut it seems like it will never end.

Maybe try remembering a past time when you did get out of it? Having the right mindset (althought not always easy) is invaluable in getting out of the rutt faster in my experience.
If you can't afford to see a therapist there is a great totally free program called Ecouch. It was recommended to me by a psychologist and she said it basically walks you through what we would discuss in the first 12 visits! It has depression and anxiety info and practices to help.

Maybe your time in between jobs is a good time for you to get back on the right track with your mental health :)

[J. Ans]

Thank you - I will try that site out! Good idea to also remember what helped me the last time (to feel better). In the past, it was discontinuing my medications and trying to live without medications. So, going back on medication along with therapy, made me feel better. But now, I will always stay on medications, no more trying to go off of them. So I was surprised recently to have such a low "rut"/valley. However, there have been environmental changes, so that will definitely increase anxiety and depression. But, i am reviewing the tools I used all those times I was in a rut, magazine articles about anxiety coping methods, and i am practicing these methods, and they are really helping me. Some of the physical symptoms of anxiety are disappearing. I'm so grateful for all of the resources out there, as well as for forums like these. Thank you.

[fixmybrokenmind]

Anytime :)

It is easy to forget to do the things that helped us in the first place when we start to feel better unfortunately. Consistency is key when battling mental health conditions.

May I ask what meds helped you? Do you take them for depression or anxiety or a mix of both?

This forum seems great I'm sure we will both benefit if we stick around

[J. Ans]

I had/have to take separate ones for depression and anxiety. For me, the antidepressants were not able to help that much with the anxiety as well. It all depends on the person, how they work, but for me, generic Paxil, Effexor & Zoloft have worked. With small amount of Klonopin for anxiety. I heard that after a while, someone can eventually go off of the anti-anxiety agent, and only take the antidepressant for both depression and anxiety (all-in-one). But I have not been able to do that (I still have anxiety even while taking an antidepressant). I also still have to take a small amount of anti anxiety agent each day, for years. At least it's a small amount and I have never had a problem with abusing it/taking too much. I do look forward to a day when I can go off the anti anxiety medication and just take one med for both conditions (a med that works for both).