[quote]Ambugaton wrote:
[quote]Zooguido wrote:
Off-topic, but whenever somebody talks about anxiety I have to say a few words myself… going to keep it short and simple, but, anxiety, by definition, is irrational. If you can realize this in the moment, you can do loads to prevent the breakdown. What I do for myself is create a counter-argument in my head for the anxiety (I realize this sounds a lot like having multiple personalities, but it’s really just a logical way of reasoning out your thought processes and coming to the conclusion that they’re completely irrational) and pick-apart what my brain is thinking. It takes practice, but just realizing that anxiety is talking hold is a step in the right direction. I’ve just come so far myself (like you, I’m sure) so I feel the need to tell other people with the same problems what’s worked for me, lol. Sorry for the long spiel.
On a different note, if you’re into reading, or at least self-enlightenment/dealing with this, then I would definitely check out “Spontaneous Happiness” by Andrew Weil, MD. He goes into great depth regarding the philosophical and psychological components that define and, ultimately, allow the brain to perceive happiness. In addition, he details numerous alternative medicine practices for symptoms such as stress, depression, an anxiety. It’s a wonderful read and very eye-opening. I’d suggest you check it out if you’re wanting to implement various non-pharmaceutical practices into your daily life so as to ween yourself off of the Paxil.
Best of luck to you, sir.[/quote]
I respect your thoughts on the issue as an alternative to medication but I have to disagree on the generalization as to people’s ability to reason through something that may well be a chemical imbalance. You can’t convince your body to start producing the proper amounts of certain chemicals if it is inclined to do otherwise.
OP, have you considered celexa as an alternative treatment? I don’t mean to push pharmaceuticals but damned if they don’t work. [/quote]
I understand where you’re coming from, as I was there myself (not saying you’re there, merely relating to your statement). I believed I would be stuck on medication for the rest of my life and unable to function in the real world without it. I put all my faith into pharmaceuticals. I saw the world the way you see it now.
But then I thought to myself: why? Why shouldn’t I be able to do this on my own (inb4chemicalimabalancesuidiot)? Why do I have to pay for this? Am I really so different from everyone else?
Logically, I decided to research my condition (which I would tell you but for the stigma behind it [especially on a forum such as this]) and possible ways to overcome the challenges that I would face if I were to ween myself off of my medication or take at least a miniscule amount of the “recommended” dosage.
I came to the conclusion that this was indeed possible through various journals, articles, and websites. However, I would have to be very careful. Nevertheless, I succeeded using the aforementioned technique in addition to a few others and a person I could confide in. I must say, though: it took me a really, really long time to learn to think analytically (regarding my anxiety) in the moment of panic. I had to practice before I went to sleep each night. Just imagining scenarios where my anxiety would manifest itself and then imagining potential counterarguments.
It’s terribly, terribly difficult to do this in the moment as you’ve literally programmed your brain over the course of your lifetime to pick out and envision every, little, single, terrible, implausible outcome that’s not even REMOTELY plausible and then successfully manage to convince yourself that this is the only possibility. That is, (to paraphrase) by definition, anxiety (irrational thinking), and it is with certain tools that one is able to break the vicious cycle over months of practice and begin to realize that things really aren’t so bad after all.
Trust me; I’ve been there. My anxiety was so bad that I stopped going to classes in my first year of college, stopped eating, skipped finals, dropped out of school, and lived with my anxiety and depression by myself for two years. All of this was while medicated for anxiety. Finally, coming to the conclusion that I wasn’t going to deal with this anymore, I did the research and literally re-programmed my brain. I just finished my first semester back at school with a 3.72 (Chem-E major) and I’ve never felt better in my life.
I realize you must be skeptical, so I’ve attached several videos and articles you can watch that support my side of the case (feel free to argue with videos of your own or just disregard my post entirely, either one works for me). See:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/srikumar_rao_plug_into_your_hard_wired_happiness.html
There’s also evidence to suggest that, over time, when one is able to alter the way they think, their brain and body physically respond accordingly and begin to produce the chemicals needed to balance one’s deficiencies.
To OP: again, I would just recommend:
Ashwagandha (for stress and anxiety)
Holy Basil (take in place of and if the ashwagandha causes drowsiness)
Rhodiola (memory, attention, etc if needed)
Fish-oils (fish-oil is an anti-inflammatory and it is known that chronic inflammation leads to depression)
Also, don’t be self-conscious about your image. It’s fine to want to improve (i certainly do), but don’t stress over it. Accept what you’ve been given, but more importantly; work with what you have. You can’t change that, so why worry about it? Just get on a decent split or program, eat well and enough, and you’ll do great. I realize that’s easier said than done for someone with anxiety, but coming to that conclusion for yourself will do you wonders. Take creatine if you can stomach it, but if you can’t then don’t worry about it. I just tell myself it’s not functional, lol.
Best of luck.
Really, really sorry for the lengthy post, lol.