Dealing with anxiety/stress

[Thor]

There is simply no reason to suggest medication is somehow 'an easy out' or 'unecassary' thing, considering that there are imbalances that can be a source of your problems, or even possibly a thyroid issue.

Its best to at least get a full blood work, tell your family doctor whats going on, and try to rule out medical issues, but yeah exercise, St John's wort and just an active social life can fix most minor depression/anxiety, but if its persistent and you have to diagnose yourself truthfully to really see whats going on.

A real sign of problems is if your family or friends see a change in you, so trust in those closest to you and don't be shy to ask them if they think there's a problem.

Remember there is a medical issue, you'd deal with any other medical condition with drugs if necessary, make sure your not just under the impression that depression/anxiety is not a real medical condition. Rule out as much as you can, listen to your mind, track your moods, rate your daily highs/lows emotionally and get advice from the people in your daily life that you trust.

We're hopefully now in a modern way of thinking about mental medical problems, because there are clear differences between feeling down and real medical problems with your brain chemistry.

Its sad so much shame is involved with this disease, just do your due diligence and make sure your family doctor is involved, worst case you try out some drug and find out its not necessary. That beats ignoring it and letting it become worse.

[macker]

Watch what you eat and make sure you are getting lot's of excercise. These are two areas that you have full control over and they play a major role in how you feel. You said you haven't excercised the past while and I can bet this is a major contributor to how you are feeling. I can't even go one day without doing something active for at least 20 minutes. You shouldn't need anti-depressants if you are active. Also if you are scared of doing something then that is the most important thing that you need to do. Listen to your negative self-talk and change it. It is very easy to change if you are willing to take on a postive attitude and take control of the things that you are allowing to control you. You won't be anxious when you are able to take control and most perfectionists are also control freaks...Perfectionists are well equipped to grow through these feelings!

[joe_mullen]

Originally Posted by macker

Watch what you eat and make sure you are getting lot's of excercise. These are two areas that you have full control over and they play a major role in how you feel. You said you haven't excercised the past while and I can bet this is a major contributor to how you are feeling. I can't even go one day without doing something active for at least 20 minutes. You shouldn't need anti-depressants if you are active. Also if you are scared of doing something then that is the most important thing that you need to do. Listen to your negative self-talk and change it. It is very easy to change if you are willing to take on a postive attitude and take control of the things that you are allowing to control you. You won't be anxious when you are able to take control and most perfectionists are also control freaks...Perfectionists are well equipped to grow through these feelings!

I think stating that someone shouldn't need anti-depressants if they are active is a fairly narrow minded assertion. I am sure that you are well aware that depression and anxiety are both medical conditions with a biochemical cause. Just like any other medical condition, some cases can be treated with conservative management (such as exercise, counselling, diet and other lifestyle changes), but some patients require more aggressive treatment, such as pharmacological management. This is especially true for people with a strong genetic component to their illness (whether this be depression or hypertension). You also need to remember that one of the most common symptoms of depression is the lack of motivation to be active/exercise/get going in the morning. It's easy to say, snap out of it, but if you do not treat the underlying biochemical cause, you're simply butting your head against a brick wall. That is not to say that conservative management (as described above) cannot play a very significant role.

[Resolute 14]

I can understand Dion's POV about medication for anxiety (and depression) though. I went down that route at one point, and it most definitely is mind altering. In my case, not in a negative way, but also not necessarily a great benefit. Bud damn, going on, going off or changing the dosage really screws you up.

That said, medication of this kind should never, ever be the first attempt. It does pay to get some bloodwork done, i.e. to see if a thyroid issue or high blood pressure, but if a doc says "Here's a perscription for some anxiety medication", thank him and go see a phycholagist first. And do so knowing that it won't likely be a one or two visit thing. Such medication can help, but it isn't going to be the magic bullet, so to speak.

As to the OP's question, taking up a breathing exercise can help, as can meditation. Both are tricks that I use when it becomes necessary to slow my mind down. In the end, nothing is perfect, so there is no need to fret over things that aren't precicely how you think they should be. The trick is to convince your mind of that fact.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by joe_mullen

I think stating that someone shouldn't need anti-depressants if they are active is a fairly narrow minded assertion. I am sure that you are well aware that depression and anxiety are both medical conditions with a biochemical cause. Just like any other medical condition, some cases can be treated with conservative management (such as exercise, counselling, diet and other lifestyle changes), but some patients require more aggressive treatment, such as pharmacological management. This is especially true for people with a strong genetic component to their illness (whether this be depression or hypertension). You also need to remember that one of the most common symptoms of depression is the lack of motivation to be active/exercise/get going in the morning. It's easy to say, snap out of it, but if you do not treat the underlying biochemical cause, you're simply butting your head against a brick wall. That is not to say that conservative management (as described above) cannot play a very significant role.

Treating it with JUST medications is not the solution. There needs to be some talk therapy involved also. Medication takes the edge off so that you deal with the issue at hand.

[joe_mullen]

Originally Posted by Dion

Treating it with JUST medications is not the solution. There needs to be some talk therapy involved also. Medication takes the edge off so that you deal with the issue at hand.

I think my post makes it quite clear that I believe conservative management is very important in treatment. However, there are well documented cases where medications constitute the majority of the required treatment, specifically in cases where there is a very strong family history of depression/anxiety disorder that is suggestive of a strong genetic component.

[macker]

Originally Posted by joe_mullen

I think stating that someone shouldn't need anti-depressants if they are active is a fairly narrow minded assertion. I am sure that you are well aware that depression and anxiety are both medical conditions with a biochemical cause. Just like any other medical condition, some cases can be treated with conservative management (such as exercise, counselling, diet and other lifestyle changes), but some patients require more aggressive treatment, such as pharmacological management. This is especially true for people with a strong genetic component to their illness (whether this be depression or hypertension). You also need to remember that one of the most common symptoms of depression is the lack of motivation to be active/exercise/get going in the morning. It's easy to say, snap out of it, but if you do not treat the underlying biochemical cause, you're simply butting your head against a brick wall. That is not to say that conservative management (as described above) cannot play a very significant role.

Key word is shouldn't....
He doesn't seem that far off to me.....he is able to talk about it and doesn't seem that keen on being medicated so why not try something that is likely a solution in the long term. Besides he would likely have more anxiety with a lot of the drugs that are out there that cause anxiety as a side effect among other things...

[Dion]

Originally Posted by joe_mullen

I think my post makes it quite clear that I believe conservative management is very important in treatment. However, there are well documented cases where medications constitute the majority of the required treatment, specifically in cases where there is a very strong family history of depression/anxiety disorder that is suggestive of a strong genetic component.

I've delt with depression and anxiety for parts of my life and done a lot of research on this subject also. Unless you have some permanent disorder like bi polar or schizophernia, i don't believe one needs to take medications for life. It's an easy fix as opposed to doing the painful work of dealing with the issues of life. Doctors are too happy to hand out these pills as opposed to getting help for thier patients.

The latest best guess about the chemical imbalace is a lack of seritonin. Hence the SSRI medications.

The best description i've heard for depression is anger that is unresolved.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by macker

Key word is shouldn't....
He doesn't seem that far off to me.....he is able to talk about it and doesn't seem that keen on being medicated so why not try something that is likely a solution in the long term. Besides he would likely have more anxiety with a lot of the drugs that are out there that cause anxiety as a side effect among other things...

His doctor would most likey prescibe him with Ativan. It basicly numbs all senses so you feel nothing. Not the way i would treat anxiety.

[Locke]

I'm with Ford. A good bottle of scotch will have you right as rain in no time.

Hell, I'm doing it right now. Hmm....Macallans...

[joe_mullen]

Originally Posted by Dion

I've delt with depression and anxiety for parts of my life and done a lot of research on this subject also. Unless you have some permanent disorder like bi polar or schizophernia, i don't believe one needs to take medications for life. It's an easy fix as opposed to doing the painful work of dealing with the issues of life. Doctors are too happy to hand out these pills as opposed to getting help for thier patients.

The latest best guess about the chemical imbalace is a lack of seritonin. Hence the SSRI medications.

By no means do I think long or short-term anti-depressants are required for all but there is undeniably a population that has "permanent" mood disorders such as major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. Some of these people require long term medications. I find that sometimes implying that ALL people should improve/resolve their condition with psychotherapy/counseling, unintentionally puts blame on the patient if this does not work. Just like some people with high blood pressure require anti-hypertensives lifelong, some people with depression or anxiety require chronic medication management.

[joe_mullen]

Originally Posted by Dion

His doctor would most likey prescibe him with Ativan. It basicly numbs all senses so you feel nothing. Not the way i would treat anxiety.

Ativan would definitely not be a good choice, but numerous studies support the use of SSRIs or SNRIs for management of anxiety. I agree, Ativan is only a short term fix that does not deal with the underlying problem.

[macker]

Originally Posted by Dion

His doctor would most likey prescibe him with Ativan. It basicly numbs all senses so you feel nothing. Not the way i would treat anxiety.

I just googled the side effects : http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_info_de...=319&page_no=2

More common:
clumsiness or unsteadiness
dizziness or lightheadedness
drowsiness
slurred speech Less common or rare:
abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
blurred vision or other changes in vision
changes in sexual desire or ability
constipation
diarrhea
dry mouth
false sense of well-being
headache
increased watering of mouth
muscle spasm
nausea or vomiting
problems with urination
trembling
unusual tiredness or weakness


And how exactly does this drug help people.....what is the up side.....brings up an entirely different issue of operating a vehicle when taking this kind of treatment.....

[Ice]

I'm also a perfectionist and I recently made a big change at work going from part time to full time. I am totally swamped at work and I'm pretty exhausted when I get home. I have not been working out like I used to. I've noticed the last month I've been feeling anxiety/stress for no real reason. I can eliminate the usual things...family, money, health but yet I was still feeling stressed out. I decided this week to get back to working out no matter how tired I was. I already feel so much better.

As long as you can rule out medical issues or clinical anxiety/depression issues. I'd say take 30 minutes and at least go for a brisk walk. Its bound to help and certainly can't hurt.

I also make sure I get some quiet time when I get home from work. I like to sit in my backyard on my patio swing and just chill out and swing slowly with the fountain making the perfect volume of water movement and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Just making time to unwind helps a lot.

[joe_mullen]

You need to take into account that roughly 80-90% of patients do not have any of these side effects. The reason that these lists are so extensive is that drug companies publish all possible side effects for medical reasons. The majority of these are never seen by a health professional in his/her whole career.

Originally Posted by macker

I just googled the side effects : http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_info_de...=319&page_no=2

More common:
clumsiness or unsteadiness
dizziness or lightheadedness
drowsiness
slurred speech Less common or rare:
abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
blurred vision or other changes in vision
changes in sexual desire or ability
constipation
diarrhea
dry mouth
false sense of well-being
headache
increased watering of mouth
muscle spasm
nausea or vomiting
problems with urination
trembling
unusual tiredness or weakness


And how exactly does this drug help people.....what is the up side.....brings up an entirely different issue of operating a vehicle when taking this kind of treatment.....

[Bagor]

I would suggest giving yoga a try.

Also, next time you go past a recommended herbal store drop in and ask them about American skullcap. Make sure you don't get Chinese skullcap.

Thor ... isn't St John's Wort more for depression than anxiety?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by joe_mullen

By no means do I think long or short-term anti-depressants are required for all but there is undeniably a population that has "permanent" mood disorders such as major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. Some of these people require long term medications. I find that sometimes implying that ALL people should improve/resolve their condition with psychotherapy/counseling, unintentionally puts blame on the patient if this does not work. Just like some people with high blood pressure require anti-hypertensives lifelong, some people with depression or anxiety require chronic medication management.

All people would improve if they got psychotherapy/counseling. Problem is, it's expensive and not everyone can afford it. It's pretty sad when a health care system will pay to have someone see a psychiatrist who will prescribe them pills up as opposed to paying for therapy to help you deal with the underlying causes.

[joe_mullen]

Originally Posted by Dion

All people would improve if they got psychotherapy/counseling. Problem is, it's expensive and not everyone can afford it. It's pretty sad when a health care system will pay to have someone see a psychiatrist who will prescribe them pills up as opposed to paying for therapy to help you deal with the underlying causes.

Absolutely agree that the health care system should cover psychologists. However, psychotherapy does not work for EVERYONE. There are people with strong genetic biochemical psychiatric disease that require pharmacotherapy. Stating that all people would improve with psychotherapy/counseling is the equivalent of stating that all diabetics can be treated with only diet and lifestyle changes.

[evilcougar]

Ya, definitely gotta disagree with the councelling thing. It never hurts to talk to someone, but, there is no way you can put everyone in the same category.
Sometimes just talking to a really good friend is all a person needs.

You just need to try to evaluate yourself first and try a few things such as working out, yoga, massages etc...ALCOHOL lol...and if you're still feeling like that, then thats when i would consider more drastic measures.
Everyone is different.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by joe_mullen

Absolutely agree that the health care system should cover psychologists. However, psychotherapy does not work for EVERYONE. There are people with strong genetic biochemical psychiatric disease that require pharmacotherapy.

They don't require it for life - that's all i'm saying. Maybe when the come up with solid proof as opposed to a best guess of a lack of seritonin, i might believe you.

Stating that all people would improve with psychotherapy/counseling is the equivalent of stating that all diabetics can be treated with only diet and lifestyle changes.

Sure they'll improve. Teaching people non pharmacutical ways of dealing with anxiety does work. Breathing, exercise, yoga, relaxation techniques etc. Then there's gradualy exposing someone to thier anxiety to desensitise them and teaching them different ways to look at the siuation.