Just Dumbfounded.

[Matticus1983]

I had beer drinking habit for a solid 4-5 years. I'd drink anywhere from 5-10 beers on most nights and slam them on the weekends. I got Sober Labor day of 2019. Been sober now for like 8-9 months. I'm 36 now .I don't remember in the past 15 years ever being this anxious. When I was 20 I went through some serious panic attacks, and agoraphobia. Lost jobs, social anxiety etc. I healed from that through a program from Lucinda Basset. Then, just seeing how the panic process worked helped ease my anxiety. It's so hard to believe 15 years later It all came back with a vengeance. I want to blame it on some Ill health problem and have become a severe (heart,brain) related hypochondriac. But I know it's overthinking, what if'ing and panic. But something in me wonders why now all of a sudden ya know. I've had ekg's, blood work, ticker is fine, liver was fine, kidneys, thyroid, etc. X-rays, gallbladder ultrasounds. Etc. I quit going to the Dr. just because of the anxiety it causes to wait on test and specialists etc. Like a Dr. does not ease my anxiety like it used to, it makes it worse. I keep asking though why now.??? I'm sure it has something to do with me self medicating for so long, not really living and getting a buzz everyday. I obsessed over beer then not much else to obsess over, If I was worried about my health, I'd drink more and headstrong it. Not long after I got sober my head thoughts began racing, health worries, now they're constant. Constant dizziness, constant fear and nervousness. I've stayed on Lexapro and Lamictal for years and got added on Klonopin 4 months ago. It really helped at first, but now I'm afraid of the side effects of the Klonopin. This crap never leaves me alone. I can't chill even when on a benzo. Maybe a therapist would help, I dunno. Need some help guys.

 

[JustinBaumann]

I can tell you right now that the heavy drinking has been a major contributing factor. There are probably other variables involved as well here. It's very hard to figure out what's going on based off a tests doctors give you because that is just one data point. I generally avoid western medicine doctors.

I'm a new member here and I just posted an introduction sharing my story in this community. I basically suffered from crippling anxiety and depression as well as a host of other issues. I tried a whole bunch of things that didn't work. What finally worked for me was healing my gut and regulating my circadian rhythm. I'd highly recommend you check out my post. It may give you some encouragement because I was almost admitted to a mental health hospital but managed to recover.

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[Matticus1983]

I can tell you right now that the heavy drinking has been a major contributing factor. There are probably other variables involved as well here. It's very hard to figure out what's going on based off a tests doctors give you because that is just one data point. I generally avoid western medicine doctors.

I'm a new member here and I just posted an introduction sharing my story in this community. I basically suffered from crippling anxiety and depression as well as a host of other issues. I tried a whole bunch of things that didn't work. What finally worked for me was healing my gut and regulating my circadian rhythm. I'd highly recommend you check out my post. It may give you some encouragement because I was almost admitted to a mental health hospital but managed to recover.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks Justin will do, I'm as open minded as they come.

 

[Brad66]

You masked the anxiety by drinking in the past. So now that you are not using alcohol anymore as an anti-anxiety "treatment" you are experiencing it unhindered now.

Your case is one were the cure was worse than the disease. The problem is that right now you fear the "disease" so much that it makes it seem worse than it really is.

My suggestion, as someone who has fully recovered from two anxiety disorders and major depression, is two fold.:

#1 you have to lessen the stress in your life.

Some stressors you can't do anything about but if you are being honest with yourself I am sure there are plenty you can. Maybe it's finishing unfinished projects, apologizing to someone you hurt in the past, or even just getting rid of possession that are cluttering up your life. Sit down and think about a few things you can work on. Write them down and check them off as you go. Maybe just one thing a day and make sure you spend at least 30 minutes trying to better that situation. Do not overwhelm yourself with a list of every imperfection in your life, a short list to start will do. make sure you have some easier things on the list to do as well to allow yourself to see you are making progress

Exercise daily. This will help with stress so much. If you are out of shape just start with 10 minutes a day. Something to get your heart rate moving. Make sure to put exercise on your daily list and check if off daily. You will eventually want to get to the point that you are doing 30 minutes a day.

Relaxation exercises. Try and find one that works for you and do it at least ten minutes a day. This may not have too great of benefits to start but once you lower you stress levels this can help maintain them. Personally I meditate 10 minutes every day.

#2 you have to have a goal in life and start working towards it

Make a specific goal. Not something vague like "be a good person" something specific but obtainable. Passing an exam you have been putting off that will help your career, getting certified in something, just starting a career, writing a book, volunteering at homeless or pet shelter etc.

If you have nothing to aim for you will never hit any target. Set time requirements weekly for how much time you need to spend on the goal and hold your self accountable to it.

This will give you direction and purpose and eventually you will find your mind is no longer concentrating on anxiety bc it doesn't have the time to.

Anxiety is definitely a hard thing to crack but honestly you have to stop seeing it as an enemy and something to be afraid of. Had my anxiety never gotten to the point where I had a panic attack at a baseball game, fell into a bad depression, and had numerous mental breakdowns I would have never gotten my life on track. You need to see it as a sign that change is needed in your life.

As the saying goes "if nothing changes then nothing changes" .... Find the change you need and start feeling better!

 

[Matticus1983]

Thanks!!

 

[Joshua1]

Drinking has become an addiction for you. Addictions are hard to let go, however i do think you can change it something else, or at least lower your drinking habits. Its like masturbation, i do not think we will ever completely stop masturbating, but at least we can do it less.