Hello to everyone. My name is Greg, and I am a long-time sufferer of anxiety, depression, and such. I posted on this board awhile back. I was so down in the dumps, that I never came back. Now, I feel some motivation, to try and tackle the issues at stake.
Backstory - I am diagnosed Scizoaffective. Have been since age 14. Now at 41, and having had years of talk therapy and medication sessions, I feel like expanding my horizons.
Lets backtrack for a moment... people say that I am beyond my years, and well-schooled. I always cherished those compliments, although I put myself down constantly. I have anxiety, especially social anxiety. No friends (in person that is, although I use FB to communicate).
I go out seldom, except for a brisk walk around the block a few times a week.
My anxiety is so severe, that I have high BP, and stomach issues, like GERD as well.
I take meds. Currently, 7 psych, 3 physical health. Attivan and Buspar for anxiety. Does it help? A bit. Not much.
I know I'm jumping around in topic here. However, although Covid-19 is terrible, it does allow me to do talk therapy phone sessions once a week with my therapist.
Before, I could not take the bus, so I only came in 6 times a year.
This new situation has greatly helped. I get more feedback, and such. Coping cards (aka - cheat sheets) help - cards that I write out to re-read in a positive light. So, after building new skills, I decided to come back here to these boards.
Let me add - I have a lifetime of experience and knowledge. My Dr. wants me to be a Peer Specialist. It'll take time, but thats OK. I'm here for two reasons - to get help, and to give out help.
I call it "The Blind Leading The Deaf" - where you cannot go, I can. Where I can't go, you can. I think you get the idea.
In the end, life is about feeling good inside. I smoked cigarettes for 24 years. Clean for 2 years, 2 months now. It helped with anxiety.... at a cost. Some turn to drugs. Not me, although I gambled cash for awhile.
I'm trying to a) build my courage and fortitude to "get out" into the world, b) to restore lost self-esteem, and c) to help others. My empathy is nice, but I need to control that too.
Much more to say, but I'll close. I'll try to remain around for awhile. God bless, and thank you all! Stay well!
Backstory - I am diagnosed Scizoaffective. Have been since age 14. Now at 41, and having had years of talk therapy and medication sessions, I feel like expanding my horizons.
Lets backtrack for a moment... people say that I am beyond my years, and well-schooled. I always cherished those compliments, although I put myself down constantly. I have anxiety, especially social anxiety. No friends (in person that is, although I use FB to communicate).
I go out seldom, except for a brisk walk around the block a few times a week.
My anxiety is so severe, that I have high BP, and stomach issues, like GERD as well.
I take meds. Currently, 7 psych, 3 physical health. Attivan and Buspar for anxiety. Does it help? A bit. Not much.
I know I'm jumping around in topic here. However, although Covid-19 is terrible, it does allow me to do talk therapy phone sessions once a week with my therapist.
Before, I could not take the bus, so I only came in 6 times a year.
This new situation has greatly helped. I get more feedback, and such. Coping cards (aka - cheat sheets) help - cards that I write out to re-read in a positive light. So, after building new skills, I decided to come back here to these boards.
Let me add - I have a lifetime of experience and knowledge. My Dr. wants me to be a Peer Specialist. It'll take time, but thats OK. I'm here for two reasons - to get help, and to give out help.
I call it "The Blind Leading The Deaf" - where you cannot go, I can. Where I can't go, you can. I think you get the idea.
In the end, life is about feeling good inside. I smoked cigarettes for 24 years. Clean for 2 years, 2 months now. It helped with anxiety.... at a cost. Some turn to drugs. Not me, although I gambled cash for awhile.
I'm trying to a) build my courage and fortitude to "get out" into the world, b) to restore lost self-esteem, and c) to help others. My empathy is nice, but I need to control that too.
Much more to say, but I'll close. I'll try to remain around for awhile. God bless, and thank you all! Stay well!