I am a 31 year old male, that has had anxiety for many years. For a while things got better, but now they are worse. I can't work or hold down a job anymore. I feel much like crawling into a whole and hiding from everyone and everything. I can't sustain attention on any one thing except my trauma from my past.
I have people that love me, but they don't know what to do, nor do they understand.
I'm starting Buspar tomorrow hopefully. All my life I have been floundering around like a fish out of water.
Don't feel like I fit in, feel pathetic.
In my mind I want to do so many things, but can't focus on them to save my life. If I do, I forget about them and move on to whatever hundred other things that are in my head. I play the avoidance game every second of every day. I am physically exhausted most of the time, because my mind and thoughts wair me out. I can come up with a plan but can't stick with it. Then after that happens and I fail time and time again, I start to get depressed. My personality is not one to be depressed and I am extroverted by nature. I've been fighting this invisible monster for so long.
I've tried many holistic approaches, been on medication 5 years ago and vowed I'd never go on them again, but I can't keep living like this. This is no life. If I can't figure it out soon then I am done. I get very hopefull and then my hopes go to shit time and time again.

~Andy~

Just recently I started smoking and self-medicating cause I can't handle the stress and pressure.

Hey Andy. Well I know just how you feel,been there done that. I've been on several antidepressants,now on wellbutrin and xanax. The only thing is I feel like welbutrin makes my anxiety worse. This time last year I stayed in my bed for 3 weeks only to get up to take a bath or to go to the bathroom. I finally decided I was not gonna let this do this to me anymore. Try the Buspar and I hope it does good for you if not keep trying, DON"T EVER GIVE UP. I do feel a little better but still not myself. I am suppose to go back to the Dr. in Sept. and gonna talk to him about this. Keep your head up high,things will be better.

Andy I give you alot of credit I live with someone who I believe has some sort of a chemical imbalance (anxiety/depression) if I am using the right terms. You are a hero! Andy not many people get help for their illnesses and make everyone else around them suffer. Like the situation I'm in, she knows something is wrong and won't even go into therapy or even be evaluated to see what the problem is. Its scary sometimes to look at ourselves, but how far do you go before you say enough is enough. I am a recovering addict it wasn't easy getting clean and by the grace of God I have 22 years off that crap. Its not your fault this is happening to you, but it is your responsibility to take care of yourself. Try the new medicine if it doesn't work, try something else. Keep your head up. I am proud of you Andy, and I hope I can read in the future how much better you are doing. God bless you.

Read more recent threads, if you are still looking for ideas....read thread by "peaches" and also by "daxia". My comments regarding anxiety are in each thread. I feel for you, because I go through the same thing. Only recently have I started to get a handle on the situation...its been about 8 years of torment. Good luck.

Hmm I guess a lot of people go through this. My mind goes really mad and I cant seem to have any control of it. I havent told anyone about it. I am trying to fight it.
Its tough

Hi, just came across this site. I feel the same way, my mind gets so full, im not sure which way to turn. I've just switched from Paxil to Effexor, today was my first full dose (150 mg), have been on xanax for years. Hoping to get my mind cleared up in order to deal with life. I've self medicated before and believe me it doesn't work. Hope your medication works for you. take care
Gord