Does alcohol really affect your mental health?

[PallMall5]

I suffered from anxiety in quite a bad way after DD2 was born but I've been much better for around the last year. I've been on a lot of trips away and had a lot of visitors lately and ordinarily I don't really drink but I've been having moderate amounts as of late. (To be expected with all the events we've been at.) I've noticed in the last week that I'm starting to feel anxious and worried a lot and can feel myself slipping backwards. Is it likely to be the increased consumption of alcohol that's causing this? I really don't want to end up back where I was before. Thanks.

Bump

You could be tired and getting frazzeled nerves if you have been very active travelling and socialising. Are you getting enough sleep? You could stop drinking alcohol and see if you feel better.

*frazzled

Alcohol is a depressant, it's addictive, proliferate, and it can easily become a crutch. Odds are it's not helping even if it's not causing the anxiety directly. It's definitely worth taking a break from it to see how you feel.

I'm speaking from personal experience as someone who no longer drinks because it makes my anxiety much worse even if I'm only having 2-3 drinks a week.

Alcohol is a depressant. If you've got a history of depression/anxiety and are feeling yourself slipping back to that then I'd say it's best avoided or kept to a minimum, at least to see if you feel better again.

Google says yes, alcohol can be bad for anxiety. www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-and-mental-health/

I have horrendous anxiety/depression, it’s mainly under control. It’s far worse for 1/2/3 days after drinking. Sometimes it can send me into a bad slump, once I get into a downward spiral it’s hard to come back out. I personally don’t find it worth it. Try a few months without any alcohol and see how you feel

I suffer from anxiety but it's much better now I don't drink. I am considering coming off beta blockers now, 15 months after my last drink.

Absolutely! Have you not heard of "the fear"?
The fear is basically drug induced anxiety and paranoia
Alcohol, Cocaine, weed

Alcohol makes my anxiety much worse. I feel absolutely awful mentally the next day. I do have a drink or two socially but any more than that and I really suffer.

Are you getting enough sleep?

No, not really getting enough sleep either. DH is away with work a lot so I'm taking care of the DC alone and had them in tow for all these trips I've been on and during all these visits we've had, so it's been later nights for me and early starts with the kids.

Alcohol is a depressant/can increase anxiety, but at the same time if you've been on the go, had a lot of visitors, not getting enough sleep, it's probably a combination of everything, rather than solely the alcohol. Any chance of things calming down in the future?

Alcohol is a depressant. However this does not mean that it causes depression. You may drink because you are depressed and/or anxious, and it may help relieve the symptoms but it will not cure them or make you better able to cope in the long run. If you drink enough to affect your physical health, this may worsen your mental health in tandem.

Yes, things are about to be much more calm for the next month or so. I feel as though maybe I've run myself into the ground a bit. I just hate these anxious feelings. They took over my life for such a long time and I never want that to happen again. I wasn't mentally there for a lot of DD2's baby days and I carry a bit of guilt for that. I don't want that to happen again.

Alcohol absolutely worsens anxiety. Fact.

Alcohol is a no go. Been sober 5 years. Best thing I did. No more crazy antics, no more crazy thoughts, and I gave up to start a family. Me and my OH both did. Everybody needs to be stable physically and mentally and what better way then without any alcohol

Alcohol massively makes my anxiety worse. I went out with DP on bank holiday Sunday. Had Monday and Tuesday off work. Currently sat crying because I’ve not been able to sleep and I know my anxiety has kicked in again and I can’t go into work. I’m already on a warning because of my absence (all MH related absences) but I’m shaking and feeling sick about going to work. Can’t do it. Massively regret drinking now, I’d been so well and doing great, thought a few drinks would be ok....

Sorry you’re struggling today Raven.

OP, it’s likely to be a combination of the factors you’ve mentioned. Self care might help: walk outdoors, sleep, veggies! DC free time if you can get it!

I usually avoid drinking more than one or two: it’s a relaxant there and then, but for me not worth the low/anxiety the following day(s). Late nights (alcohol free) not great either.

Yes, things are about to be much more calm for the next month or so. I feel as though maybe I've run myself into the ground a bit. I just hate these anxious feelings.

That's good. Relax, take a break, enjoy the quiet. I'm sure you'll be feeling less anxious soon.

I find travel and hosting visitors both triggers, and try not to cram too many things together as I know it’s a path to being frazzled. Eg the day after returning from our summer holiday abroad, when DH planned to take the DC to visit elderly relatives for the weekend I said I’d stay home. He can do loads and be fine, I can’t.

You mention lots of trips away and visitors, OP. For me, lots of social engagement and routine ‘interruptions’ (much as I really enjoy both) totally trigger my anxiety.

I find since having kids, my anxiety has really become my black dog that follows me around. It’s always in the periphery but I manage it. I don’t drink very often at all- a birthday, maybe a glass of wine with dinner during a ten day holiday. I probably have a drink every 8-12 weeks. I don’t go beyond a glass and I stick mostly to a beer (for some reason wine- even one glass, disagrees with me. I tend to feel sad and headachy the next day... even after just one glass. I have no reaction to beer and feel fine the next day. Again, I stick to a small bottle or half a pint).

I really learned to examine and honour my needs as an anxious person. That sentence sounds unbelievably ‘special snowflakish’. But too many social engagements triggers anxiety and an emotional slump. Too much disruption of my routine will make my anxiety kick in. Yet when I go on holiday (cue major anxiety leading up to travelling) the break away is medicinal.

I didn’t battle anxiety in the way that I do now. It was white noise for most of my adult life. It no longer is. But the more I pay attention to triggers, the better I feel. It totally sucks though.

Know your limits. Maybe reduce alcohol intake overall. When someone pours that second glass, don’t drink it. Have you gotten to the root of your anxiety? Did it start after DD2’s arrival or was it lurking beforehand?