Can You Really Live Anxiety Free?

[Elizabeth181183]

Hi there.

Gosh, I’ve been living with anxiety for nearly 13 years now. I know almost everything there is to know about it and I’ve dealt with nearly every symptom. From just general, niggling anxiety to panic disorder that’s stopped me leaving the house, I feel I’ve sampled everything anxiety has to offer.

Over the years I’ve had CBT, been on citalopram and sertraline. I’ve tried general counselling & therapy looking at my largely non eventful past. I eat well, I exercise and I sleep well.

Yet even though I fully appreciate what anxiety is - a threat response gone haywire, it never leaves me.

Last year, after 8 years on 50mg I cut down to 25mg. Even now, I am still suffering incredibly sudden and scary brain zaps & find my anxiety then doubles down again. The ‘what if’ thoughts arrive and now I have my daughter (she’s 2.5), negative self talk that I can’t be responsible for her or a good parent starts.

I guess my question is, do you think anyone who has lived with chronic anxiety for a long time, can ever be anxiety free? I read an interesting article on the long term effects of antidepressants and the possibility it can cause long term changes to the brain, so now have also lost hope of ever getting off the 25mg (last time I tried, it was wild!)

I know the way to live anxiety free is really to accept anxiety. But bloody hell, how much acceptance do I have to show?!

I would say I had moderate anxiety with intrusive thoughts and the other things you described, it took me about 3 years to get mentally well again from my lowest (suicidal thoughts), and so now my mental health and self care is my priority, especially as SSRIs had nasty side effects for me (although in hindsight I should have given them another try!).

I've had periods of real calm and peace, but when the warning signs start like the negative cycling thoughts, I up the self care, more work breaks, walks at lunch time, garden each morning, eat healthily, drink water, start a new book. At the moment it works for me.

Of course I will feel anxious at times, but I think the change I made is that I now SAY I'm anxious, I tell my work, my husband my kids, my friends - anyone who cares for me, I don't try bottling it anymore, no point, it just leaks out in countless unhelpful ways.

I wonder this too. I'm 32 and have honestly had symptoms of an anxiety disorder/OCD since I was 7 or 8 years old. Anxiety has ruled my life at times, just like you. I've also been incapable of getting off antidepressants. I'm on citalopram and have been for 8 years. I tried to come off them last year and when I got down to the final 5mg I had a mini breakdown and had to put the dose back up again. I've sort of accepted I'm on them for life.

Personally I don't think I'll ever be 'free' of anxiety. I've had periods of my life where it's been much more minimal, and I'd like to hope I could get it to that level long term. But I also accept it will probably be up and down depending on what's going on in my life. For example - I've just had major surgery and that has caused a huge dip increase in anxiety - from the anxious lead up to the recovery.

But I will always keep trying!

This video might help - anxiety is a natural emotion but if you become fearful of it, it can become overwhelming;

In my experience the cure for anxiety is reached when it's symptoms no longer matter, they no longer scare us, and we can carry on with the task at hand with them there.

And it can absolutely be achieved.

Get yourself Claire weekes book called self help for your nerves.
Then follow the plan she sets for you. Read the book from cover to cover.

I was agoraphobic, in A and E every other day, had OCD and had intrusive thoughts.

The book saved my life god willing.

This was many years ago.

Now that my life is so much busier and I have some stressors, I suffer nervous fatigue from time to time. But by following her plan it halts me falling into depression or agoraphobia.

Life can get better, have hopex

'Get yourself Claire weekes book called self help for your nerves.
Then follow the plan she sets for you. Read the book from cover to cover.'

This is great advice. Read this and her other books, they helped me so much

Hi there. Living with anxiety for such a long time can indeed be challenging, even when you have tried various treatments and made positive lifestyle changes. It's important to remember that everyone's journey with anxiety is unique, and finding the right approach may take time and persistence. While complete freedom from anxiety may be difficult to achieve, it is possible to reduce its impact and live a fulfilling life. Exploring different therapeutic techniques, such as mindfulness, meditation, and alternative therapies, in combination with professional guidance, may help in managing anxiety symptoms more effectively. Remember to be patient with yourself and continue seeking support to find what works best for you.

@Sullyssorryeyes your past symptoms sound exactly like me atm. What kind of intrusive thoughts did you get and am I right in trying to do things I would be doing even though the anxiety and thoughts are there?
@Elizabeth181183 struggling with the whole accepting anxiety thing myself. Hope your ok.