Anxiety and drinking

So...just in case you dont know me from my previous posts I have anxiety...I dont leave the house much. I cant really do basic things like grocery shop etc...And now to add insult to injury, its come to my attention that I drink way too much. I had some mental health issues before I started to drink too much. On the positive side I have support and my brother has gone through similar issues. I feel some days like loosing my mind...maybe I am lol.
So I have support but Im alone most days...i can drive sometimes...but not far distances...anyway...I know its going to be hard to quit....I see a therapist and a psych dr...Im not even someone that I would say has an "addictive" personality. I know the dangers of drinking...I feel alone and scared most the time. Im not going to an inpatient clinic. Anyway...just thought Id share my story. Having anxiety is hard enough....

Sorry no one has replied to you
This forum seems to have gotten very slow
Obviously you are self medicating yourself with alcohol
Many do
Unfortunately it’s a vicious cycle
It calms you down and makes you forget until the next day comes and it causes anxiety
Are you able to stop at just one which would take the edge off?
Wishing you peace

Hi Labelle,

You use to post on depression so I remember you.

Have you thought about going into rehab? Or would that spike your anxiety too much?

Drinking alcohol does add to anxiety problems. Or can add. So it isn't a very good idea, though when you do it, it feels like it is helping.

I hope you get to the bottom of things, keep posting as it helps. I hope you feel better soon.

I know the feeling about leaving the house. It can be difficult.

Take care Labelle.

Hugs, Karen...

(Cont) actually I dont know why I thought I could go on this trip tom. Its a terrible idea, seeing as I cant go to the store etc...ill be surrounded by people and Ill get the same sensations I always do. Dizzy weird, disconnected. So, I guess the best I can hope for is that I dont make a complete idiot of myself bc of my panic attacks.

Labelle, I'm glad you responded. If you are finding it difficult to talk about this, perhaps we can go on chat and figure out a way where that's possible for you.

As has been said, we are here to help you, if you would like for us to help you. There's nothing that can't be talked about.

I am trying to help out a woman here who just told me today she was homeless for awhile. Lived in her car. I asked her to tell me about that, and she said she didn't want to relive that part of her life. She doesn't have to tell me, in a way. I know it was really bad and I just try to do what I can for her. At least she lets me do that. It took her awhile to get that far.

It's taking a while to get to you. You don't have to tell everything. Just let us know that it was bad. But why is it your fault. What is it about it was your decision that played a part in this situation? Just keep in touch so we can offer suggestions. Keep the lines of communication open. How about that? It was really good to hear from you.

We don't think you are a bad person. Please don't think that about yourself. We need you to get on your side. You're the key.

OK.

Hi. I just feel like Im spinning out of control sometimes, probably because I am. Ive been trying to keep up and I just cant. Yes....its very hard to live like this. Im tired of worrying about my mental health. I feel lost...I feel overwhelmed by everything. I can say that sitting at the house in my head doesnt help.
Ive been like this for too long....5 years is so long. Its not fair that Im living like this while my husband works. I dont even know what "being in my head" means anymore because I feel like they are one in the same now for me.
Everyone keeps telling me if i just get a job all of this would go away....I guess I feel like I did this to myself because I wasnt always like this....but over time my lack of a schedule etc became bad for me. I wish there was some answer...maybe having an open conversation about all this would help..but i dont know. Ill write more later

Hi Labelle,

These guys are right, you did not do this to yourself. Anxiety is an illness just like diabetes and others. Try to go easy on yourself and realize nothing is to blame, it is what it is.

Learn deep breathing exercises, they really do help with practice. Meditation calms us down.

I hope that things get easier for you. Hang in there, keep posting. We really are all cheering you on.

Hugs, Karen...

Hi. Maybe i can answer all the questions tommorow. I feel like Im crawling out of my skin. I dont know how else to explain it...its not a nice feeling. Im struggling to put some structure into my days and at night i feel this horrible dread feeling again. I know alot of it has to do with how I spend my day...which is just hard to explain. I do things..but my dr says im not having enough experiences and maybe thats why my brain just wont shut down...but this feeling of crawling out of my skin is ahh....I need to change my lifestyle...somehow...thats just scratching the surface of all my problems.i will write more soon.

You don't sound like you live in the present. Have you ever read about it or studied it? It slows you down and quiets your mind. You focus on the project at hand and not the future or the past. I started out by just paying attention to everything I did. As I was doing dishes, I would focus on each dish and what I was doing with it. You train your mind to slow down to that pace. You can do it.

If you are going to take supplements I would talk to the doctor first. Do you take medications for depression and anxiety? Do you see a psychiatrist or a therapist?

I think you need more help than you are getting. Though I am really not sure how much you are getting at this time.
I hope you feel better soon Labelle.

Hugs, Karen...

Thank you for all the helpful suggestions. I guess I said I do this to myself because I do in some ways. I take pills to get by...but im just blocking out all my real feelings and sadness...I got to spend some time with my husband like old times...when it didnt seem like I was so messed up and it felt great...and I am having trouble admitting that its not me....he thinks Im doing better and Im not....(funtioning wise)
Im addicted to feeling like Im still worth it...but my anxiety is spiraling out if control and I feel like I have this secret burden....I know things couldnt survive ..and wont if i keep going like this...hiding my real feelings..but its the only thing keeping me going sometimes...that I could still feel loved..I dont want to give that up again. Sorry if this sounds confusing.Im .sure it does... Maybe I just hate myself and who Ive become.
My therapist...yes..i have one.. says that I need medication to get better..but i think in my heart I think its just easier to look for an easy solution. So basically..i hate how I am...and how unfunctioning I am..but the catch to me getting better is exposing myself...not about my non funtioning, but just about how I am just so lost....and Im afraid....i dont know..that is like the beginning of how I feel but theres alot more...I can say Im a really honest loving person..but I dont know..Ive lost my voice maybe....I dont.want to be dishonest about anything...so its killing me from the inside out...I feel.. but its my dumb choice. I think I need help on how to even think and live...my views are a bit distorted I think. Anyway I will write more later...Ive been doing and saying rhe same thing for many years I know...some things are just so hard to deal with. Never in my life did I see myself living in all of this imbalance ....

Thank you. I will look into Moodgym. I think I used to use it.
Im really stressed out right now. My husband is about to leave to visit his family for 2 weeks. I dont know if i should go. I dont even know if Im mentally in a place where I can go. The person theyve seen in the past isint me...im not feeling carefree...im feeling really bad and i dont know if I can be under the microscope for 2 weeks. My body is exhausted with feeling stressed out all the time...

Thanks. Right now im dealing with just got into a fight with the hubby because i dont want to go away for 14 days.....I know i wil start drinking again....and drinking isint the biggest problem but i dont even want to do it...its just i know its not the answer but in stressful times...what can i do...theres nothing i can do...not go...cause more upheaval..ughhhh