Dealing with Anxiety..OCD.. and side effects of smoking

[Someone here]

I have made several threads in the past here that I struggle with anxiety and panic attacks.  And also about my addiction to smoking cigarettes. Thank god the panic attacks have vanished.  They were a feeling of I'm about to lose my mind and my sanity and losing control over my whole body and collapsing .I don't want to get into details in describing what a panic attack is to not trigger other healthy people on here.

So..like I said I'm cured now from panic attacks .all thanks to the medication I started taking a few years ago up until today (never missing a single day )..namely:

 Invega..  prozac.. Rivotril .. Zyprexa .

my therapist prescribed them to me .and I'm taking them consistently since 3 years ago. 

However I still from time to time get anxious . I'm experiencing social anxiety whenever I go outdoors to do a simple task like going to grocery to pick some milk I feel tensed around people.  When I go to sleep I feel anxiety and I experience a feeling of difficulty getting up from bed .I wake up at like 7 AM but I slack off and stay in bed doing nothing until 10 AM. It's like I want to keep sleeping for days and not see the light . I feel tired of daily routine .as if I'm 70 years old or something. 

Another problem I'm facing is OCD . I'm not gonna say what exactly is the OCD about or what is the thing that I'm obsessed about because I think it's embarrassing..but I'm confident to say I have OCD around a certain thing .I keep checking that thing repeatedly and unnecessarily even though my rational mind knows that there is no point in doing so but I can't help but check it out . So I need help with that as well .

The final proplem is I stopped smoking for two months now ...no cigarettes..no Cigars ...no nicotine patch ..no vaping etc.. yet I still feel burning sensation in my chest around the lungs and heart area . I know 100% it's the side effects of years of smoking . But like I said I stopped smoking completely for idk maybe two months almost (I don't really count the days ) and I don't plan to ever get back to smoking again. Nobody obviously wants lungs cancer or heart attack .

So..yeah ...these are some things I'm going through and I'm looking for advice .if anyone here can help me out please go ahead. 

Thanks !

Edited March 17 by Someone here

[Grateful Dead]

With all the medication, I imagine it's hard to get out of bed. And all of this "just" for anxiety and panic attacks, I honestly think it's excessive, but I don't really want to question your psychiatrist's treatment; he certainly knows your situation better.

But have you tried other non-medicinal forms of therapy too? For example, various behavioral therapy techniques? That seems more appropriate for your situation.

And do you exercise? I think that would definitely be helpful for recovering from the side effects of smoking for so long. It might also help a bit with your anxiety and panic.

[Someone here]

1 hour ago, Grateful Dead said:

With all the medication, I imagine it's hard to get out of bed. And all of this "just" for anxiety and panic attacks, I honestly think it's excessive, but I don't really want to question your psychiatrist's treatment; he certainly knows your situation better.

Yes one of the nasty side effects of these pills is drowsiness and feeling idle. Could be a reason for my lack of energy. 

But I absolutely need them . I was literally suicidal because of my panic attacks.  As I described they feel like you are literally going to die right now or worse . But I'm healed right now . Still the anxiety throughout the day. I live a very stressful life . 

1 hour ago, Grateful Dead said:

But have you tried other non-medicinal forms of therapy too? For example, various behavioral therapy techniques? That seems more appropriate for your situation.

No I haven't.  I try just to distract myself with watching sports or playing video games or oversleeping. 

What methods do you suggest?  Sorry I don't even know what that is .

1 hour ago, Grateful Dead said:

And do you exercise? I think that would definitely be helpful for recovering from the side effects of smoking for so long. It might also help a bit with your anxiety and panic.

Yes I do . I lift weights and heavy shit like full  gas tanks on my shoulders to gain muscles and build a strong physique. But no cardio or stretching or anything that can make the blood flow to all parts of my  body equally . Actually If I take a speed walk across the street I feel my breathing is about to stop and my chest hurting me . Maybe I just need to do a scan on my chest to see if I have some tumour or something but I'm scared for obvious reasons. 

[Grateful Dead]

59 minutes ago, Someone here said:

But I absolutely need them . I was literally suicidal because of my panic attacks.  As I described they feel like you are literally going to die right now or worse . But I'm healed right now . Still the anxiety throughout the day. I live a very stressful life . 

Yes, that's understandable, it's best to continue with your medication while you look for other solutions.

59 minutes ago, Someone here said:

What methods do you suggest?  Sorry I don't even know what that is .

It's about changing your behavior, thoughts, and emotions through targeted techniques. In short, conditioning.

I don't want to give specific recommendations right now, as these life situations are usually complex. However, if you don't have the opportunity to work with a good behavioral therapist, I would recommend ChatGPT. Describe your situation and your problems to the AI as precisely as possible, and then let it suggest behavioral therapy measures. I've tested ChatGPT in this regard and am really impressed. For people who can work with it, I think it's better than a mediocre therapist.

1 hour ago, Someone here said:

Maybe I just need to do a scan on my chest to see if I have some tumour or something but I'm scared for obvious reasons. 

Yeah, get checked. It is better to know if something is wrong, then you can take action against it.

[Princess Arabia]

I wish you well, my friend. Didn't realize you were taking so many medications and suffered anxiety attacks. Good to see the meds are working and extremely glad to see you've managed to quit smoking . I know how much of a challenge that was for you. I think you'll be fine overall as I think you're a strong person inside and out. I wish you the best. Hang in there and stay strong. You got this.

[UnbornTao]

Obviously, I don't know the cause, but some of it might be withdrawal effects from quitting smoking. Quitting a drug like that isn't pretty -- even with coffee you can experience withdrawal symptoms for weeks or months. Congrats on your achievement, though -- keep it up!

This isn’t professional advice, and it is rather simplistic, but it might help to some degree. It is about some foundational things:

• If you consume caffeine and processed sugar, consider quitting the former and drastically reducing the latter.
• Eat more frequently throughout the day. I've noticed that fasting (just skipping a meal or two) sometimes increases my anxiety. Fasting + drinking coffee on an empty stomach are sure to increase my anxiety levels.
• Move and exercise: Yoga, Tai Chi, walking, running, swimming, weightlifting--any activity or sport will do. Ideally one that is relatively intense, and a couple that are more lightweight.
• Limit screen time, and avoid blue light exposure at least an hour before bed.
• Look into potential supplements or vitamins (research and consult your doctor). I've heard magnesium is beneficial for this, and I personally like L-Theanine.

Edited Friday at 12:30 PM by UnbornTao

[Someone here]

1 hour ago, Grateful Dead said:

Yes, that's understandable, it's best to continue with your medication while you look for other solutions.

Definitely. I feel like I'm back to square one in my progress from healing if I just stopped taking those pills even for a day or if lowered the dosage .

1 hour ago, Grateful Dead said:

It's about changing your behavior, thoughts, and emotions through targeted techniques. In short, conditioning.

I don't want to give specific recommendations right now, as these life situations are usually complex. However, if you don't have the opportunity to work with a good behavioral therapist, I would recommend ChatGPT. Describe your situation and your problems to the AI as precisely as possible, and then let it suggest behavioral therapy measures. I've tested ChatGPT in this regard and am really impressed. For people who can work with it, I think it's better than a mediocre therapist.

That's a good idea . But I don't think it's better than a human therapist . Just the face-to-face interaction with another human can be all you need to have the highlight of your day .

My therapist isn't mediocre. He is brilliant. I talk to him about everything and all the wacky stuff that goes in my mind .this in itself can be healing . Notice I withheld some things in OP because I don't want to sound vulnerable . Because at the end of the day I'm here interacting with my keyboard not with people who know me .

This isn't to downgrade or write off your advice man .thank you for your advice .🙏

1 hour ago, Grateful Dead said:

Yeah, get checked. It is better to know if something is wrong, then you can take action against it

That's correct. And the sooner the better .I'm getting checked soon. That's the better decision to take .

[Someone here]

1 hour ago, Princess Arabia said:

I wish you well, my friend. Didn't realize you were taking so many medications and suffered anxiety attacks. Good to see the meds are working and extremely glad to see you've managed to quit smoking . I know how much of a challenge that was for you. I think you'll be fine overall as I think you're a strong person inside and out. I wish you the best. Hang in there and stay strong. You got this.

Thank you for the kind uplifting words . 

[Someone here]

53 minutes ago, UnbornTao said:

Obviously, I don't know the cause, but some of it might be withdrawal effects from quitting smoking. Qutting a drug like that isn't pretty -- even with coffee you can experience withdrawal symptoms for weeks or months. Congrats on your achievement, though -- keep it up!

This isn’t professional advice, and it is rather simplistic, but it might help to some degree. It is about some foundational things:

• If you consume caffeine and processed sugar, consider quitting the former and drastically reducing the latter.
• Eat more frequently throughout the day. I've noticed that fasting (just skipping a meal or two) sometimes increases my anxiety. Fasting + drinking coffee on an empty stomach are sure to increase my anxiety levels.
• Move and exercise: Yoga, Tai Chi, walking, running, swimming, weightlifting--any activity or sport will do. Ideally one that is relatively intense, and a couple that are more lightweight.
• Limit screen time, and avoid blue light exposure at least an hour before bed.
• Look into potential supplements or vitamins (research and consult your doctor). I've heard magnesium is beneficial for this, and I personally like L-Theanine.

Totally could be withdrawal from smoking . I used to smoke since 18 yo. That's 9 fucking years of "raping" my health . But I have decided..enough is enough . Pray for me.

Totally relate about the fasting and eating more . Smoking regularly kills the taste receptors in the tongue Which makes food taste bad or not so delicious and so smokers tend to eat less and they are skinny like a stick . But I'm healing my appetite. 

Good point about working out. The paradox though is that my lungs hurt if I run or speed walk .

Thanks for the advice mate .

[Sabth]

8 hours ago, Someone here said:

Yes one of the nasty side effects of these pills is drowsiness and feeling idle. Could be a reason for my lack of energy. 

But I absolutely need them . I was literally suicidal because of my panic attacks.  As I described they feel like you are literally going to die right now or worse . But I'm healed right now . Still the anxiety throughout the day. I live a very stressful life . 

No I haven't.  I try just to distract myself with watching sports or playing video games or oversleeping. 

What methods do you suggest?  Sorry I don't even know what that is .

Yes I do . I lift weights and heavy shit like full  gas tanks on my shoulders to gain muscles and build a strong physique. But no cardio or stretching or anything that can make the blood flow to all parts of my  body equally . Actually If I take a speed walk across the street I feel my breathing is about to stop and my chest hurting me . Maybe I just need to do a scan on my chest to see if I have some tumour or something but I'm scared for obvious reasons. 

@Someone here Maybe you need to smoke more.  

[Grateful Dead]

9 hours ago, Someone here said:

That's a good idea . But I don't think it's better than a human therapist . Just the face-to-face interaction with another human can be all you need to have the highlight of your day .

My therapist isn't mediocre. He is brilliant. I talk to him about everything and all the wacky stuff that goes in my mind .this in itself can be healing . Notice I withheld some things in OP because I don't want to sound vulnerable . Because at the end of the day I'm here interacting with my keyboard not with people who know me .

This isn't to downgrade or write off your advice man .thank you for your advice .🙏

No, you are right. If you have a brilliant therapist, this is definitely better than ChatGPT. But then it could still be a useful complement.

[Sabth]

And this one , you know like if you're approaching death. Moving towards death. Like no interest in life anymore 

I was into this a while ago. But now idk what's good anymore. I still find myself in a filthy situation unable to do nothing today. No and it's over for me. 

It's basically them not wanting to practice the religion again anymore but only I was affected. It's only affecting me and none of them actually this thing goes against their

 

 

 

.

 

 

[Someone here]

@Sabth I don't understand what you're saying .

[Raze]

try when therapy doesn’t work by Shelly Young 

[Sabth]

You're describing is as if you’re going to die. heading towards death. Thats my first impression. But after reading your replies i thought you need to smoke still. A sudden withdrawal of your routine. *

i never knew that men are intentionally suicidal like killing themselves in front of me. Like eating a sweet thing, i saw this in my dream. Even irl it was meant to kill.

actually after i write this it was raining and i would be distracted as hell

*this one . It felt like a bait.

 

You're describing is as if you’re going to die. heading towards death. Thats my first impression. But after reading your replies i thought you need to smoke more . A sudden withdrawal of your routine. *

*This one , i could go on and on but it felt like a bait. Maybe the ones who are close to me 

What?

Idk what im saying .

 

 

 

 

i would hv explained to you how i was never truly asleep until when im 26. When ive been put to sleep. 
 

 

[Hojo]

I used to have panic attack i had several mental breakdown because of it over years and years. I started taking pill for it 1 month and then said fuck this. I keep having them and I saw that the panic attack was a good thing and that I was being highly intelligent by having them. The answer is you are scared to not move cause you are so connected to God if you dont move you are going to have a panic attack because you mentally die faster than average people. It means you are aware of God unconsciously and everytime you have a second to breathe your soul automatically is pointing at God.

Edited Friday at 11:58 AM by Hojo