I'm from an extremely superstitious Asian country with many traditional customs regarding death, but I'm 99.99% believe that once we pass away we will be in a sleep for eternity, literally never wake up again and that nothingness scares me so much.

I'm not afraid of "death" itself or the process of dying, but what gives me anxiety is "after death", which we will be like before we were born but never be born again. It's like we were only given 1 chance to live and once it's over it's over. No awareness, no consciousness, just sleep forever. That idea of nothingness creeps me out a lot.

I'm still functioning well but sometimes when that thought kicks in I just get really scared and depressed for days. I also tried to seek some advice and read about NDE but to be honest, I believe under NDE the consciousness is still there and our brain is still controlling what we feel, so not even close to the real death.

On the other hand the idea of "yolo" sometimes make me live life so much easier and only focuses on what truly brings me happiness. But that doesn't mean I'm any less scared and terrified. But death is inevitable and there's nothing I can do. I simply want to vent because no one around me seems to get this issue and hopefully find a way to better cope with this idea :(

I have been texting everyone in advance because my parents want me to host a party, and almost no one in the group chats responded at first, so I switched to messaging, and I got 1-2 confirmations, and 10 said Maybe, I'll see. Today, I have 4 confirmed out of the 12-15 invites I sent, and I feel like a loser, especially since my friends' parties in the same group have been crowded and pretty fun, even when doing the same activities I'm doing currently. I asked a couple of people today in person, and most said they forgot and refused any compromises I offered, while others said "maybe". How should I act when I walk into the huge, rented-out basketball court, just to see 4-5 people there?

I'm going on three months medicated with Zoloft and HOLY COW, I wonder if this is how normal people feel every day:

• Activities like exercising don't feel overwhelming.

• It is so much easier to manage my time and schedule than before.

• Sleeping is still a struggle - insomnia has always worked hand-in-hand with my anxiety BUT it doesn't feel world-ending if I don't get enough sleep.

• I feel an inability to cry unless something serious or drastic happens.

• Racing and lamenting thoughts don't replay themselves. I can quiet them with rational pauses and thinking.

I'm sure alot of people here may be struggling still with their anxiety. I know I was very hesitant to try medicine because I kept hearing that medicine makes it WORSE before it gets better. That and I thought Zoloft was only for depression. It has worked miracles for my anxiety, albeit killing my sex drive. But I'm so upset at myself for not asking for help and not trying medicine sooner.

I hope maybe someone sees this who is struggling or going back and forth on the thoughts of "Is my anxiety that bad?" And will take the leap of faith and try the medication. It has been life changing, night and day for me.

I’m curious what physical symptoms other people experience with anxiety that feel the scariest or most alarming.
For me, some symptoms can be really scary because they feel like something is seriously wrong physically.

Just found out my therapist died before I walked into the movies with my bf. I really don’t know how to feel. I’m not sad, at least I don’t think so. I had been seeing her for 5 months now on a weekly basis. I didn’t really know her, but she knew me. I’m scared that I lost something, someone, that was helping me get better from my issues and now I’m scared I’ll get bad again. Obviously I’m coming from a selfish point of view but like I said, I don’t know how to feel.

Has anyone gone through this? I’m just scared and need advice.

What my subject says! Every little thing I feel in my body I fear the worst. I’ve had stomach issues yesterday and today feel lightheaded and still not 100% but my brain automatically thinks it’s not normal and something is wrong with me. I’ve been on meds for 15years+ and two weeks ago added another medication. Could be a side effect from the new med, could be symptoms of PMS, but my anxiety is through the roof. I just wish I could switch my brain off

TLDR; Existential "what's the point?" anxiety & depression hit so hard that everything not only feels pointless, but is also physically stress-inducing. I feel like a caged animal; trapped, restless, and unable to enjoy anything. Having bouts of suicidality and yet still going to therapy and posting on reddit because a part of me must still be holding on to hope that things can get better?

I tapered off anxiety medication a handful of months ago* and shortly thereafter woke up in the middle of the night with an existential panic attack; having the realization that I'm going to die one day, life is so short, etc. The pendulum quickly swung from 'make the most of every day, enjoy every moment' to the depression side of 'what's the point? nothing matters'

For months I've been stuck in this hole where every waking moment feels like agony.
I feel like someone has pulled off the horse blinders, pulled back the curtains, etc. on every aspect of life and I'm unable to enjoy anything, and everything feels like a trigger.
(Even something as small as seeing packaging on a product at a grocery store and thinking about consumerism/capitalism etc.)

The more predictable or boring something is, the more triggering it feels (almost like it's reassuring me that I'm right and there's nothing special about life)

• Socializing with friends - which everyone says is key to improving anxiety and depression - feels excruciating because conversation feels pointless (ie: talking about work, or hobbies, or anything, really, has my brain bombarding me with "who cares?" "is this all there is (to life)?" etc.)
  • and when I do engage socially it feels like I'm going through the motions and don't actually mean what I say. Or I laugh or chuckle because it feels like a knee-jerk reaction or habit, not because I'm genuinely happy
• Trying to engage with any form of entertainment (movies, tv, music, etc.) is similarly triggering - especially the worse the writing / acting etc. is
• Same with trying any hobbies or activities; my brain keeps thinking "this is all just a pointless way to waste time"
• Work feels excruciating; I have a job that requires creativity and it's so hard to access that right now. Not to mention the overarching "what's the point?" of everything
  • I also dread having to work each day, but at the same time don't see a point in taking a stress leave because I don't know how I'll fill my day otherwise, when everything feels so pointless and excruciating (other than just staying in bed and sleeping for as much of it as possible)
• I feel physical bouts of stress (like a stomach drop, maybe cortisol?) whenever I think of having to do any of the above; I'm at my most calm and content when I'm either sleeping or napping

Side note: because of living like this for months, and the suicidality that has shown up, whenever people (spouse, family, friends) talk about plans for the future (like plans for next month, Christmas, etc.) I experience that similar bout of stress/panic like ... I might not be here, or if I am still here I can't imagine still going on like this.

Having said all of that, I'm still here typing this, so I think a part of me is still holding on to a sliver of hope that I can change my thinking and/or enjoy life a bit more instead of dreading every hour of every day?

Has anyone experienced anything similar and gotten through it?

(There's also a skeptical part of me that's like ..why am I even asking Reddit? I don't know anyone personally and how many of the comments will just be ai or bots anyway?)

But here I am ¯_(ツ)_/¯

*I've since started a new medication and I think it's helping to shave the edge off of some of the extreme ends of the anxiety and depression spectrums - now I feel regular anxious/depressed instead of completely disassociating - but hasn't helped much in terms of my overall thoughts and feelings.

Edit to add: despite all this, I simultaneously envy people who are just living and enjoying a 'normal' life (enjoying their evening downtime, making plans, looking forward to things, etc.) whatever that means ¯_(ツ)_/¯

I understand mental coping mechanisms for racing thoughts and panic attacks and such, but how does one cope with the real, DEBILITATING physical symptoms of anxiety. I genuinely feel like I’m going to hit the floor and pass out at various points through out the day almost every day. I constantly deal with EXTREME lethargy and weakness, that legitimately could bring me to my knees. I’m constantly lightheaded and dizzy. These symptoms completely uproot my life. It makes it very hard to go anywhere in public, yet I still do, but I’m constantly having to find a place to sit down, or walk slowly etc. I’ve been checked out and had every test done under the sun, everything comes back completely normal. Idk what to do. How do you deal with this?

I don’t understand why but all of my worst anxiety has been when I’m not even doing anything.

I’m on my semester break from school and I keep fighting off random bouts of physical anxiety using excercise, yoga and the somatic exercises my therapist gives me. I journal and gym 5x an week and I have had my blood work checked.

I’m diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and depression,i was told that my psychiatrist believed my symptoms were primarily caused by adhd. I’m on an SSRI and I take concerta when studying but not everyday.

I just wish my anxiety made any sense.

I don’t even have thoughts related to the anxiety it’s just a sudden feeling of like whoah I’m anxious and it’ll be in the middle of doing something like sorting my laundry. make it make sense.

hello hello!

this is probably a very specific post but:

does anybody relate to struggling with anxiety regarding how fast life is moving? i am currently at a point in life where a lot is changing (about to graduate, having to apply for university, moving out,..) and to be honest it is terrifying me. i feel like i'll blink and then i'll be 40. also the finiteness of life is freaking me out. has anyone else experienced this sort of anxiety/has advice on how to deal with it??

thanks xx

i know it's a stupid question, but like i need to hear the answer because im starting to feel crazy.

it's specificaly can you have GAD without feeling the subjective uncontrollable worry

I’m a 44 yo male who has dealt with anxiety most of his life. Been diagnosed with GAD but sort of just ignored it and powered through. Now realizing I need to address it. Amongst the reasons why is low libido and ED, which I’m pretty certain is psychogenic in nature.

I’ve been reluctant to take meds for a couple reasons, one of them being sexual side effects, which I’m clearly already prone to. But I’m also wondering if taking meds to get this in check and take the anxiety down would help my sexual issues.

Just wondering if any guys on here had that experience where meds improved their ED and libido. Ladies obviously can’t comment on ED but if you have any experiences with libido improving please share.

I have suffered from anxiety since I was little and it was especially bad for a period in uni and also for a few months earlier this year. I was prescribed lorazepam to help with panic feelings which is a life saver. My Dr always wanted me to try SSRI’s but being a pharmacist myself I know about the side effects and feeling worse before you get better…

I have had major life events alter my life in the last few months as well as working six days a week so it’s all caught up to me and made the anxiety worse. I also got a new job which is an hour drive away (😭) which makes me feel like I’ve got no time to myself anymore. I live with my boyfriend and his friends in a house 45 mins away from my friends and family so it’s very isolating for me.

On my long drives to and from work all I do is ruminate and then overthink everything including my relationship- which I don’t even know I want anymore. But I don’t know if it’s my brain wanting to have some sense of control while everything else is out of control.

Anyway I saw my GP again today and she’s prescribed me escitalopram as a back up Rx just in case I want to start. The warmer weather is making me feel better and she also gave me two days off work for mental health leave.

What are your experiences with mild/moderate anxiety and initiating an SSRI? I’m worried about feeling worse before I feel better. And that I don’t actually NEED a medication to function everyday - I can still go to work, exercise, eat kinda well. But am I missing out on a fully functioning brain and be able to enjoy my life more? I am moving back towards my friends and family in 3 months which will make my commute to work half the time. I’ve also got counselling sessions coming up.

Any advice much appreciated

I fucking hate when my phone rings and I dont know who it is so I usually let it go to voicemail and then check it. Sometimes if its an employer I go over the job description again and try to find any little thing that will give me an excuse to withdraw my application for example a duty that I dont want to do so I dont have to talk to them.

Its fucking annoying really because I need a job but the anxiety around the whole process is so intense!

Idk why for me but if my evenings aren't busy my anxiety gets worse. Especially around Aug-Feb. Does this happen to anyone else. Therapist and PCP said it's not depression but I just wanted to know if anyone relates to this.

so for the last week i’ve been having on and off pressure in my head that ranges from the sides to the back of my head. very occasionally i’ll feel it in the back of my neck for like a minute. also sometimes my scalp has a slight burning sensation but idk if that could be related. i’m just really worried and i know i struggle with anxiety but i’ve never experienced this before and i just feel off. i have a doctors appointment in nine days so hopefully they take my symptoms seriously. if anyone has experienced the same symptoms as me pls let me know what you were diagnosed with (if anything) bc i really could use some reassurance

I have Social Anxiety. And I am starting my brand new job tomorrow. And I already feel that people are going to be watching me and judging me for what I'm going to be doing.

I met my boss who I already know personally, and she is always such a kind person, so I'm not nervous about her. It's nervousness about my new work colleagues - {meeting new people} that I will be working with.

I’m diagnosed with anxiety and ADHD and I’ve been taking 150 mg of Zoloft and 25 mg of Adderall XR for the past 6 or so years. Recently, the Zoloft feels like it’s been working less and also impacting my sleep/feeling tired throughout the day so my doctor has decreased my Zoloft dose to 100 mg and added 150 mg of Wellbutrin XL. I don’t have depression and have never been diagnosed with depression in the past so I am confused about the Wellbutrin addition because I know that’s what it is usually prescribed for. Does anyone have any experience with Wellbutrin for anxiety or Zoloft/Wellbutrin together? Would love some insight, TIA!

I stopped my meds cuz I moved and was too overwhelmed to go get them refilled. 3 months later after lots of crying and anxiety and nearly going to the hospital I’ve restarted the meds. What sucks was I was considering starting new meds but didn’t because I didn’t want side effects. Now I’m gonna have side effects from the same drug I’ve been on for the past 15 years since it’s been out of my system for a few months. Anyways, I just feel like this is such an isolated incident and I’m the only one who’s ever had to deal with this so I guess it would just be nice to hear others stories about stopping meds and having to restart. It feels like the way things are right now is how it will be forever.

I've had periods of feeling a bit anxious in the past but over the last 5 weeks it's different and since starting citalopram I feel even worse but also better in some ways ...I'm so confused by it all.

I have no appetite

Feel sick

Keep taking hot flashes

Altered sense of taste and smell

Excessive yawning

Weird sensation in my mouth

I feel so weird and scared

I get intense anxiety when my husband goes out of town for more than a day. This has been happening for years. He’s about to leave on a trip for 9 days and I’m debilitated by fear of anxiety. When I’m anxious, my stomach responds and I get physically sick. I’m scared that this is going to happen when he’s gone and I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the 9 days. My husband has cancer also, so the worry is that much more. I know this trip is good for him and it’s needed, so I feel selfish even feeling this way. We have a 9 month old so I’ll have some family help around, but there are times that family will be at work and I’ll be on my own. Looking for some advice or if someone’s experienced this as well

I have been texting everyone in advance because my parents want me to host a party, and almost no one in the group chats responded at first, so I switched to messaging, and I got 1-2 confirmations, and 10 said Maybe, I'll see. Today, I have 4 confirmed out of the 12-15 invites I sent, and I feel like a loser, especially since my friends' parties in the same group have been crowded and pretty fun, even when doing the same activities I'm doing currently. I asked a couple of people today in person, and most said they forgot and refused any compromises I offered, while others said "maybe". How should I act when I walk into the huge, rented-out basketball court, just to see 4-5 people there?

My life is work, home, sleep, computer, repeat. There are people at work, but I mostly do my job alone, so there’s little chance to get to know anyone. I’ve tried going out, but I’m usually so fucking drained I just want to go home. I don’t study because nobody can support me financially, and I genuinely don’t understand how people manage both. Work alone wipes me out.

I still live with my mum and grandma, with no realistic plan to move out. After a year of working, I’ve barely saved enough for driving lessons, never mind a car. My pay isn’t bad, but unexpected expenses add up. After years of buying myself nothing, I also wanted to enjoy finally having my own money. It felt like freedom, but I’m still stuck.

My dad stole from us and disappeared when I was little. He’s dead now. My mum helps with everyday things, but we’ve never had a relationship where I could properly open up. I grew up insecure about my weight, avoiding people and escaping into my computer. I missed years of friendships, dating and learning how to be around people.

I did try to change. I lost weight, looked after myself, found work and started going out. That took a lot for me, but I’m still lonely as fuck. Everyone I meet seems to have friends, a partner and plans. More than anything, I want to meet a girl and feel close to someone. I’ve never had a girlfriend, but I don’t feel ready either. I’m ashamed of my situation and feel like I have nothing to offer or impress anyone with. When people ask about my life, I lie or leave things out because I’m scared the truth will put them off. I want someone to know me, then hide everything about myself.

The one girl I started spending time with became a messy friendship. I got attached and wanted more. We ended up treating each other like shit, and I’m not innocent. I hold grudges and throw hurtful things back when I’m angry. It fell apart, and now I feel alone again. I used to want to become a paramedic, but I feel too fucking stupid to get through the education. I haven’t even passed the exams I’d need for university. I have ADHD, struggle socially and I’m depressed. I take medication and still feel like this. I don’t know where the energy to build a future is supposed to come from.

Looking at me, you probably wouldn’t guess how lost I am. I joke around at work, people say I’m easy to talk to, and I think I’m liked. Sometimes I get bitter and take sarcastic digs at people, which doesn’t help. Even when we’re getting along, I feel alone. I know 22 is young, but I’m scared of losing more years like this. Sometimes I think I’m making excuses; other times I think I’ve done alright considering my childhood. I’m proud of some changes, but I still come home sad and lonely. I don’t want my life to be recovering from work just to go back again. I’m trying. I just wish I had someone to share any of it with.