Turning in a circle!

[Prawn]

Hi I have had anxiety for a while and I often have the power to handle it but I do also get the occasional point when it seems to beat my head. I have the tools and some knowledge to fix that. But one thing I don't know what to do about is, my digestive system just doesn't seem to want to operate and it is causing me to turn in a circle because I try to eat healthy and do exercise and it doesn't work and I still put on weight and it is really starting to get me down because I am loosing confidence in myself. Anyone know or been through this symptom on anxiety before? 

[JessF]

Hello Prawn, welcome. Can you tell us a little more what you mean about your digeastive system not working? Do you mean that you get nausea when you try to eat?  Or is it the weight gain only?  Some types of medication for anxiety and depression do have weight gain as an unfortunate side effect.

With diet related stuff, sometimes I find you have to do a bit of a scorched earth approach to certain types of foods. Sugar, for example, is insidious and is everywhere. Stop taking it in your tea and coffee, and no soft drinks. Cutting out alcohol for a while is also a good idea, although spirits can be ok (just be careful about moderation as they are so strong!). 

It's quite trendy these days to try and eat low carb as well, cutting out breads and rice and going more for proteins and "good fats" like avocado, nuts etc.

[Prawn]

Hi JessF

Yes it is just the weight gain itself. Im not on any medication. It just seems the more I try with diets and exercise and eating healthy and everything. I have lost weight before and very successfully but it just feels that my body doesn't want to let go of anything so to speak. Even with increase of fruits and veg and water and all that stuff cause my head is always clearer when I do eat healthy but my head has fixed on my body to cause my panic attacks lately and the more I try to loose some weight the more I put on, and it isn't just my head I have measured and weighed myself and have put on about 10 kgs within 3 months. I don't know what to do about it and think its down to my digestive system or something because I do feel like my head has been a lot more full the past few months but I feel happy enough but just have an anxious full head. If that makes sense. I don't know what to do about it. I feel like im going in circles.

[JessF]

Hmm, it sounds like it might be an idea to go and see your doctor at this point to see what else might be causing it. Do you have a good relationship with your doctor?

[Prawn]

Not really. Just moved. So am having to change doctors. Don't really like going to see them about my anxiety and stuff as hate explaining it all the time and they always to put me on medication and stuff which I don't want.

[JessF]

Ah I see. Yes, it can be frustrating having to explain things all over again to a new doctor, but anxiety doesn't go away by itself.  Why do you feel negatively about medication? And have you ever tried seeing a psychologist?

[Prawn]

I don't want medication because I have been on medication my whole life and it was medication that got me here in the first place. I want to do it on my own. I want to do it and when I am manageing it I feel like I have beaten it all without help from medication if you see what I mean. I used to go to a CBT which has taught me skills that I use everyday to stop my head. sometimes I fall back a little but for me its a matter of keeping focus. I used to be suicidal but now I couldn't even think of anything like that anymore and I feel ashamed that I used to be like that and it helps and gives me extra encouragement that I used to be like that and im not any more. I am proud of myself and feel like I have beaten it because 4 years ago it could have claimed my life and it didn't. I am proud of where I have come from but sometimes I hate to say it to people because as soon as I say how bad I used to be they look at me like im a piece of china with a crack in it. When I decided to get help before I also went through a really tough time and it was im going to run or im going to fall type of decision.