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Yep, I totally sympathize. How do you rein in a runaway limbic system. I've always had that problem, but it became debilitating as a consequence of work-related stress when I was in my 40s. The coping method I stumbled on, almost literally, was running. It worked like a charm; after running 12 miles from 3:30 to 5:00 AM I was able to face all work-related problems with aplomb for the rest of the day. Nothing bothered me; in fact I was borderline euphoric. I thrived for about 5 years in this fashion (running 12 miles every morning) completely without medication or counselling. Then, one Summer vacation, when I was running downhill in the Rockies I suffered an explosive herniation of a lumbar spinal disc and my running days were over. For the next 25 years I subsisted on 2.5 mg of Klonopin/day, as I underwent a total of 5 major back surgeries. The klonopin was not nearly as effective as the running had been but I was able to function. However, as time went on anxiety and insomnia gradually re-emerged along with the appearance of novel symptoms (see benzo withdrawal symptoms in Wikipedia) despite my continuation on the stuff. So a little over 3 years ago I weaned myself off over a 1 year period and have been benzo-free for about 2 years. Life post-benzo has been challenging but doable. To cope, I've reverted to my pre-benzo exercise strategy, which now involves walking (pushing a walker) for about an hour as vigorously as my 83 year old decrepit bod (with a very bad back) will allow. In the final analysis that's the only therapy that gives me any real relief and enables me to enjoy a loving relationship with my wife, kids and grandkids. I no longer take any meds whatsoever, nor do I see a therapist. The latter never worked for me. So I highly recommend daily vigorous aerobic exercise to get those endogenous endorphins up, as an alternative to messing up your GABA receptors with benzos. Whatever you do, all the best.
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Hello @cperaino: I recently had successful spinal fusion surgery and within a few weeks I developed a sudden onset of anxiety and depression. I have a history fighting these two demons but had been depression and anxiety free for ten years thanks to my medication.
The fact that it came on so suddenly and my medication wasn’t helpful was very discouraging. I am on a .25 mg Xanax daily to address the anxiety but I think I may have caught onto something that is working even better. It will take a little while longer to know for sure but I have been walking at least a mile every day for the last 5 days and I notice a calmer demeanor without the constant chatter in my head.
I wonder if continuing walking just might keep the depression and anxiety at bay. I was never an athletic person and I started walking to aid in recovery from the surgery but this may be an additional benefit that anyone who is able to walk or do some form of aerobic exercise can find very useful.
Does anyone else have thoughts on this? I know some of the threads here have talked about it.
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@cperaino, I have heard others talk about the benefits of getting huge boosts of endorphins from running or some other exercise routine. Until I became physically sick and unable, I hit the gym every morning, 6 days a week at 5AM, and had less anxiety and no depression. Without it and along with my physical issues, I became anxious to the point of repeated panic attacks on a daily basis and severe depression over my life having been so abruptly changed. It sounds as if you are in a better place than many who rely on chemistry to get by, but the differences in all of us is what keeps the world so very interesting.
Best wishes, Gary