I’ve been struggling with anxiety and constant overthinking for the past few months. Some days are better, but most of the time I feel mentally exhausted, even when nothing particularly stressful happens.
I’m not sure if what I’m feeling is “normal” stress or something that actually needs professional help. I’ve been thinking about online therapy options because I’m not comfortable talking to someone face-to-face yet.
Has anyone here gone through something similar? When did you realize you needed to reach out for help — and did online therapy actually work for you?
I’ve never done online therapy, but I’ve done in person a lot. I have wicked anxiety along with bipolar 2. What would be the harm of trying the therapy? Keep in mind you won’t click with all therapists. It’s important to get one you want to work with.
Honestly. What’s got you dragged down? Work pressures? Family pressures? You worried about someone/something? Financial pressures? Life is complicated.
We ALL go through some of this stuff at times. And sometimes when things compound, you get what you are experiencing currently.
You have already taken the first step: Acknowledgment.
Are your sleeping habits in order?
Are your eating habits in order?
They both can have a Huge effect when things start compounding on you.
talk therapist/aka psychologist are fine. stay away from psychiatrist/pharma. nobody ever got better there.
most overthinking has to do with a lack of direction for guys. hit the gym, cleanup diet to begin with.
Ummm, meds definitely saved my life. I used to be able to control the weather with my mind, I could smell colors and see music coming out of speakers. The downside was that people were reading my mind at stoplights, and I was in a kind of Truman Show were everyone was nice to me because they knew I was crazy and were afraid but they were being paid to act normal. Meds can definitely help some situations. People who say they can’t are completely ignorant.
Same here. Congruent with this, my retired therapist, about two decases ago, said to me regarding my warped thinking resulting from serious depression, “You’re not nuts, but when you’re like this, you’re nuts!”
I don’t know if therapists can be this upfront these days.
Depression, mix episodes, and suicidal ideation, neither of which I’ve experienced for a long time. I also cannot afford such mentioned considering what I have (two kids).
Mine have been. With my current and last one we have some serious laughs. We’re addressing some serious subjects, but its not all storm clouds and whatnot. Some situations that come up or are discussed are just plain funny or ridiculous, and laughter is some damn good medicine.
Last one would do what I call “dropping the veil” of professionalism/detatchment where he would just speak from personal opinion or experience. I think sometimes (often) that is essential for both of our wellbeing.
My current one does too. She’s really pretty damn funny and we’ve developed a couple of running jokes pertaining to some of my peculiarities.
Good! Mine was very funny and sometimes strident on some subject matter. I still communicate with him through email a few times per year during holiday times or to just say hello. I first saw him at seventeen years old (I am now 46) so it feels like he has not been just any other healthcare provider.
Yeah. The first one I was referring to stopped seeing clients, but still pops in to take care of paperwork and run the practice. It’s always nice to run into him and check up on each other.
I can’t help but like them. They’re very nice people. I gave my current one some oregano and a potted tomato plant a few weeks ago. She thanked me, and “oh, you didn’t have to…”, but I explained “the first people I think of for stuff like that are the closest, and you’re definitely one of them now.”.
Man, I don’t have the answer for this, but I do have a thought.
I’ve done exactly one therapy appointment in my life. Had a rather traumatic incident regarding a suicide. And to be honest, while obviously abhorring the situation, I felt I was doing alright. But I still scheduled something with a therapist.
Went in, and they asked what brought me in. I told em about the situation, and they said to me “and how has this affected you to make you come in?”
I thought about it and said “honestly, I think I’m doing okay. But, idk about these things, and I’d rather have a mechanic look at my car before it starts making weird noises rather than after,” which my therapist actually liked as an analogy lol. So we talked a bit, ended up both agreeing that I was handling the situation fairly well and didn’t need further sessions, and never went again.
So did I need to go that time? In all reality, no. Therapist and I both agreed I was doing alright. But, I’d been in a situation where I thought I might need to get some help, so I went. And at the end of the day, nothing bad is going to come from therapy. Worst case scenario, you wasted some cash. IMO, the piece of mind is worth that alone.
It can be daunting to book that initial appointment, speaking from experience. If you are considering it, then why not? If it helps you, great. If not, move onto another therapist or move onto another tactic. No shame either way. I think if you’re asking, it’s time to book an appointment.
I struggle with anxiety as well. I don’t go to therapy anymore but did for years, and found it to be very beneficial. Not even so much in terms of “learning” how to cope with it, but it was an avenue to speak to an unbiased third party and get my thoughts out of my head and into the world.
Agreed that these are super important. They are most likely not the cause, but when you’re already anxious, they make things worse. Prioritize these. I would always know that when I didn’t sleep well, my anxiety would be high the next day.
At the end of the day, know it does get better and that is not a cliche saying. Therapy helped me learn that I am just an anxious guy and that’s fine. Knowing it kind of killed a lot of the anxiety and shame I had about it.
In 12 step meetings we call it HALT.
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
And newcomers get drilled with it, Cuz every spiral starts somewhere!
Those are some big, very common, easy to lose track of things that are usually pretty easily solved.
Ive alway hated the idea of therapy for myself but i understand just like with lifting, not everyone responds equally to the same stimulus, physical or mental. Theres a 1000 ways to skin a cat.
We usally know deep down what needs to be done to overcome our anxiety and depression but being able to do those things can be terrifying and debilitating.
Personally, when im at my lowest i try to reconnect with my faith. Its been a life long roller-coaster. Im flawed, im a sinner, i don’t live up to my potential. Ive had the constant anxiety of, “i hate myself and i need to be better” since i was a teen. For me, simply going to mass can be uplifting enough to alter my perspective.
Also as i get older im way more prone to slight changes in sleep or diet ruining my mental health. The chemical/physical aspect is really important to feeling “normal.”
Oh, and ths is a great community of like minded people to look for advice. Ive definitely gotten some t-nation therapy over the years from some older wiser people that have experienced similar issues.
I’m a mental health therapist in private practice. If the anxiety and overthinking are interfering with your quality of life, I’d look into it. I worked for BetterHelp, and I don’t think online works as well. Find someone who makes you comfortable.