I Have Crippling Anxiety (How Do I Cope?)

[@stefaniamalatesta8076]

I quit my extremely toxic job, saved for that, now no anxiety or panic. I took the last 5 months off, worked on myself and went to therapy. It was seriously a blessing.

[@hectormorones8733]

Planning to do the same. A toxic work can mess you up especially when you got people to feed.

[@stefaniamalatesta8076]

@@hectormorones8733 It can! I couldn't imagine the pressure. It is just me so I am grateful for that.

[@Jet-h7q]

Congratulations, that’s good to hear. I’ve just given my notice in to a toxic job which is a big worry but I’m hoping will improve things.

[@Thebeachtrader]

@@hectormorones8733I’m in that predicament now I’m the only one working I have a wife and 4 kids relying on me and I hate my job I’ve been there for 17yrs but wanna quit but would be giving up a lot I feel stuck my anxiety has gotten so bad primarily due to going to work

[@deltabravo4589]

I did the exact same about a year ago! I quit a job that gave me crippling anxiety, I couldnt talk to anyone other than my boyfriend at the time without becoming incredibly anxious. I took 6 months off to decompress. It’s been a slow process, but 1.5 years later I’m finally starting to find myself again.

[@skxtes8194]

i had points where i was having 5-10 panic attacks a day. i don’t have them anymore because i stopped fearing them. the mind is a crazy thing

[@weekendnomad5038]

Panic attacks or anxiety attacks ? I have a hard time breathing with a panic attack. Anxiety attacks make my chest hurt and make me basically immobile

[@allstrongfitness]

I love how big of an advocate you are for people being physically active. Your brain LITERALLY is better in every aspect when you are consistently physically active!

[@patriciaegan7244]

Rest is extremely important…don’t wait until it’s too late. I like this caller.

[@DestinyC1020]

He really should have asked the caller what his childhood was like, and if he ever experienced any childhood (or adult) trauma in his life. 90% of adult anxiety sufferers usually had some form of childhood (or even adult) trauma, and experienced feelings of being unsafe. I really wonder what that man's story may have been.

[@caroneast]

He has a job he enjoys and pays well. He is money rich but time poor. He just needs to go part time.

[@isaacmartinez7866]

As a current service advisor, 20-30 is a huge amount of our vehicles to take in per day. National average is 10-11 cars. I feel overwhelmed at 8 cars a day, couldn’t imagine 20-30

[@Sheryl777]

I hope for that man's sake that he can overcome whatever anxiety he is having, not only for himself, but also for his family's sake.

[@marcusarelius]

I've had 3 panic attacks in my life. Each of them happened about 1 hour after falling asleep. I woke up in a complete panic that and my brain told me that I was dying. 2 of those 3 times, I drove myself (somehow) to the ER at like 1 AM only to have a young doctor tell me something to the effect of "dude, you're healthy and fine". The 3rd time I had a panic attack, I used controlled breathing and worked through it. I can't explain panic attacks and I don't know if I agree with Dr. John's analogy that it's your body trying to reset itself as if you've maxed yourself out. I am more busy and stressed with work / life today than I was during the time those 3 panic attacks occurred.

[@MatthewChristianMurray]

I had a handful of panic attacks in November 2018, due to work-induced stress. They also came an hour or two after falling asleep. The first was the worst - I was afraid I was going to let down the kids I was teaching, and cause some kind of disaster in their lives. To this day, that may be the worst place I’ve ever been to mentally.

[@Plooky1969]

Get tested for sleep apnea.

[@starlingswallow]

I had those (nocturnal panic attacks) almost every night for a year. It was a nightmare. I was, unbeknownst to me, in an abusive marriage to a covert narcissist. I laid down my life for my ex, my identity, my dreams, my wants, my needs....everything. And he took and took and took and never gave. My body knew that I was dying on a molecular level and it was also telling me to GET OUT!! RUN!!!! It's been 4 years and the anxiety and nocturnal panic attacks have gone down to 0.01%. I am now married to a wonderful, healthy man who is SAFE. He gives (isn't an over-taker), encourages me to run after my dreams, work on my self care and self love. It's a night and day difference. Sometimes our bodies are our barometer telling us things we _need_ to listen to!!

[@marcusarelius]

@@starlingswallow I know, to a lesser extent, what you are referring to. I’m sorry you went through that, it certainly wasn’t fair, but I am glad you are out and removed from that situation.

[@calibrial]

When I was a child, I regularly had something like this happen, but I did not struggle to breathe at all. I remember feeling this awful sense of doom and pacing around my bedroom. Thought I was dying. I've never had it as an adult but I wonder if it feels similar to a panic attack. I remember feeling like there was a rocket ship counting down the seconds until I die. I started putting objects, like a tissue, beside my bed so that I could touch them and remember this wasn't real. I think this may have been night terrors, but it felt super scary.

[@JustinCase780]

His job sounds cool! Not with those hours 🤣 Seriously, Great guy and hope that he finds a fun job because he is likable and would be a great asset to any organization.

[@JacquesWiese]

Thanks - this sure helped me. If more people can share their struggles, more people will be saved.

[@chrisdawson3859]

Diet change worked so well for me. Keto then onto a carnivore diet. Now my anxiety is what I would consider in normal range and no panic attacks..

[@kaypaton3263]

I find with anxiety I get back to nature. I try and get back into the moment and I reassure my inner child. I call it complete overload and that my tank is full.

[@chrisdawson3859]

Nature is medicine❤

[@todd2324]

Dr. John has given some great advice here. Simple lifestyle changes can fix a lot of people's issues with anxiety/depression and panic attacks. What has helped me is having a better work life balance and practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. That martial art has been a huge difference maker for me.

[@jwise7777]

It's almost like he needs permission to stop working, or stop working so much.

[@Maelu-op9gf]

This man is in massive burn out from his work schedule. He needs to take a vacation or find a way to reduce hours. It might be best to get a new job and put his health first. Been there.. done that. Balance is key!

[@Soaring_Penguin]

"35 is the worst time to try to make new friends" Me, turning 33 next month and currently lowkey looking for a new friend group... Well, at least I still have two years to find some!

[@patriciaegan7244]

I like your vehicle analogy.

[@blessed9321]

I had a crazy busy job where I was burnt out had a ton of anxiety. I thought it came with the territory of the type of job I was in. I moved around to a couple of sections and found similar stress/anxiety issues. One day someone told me about a job outside of the organization I was in. Same job field. I thought what the heck I’ll apply at least I’ll work with new faces. Not only did I get a major pay increase, but my workload was cut in half and then some. Some days I am bored. So it’s a bit on the extreme of the other side. But I have used this time to heal and rest. Take risks and try looking for a different job same field if you don’t want a new field. I know that comes with whole new education requirements experience etc etc and most can’t afford a pay cut to start over. But a different job with a different company sometimes makes a world of difference!

[@wf4983]

Steven, sometimes there is only one single thing missing in one's life ... and you put it aside and aside and aside ... but it gets even bigger that way ... and can mess up all the good things - so, find out exactly what that is ... you might need help for that ... also, meditation is good to gain an insight into your inner world

[@TimothyCow]

Anxiety is of the devil

[@judymorris9304]

You can't blame the devil on everything. There is something that needs addressing . Life can be tough and at those times we need professional help. Easy to blame the devil.😂

[@kimmij6873]

@@judymorris9304 i’m pretty sure he was making an analogy haha

[@jess96154]

This story hits close to home

[@weekendnomad5038]

$165,000 LEFT 😵‍💫Jesus Christ. Why do people get such expensive houses lol I bought a cheap cheap house. I can’t have that much added stress/anxiety 😮

[@Jet-h7q]

This is outstanding thank you

[@patriciaegan7244]

I’m wondering if this caller can ask for reduced work hours. I’d say he should start there since he likes his work place.

[@reneel2441]

Meds really work

[@tanveeryahya-k9q]

It isn’t simple for people to just change jobs especially if the dude has kids and a wife. Most people can’t afford to just get up and leave.

[@bradr2142]

I like and subscribe.

[@dysfunctionalwithdavidbrice]

i had 9 panic attacks just today

[@TheChiGirl1]

I have/had an anxiety disorder at first I was given benzos which I don’t recommend. I had to abruptly stop taking them when I found out I was pregnant and the withdrawal was horrendous I had insomnia with racing intrusive thoughts, sweating, loss of appetite, nausea etc . My doctor put me on lexapro after my miscarriage and it helped for years and then stopped working. Wim hof breathing exercises, cold showers, lots of sunshine and a carnivore diet has worked wonders for me.

[@dahliarte]

benzos made me agoraphobic😀

[@susanjetton6880]

I disagree with Dr’s advice. I had panic attacks for years. My advice is to get on medicine that take anxiety away. I finally did and my like is now normal. I wish I would have done it years ago. I lost a lot of time afraid to leave my home because I would have a horrifying panic attack.

[@todd2324]

Medicine should be a last resort, which is how it should be. Dr. John isn't a Psychiatrist (which I appreciate) so he will take a more wholistic approach to addressing people's problems. This country is over medicated, and too many people don't want to do the heavy lifting that comes with lifestyle changes. The easy answer is to just take a pill, the hard answer is to look at your life.

[@susanjetton6880]

@@todd2324 Meds were definitely my last resort. I suffered since I was a child with panic attacks. I had a normal family, no fighting, stress or money problems etc. As an adult I got worse and worse. Eventually, I was agoraphobic and couldn’t leave my home for five years. I think if I had started medicine many years before, that I wouldn’t have progressed to be as bad as I was. Lots of years of my life wasted. That’s my experience.

[@todd2324]

@@susanjetton6880 OK, I'm glad the meds helped. But your situation is a severe case, since you said you couldn't even leave your house. You led your comments with disagreeing with John's advice and advising the guy to take meds when in my opinion, his situation doesn't sound that bad. He is able to leave his house and go to work, he has a wife and kid, whereas in your case, you couldn't even leave your house. Therefore, his situation is much different from yours. He really just needs a better work life balance, not meds.

[@devitus781]

@@susanjetton6880 go out side for 4 hour walks minimum when u have the time into busy city areas.

[@Jota_El_Flaco]

I have debilitating anxiety but the last thing i want to do is have to take anxiety medicine (benzos) they are very physically addicting

[@jonprue]

Excellent

[@sm-yu7dt]

Just 3 panic attack in a few months? Those are rookie numbers

[@Ellieangel777]

Why does his voice sound exactly like Chris Watts, the husband of Shanaan Watts, crazy how much! Omgosh, does anyone else remember his voice well enough to hear what I hear or am I the only one? 😂

[@JGormo11811]

Omg😮

[@3Torts]

4:47 ...34 ain't young anymore : l

[@GaryAbaricia]

I have a panic attack

[@Wyo2Wis]

Humble bragging?

[@SargeantPrepper]

His work environment might have too much bro banter that he can't keep up with.

[@AkAk-yj6yq]

Man up

[@managerof3monsters]

So at 34 he makes great money, has great bosses, is debt free other than a small mortgage, has a wonderful wife, healthy children…what exactly is the problem ? Honestly this guy just sounds weak af.

[@Maelu-op9gf]

It’s called burn out

[@georgieeve2026]

What a gross thing to say about someone.

[@managerof3monsters]

@@georgieeve2026 Truth isn’t always pretty. We have an almost 4 year old who has been battling cancer since 10 months…my husband is a diesel mechanic who lays under semis on the expressways all day/night and is on call 24/7 because we need the money. He also had cancer and actually scheduled his chemo for 3:30am so he wasn’t late for work. Yet we wake up every day knowing how blessed we are & thanking God that we still have jobs and our children. We are positive, grateful & always aware that things could be much, much worse. We have moments of panic & fears as well but don’t have the option to work less or not at all. That is simply called real life for the majority of ppl. So yes…I stand by my comment that he is weak af. I’ll also add he is ungrateful.

[@nadjaneetzow2773]

Just because you have it all together everyone else has to too? Anxiety has nothing to do with being weak. Nothing. At. All. Its people like you that makes it so hard to talk about anxiety for those who suffer it. Anxiety does not need reasons. It Comes.

[@browneyedgirl8019]

Maybe that is the issue he doesn’t have God? I don’t know that about him but I know with God situations are much easier to handle.

[@InsectElfMachines]

Episode 2 How to change your mind on Netflix (psilocybin)