• **Notifications**: Notifications can be dismissed by clicking on the "x" on the righthand side of the notice.
  • **New Style**: You can now change style options. Click on the paintbrush at the bottom of this page.
  • **Donations**: If the Lord leads you please consider helping with monthly costs and up keep on our Forum. Click on the Donate link In the top menu bar. Thanks
  • **New Blog section**: There is now a blog section. Check it out near the Private Debates forum or click on the Blog link in the top menu bar.
  • Welcome Visitors! Join us and be blessed while fellowshipping and celebrating our Glorious Salvation In Christ Jesus.

Struggling with anxiety

In layman's terms.

I would try to avoid the meds unless it's a last chance/hope situation. I still stand by what I said earlier.

I know this may sound strange, but what I have learned in my life is that sometimes, preferably when we are younger, we are supposed to have some stress in our lives. I'm not talking about war veterans, or people who may have been raped, or any kind of trauma like that. But to grow emotionally and be adults, we must face the stresses of life. It's part of life. If you don't learn to face these stresses of life and grow emotionally when you're younger, then you'll be running from stresses for the rest of your life by way of alcohol, drugs, sexual addictions, eating disorders, and of course, the meds. I believe that the core problem that drives this emotional addiction to these things is called 'obsessive compulsive disorder'. The way that I see it, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that it's basically emotional immaturity that is self trained to avoid stress in various ways, and as a result, being permanently needing these secondary things to deal with the stress. It's an emotional addiction.

To use alcoholism or drugs as an example, if you have a history of substance abuse, you're stunting your emotional growth. In other words, as a byproduct of this habit, you're teaching yourself to run to alcohol or drugs to avoid stress. The way to overcome that, permanently, and not be a slave to alcohol or drugs emotionally for the rest of your life, is to face the stress and learn to deal with it by growing emotionally. A.A. calls it 'one day at a time'. Most drug addicts and alcoholics experience this emotional growth later in life, when it's more difficult. What makes it so hard to quite, is not the physical addiction, rather, it's the emotional addiction. It's a trained, emotional addiction. But quitting drugs or alcohol and then taking meds doesn't solve the problem, it only avoids it. The core problem is still there. See what I mean? You can't substitute one for another and fix the core problem. Alcoholism, for a sexual addiction, doesn't solve the core problem. Drug addiction for meds, doesn't cure the core problem. The obsessive compulsive disorder is still there. The core of the addiction has not been dealt with, emotional immaturity. They are curing the symptoms, not the phycological disease.

People in the industry may have good intentions, but the industry itself is corrupted. It was one of the first to advance the communist goals which states openly that their cause needs to take the psychiatric profession and use it as a transition belt for their agenda. They were the first to promote homosexuality as natural, normal and healthy, children not needing the negative influence of their parents, the whole transgender movement, etc.. A person given a pill to avoid stress is going to tell you that they are cured and give positive reports, but are they really cured? Is a lifetime of avoiding stress through pills that much less destructive than doing it by way of alcohol, or drugs? It only invites all those other things. All this on national child abuse awareness month. They're advertising this at the library by me. I tell them, how can it be national child abuse awareness month when it's already 'tough love isn't child abuse, you dumb communist month'?

The way things are going right now, with children being drowned in sex at the earliest age for one, is just another way for emotional growth to be stunted. Man, this country is a mess.


Dave
 
In layman's terms.

I would try to avoid the meds unless it's a last chance/hope situation. I still stand by what I said earlier.

I know this may sound strange, but what I have learned in my life is that sometimes, preferably when we are younger, we are supposed to have some stress in our lives. I'm not talking about war veterans, or people who may have been raped, or any kind of trauma like that. But to grow emotionally and be adults, we must face the stresses of life. It's part of life. If you don't learn to face these stresses of life and grow emotionally when you're younger, then you'll be running from stresses for the rest of your life by way of alcohol, drugs, sexual addictions, eating disorders, and of course, the meds. I believe that the core problem that drives this emotional addiction to these things is called 'obsessive compulsive disorder'. The way that I see it, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that it's basically emotional immaturity that is self trained to avoid stress in various ways, and as a result, being permanently needing these secondary things to deal with the stress. It's an emotional addiction.

To use alcoholism or drugs as an example, if you have a history of substance abuse, you're stunting your emotional growth. In other words, as a byproduct of this habit, you're teaching yourself to run to alcohol or drugs to avoid stress. The way to overcome that, permanently, and not be a slave to alcohol or drugs emotionally for the rest of your life, is to face the stress and learn to deal with it by growing emotionally. A.A. calls it 'one day at a time'. Most drug addicts and alcoholics experience this emotional growth later in life, when it's more difficult. What makes it so hard to quite, is not the physical addiction, rather, it's the emotional addiction. It's a trained, emotional addiction. But quitting drugs or alcohol and then taking meds doesn't solve the problem, it only avoids it. The core problem is still there. See what I mean? You can't substitute one for another and fix the core problem. Alcoholism, for a sexual addiction, doesn't solve the core problem. Drug addiction for meds, doesn't cure the core problem. The obsessive compulsive disorder is still there. The core of the addiction has not been dealt with, emotional immaturity. They are curing the symptoms, not the phycological disease.

People in the industry may have good intentions, but the industry itself is corrupted. It was one of the first to advance the communist goals which states openly that their cause needs to take the psychiatric profession and use it as a transition belt for their agenda. They were the first to promote homosexuality as natural, normal and healthy, children not needing the negative influence of their parents, the whole transgender movement, etc.. A person given a pill to avoid stress is going to tell you that they are cured and give positive reports, but are they really cured? Is a lifetime of avoiding stress through pills that much less destructive than doing it by way of alcohol, or drugs? It only invites all those other things. All this on national child abuse awareness month. They're advertising this at the library by me. I tell them, how can it be national child abuse awareness month when it's already 'tough love isn't child abuse, you dumb communist month'?

The way things are going right now, with children being drowned in sex at the earliest age for one, is just another way for emotional growth to be stunted. Man, this country is a mess.


Dave
Agreed.

Alcohol and drugs just mask the stress and anxiety of daily life.

I never was one to mix Secular Psychology and Christianity, although there are many that do this.

They just do not mix in my mind and experience.

These doctors never get to the core issue with fallen man and that is sin and how it affects every part of humans including the mind, will, emptions, feelings and so on.

I work in health care so I see much of this on a daily, not just with the residence but with my own people.

Anyhow, I believe I violated a rule in not staying on topic, so maybe a new thread should be opened on this very subject.
 
I started struggling with anxiety and stress about 3 or 4 months ago and never had that sin before (that I know of).

Just within the last few months it got so bad that I was breaking out in rashes and itching fits (hives?) on various places of my body with significant skin damage. This was a very severe and painful condition for me. My sleep patterns were anywhere from 2-4 hours a night. My breathing can hurt at times and I feel light headed almost all day long with lack of energy.

My feet were so swollen I could barley put my shoes on. Urgent care diagnosed me with scabies, however seeking a dermatologist they told me it was a skin issue induced by anxiety and stress. I do forget the technical term.

My job has been putting a lot of stress on me, with all the call offs from the high schoolers (I'm a Chef in assisted living), a woman that is my cook, is transitioning to male, consistently calling off because of the meds they are giving her and upper management issues with no communication. It is almost daily that there is some type of drama going on and it is affecting my health.

I have been in the hospitality/service industry for 41 years, being an Executive Chef in major hotels and country clubs, I have never experienced this much drama ever in my career until I got into health care during Covid. It is absolutely insane.

As much as I have told the Lord I know He is in control of all things, my flesh persistently becomes rebellious.

The dermatologist put me on meds, which I have yet to take. I have had mental health issues in the past (so the psychologists have told me) and I am not a fan of any meds. This a.m. I woke up with a 100.7 fever and been sick most of the day.

I will add that I have been going through a spiritually dry season (about 8 months now) and it has had a huge impact on my mental life. This is just the most terrifying thing a Christian can experience in my opinion.

I am a firm believer that my sin of anxiety has caused my bodily ailments and hives on my body, lack of sleep etc. I believe David went through something like this in Psalm 38.

@johnalex, confess any known sin to the Lord, cry out to Abba, keep in prayer, seek any help that you need.

@Josheb I have nothing against Psychologists except they do not understand the sin condition for humans.

The psychologist that put me on cocktails of pills never amounted to anything, I felt like a guinea pig to them.

I vowed to never take those psychotropic medications ever again, but that was 20 plus years ago.

Some people really need those meds.

Apologies if I have seemed to go off on a rant of sorts.

This is not nothing. If you're dealing with that much stress at work I might consider throwing in some applications elsewhere.

I know it's not always easy to find another job, but it sounds like it's the best thing for you to consider.

When you know both the issue and the source of the issue changing the situation is always best.
 
This is not nothing. If you're dealing with that much stress at work I might consider throwing in some applications elsewhere.

I know it's not always easy to find another job, but it sounds like it's the best thing for you to consider.

When you know both the issue and the source of the issue changing the situation is always best.
I had considered suggesting that. Might be that is what God is doing?
 
@Josheb, I know you feel like you've been hit below the belt. I guess it comes with the territory. I'm certainly not an expert. It's just my opinion.

Dave
 
I had considered suggesting that. Might be that is what God is doing?
I have applications out.

After tonight, I may get terminated anyhow. People were calling off for this weekend (this happens weekly and daily) and the new Administrator said I needed to cover those shift. I told her it was not part of the original agreement and I will absolutely not do it. I am very sick and do not need this stress and drama in my life everyday and even on my off days.

I now have pneumonia and have to go back to work on Wednesda.y, I am not sure what will happen.

God's hand has to be moving this, it is not coincidence it is happening almost daily now. It is too stressful for me.
 
I have applications out.

After tonight, I may get terminated anyhow. People were calling off for this weekend (this happens weekly and daily) and the new Administrator said I needed to cover those shift. I told her it was not part of the original agreement and I will absolutely not do it. I am very sick and do not need this stress and drama in my life everyday and even on my off days.

I now have pneumonia and have to go back to work on Wednesda.y, I am not sure what will happen.

God's hand has to be moving this, it is not coincidence it is happening almost daily now. It is too stressful for me.
My prayers are with you.
 
@Josheb, I know you feel like you've been hit below the belt.
EDIT BY ADMIN
I guess it comes with the territory.
Well, physicians, pastors, lawyers, psychologists, and a few others often have difficulty being treated as ordinary people in groups. I mostly keep my profession silent in the congregations I attend because once what I do (or did prior to retirement) is commonly known a bunch of people seek me out to ask for advice (with an expectation I can and should tell them how to live their lives). We've all seen that happen with doctors and lawyers after the service ends. It is especially odd because many Christians are antagonistic, not just guarded, toward psychology but not psychologists (those some hold both in contempt). I'm not sure that applies to any other profession and it may well be the reverse (love the law, hate the lawyers??? :unsure:) So, yep. It comes with the territory.
I'm certainly not an expert. It's just my opinion.

Dave
Which is why I wrote Post 10.


FYI, I was recently discussing similar matters of "hitting below the belt" with another group of posters, along with the problem of attribution. When I say, "I do not care what others think about me," I am not saying, "I have considered what others think about me and dismissed it." I am saying it never occurs to me to think about what others think of me. It never occurs to me to think about the personhood of you or any other poster. If someone says to me, "Oh you think so-and-so is trying to __________________," my first thought is "What???????" It's not that I cannot do so; it is that I try to consciously and conscientiously not do so. I could, as both a man who has live more than half a century, a Christian of many decades, or a psychologist with a long string of letters after my name go through this thread (or any other) and post many comments about each of, some of which would be correct because of the skillset I bring to that prospect.

However, research studying the efficacy of attribution shows humans think they are very good at it, but they are not. The average person attributing motive of another is only about 12% correct.

That means out of every 100 ideas I might have about yours or any other poster's motives, and any other poster's motives of mine....... 88 of them are wrong.

It's best to keep the posts about the posts and not the posters :cool:.


I will make two observations, though. 1) Many here have revealed their past or current mental health issues, and I wonder how much anyone wants other forum members having that influence their view of you. There is some value in shared experience, but the value is mostly relational, not in diagnostic veracity. 2) If I understand this op correctly, it is either a plea for help managing an episode of persistent and inordinate anxiety or an attempt to purge that pain anonymously. The thread, however, has turned into an anecdotal report of anxious experiences and discourse unrelated to @johnalex 's need. I might normally wonder if that is a function of the participants' self-disclosed anxieties were it not for the fact I try not to think much about the attributes of the individuals with which I trade posts ;). It is the specific contents of a post that matters.

Just saying.


This is an op where the author posted and then did not return for further discussion. Since there are no additional posts, it appears @johnalex was just purging the system, but 1) it does me no good to assign motive to anyone (and may be injurious to the conversation), 2) he certainly has plenty here to consider from a variety of perspectives, and 3) if he wants to PM me, I'm available to offer what help I can, given the limits of the medium.

And now y'all know a little about me..... and my motives ;).
 
Last edited by a moderator:
EDIT BY ADMIN

Well, physicians, pastors, lawyers, psychologists, and a few others often have difficulty being treated as ordinary people in groups. I mostly keep my profession silent in the congregations I attend because once what I do (or did prior to retirement) is commonly known a bunch of people seek me out to ask for advice (with an expectation I can and should tell them how to live their lives). We've all seen that happen with doctors and lawyers after the service ends. It is especially odd because many Christians are antagonistic, not just guarded, toward psychology but not psychologists (those some hold both in contempt). I'm not sure that applies to any other profession and it may well be the reverse (love the law, hate the lawyers??? :unsure:) So, yep. It comes with the territory.

Which is why I wrote Post 10.


FYI, I was recently discussing similar matters of "hitting below the belt" with another group of posters, along with the problem of attribution. When I say, "I do not care what others think about me," I am not saying, "I have considered what others think about me and dismissed it." I am saying it never occurs to me to think about what others think of me. It never occurs to me to think about the personhood of you or any other poster. If someone says to me, "Oh you think so-and-so is trying to __________________," my first thought is "What???????" It's not that I cannot do so; it is that I try to consciously and conscientiously not do so. I could, as both a man who has live more than half a century, a Christian of many decades, or a psychologist with a long string of letters after my name go through this thread (or any other) and post many comments about each of, some of which would be correct because of the skillset I bring to that prospect.

However, research studying the efficacy of attribution shows humans think they are very good at it, but they are not. The average person attributing motive of another is only about 12% correct.

That means out of every 100 ideas I might have about yours or any other poster's motives, and any other poster's motives of mine....... 88 of them are wrong.

It's best to keep the posts about the posts and not the posters :cool:.


I will make two observations, though. 1) Many here have revealed their past or current mental health issues, and I wonder how much anyone wants other forum members having that influence their view of you. There is some value in shared experience, but the value is mostly relational, not in diagnostic veracity. 2) If I understand this op correctly, it is either a plea for help managing an episode of persistent and inordinate anxiety or an attempt to purge that pain anonymously. The thread, however, has turned into an anecdotal report of anxious experiences and discourse unrelated to @johnalex 's need. I might normally wonder if that is a function of the participants' self-disclosed anxieties were it not for the fact I try not to think much about the attributes of the individuals with which I trade posts ;). It is the specific contents of a post that matters.

Just saying.


This is an op where the author posted and then did not return for further discussion. Since there are no additional posts, it appears @johnalex was just purging the system, but 1) it does me no good to assign motive to anyone (and may be injurious to the conversation), 2) he certainly has plenty here to consider from a variety of perspectives, and 3) if he wants to PM me, I'm available to offer what help I can, given the limits of the medium.

And now y'all know a little about me..... and my motives ;).
For what its worth and definitely off topic, my goal when I was in high school was to be a psychologist and really leaned towards that.

I have always found human behavior fascinating, especially my own if that makes any sense.

Anyhow, the Lord called me to be a servant and wanted me to be an Executive Chef.

I would like to add that studying the Bible and Theology helps me understand human behavior and my own foolishness.

I appreciate your words.
 
There is some value in shared experience, but the value is mostly relational, not in diagnostic veracity.
There is a comfort in it also. I believe that's the appeal of blues music. Identifying with the suffering in the lyrics. Kind of like the Psalms being called the medicine chest for the soul.

Dave
 
For what its worth and definitely off topic, my goal when I was in high school was to be a psychologist and really leaned towards that. I have always found human behavior fascinating, especially my own if that makes any sense. Anyhow, the Lord called me to be a servant and wanted me to be an Executive Chef.

I would like to add that studying the Bible and Theology helps me understand human behavior and my own foolishness.

I appreciate your words.
There is a comfort in it also. I believe that's the appeal of blues music. Identifying with the suffering in the lyrics. Kind of like the Psalms being called the medicine chest for the soul.

Dave
Aside from observing Jesus was a bluesman :cool:, I trust you'll all understand if I do not post further afield of this op.

I will reply to a separate op on the subject if anyone wishes to start one, but I have found those kinds of threads usually become polarized very quickly with a rancorous inflexibility of anti-psyc posters.
 
UPDATE:

I resigned from my position (immediately) because of the many issues and the job affecting my health.

The wife and I were talking and it may be best to step down from a management position if that is God's will for me.

Gonna take a break and get some things done around the homestead.

I never really knew how stress and anxiety can have such an affect on health until recently.
 
Back
Top