Hello, my name’s Mitch. This is my first time doing anything like this. I’m 26 and I’ve suffered from anxiety and depression since high school. I’ve struggled with alcohol abuse/addiction for a lot of my early 20’s. I lost my dad in 2017 to glioblastoma stage 4 brain cancer and I haven’t been right even since. A bad DUI last October put me in a spot where I knew I needed to make a change. Wanting to kill myself, I decided to change my ways and quit alcohol completely. Now almost a year sober, experiencing anxiety and depression is a whole new animal. The lows are super intense alongside crippling social anxiety that makes me want to just end it all. I can’t find happiness in much anymore. The only thing keeping me going is music. I don’t really know what I’m looking for through this, just wondering if people have ideas to cope I guess. Thanks for reading, looking forward to some responses.
-Mitch
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Hi Mitch.
I’m Kitty and I’m 34. I also have dealt with depression and anxiety through most of my life. You know, I see that you have battled through and faced a lot of hardships in your life. From the loss of a parent, addiction and legal stuff. But it’s important for you to know that no matter the experiences that you have faced, the choices you have made in the past, you still hold value.
Depression and anxiety can be a hard beast to tackle. But there are a lot of things that can help us through that. When I lost my health insurance and access to my medications and therapy, I felt so lost. I was sure it was the end. But then I found Heart Support.
There are a lot of resources here that we can use to help us on our journey of self discovery and healing. This link will take you to a page where you can find books for depression and self harm, 7 FREE days of online counseling and links to stories of others who battle similarly to yourself and others on the wall.
You say you have a love for music. You would be surprised at how many people in the music field that have struggled just like a lot of us on the wall. And there is actually a ton of videos and interviews on the Heart Support youtube where band members discuss their struggle with depression, anxiety and suicidial ideation. Maybe going through these videos can be of help to you. You can find those and more here
Friend, I hope that you are able to find some sort of comfort and peace with all the hurt you are carrying with you right now. I know how hard it can be. But you don’t have to go at it alone. You are always welcome here. And you are welcome to join our discord if you need a place to connect to others outside of the wall. There are a lot of cool people in the community.
I know holidays can be tough too. So if you need a place, please reach out and join us. Im sending you a lot of love my friend.
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Thank you, Kitty. I’ll check out some of that.
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@anon17277947, I’ve looked on Disboard, on Discord Servers List and on the heart support website and I cannot find the link to the server anywhere, can you send me one?
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Hi Mitch
Congrats on the year of soberness and hopefully many more to come.
You are doing awesome. Those things that been put before you are challenges that you can over come. What helps me is a bit of exposure therapy. Just going out and about don’t have to interact with anyone just be out. Get a coffee or a coke fast food what ever if it gets too much to enjoy it there leave but if can enjoy it there then do so.
I affirm your feelings. Again each day you will do better. Yes AA says once an addict. But you are not a slave to it. It is a part of you but don’t let it define you. Accept it. And grow and become a better you.
It is hard not gonna lie some days are harder. Just affirm to your self you are doing your best.
Thank you for sharing.
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@mitchwoodz bro it’s amazing your not drinking I know some people are numbing themselves and you did for a while but it’s amazing you gonna a year without a drink if you want ways to cope just write about your feelings create something beautiful in your feelings. I am with you man I have kinda had a problem with weed and alcohol yet the funny thing is they are only around when I have money or when I am around people who do it. So find some support in a group of people that are headed down the right path of sobriety and finding purpose in life. I found my group at my local church and it’s my faith in a holy God that has keep me going at times. Like yes I am facing a porn addiction but less and less I desire it like today I noticed how the last time I looked I felt like I was forcing myself to watch. Anyway that is my two cents. Try and write create read a book or even the Bible man that’s what has been keeping me going.
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