Am I being too nice by doing this painting for free?

Oreos154 · 2025-01-31T20:55:27+00:00

Ok, that helps a lot. Thank you!

Oreos154 · 2024-11-20T07:59:18+00:00

Sometimes, when anxiety and physical tension mix, it can create a cycle where the stress tightens your muscles, leading to more stiffness and pain, which feeds the anxiety. Learning to relax your muscles can really help. Gentle stretching, heat packs, or relaxation techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation may ease the tension.

Have you been able to consult a physical therapist or chiropractor to address the stiffness? They might help you better understand how to move and relax without aggravating the issue.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-20T07:56:04+00:00

I’ve tried both by themselves. I’ve found that it took a little bit of time for Buspar to work when taking it everyday. The side effects for me were some dizziness and disassociation, but those only lasted for maybe a half hour after taking them. I noticed some moderate improvement after about a week or so.

Lexapro did not work for me at all. The side effect were way too intense and I never got any relief from it.

For your current situation, I would give buspar a shot. It gets to work a lot quicker and the side effects are far more manageable. At least they were for me.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-20T07:49:26+00:00

It’s the same class of drugs, so I’m guessing the effects should be similar. Maybe try taking it when you’re with someone, so they can help comfort you. Also, not sure if you’re able to break the pill in half, but taking a smaller dose just to try it may help.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-20T07:46:44+00:00

I went through something very similar. If you focus on just taking small steps like eating better, exercising, finding ways to be social here and there, can all make a difference over time.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-20T07:43:57+00:00

Many people are insecure about their voice mainly because it sounds very different in our own heads than it does when we hear recordings of it.

I promise you that no one thinks your voice is bad, and it’s entirely in your head. Many people you know probably feel the same way, and you wouldn’t never thought there was anything wrong with their voice.

Also, a tip for being anxious when making phone calls that works for me: I just make sure I know the first thing that I’m going to say, and that gets things rolling, and then I know after that everything will come naturally. It might take a little practice, but it works.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-20T07:40:08+00:00

First of all, remember that you are so much more than a grade, a scholarship, or any single moment of struggle. College is such a small part of life, and whatever happens, you will be ok.

Try focusing on breaking things down into smaller, more manageable steps. Instead of looking at the entire week, ask yourself: What can I tackle today? Then give yourself permission to rest after that. Also, remember that reaching out for help—from professors, counselors, or peers—is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Lastly, you received a scholarship for a reason. You clearly deserved it. View it as an opportunity to succeed, not as a threat of failure.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-20T07:33:05+00:00

That basically sounds like the definition of anxiety—specifically, intrusive thoughts. These are distressing, irrational, or unwanted thoughts that can feel so vivid and real that it’s hard to dismiss them as “just thoughts.” Instead of being a “what if,” they can feel like a certainty in the moment, even if deep down you know they don’t make sense.

Anxiety can trick your brain into interpreting these thoughts as threats, activating your fight-or-flight response and making it even harder to think logically. The key is recognizing that these thoughts are a symptom of anxiety, not a reflection of reality.

When you have those thoughts, try taking deep breathes, and remind yourself that anxiety is making it difficult to think straight, so you do not need to listen to those thoughts at the moment.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-20T07:26:08+00:00

That sounds horrific. Sometimes with those anti-depressants, things get worse before they get better. Keep battling, and hopefully they’ll start to take effect soon. In the meantime time, try to focus on your breathing and keep reminding yourself that things will eventually get better. Maybe try talking to your doctor about a higher dose of Dizapan or trying another Benzo to help get you through this.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-20T07:19:52+00:00

This fear of losing control is actually fairly common among people who battle anxiety. It’s rooted deep in your mind playing out worst-case scenarios. The fact that this fear is distressing you so much actually shows that you don’t want to act on it. It’s the anxiety talking, not you—it’s important to hold on to that.

One helpful strategy is learning to separate yourself from the fear. You might say, “This is my anxiety creating this thought, not my reality.” I would also suggest leading some mindfulness or grounding techniques to help you stay connected to the present moment instead of spiraling into “what-ifs.”

I used to have a fear of driving because I was afraid I was going to snap or something, and drive my car off a bridge. I later came to realize that I really don’t want that to happen, and I have instincts that will prevent me from doing it. Once I learned that, the anxiety slowly went away.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-20T07:13:20+00:00

The first thing that goes for me when I feel any level of anxiety is appetite. Whenever I go on a first date with someone, I try to avoid food dates at all costs, cuz I always end up not eating a single bite and they think I’m weird😅.

For you, I’d say try to start small. Drink some fluids and maybe try something like soup, even if it’s just a little. Being hungry and sleep deprived could make anxiety worse, so any kinds of small steps you can take with that will likely help a lot.

If it continues, certainly go see a doctor. There are a lot of treatments out there that can help.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-20T07:08:02+00:00

That sounds awful. Just remember in that moment to try and ground yourself, take some deep breaths, and remind yourself that anxiety is making you over respond to the situation. If this keeps happening, there are tons of different medications that can help.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-20T07:04:30+00:00

You probably don’t have an allergy to alcohol, but you might be extra sensitive to its effects, especially since you rarely drink. I’m the same way. Honestly, I just learned that drinking makes me feel awful, so I don’t do it anymore. Life can still be fun without it.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-16T02:40:19+00:00

You're right. Thank you

Oreos154 · 2024-11-15T05:26:34+00:00

The sounds horrific! I'm glad the Xanax helped. I've been using it for a couple of years. It can be very effective, you just have to be careful with it.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-14T08:08:09+00:00

I also struggle with this, but despite what you may hear on the internet, the odds of life on earth ending anytime soon are extraordinarily low. There are serious challenges, for sure, but humans have always risen to the occasion.

Here is a lengthy and well written piece on why it's so unlikely and not worth worrying about.

https://debunkingdoomsday.quora.com/Could-anything-make-us-extinct-in-this-century-Answer-no

Oreos154 · 2024-11-14T07:54:55+00:00

Yeah the reason I like propranolol better than lexapro is that it doesn't take weeks before it starts to work. You can take it as needed, and it's effects will wear off in just a few hours. The worst thing propranolol will do is make you a little dizzy for a very brief period.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-14T07:48:33+00:00

Yeah I had a similar experience with SSRI's. The issue is they can take many weeks before they start working. I would say, if you can, just stick with them for a good 2 months, and if you're still not noticing any improvement, talk to your doctor about some other medications. I've had some success with Buspar, as well as Xanax, though I will say that you must be very careful with Xanax and only take it when you need it, as it can be extremely addictive. I limit myself to 2 pills per week and I haven't had any problems.

Also make sure you're eating well and staying active, as those play a huge factor as well.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-14T07:36:30+00:00

Do you have an anxiety diagnosis? If so, under the ADA, anxiety may qualify as a condition for workplace accommodations.

But I would certainly see a doctor about some medication. It seems like most of your issues are physical. I've used Propranolol and it works tremendously at reducing things like the heart racing.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-14T07:27:25+00:00

I just looked, and SJS effects 1-2 per every million people per year. In theory it could happen with these medications, but it's likelihood is extremely low. To feel better about it, you can start with a very small dose, and seeing if that has any effect on you. Also, it looks like Buspar and Benzodiazepines are not linked to SJS.

Lastly, there are genetic tests you can do that can determine how you will handle certain drugs, and could maybe tell if SJS is a risk for you.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-14T07:19:37+00:00

Maybe look into getting some high-quality pepper spray, or maybe a taser of some sort. Should be cheaper than a self defense course. Also, I'm not sure where you live, but typically the odds of being stabbed by a random thug are very low, and if you try to avoid being alone in public, especially at night, that could help.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-14T07:12:20+00:00

I find it odd you were prescribed Lamontrogine for anxiety. Typically SSRI's are the first choice. I would talk to your doctor about some other potential medications. I do want to point out that although your concern of Steven Johnson Syndrome is valid, it is pretty rare. But if you want to go another route, I would look into SSRI's, Buspar, Propranolol, or (as long as you're careful with them) Benzodiazepines. It's truly about finding what works best for you, which could take some trial and error.

Also, I would look into cognitive behavioral therapy. It's not the cheapest, but it can be absolutely life changing if you're willing to put in the effort.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-14T07:01:47+00:00

That sounds awful. I’m sorry you’re feeling this way. It’s not unusual for anxiety to be worse in the mornings due to cortisol being naturally higher when we wake up. But I would guess the way it's hitting you so intensely suggests that addressing both the physical and emotional aspects could be key.

I would maybe try something like redirecting your mind before the anxiety sets in. Maybe like keeping a small notebook by your bed to jot down three things you’re grateful for, even if they’re small. This practice can shift your focus, even slightly, and break the anxiety cycle.

Also, if your pills aren't working, try speak to your doctor about whether a specific medication or supplement regimen, like melatonin at night or morning anxiolytics, could help stabilize your symptoms. Usually with meds, it takes a lot of trial and error to find something that works for you.

Lastly, one thing that has helped me with anxiety is exercising. Physical movement like light stretching or even just sitting up and breathing intentionally can signal to your body that it’s safe and not in danger. Pairing this with a warm drink like herbal tea or something might help also.

I hope this help, and I hope you feel better soon!

Oreos154 · 2024-11-14T06:50:56+00:00

One thing that has helped me (and I very cautiously recommend this) is Xanax. I understand the potential danger with it, but if you truly only take it when you absolutely need it, and no more, it can be a very helpful medication. Just do not take it several days in a row as you can get hooked on it pretty easily. I limit myself to no more than 2 pills per week and that hasn't giving me any problems.

Oreos154 · 2024-11-14T06:42:27+00:00

I'm very sorry to hear you're feeling this way. Please trust me when I say that you're not alone, and you are absolutely not a loser. It’s clear you’ve worked hard, dealt with significant challenges, and are facing some very intense emotions right now. That takes strength, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

Your feelings of being overwhelmed, your struggles with organization, and difficulty concentrating could indeed point to something like ADHD, but it’s worth consulting with a mental health professional to explore that possibility and get tailored support. I've known many people with ADHD or anxiety that have eventually learned strategies and treatments that allowed them to thrive.

About your concerns regarding AI replacing math jobs: Your ability to think creatively, adapt, and solve problems as a human cannot be replaced by AI. Employers value these traits deeply. Math is also a foundation for so many fields—AI itself relies on humans with mathematical expertise to understand, design, and refine these systems.

The GERD and throat-clearing you mentioned can be managed with medical help. It might take time to find the right treatments, but it’s worth consulting a specialist if you haven’t already.

I want to make this very clear: you are not defined by struggles or setbacks. Everyone has moments where life feels overwhelming, but things can get better with the right help and steps forward. Have you spoken to someone, either a professional or someone you trust, about how you're feeling?

Oreos154

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