>Have Job
>Have GF
>Is depressed/anxious
Is this some kind of joke?

>>17002804
Wish it was.

I've been battling depression for years. Anxiety and panic disorder have been recent additions within the last year. I've made progress but it seems like lately I've plateaued.

>>17002782
>>17002804

I've got a job, beautiful girlfriend, and loving family. I'm also suffering from severe anxiety and depression, just started having full blown panic attacks a few months ago (3 total).

It is no joke. I don't take any medication, I would prefer not to. I stopped drinking caffeine entirely, stopped smoking weed, and I don't drink.

>If anyone's interested, I'm 20 and losing a few teeth.
>A few others need root canals, and my front teeth need crowns.
>I'm depressed as fuck because of this, and don't know where it's going to land me in the future.

>>17002965
OP here, sorry to hear you're in the same boat as well as the dental issues.

SSRais are good to take for depression, are quite safe, and generally have mild side effects after continued use. I can understand not wanting to get something for the panic attacks however.

Doesn't always stop them for me, but when AI feel the first symptom of panic I try to focusing in on that sensation, reassuring myself that it isn't from anything serious, and that the panic attack will only get worse if I try to fight it. So I accept and then do some deep breathing should keeping focus on the sensations.

>>17003783
SSRIs I mean. Stupid phone.

>>17002782
Take testosterone supplements.

I swear on my fucking life you will see a positive in some way, shape, or form

>>17002782
The b vitamins and weird herbal bullshit are a waste of money

>>17003790
Yeah, since I have been approaching my 30s I have debated getting a blood test to see my testosterone levels. I just hate going to the doctor.

>>17003819
Don't even need to do that. Order some online and try them out for a while.

>>17003825
I suppose I could always try a supplement and stop if I start getting man tits. Any supplements you would suggest?

Any advice for a NEET shut-in of 5 years? My anxiety is strong. I barely leave the house and when I do it's with my dad. I'd really love to make friends again and get a job by the end of the year.

>>17004029
I haven't had any social anxiety, but from what I know about panic and anxiety disorders the important part is knowing that avoiding what makes you anxious only reinforces that anxiety. This is where a lot of people become agoraphobic, unable to leave their house because one thing makes them anxious and they avoid that, but then another thing becomes a source of anxiety and they avoid that, and it builds until they shut themselves in.

The only way to get free from that is by going out and exposing yourself to that anxiety. Now, I'm not saying you gotta go out and go to parties day one. Start with walking. The exercise will be beneficial, and you'll expose yourself to the world. Once you're comfortable with that, start challenging yourself more and more. If you're getting something at a restaurant or coffee shop, instead of taking it to go have a sit down where there's people.

Best of luck anon.

>>17004035
Thank you anon.
I've been thinking about getting a bike, since staying inside and sitting all the time has begun to take a toll on my body, I guess this will be the first step.

>>17003844
>>17003844
Hopefully you're still lurking.

I take T-5150.

First supplement I ever took. Results took like 2-3 days.

>>17004234
Yup, still here.

Thanks for the suggestion. Seems like a well reviewed product so I'll give it a shot.

Do you cycle testosterone supplements?

>>17004243
Bottle says 2 a day. So I take 2 a day. Maybe 3 when I feel really depressed waking up, but those instances are once in a blue moon.

Otherwise it's the only 1 I have been on. Had been on several anti-depressant meds and they seriously fucked my mind. Don't like changing or taking risks on pills any more. Especially when I already have 1 that works

>>17004275
Sounds good. I'm looking forward to seeing the results. Thank you for your suggestion!

>>17002782
For me what cut the deal was getting rid of table sugar. Not coffee.
But please don't go against your physician's advice. Just try to explore the possibility.

Another thing is what I labelled "stimuli reduction".
This is folk theory, so take it with a pinch of salt.
Basically my assumption is that current society over excites and over stimulates us in many ways.
The Internet, contact with countless people in the metropolis, etc. Naked women everywhere, colours, journeys, travel time, etc.
If you read a couple of things about human evolution, you will know our brain is optimized for dealing with only a certain number of people and stimuli at the same time.
Family = 5
Close friends = 15
Clan = 50
Tribe = 150
(Source: Dunbar 2014)
Above the tribe, relationships become more mechanical and less personal. Above 1,500 there is deep specialization of professional roles.

So you want to reduce information overload.
Of course this doesn't mean to become a hermit because you don't wanna fall on the opposite side of the pole.

However, if there are extra stimuli you usually are subject to... just avoid them.

E.g. today I am not watching porn.
I fapped. I saw some pics of girls. But no porn.

Maybe another day I'll go without 4chan.

Then maybe you wanna stick to the same bar every day and do not explore new parts of town unless you want to. Etc.
Try a day without reading the news.

That's just an example of way of reducing your exposure.
Try little things. Don't be a crusader.
If you have experience with CBT you know you sometimes need to just lay down and stare at the ceiling... and that's perfectly fine.

>>17002804
This is why clinical depression is called a mental illness, anon.

>>17004330
That's a pretty interesting way of looking at it. I'll have to give that a shot and spreadsheet that out.

And yeah, I reduced caffeine but not completely avoided it. I used to drink a -lot- of coffee.

Thankfully I get no added sugar or fat from it because I always drink coffee black.

>>17004035
>The only way to get free from that is by going out and exposing yourself to that anxiety.
Wait.

He can address the source.
But first he has to reduce stimuli coming from other sources.

So if he is already under pressure for other reasons and he also has to deao with the content of anxiety... I suggest we take a step back and acknowledge that there are many things goint on and some of them must be cut short.

Anxiety is about how you feel about yourself. It is not necessarily object related.

E.g. I was anxious about my thesis and all my mind was there.
Guess what? It wasn't the thesis. It was the framework I was giving for granted. It was my inability to breathe properly.
So, frankly, I suggest you don't go head down on things before changing yourself first.
It is about you. So you first learn to feel comfortable with yourself. Then the objects of anxiety will slowly shift into another realm.