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Comment by univalent | Hacker News Reader

I visualize my anxiety as a snake. Similar to a desert or rattlesnake with stripes and sand on it. Starts at the base of my spine and curves around and its head is at my brain. Sometimes it crushes my spine, sometimes it bites my brain. And the thoughts that it brings to me are much much worse than what's in this story.

This red fox cartoon and its warnings seems almost a blessing compared to what I go through :( Help...

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It’s also what makes you sit in front of the computer endlessly hacking on toy projects I guess? For me it was like that. Took 6 months of traveling to understand I don’t have to have my worth connected to my programming skills. I have smiles and jokes to share and just that’s enough.

Have you tried benzodiazapines? I wouldn't take them for a long time - withdrawal can be worse than heroin as many long time users are currently discovering after the government recently began cracking down on prescriptions.

But if they work for you, it will give you a clue that medication could be helpful, and there are lot of options that are less addicting.

Some people will say that therapy is helpful. I'm sure it is for some people, but when you have a serious neurological problem - for me it was exactly like my 'fight-or-flight' response was permanently on for some reason. The longer it would be in that state, the more I would think about it, and it becomes a vicious cycle.

You have to break the cycle for a while until your mind / body relearns how to relax.

Yikes, please tread carefully with this recommendation. I was on benzos and it literally took years and multiple attempts to get off them (yes, super gradual tapering and all.) My brain is not the same, definitely feel less focused and dumber even years after. I’d try any alternative.

Yeah that's why I said they're not a good long term solution. I was prescribed them (klonopin) and I took them for a month. They worked well, but I started reading benzobuddies and other sites and it scared the hell out of me so quit quickly and now rarely touch them.

What was the dose you were on and for how many years? Messing with your GABA system long term seems to take a long time to repair itself.

Yes, I've taken Valium as needed for more an a decade. Agree with others on the dangers of it and similar medications. But its a lifesaver for temporary relief.

Since you mentioned the spine, you might find yoga helpful. I have found there is an interaction between anxiety and tension in the back (trapezius etc).

Thank you! Yoga is not an option because of balance problems but meditation did help quite a lot.

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