TLDR; need anxiety coping mechanisms you use in the heat of being mid-anxiety attack. 

35f with 
- ADD (the real kind, diagnosed at 12 and medicated for 12 years, then sporadically for the last 10)
- Mild depression (never medicated, able to work through it), 
- Pretty severe anxiety (self-medicated with extreme overeating. Chubby younger, Overweight late teens, fat college, obese after college, morbidly obese late-20s to present) 

- currently on Vyvanse for ADD
- in bi-weekly therapy

I could have told you I self-medicate with food, for the last 15 years. I have been in therapy for it. I have lost weight and gained it back. 

I am 6 weeks post-op for Gastric Bypass. No other tool (therapy, meds, diets, weight loss retreats, personal trainers) could prevent my compulsive eating. 

I can eat maximum 1/4-1/2 cup of food over 30 min, every 3-4 hours. I am losing weight. I feel GREAT about being able to control my eating for the first time in my life. 

I am on day four of a complete anxiety spiral. Work stress, exacerbated by my father having a severe stroke 8 weeks ago, and my mother and I having to work with him like he is a toddler. (That was not said with resentment, but concern and pain for him and my mother). 

Over four days, I have tried:

- Updating my resume and applying for jobs to take back control by 1) reminding myself I am not trapped, I’m choosing to stay and 2) a reminder I have a fantastic work situation. 
- I got a mani/pedi for some self care
- Went out to early dinner with my parents Friday, a good friend 4 hours later also on Friday (I had about 1/4 cup protein at each meal)
- Did a little retail therapy related to my main hobby, and engaged in that hobby. 
-Took my parents out Saturday evening for a Zoo-light holiday type event (get my dad walking and mentally engaged) then a nice dinner. 
- I have started planning a vacation aboard for spring ‘23
- I have spoken with my friends and parents about my work stressors and the best path forward. 

In the heat of the moment, these things are helping. Typing this out helps the tightness in my chest loosen, breathing a bit easier, and the feeling of dread dissipate. 


Because of my surgery: I can’t eat away the anxiety. I technically “can” drink, but I should not. I’m not a drinker… but I have been craving one for days. I just want the anxiety to go away. 

Help? Ideas?