Vaping for Anxiety

[MajorTheRaptor]

aloha

I'm signed up specifically to get some advice, I'm 18 and suffer with Major anxiety problems, normally leaving me in a frozen like state unable to move.
A few days ago my partner brought a 0 nicotine bottle, seeing as it was a 0, I tried a puff on the lowest setting at my request.

The second it hit me I felt relaxed, more relaxed then I had ever been in my life, It was enough for me to leave the house without feeling too bad
(normally my anxiety is to the point my vision is dizzy from heaving breathing)

 

[Eskie]

Hi and welcome! Best bet for dealing with anxiety that bad is to see your healthcare providers. Getting to the root of your anxiety and treating it is a lot more likely to help you out. Good luck!

 

[MajorTheRaptor]

Hi and welcome! Best bet for dealing with anxiety that bad is to see your healthcare providers. Getting to the root of your anxiety and treating it is a lot more likely to help you out. Good luck!

It hasn't, last time I went to the CHAMS (the mental health clinic) they said going to school or college would help. It was school that started it

 

[Khannnnn]

I have general anxiety disorder. A combination of anti depresent and (EDITED) have changed my life. Do what works brother. If (EDITED) is helping then freaking awesome. I get you bro. Anxiety sucks and can be maddening. If it help like it does for me then right on!

 

[VictorViper]

I also suffer from Anxiety Disorder and just wanted to mention that Nicotine is an aggravator, so do please avoid it if you aren't already a user of it.

A classic, natural way to stem off panic attacks is to force your airways to be restricted (classic image: poor sap huffing on a paper bag), so it doesn't surprise me at all that you've found some relief via vaping. Whatever works to keep moments of panic to their absolute shortest possible duration is a great find, IMO.

 

[MajorTheRaptor]

I also suffer from Anxiety Disorder and just wanted to mention that Nicotine is an aggravator, so do please avoid it if you aren't already a user of it.

A classic, natural way to stem off panic attacks is to force your airways to be restricted (classic image: poor sap huffing on a paper bag), so it doesn't surprise me at all that you've found some relief via vaping. Whatever works to keep moments of panic to their absolute shortest possible duration is a great find, IMO.

The only thing is I don't smoke, so idk if investing would be good for that.

 

[djsvapour]

If it works, then it works... but long-term?
I would 100% avoid Nicotine. People who 'relax' when they smoke are possibly simply topping up a drug they need to feel normal. I believe it's the same for most things like this - coffee, for example.
I fear the benefit might not last long. Once you have ingrained a habit for puffing, you might notice increased anxiety when you can't vape.
Risky strategy?

 

[stols001]

I'd agree that likely the slow inhale and tasting something may have distracted you from anxiety. I'm assuming you used 0 nic e-juice without anything added, but it's unclear? We don't talk about vaping anything other than nic or 0 nic here, as it's strictly a vaper forum, and sometimes ppl want to add very odd things to their vape which is usually Not a Good Idea. I've heard that (EDITED) can help with anxiety, but it doesn't require inhalation, and there are also other good options.

To be honest, (putting on my therapist hat here) I don't know who told you going to school would help your anxiety! I might search for a specialist anxiety disorder clinic if there's one remotely available where you are. CBT, desensitization, and various other techniques are going to probably suit you much better, and if you can find a place that does biofeedback, that may also be a good method as you are teaching your own BODY to calm down, and re-regulate itself. I really think those methods are better as you are "learning your own skills" as it were, it's not some pill or thing you carry around with you that's "doing the work."

I sympathize, I had major anxiety growing up and whatnot, and had to learn all those techniques myself, I had horrific panic attacks to the point that once, I was travelling to my master's program and got one and a homeless guy actually stopped because I fell down on the pavement and couldn't move. Anxiety is not fun.

If you don't have a copy, or ready access to a clinic, get the Anxiety and Phobia disorder workbook, here's a link so you can find it: The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook

With enough grit you can learn all these techniques yourself, and that's exactly what I did.

Good luck!

Anna

 

[Letitia]

Welcome to the forum. If vaping 0nic helps get you from point a to point b use it as a tool. At least if you can get out you can look for a different therapist, or school might work out for you after all.

 

[VictorViper]

The only thing is I don't smoke, so idk if investing would be good for that.

No, I would also not suggest you dive in, however if keeping a little vape pen with no-nicotine fluid in it nearby proves an effective spot-treatment for panic attacks, it might be a worthwhile purchase (cheap).

...I don't know who told you going to school would help your anxiety...

On limited time here, but there are myriad reasons for this recommendation, which I won't get into, but a therapist's suggestion failing does not necessarily mean they're not a quality therapist.

 

[stols001]

I don't believe I suggested anyone was not a quality therapist, but if that was the only advice given, with no ongoing f/u, then either the OP isn't seeing one particular therapist regularly, or other suggestions given are or are not working. I don't think vaping 0 nic regularly is going to cure a severe anxiety disorder either, or I wouldn't have made the suggestions I did. I am aware of the need for structure in treatment of anxiety disorder as well as pushing limits, but it needs to be paired with other strategies as well, and the OP did not mention using any.

Anna

 

[LarryPer]

Many health plans offer CBT for free If it does not work look into Atavan,
which helped me a lot

 

[suprtrkr]

Hi and welcome. I am not a doctor, so I will refrain from advice, save saying stay away from nic if you have anxiety.

 

[ExtremeDooty]

Welcome Major. I'm not going to add to the advice you've already received. I've worked with Doctors for most of my professional career and have experience based opinions about them. You should keep in mind that all doctors don't graduate with straight A's. Many graduate with straight C's and are not infallible with their diagnoses and treatments. When you go to a doctor you are hiring them for a service just like a plumber or electrician. If their prescribed treatment isn't working, you need to let them know you aren't getting any better and ask if there are any other options available. Doctors don't always get it right the first time as all patients are different. But they should have a plan B and a plan C. If your doctor runs out of options or just doesn't listen (some think they are better than anyone else and shouldn't be questioned), you need to find a new doctor.

I don't mean to rag on all doctors, the vast majority I've dealt with are well educated, dedicated and do care about their patients welfare. A good doctor won't mind answering a patient's questions.

 

[stols001]

Also, in my experience, psychiatrists often make the worst therapists. No offense, headshrinkers! My own psychiatrist is an MD/PhD, he's extraordinarily well trained and knows his meds backward and forward which I appreciate greatly, but he also offers "therapy," LOL. As a therapist, the few times he therapized me, most notably once when the husband and I were having ah, marital troubles, he tried really hard, and I always start to stop him, but this one time, he told me out of the blue, "You know... some men treat their mistresses much better than their wives--"
"Shut up. Stop it now."
"I just mean.... maybe you could get a wig..."
"I mean it! This isn't helpful!!! STOP!"
"I just mean... maybe be he could call you Sally in bed or something!"
"Crying attack.... What's WRONG with you? Do YOU have a mistress?"
Psychiatrist looked stymied.

I walked from that appointment so steamed I went straight to my actual favorite person in the office, the receptionist. She's the bomb, she WORKED through breast cancer and a double mastectomy and she's the most down to earth person I know. I told her what happened, and she said, "Wow.... It sounds like the doc and your husband are both being total JERKS," and cracked up laughing.

But, I really didn't see how pretending to be a French ..... named Sally was going to improve things, but he HAD to go there it seemed... LOL. He's good with adolescents and providing them with good, simple advice in an understated way, but a marriage counselor, he is not.

We did go for marriage counseling with an actual therapist and it helped a lot. There was no discussion of wigs, either. LOL.

This is a huge digression and I'm sorry, I just feel the need to point out that certain things require specialty training, and being an MD/PhD does NOT prepare you to provide good therapy, for the most part. I have a feeling that the OP may be in Britain, and from what I've seen they don't do the greatest job of providing MH care compared to some other countries, as well. JMO.

Anna

 

[BrotherBob]

aloha
I'm signed up specifically to get some advice, I'm 18 and suffer with Major anxiety problems, normally leaving me in a frozen like state unable to move.
A few days ago my partner brought a 0 nicotine bottle, seeing as it was a 0, I tried a puff on the lowest setting at my request.
The second it hit me I felt relaxed, more relaxed then I had ever been in my life, It was enough for me to leave the house without feeling too bad
(normally my anxiety is to the point my vision is dizzy from heaving breathing)

Welcome and glad you joined.
I vape zero nicotine e liquid and enjoy better than when I vaped nic juice. Sometimes nicotine may cause problems if not addressed properly.
Might like to read:
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/07-08/symptoms.aspx
ttps://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/threads/are-electronic-cigarettes-safe.42094/
If vaping helps, by all means may be better than anxiety attacks. Might want to talk to a doctor to get a professional opinion.

 

[Opinionated]

The only thing is I don't smoke, so idk if investing would be good for that.

I don't have anxiety or anything.. but if vaping zero nicotine helps you then it's no worse for you than any meds, and probably better for you than many..

Go ahead and invest.. it's not that much in the end.. an atomizer, couple batteries, charger, replacement coils, and a mod.. some juice.

You won't get addicted... there is nothing in it to be addicted to. You may end up with a bit of a hand to mouth habit but it's easy enough to overcome of you ever decide you want to quit.

I don't normally tell never smokers to vape, but I think in your case of your finding it helpful, then it can't hurt.

I do second what others have said about going to seek some help, someone who deals with mental health issues as self medicating is never a good thing, but that said, vape too if helps.

 

[Carl2]

I went through college and found it a cause of stress and anxiety. Maybe a fun thing like working with clay or painting but regular college courses can be demanding.