I’m concerned about my mental health but trying my best to not go back on meds. I’ve gained over 60 pounds from my previous medication and experienced low libido on others as well. Both of these side effects have caused me both stress and anxiety. The added weight shot down my confidence and self esteem. Same with my low libido. My dating life has been terrible and I’m terrified that if I take meds again I won’t perform in the bedroom. Catch 22. Advice?

Yes, when i lift heavy, i think its the intense focus you have on keeping the weights up that you dont think of anything else and same thing with cardio and high intensity too. Youre fast in both so you have nothing else to think about but what youre doing and afterwards the confidence boost from it definitely helps, takes a while to see results but once you start to see results like for me for example wanting to gain muscle to where im more toned, its an awesome feeling to start seeing muscle for me because thats that extra confidence boost, but after running on a treadmill and hiit you still feel that confidence boost too! ? so in that sense my ocd has benefited from it due to not having that self esteem, confidence from it is a major plus!

Thank you!

I take meds I gains pounds but my libido its OK. It depends of the treatment

I mean the meds that somebody take. You can try and medication with less side effects. Ask a doctor for this.

I’ve been on various meds over the past decade. Literally everyone seemed to have a side effect. The ones that worked I eventually grew a tolerance to. There has to be another way

I refuse to take meds, i use exercise such as lifting weights and cardio or hiit which definitely help. They say that you get a confidence boost after running, and thats why i lift weights, i feel like a badass honestly, i use it as my therapy along with erp, ive dealt with low self esteem/no confidence and let me tell you, exercise helps alot! Along with that i have organic protein i take too which is very good for you and also seems yo ge helping my ocd symptoms. Hope that helps.

Hey @britt1, has your depression and OCD benefited from exercise ?

https://www.outsideonline.com/2324201/lifting-weights-helps-ease-anxiety-and-depression

Thats just where and how it helps me, the link i just shared is about what im talking about

Youre welcome ?