I am tired of consciously regulating my emotions all the time. How do I eliminate all my negative emotions?

[Anonymous]

I focus on my work, I go to the gym, I have hobbies, I have great friends. But I can’t escape my irritability and depression. Expressing my emotions makes it actually worse, so I hide them. People think I am mentally strong, but I’m burning inside. Therapy doesn’t work on me. I also can’t take antidepressants because my job requires delegations for which I have to drive the company’s car. Driving under the influence of antidepressants is forbidden by the law of my country.

[Oliverlogan263]

I hear you dude, that's rough having to shoulder all that stress and negativity alone. But eliminating emotions totally probably ain't the answer either - that's not really being human.

Few things I'd recommend instead:

- Focus on self-care even more. Like daily meditation, nature walks, journalling - stuff that calms the mind without masking feelings.

- Talk to your shrink about other non-medication therapies like CBT. Or find support groups to vent safely with folks who get it.

- Consider changing jobs if that's a factor adding pressure. Money ain't worth your mental health long-run.

- Most importantly, learn to accept hard emotions as part of being alive instead of fighting them. Feeling sad or angry doesn't make you weak - it's human. But you don't have to identify with every feeling fully either.

With time and patience, my bro - you can train your mind to stay in control without bottling up. Just take it day by day. And you've got me and your real friends in your corner anytime you need to let some steam off! Chin up - you've got this shit.

[Anonymous]

you don't need to take drugs or go to therapy

use your negative emotions to fuel you instead. that's how successful athletes do it

[Asker]

They do fuel me. Sometimes the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. But I think how far ahead in life I could be if I didn’t use so much energy to fight my negative emotions and fears

[Opinion Owner]

seems you're too reliant on these drugs and aren't used to controlling your emotions without them

you're gonna have to give it a go and try your best to do so. perhaps listen to some motivational speech from your favorite athlete

[Asker]

But it’s not true. I said I couldn’t use the drugs because I have to drive, and taking them is illegal in my country. I am used to controlling my emotions without them.
What I said is that controlling emotions is much harder and tiring than not having these emotions at all. That’s why I considered taking those drugs. I am always tired from controlling my emotions, and I could use some extra energy to advancing my career.

[Opinion Owner]

how can you get tired when you can just think those emotions away?

what goes through your mind on a daily basis?

try thinking a random topic to get your mind off your negative emotions

[Asker]

Handling disrespect from coworkers and from the management, fighting my worries about achieving my goals financially and about being single and not being able to have a family soon, fighting my worries about what people think (because what people think of you affects your career prospect and promotion but sometimes also not getting laid off).

[Opinion Owner]

Handling disrespect from coworkers and from the management,

- you're gonna have to confront them or take your skills elsewhere

fighting my worries about achieving my goals financially

- you can always invest in some shares

and about being single and not being able to have a family soon,

- understand that you have value and if others can't see that, that's on them

fighting my worries about what people think (because what people think of you affects your career prospect and promotion but sometimes also not getting laid off).

- perhaps upgrading your skill set. this depends on the job you're working at though

[dustybiker2]

Therapy. Unburden. You'd be surprised how helpful and lighter you'd feel if you found someone you were comfortable talking to.

[petitedollbabee]

What is your country? Driving under the influence of such a common medication being illegal is something I’ve never heard of.

[Asker]

Romania

[Asker]

They are considered drugs which can affect your ability to drive