Hey there. I can relate. I’m sure you will find a solution. It may take some time but you will figure it out. I healed my gut and my mind with food, yoga, weed, and CBDs. Do I sound like a millennial or what? Lol. For real. This is my solution so I offer my story. Maybe something here may help. Here’s my story:
My experience with a vegan diet eventually led me to an elimination diet to figure out food intolerances. Now I can eat efficiently with no anxiety or depression. However, in order for my body and mind to work in a thriving manner I do have to eat meat about every other day.
I found out I had leaky gut and candida in 2014. The leaky gut was from an undetected gluten intolerance which caused holes in my intestinal lining allowing food chunks to float in my blood stream. This lead to brain fog, chronic fatigue, and weight fluctuations. Candida is yeast overgrowth. If not treated, it grows on organs like a fungus. This caused depression, fatigue, hormone imbalance, and yeast infections. To get healthy I went on a Paleo type diet. I eliminated all simple carbs (including rice and potatoes), and ate a high animal protein and Paleo approved veggies and fruit. I couldn’t even eat certain fruits because of the sugar content feeding the candida. I did this strict diet for 4 months.
Eventually, I stated feeding myself little amounts of gluten, sugar, and yeast to see what I was most allergic to. Fast forward a little over 3 years. I am still sensitive to gluten but can eat about one piece of bread a month. I can eat simple carbs again in moderation. Sugar intake I still keep pretty low but love me some gummy bears or cookies every now and then. I eat mostly organic when I can and I exercise regularly rock climbing or doing yoga.
Partying used to be my lifestyle until these illnesses took over my life. I calmed down on drinking and that helped a lot with the candida and gluten issues (beer). Yoga and climbing helped my self confidence and clear my mind. While I still have to watch my diet, I have found the tools to help me live a balanced life. I still party every now and then but it’s fewer and further in between. I grew up in a semi abusive household so I have to watch self harming tendencies, too.
CBDs and weed help me from self harming with harder drugs. Weed also helps me sleep and keep my anxiety down. I smoke a strong indica. However I don’t rely on it. Some times I go months without smoking. Just depends how I feel. CBDs I’m finding are the best for treating anxiety. THC can cause anxiety.
You’ll figure it out! Keep up the good work.