How do you deal with your anxiety?

[KittiesMom]

For that past couple months my anxiety has become horrible...my doc gave me a script for Xanax, just a very mild dose for when a panic attack gets out of control, but I stay home with my 2.5 yr old and I don't want drugs. My hubby works 2nd shift so he doesn't get home till 11:30pm so I get extremely lonely and anxious at night and litterally count down the hours till he gets home. It's a terrible way to live because I'm constantly crying and I can't get myself off the couch to raise my daughter. I was on Wellbutrin until I found out it can exagerate panic disorders so I'm off my antidepressents because I want to be drug free...so my question (getting to the point lol) is how do you deal with your anxiety? What makes you feel better? I just want to feel better...I guess the best idea is to get my doctor to recommend a therapist, but I'm still curious as to other's coping skills.
Thanks!

[Policewife]

For that past couple months my anxiety has become horrible...my doc gave me a script for Xanax, just a very mild dose for when a panic attack gets out of control, but I stay home with my 2.5 yr old and I don't want drugs. My hubby works 2nd shift so he doesn't get home till 11:30pm so I get extremely lonely and anxious at night and litterally count down the hours till he gets home. It's a terrible way to live because I'm constantly crying and I can't get myself off the couch to raise my daughter. I was on Wellbutrin until I found out it can exagerate panic disorders so I'm off my antidepressents because I want to be drug free...so my question (getting to the point lol) is how do you deal with your anxiety? What makes you feel better? I just want to feel better...I guess the best idea is to get my doctor to recommend a therapist, but I'm still curious as to other's coping skills.
Thanks!

This is a bit long but here's my journey with panic.

I know how you feel hun. I've been battling panic anxiety since I was a young child. In the past 4 years since having major health issues its become worse. In 04-05 it became so bad I became agorophobic (wouldn't leave the house) for almost 6 months.. I lost 30 lbs because I couldn't leave my room without inducing intense panic attacks.. I eventually left my job and haven't worked since. My panic attacks led me into the ambulance quite a few times because I would get so worked up I would pass out and hurt myself. My husband also works at night 7p-7a and night is the worse for me .. On top of that we have 1 car and so I feel stuck if something were to happen.

I used to NEVER be able to go out by myself, at all noway no how and my husband literally used to have to hold my hand and walk me to the end of the driveway and back to get me out of the house. I would only drive certain routes refusing to go on certain streets and when I came to certain intersections if I got caught at a light I would panic to the point that I would get out of my car because I felt like I was going to suffocate.

I can't tell you how many therapists and doctors I went to , I've been on Xanax, klonopin etc etc but nothing helped.. Eventually it got to the point that I became so depressed I began cutting, which I stopped but it did lead to that.

I made a decision one day to stop the anxiety. I knew it was in my mind, I literally told myself to stfu and cut it out.. I began slowly and forced myself out of the house. I started by checking the mail.. Seems trivial I know but for me to even walk to the end of the drive way enduced paralyzing panic. Then when I did that I would walk one driveway over etc etc. It too me years, and I'd say up until recently maybe the last year I am able to now do pretty much anything I want and go where I want..

I still get those anxiety attacks but what I do is breath.. One of the first things you do when you start to panic is hyperventilate or breath shallow, or breath fast.. One or the other. Take some deep breaths. I know you have a child so its hard but give yourself a min or two and gather yourself.. Its very hard being alone at night I know.. For that I have nothing. I pretty much stay on the net, or watch tv and keep my mind off the fact that I'm alone and panicking. I took up journaling, and I'm amazed looking back at my journals 4 years ago of literally maniac ramblings of panic and fear to now where I can gather my thoughts and actually write something....

As for xanax i'd take 1/4th of the pill. You won't get drowsy but it will take the edge off. You won't feel drugged either your mind will just shut up so to speak. I used to be on xanax. 3 pills a day the highest dose it comes in, plus 1 extended release xanax in the mornig.. ThAT was drugged.. 1/4th of a pill will help you out a lot I think.. I'm here if you need me hun I've been through hell and back with anxiety. Its very hard I know but you have to believe ur okay.

[KatCarney]

Have you talked to your doctor about biofeedback? For me, it worked WONDERS!

I know that many doctors offices have biofeedback machines, and you can get some that hook to your computer: http://www.heartmath.com/personal-growth/emwave-pc-2/

The emwave PC (in the link above) was used in schools in and around NYC after the 9/11 attacks to reduce anxiety in children.

I also carry a portable device for when I have to be in crowds, or do public speaking: http://www.heartmath.com/personal-growth/emwave-psr-3/

[KittiesMom]

We have so much in common....I cannot drive without someone with me unless it's absolutly nessisary, I did'nt grocery shop for 2 weeks because I couldn't get anyone to go with me and it was until I opened the fridge and cabinets and realized I had NOTHING to feed my child and it scared me...it made me realize I have a huge problem...when it affects me that ok....but my little girl is starting to suffer. My parents just went out of town the other day and I have not been able to eat and just cry and cry because I depend on them being there and I'm so scared I don't have them which is really kicking the anxiety up...I am worried that I'll become agoraphobic...I've canceled dates with friends because I was going to an unfamilar place and I was to scared to drive because my car may break down and I'd be stranded. Unfortunatly my hubby has no idea what I'm going through and thinks I'm a bit foolish that I'm afraid of the dark and being alone. It truely does help to know I'm not alone in this and I really appreciate you responding, I feel 10x better already! Thanks for listening!! I hope you get better also...I have such empathy for you.

[KittiesMom]

Have yo talked to your doctor about biofeedback? For me, it worked WONDERS!

I know that many doctors offices have biofeedback machines, and you can get some that hook to your computer: http://www.heartmath.com/personal-growth/emwave-pc-2/

The emwave PC (in the link above) was used in schools in and around NYC after the 9/11 attacks to reduce anxiety in children.

I also carry a portable device for when I have to be in crowds, or do public speaking: http://www.heartmath.com/personal-growth/emwave-psr-3/

I'm definatly going to talk to her about that..she's very into treating things the natural way and I'm sure she would be thrilled to recommend someone. Thanks Kat!

[Policewife]

We have so much in common....I cannot drive without someone with me unless it's absolutly nessisary, I did'nt grocery shop for 2 weeks because I couldn't get anyone to go with me and it was until I opened the fridge and cabinets and realized I had NOTHING to feed my child and it scared me...it made me realize I have a huge problem...when it affects me that ok....but my little girl is starting to suffer. My parents just went out of town the other day and I have not been able to eat and just cry and cry because I depend on them being there and I'm so scared I don't have them which is really kicking the anxiety up...I am worried that I'll become agoraphobic...I've canceled dates with friends because I was going to an unfamilar place and I was to scared to drive because my car may break down and I'd be stranded. Unfortunatly my hubby has no idea what I'm going through and thinks I'm a bit foolish that I'm afraid of the dark and being alone. It truely does help to know I'm not alone in this and I really appreciate you responding, I feel 10x better already! Thanks for listening!! I hope you get better also...I have such empathy for you.

My husbad was very insensitive about it when it first developed this. He would literally just yell at me and tell me to cut it out, he'd go to work and I'd text him and beg him to please come home and help me , or take me to the ER and he wouldn't respond..

He finally figured out something was wrong when I lost the 30lbs in a month. I was living off of lunch meat and peanutbutter cause I didn't have to cook it and could grab it and bring it in my room. My husband refused to support the anxiety, which I'm so grateful for now and he wouldn't cater to any of my anxiety needs like getting me food, driving me places etc so I wasn't able to continue with the behaviour for as long as I probably could have.

Who knows if he didn't do it I might not be here today. He would make a list of things I HAD to do durning the day... Dishes, or run to the store pick up some milk whatever.. It wouldn't be long but it involved leaving the house at least once a day and doing one chore.. It was literally like I was a child. If I didn't do it, he would take over time which ment I'd be alone even longer than his normal 12 hour shifts. So I had to choose the lesser of two evils and fight the panic and do the "chores" or struggle alone... When I did do them the time he spent with me not at OT was supporting me and making me talk through whatever it was and taking me on walks etc. So he had his own way of pulling me through this. Seems harsh then but god did it work.

Many people are like this but don't want to admit it. I'm not ashamed to admit it , it was a part of my life. It happened and it still happens. Mine started later in life due to finding out I had severe health problems and would need heart surgery when I was 21.

As a child though I had anxiety but it was not recognized as that and they thought I had an eating disorder from 9-13 years old. I had anxiety about swallowing food because I was afraid I was going to choke. It started when I was watching a disabled girl at lunch in school one day eating unsupervised and she shoved an entire roll in her mouth and started choking and turned blue.

Biofeedback is good and so is congnitive behavioral therapy. It doesn't involve meds and teaches you how to retrain you mind.

[yoginisara]

My anxiety gets really bad when my hormones start to play tiddly-winks with my brain. I am very much against big Pharma (it has never done me any favors!) so in my search for alternate remedies for the panic attacks I tried flower remedies. What a lifesaver! While I stick with the Bach's remedies on a daily basis--I love mixing my own formulas--I use Fields of Flowers in an emergency. It is made by a company called Energetix. I originally got it in my chiropractor's office, but it is also available online if you search Fields of Flowers energetix. Expect to pay about $22 for a bottle. There is alcohol in the formula tho.

Another really helpful natural remedy for me has been aromatherapy. You can get small bottles for really cheap, and for me they never run out because I just sniff right out of the bottle! All you have to do is open the cap and let it waft right under your nose. For me, that is an instant calm. Aromatherapy also works great for lots of people, whereas the energetix I recommended above is only effective for about 75% of the population (just like acupuncture).

And, of course, I have to give my yoga plug. A regular breathing/meditation practice (not just when you are anxious), has all but cured me of the mental fluctuations I used to be a prisoner of. You don't have to get a bunch of training or learn anything fancy--just take deep breaths, focusing particularly on the exhale. Your exhale should always be equal to or longer than your inhale. Meditation doesn't have to be fancy either--set a timer (even 3 minutes is great!!!) and count your breaths. Once you get to ten (or forget where you are in the count), just start back at one.

I hope very much that this helps.

[COLDstar13]

There isn't anything wrong with being medicated. I'm 18 almost 19 and have been on anti depressents for almost 5 years. I used to hate having to take them but I have come to accept that if it takes swallowing one pill everyday to keep me reasonably sane and balanced so be it, hand me the pill and some water. Wellbutrin may not have been the best medication for you, I went through 6-7 different meds (including wellbutrin) before I got onto Effexor. Keep trying, chances are there is an antidepressent out there for you, it just takes the right combo of chemicals and such. Therapy also works wonders, but the therapist has to be right for you, don't feel bad if you need to get a different one, or even go through 3 or 4 before you find one that you are happy with. As for Wellbutrin making things worse for you, all psych meds have that warning, it's just because as I said above, many times you aren't on the right medication and there is a bad interaction that causes you to be hyper. Psych meds is all trial and error, no medication is gonna help every single person, you just gotta play with it until you get to the right one.

[tshaffpa33]

I want to second that you shouldnt be afraid of being on medicine. It doesnt have to be a permenant thing. My doctor explained it to me like this "If you had diabetes you would treat it right? Anxiety/depression is as much a disease as diabetes would be"

The chemicals in your brain are all messed up. Drugs can help fix those and make you feel normal. And it may not happen with the first drug you try. Please don't give up on that

Therapy works for some people, but it's a long process. It sounds like you need help sooner then later.

[Elrathia]

I want to third that you shouldn't be afraid of being on medicine. The point of medicine is to help you and heal you, and it doesn't matter whether it's a body or a mind. I have problems with depression and anxiety, and when I get into that "stinkin' thinkin' " deep, there's not a force on earth that can dig me out of the dumps. I take Zoloft, and it helps stop the anxious crazies long enough that I can change the way I'm reacting. Makes a world of difference, and my psychiatrist is very responsive to what I say in therapy. Find someone who can read between the lines and say, "Sounds like you're under a lot of stress right now. I'd like to increase your dosage to help you cope with the anxiety. Would you be alright with that?" The doctor is a partner in your wellness, not an enemy

[Squishy]

I talk to my boyfriend when i'm going crazy. He can be very comforting. But it's gotten to a point where I go crazy trying to contact him while I'm anxious and then worry even more when I can't talk to him

[Lorenz32]

I started a journal three months ago. I try to write at least a page daily---or at least try to. This has given me a lot of clarity.

[februarystar]

I started Fluox and exercise about the same time so I don't know what 'worked' for me but when I don't do exercise, I notice my anxiety creeps back a little the next day. Even a good walk is a fantastic stress relief if you're not up for getting your sweat up! I have also just finished counselling sessions although I may go back in the new year just to make sure I stay on track. PMR worked wonders for me on my worst days too.

[Slabobbin]

Zoloft has helped a lot. I also think that just getting older and having children has helped. Maybe it is a hormonal thing and my body changed with the pregnancys? I have mellowed out a lot though (knock on wood).

[jellie77]

I have recently noticed that I have increased anxiety. One of my major things is eating. Lately whenever I eat in restaraunts I get full very quickly and then have to leave almost immediately because I feel so full that I am going to vomit. However, whenever I eat I home i am usually ok. I eat what I want. Now when I get invited to go out to eat, I get so nervous and anxious that I get sick before I even leave the house. Does anyone else experience this?