how do you deal with severe anxiety gripping you night and day?

Question

Long-term severe anxiety and depression... on medication and all that jazz, but still affected, like to hear how others deal with it

re: answer #12 - I AM doing volunteer work, and it's making me anxious also!

nice answer aaron_moses... not the best, YET, but you're in the running!

Answer 1

sleep

Answer 2

You need to tell your husband. He is going to be the one there with u when no one else will be or can be. he is the one that knows u better than anyone. I'm actually surprised that he hasn't noticed something by now. You have admitted your concerns fully to yourself and that is a start. medication is not good for a pregnant woman or a nursing one so that is not an option for you right now. I have a couple of suggestions for you coming from both as a mother and a woman with anxiety. first it seems to me that u are experiencing far more than an anxiety attacks. u are also having what seems to be an extreme case of new mother anxiety... all women go thru this at some point in their pregnancy, others have it more severly and it can turn into other problems. your doc would probably offer a suport group for new mothers and mothers to be. this would be one option to consider. having an understanding ear to bounce your fears off of helps more than u can imagine right now. do u feel these "attacks" or "episodes" coming on? if u can then u can take some prevetative measures. u can go into a quiet room and think about the good things that have happened that day or just happy thoughts in general. for every bad thought or fear come up with 3 good things. u can try doing deep breathing excercises, they are extremely calming and might help u. u r going to have to tell your husband if not your family about all of this. don't worry, u are not a freak, these things are normal, but unique to the person who is experiencing them. they need to know and u will be surprised at how much better you feel just for getting it off your chest. they love you and will be there for you. i wish u the best in all things

Answer 3

my mother has that and the Dr. gave her some tips that might help you:

1. Excercise
2. Make a "To Do" List so you don't worry about every little thing
3. Take half an hour a day to sit in silence
4. Stop eating after 7pm and that will help you get a better nights sleep
5. Get on a Schedule: (example: Walk from 7-8am, prepare lunch, 11:30 to 12:30, etc)

It has really helped her, I hope this helps you a little bit too!

Answer 4

Depression can be a very hard thing to deal with as you know.

YOU HAVE A CHOICE!

You really do, you can chose to be depressed or you can chose to look at the brighter side of things and be happy. Really, the choice is in your control. You can say, with all your heart and soul, I chose to be HAPPY from this moment on. I will push depression back out of the way and let Happiness in.

Take your medication and make the right choice.

My belief in God helps me many times. I can pray not only for myself but for other people. By praying for other people you take the focus off yourself and put it on them.


Good luck.

Answer 5

1. Change your diet - eat healthy, eliminate caffiene and sugar (especially fast food), it will work wonders
2. Excercise - releases the "happy" drug in your brain
3. Medicate - work on getting the right combination with your doctor if this isn't working
4. Limit TV - limit your exposure to stressful outside influences, like TV and News Radio
5. Volunteer - do something positive for somebody else, it makes you feel good and takes the focus off your own problems.

Answer 6

since i was 12 or so..now 21...i've delt with depression/anxiety,it's really difficult.i've been on meds,gone to meetings with doctors,they didnt really help to be honest.i just decided i can't keep living feeling like this so i need to change something,how should i deal with it?suicide...not an option for me...too easy and unfair to myself...so i began taking up the guitar and other hobbies that interest me...like stress reliever...you know.i still have to deal with it everyday...but it's all a choice...you're in control of your happiness....it's hard to say if it will ever stop..

Answer 7

I used to have anxiety attacks all the time. To the point where they were affecting my social and work life. What helped me was having my first child. Its almost like I don't have time to be stressed out as much anymore. I suggest getting involved in some extra activities to take you mind off what is stressing you out.

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

I use to suffer from frequent panic attacks and was on Xanax. I joined the gym and work out 4 days a week. I've only had one episode this year. I also drink plenty of fluids i.e., water, juice. I no longer take medication for it.

Answer 9

You need a change. And U need professional help,
someone U can trust ... Once upon a time I was
terrible beaten with "High Anxiety" ... Can You imagine
what I did ? I bought a ticket and traveled from
Frankfurt to Singapore — and ?

Bye bye high anxiety !!!

Answer 10

Try Yoga and switch your specialist. Yeah u definitely need ani-depressant drugs to stabilise your condition. Lead a healthy diet lifestyle, get yourself busy in the daytime,exercises and try to share your situation with your family members. Relax yourself

Take care and speed recovery : )

Answer 11

I'm 21 years old and suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for a few months. i'm in nursing school and learning about the heart disorders and then having panic attacks threw me in for a loop! i wanted to talk to my doc and she put me on an antidepressant and PRN benzo (klonopin). they helped for a while and now that its summer i decided to ween myself off. things are going great! i recommend:
-Exercise! especially a good cardio
-Something to turn to, like an interest or music to relax you and take you away from your busy world
-Sex...seriously it releases hormones that relax you and its very therapeutic
-Fatty foods and caffeine only add to the anxiety!
-Deep breaths, hot showers and good friends. If you can't enjoy yourself, you're more than likely going to worry and your anxiety worsens.