Anxiety..do you have any suggestions how to cope?

Question

I am 33 and have anxiety. I no longer have insurance and i'm finding it so hard to just get thru my day. I have a 5 yr old and a 3 yr old I am constantly running after but my heart starts beating so hard I actually start coughing. It's constant.
I lost 160 pounds thru diet & exercise and exercise is a crucial part of my life now. I can't even do that anymore. My heart feels like it'll explode.
Please, if you have any calming suggestions, anything that will help me besides drugs, I would be forever greatful!
Thanks you,
Margaret

Answer 1

Try to get a moment alone,Maybe at nap time.This takes about 10 minutes.Close your eyes and totally relax.Starting with your toes,tighten them up and count to 10.Then relax for 5 seconds.Then tighten up your toes and your calf muscles and count to 10,relax for 5 seconds.Keep doing this until you have involved all the muscles in your body.You should be significantly relaxed by then.This is called "Bio-Feed Back"

Answer 2

Check your local resouces for a clinic . There are places that will treat you based on income. If you don't like drugs try the relaxation technique classes offered . I also have struggled with anxiety and found that a combination of temporary medication and relaxation therapy worked very well. 2 years later I am anxiety free and haven't used the meds in a year and a half. The most important thing is to seek the advice of a reputable Dr. for an evaluation and therapy suggestions . The Dr. will know what is best for your situation.

Answer 3

I also suffer anxiety & I'm afraid that my advice won't be of much help but here goes. It didn't work for me at first, but every time I started to feel the flutters, I'd repeat to myself things like my age & then I'd tell myself that it's all worked out thus far, even if I didn't always like it.

Then I'd tell myself that I won't worry about tomorrow, it will also take care of itself, just like yesterday did, and the day before that, and the years before that.

Basically I've now almost totally re-programmed myself so that I have lost most of the panic attacks, etc...& as soon as I feel one coming on....or I feel anxiety stirring, I've got it down to a short hand of mental reminder. It works almost every time now.

Answer 4

I totally understand...meds really help, but like you said, if you can't get them due to no insurance, you really need other options.

Have you tried breathing exercises? Also, trying your best to not concentrate on your heart at all, it only makes your pulse increase. When you do get insurance again, get your heart checked out, it will really put your mind at ease if nothing's wrong.

Also, talking about it with someone always helps.

Answer 5

I think you're doing the exercises wrong. You don't have to run that much.