How long did you battle anxiety, and how did you over come it?

Question

I have had anxiety for the past 3 months I guess due to stress. So bad that I feel like I am going to pass out when I think about it or put in a situation that prior to my condition wouldn't have bothered me but now makes me anxious.Any tips on what you did to solve/cure ths issue

Answer 1

I deal with anxiety and agoraphobia so I know how hard it is for you.
Minimise the stresses in your life that you can control...someone else mentioned cutting out caffiene and other stimulants (alcohol is a stimulant too, and tobacco). Stay off the computer and TV for about 2 hrs before bed; if you want to read or listen to music before bed, it's much more relaxing. A hot bath before bed time, with some nice scented oil, helps too.
You probably don't want to hear this, but my faith helps me a lot. Prayer and support from other like-minded people is a rock for me.
Keep books and other things that calm you around. There's a theory floating around that says petting a dog or cat lowers your blood pressure and stress levels. For unconditional acceptance and love you can't beat a dog. A friend of mine with anxiety disorder was actually prescribed a dog by her therapist and she says it helps.

Answer 2

All my life, didn't seek treatment or any kind of help until 21, 25 now and doing much better with medication. Doesn't go away, it's something I have to keep an eye on during the day the way a diabetic checks and adjusts their blood sugar/insulin levels, and when I feel unnecessarily anxious I take a Klonopin pill. I also take medicine at regular times, morning and before bed.

Answer 3

Hi
I have suffered anxiety in the past. I had panic attakcs and other anxiety issues. I think its a case of managing anxiety rather than trying to battle with it. Just because your anxious dosent make you mentally ill, in most cases i think it makes you a more sensitive person. When i feel anxious due to certain things i find self help books really helps and learning to deal with thoughts before they effect your behaviour. For example if i feel anxious about doing something i will go right ahead and do it because if you face your fears, worries and anxities they wont overcome you. You defenently can learn to manage and beat anxiety, and you dont have to suffer. I think its about facing things and learning to think postively really can make a huge difference.

Answer 4

Anxiety isn't something you can "get over". It takes time, lots of time. What you have done is put a wall, mentally. Only you can remove it, but it will help if you have a friend to talk to, one that you can tell anything with out them saying, "you'll be fine". You need more than that. Your anxeity is building because you have allowed it to and it will continue to get worse if you don't stop it soon. Your fist step is not to remove the wall, but to figure out why you put it there in the first place, once you have figured that out, then you can move to the next step. It won't happen in one day or even one month, but it will happen. Keep us informed.

Answer 5

I suffered anxiety about 2 months ago. It came on suddenly and I suffered with it for about 3 months. At one point I ended up in the Emergency Room from a panic attack, but I thought I was having a heart attack!!!!! I had never suffered it prior to this.

My doctor did give me Xanax, and it did help when I felt anxiety coming on, but I did not want to be on medication.

The first thing to do is to recognize the physical symptoms of anxiety as they are happening. For example, realize that your pulse is increasing, that you are breathing rapidly, etc. Notice these signs and let yourself feel them. Realize that the anxiety can only last up to about 20 minutes maximum, and that these feelings will need to subside.

Take SLOW, DEEP breaths. I know this is hard when in the grip of anxiety. One exercise that helps regulate the oxygen:

Put your finger over your left nostril, and breathe deeply through your right nostril to the count of 4. Cover both nostrils and count to 2. Then cover the right nostril and exhale through the left to a count of 4. Inhale through the left for a count of 4, close both nostrils for 2 counts, and exhale out the right nostril while covering the left for a count of 4. Alternate inhaling/exhaling through each nostril until you begin to feel yourself calm down.

Those will help with the immediate feelings. Now, you need to do some internal work on yourself. Take time out every day, 10 minutes a day, to simply sit by yourself in a quiet, relaxed space, and simply concentrate on your breathing. Just feel your breath going in and out. Let any thoughts you begin to have just come and go, don't get "involved" in them.

You also need to evaluate what is causing you stress in your life, and begin to make an action plan on how you can eliminate, or make the situation better. Begin these steps often can dramaticaly reduce the stress the situation is causing in your life.

Stay diligent. Half the battle is getting over the fear of the anxiety itself. Know that it will NOT last forever, and you can help yourself to get over this.

Best of luck to you.

Answer 6

I had battled anxiety for over 20yrs before I got help for myself. I suffered alot, because I thought I could help myself, and also I thought I was the only one with the problem. Finally I went to a therapist for help. She sent me to a psyhcarist to get on meds. I am a tottaly different person then I use to be. I 'm glad I went for help.

Answer 7

Deep breathing is a good plan, but I also suffer deeply from panic attacks. Go see your physcian about it and see what alternatives are out there for you. You don't want anything like xanax/benzo family WAY too addicting. I know, I am tapering off of xanax and the withdrawl is a nightmare. Everyday I suffer. He is now putting me on an antidepressant for it, less addicting. Please seek help..
Good luck

Answer 8

i battled for two years and even after there have been small attacks....i went through therapy but you can do your own therapy by learning to apply relaxation techniques....go buy one of those machines that play the soothing sounds...this will help too.... http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/anxiety/christine/articles_relaxation_techniques.asp
this website describes in detail how to perform these techniques check it out, i promise its worth it

Answer 9

it sounds like you're going through an anxiety attack. i've been though it and dealt for it on and off. so i tried hynotherapy and it actually works. i didn't want to go on any med. anymore so tried something diff. you should really try it...even though it cost around $100/session, i only went once and didn't have to go back.

Answer 10

well i have it too. i guess medication is a choice although i don't use it. if you have a serious case of anxiety, it would be kinda hard to function like myself but if you put your mind to it it can be accomplished.