Thank you to those who replied to my previous question.... Very helpful!
Now any ideas how to deal with anxiety? I have had it for years and am truly fed up with it! Have tried drugs, therapy, etc but still it comes back! It makes me feel physically ill and mentally drained. I feel as if I am different from other people who live life without feeling anxious or unhappy.... and then I feel lacking in self esteem. Anxiety is really quite a crippling thing! Any suggestions on how to deal with it or should I just accept it and make the best of a bad situation?
2006-11-21 04:56:27 · 17 answers · asked by Stephanie C 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I too suffer from anxiety and panic attaacks, for no apparent reason! It's craziness I hate them and I totally feel for you. I used to take an anitdepressant alprazolam prescribed by my doctor and it helped alot. However, I didnt like the fact of being on an anti depressant for the rest of my life or depending on it so I quit cold turkey! I am now treating my anxiety with a herbal method Passion Flower extract and it works great. You can get it at your local health food store. I hope this helps. Trust me, worked for me I went from not being able to even sit in my car in traffic to flying on an airplane to Cuba last month!! Anxiety free baby!!! Hope this helps, good luck. And please email me if you have any further questions or concerns or even just want soemone who knows what you are feeling to talk about! Feel better!!!
2006-11-21 05:02:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I have had anxiety all my life, in different forms. I do take medicine when needed. The best help I have had is two things, learning cognitive behavioral therapy which included learning about the causes of anxiety and peer group support. Yeah, it comes back. I sometimes wonder if its more a personality characteristic than an emotional problem. The site below is an online peer support group...there is a link on the site to contact them about joining. It's free.
2006-11-21 05:26:04 · answer #2 · answered by Dust in the Wind 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a psychologist so anything I write here is from experience etc and in the end, you'll have to do your own thing... The first thing is that you have acknowledged your anxiety... the start to anything.
What you need to do is understand that you are a person, a human being, you have the right to say yes and NO. Many people live their lives feeling anxious, but perhaps they have different ways of dealing with it or not showing it... thats all. Try to write a list of the things that you are concerned about... and how you wish to deal with them. Remember, if you have no control over something and that it is unlikely that you will gain control over it in the future (say someone elses problem), then don't try.. you will only get more concerned. Most problems can be dealt with, debt, relationships, or whatever... what you need to do is understand that and then seek a solution. And remember that a solution may not always be the original outcome you wanted... say in a relationship. Don't accept your situation,... go out there and get it! Your anxiety should not control you... you need to control the situations that cause he anxiety...
Sorry but just a little poem my granny gave to me concerning worry and anxiety, not PC but worth reading...
Why worry?
There are two things in life to worry about...
You are either well or you are sick
If you are well, there is nothing to worry about
And if you are sick... there are two things to worry about
Either you will get well or you will die
If you get well ... there is nothing to worry about
If you die... there are two things to worry about
Either you will go to Heaven or to Hell
If you go to Heaven... you'll have nothing to worry about
And if you go to hell... you'll be so busy shaking hands with old friends, you won't have time to worry!
Keep the above in mind....
2006-11-21 05:14:38 · answer #3 · answered by Boring Old Fart 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It must be exhausting to you at times to fight your anxiety and the aftermath of an attack. You have tried many different methods to treat and manage it and I don't have any suggestions that you probably haven't tried but I can tell you about a psychiatrist I know who lectures on anxiety (and suffers attacks herself). She has several attacks a day and has developed a mentality where she views them as hiccups. (They come without warning and they will pass.) Now she isn't freaked out every time they happen and she just breathes through them and they pass.
It isn't easy, for sure, but if the anxiety isn't going away or responding to treatment then I guess you have no choice but to accept them as a part of your life.
I'm sorry you are experiencing this.
2006-11-21 05:12:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, a very dear friend of mine was suffering like you are. He had tried medications in the past and felt that they brought on his depressiion even more. However, eventually I talked him into going to a doctor to talk about his problem. As it turned out his doctor explained to him that the medications that are available now are very different than the ones he had tried about 10 years ago. He tried the medication...and I will tell you...he was sooooo tired for several months while his body was getting used to them. BUT now...he is like a new person. So much confidence now...it is wonderful to see the change in him. Tears used to come so easy to him and now with his new found strength they are not needed. And the other thing is that he is enjoying life so much more. Going out with friends and laughing and having a great time. Before he tried to be by himself most of the time. Good luck and please seek medical help.
2006-11-21 05:09:32 · answer #5 · answered by denimblue_6a 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mindfulness Meditation practiced 10 a day, has worked successfully for me for over 5 years now.
Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD. teaches this in his books. And also Dr. Andrew Weil teaches this as well. Books by them, start at only $3.70 ea. on Amazon.com Another most excellent book is by Thubten Chodron called "Working with Anger" Her techniques and advice are unique, yet most helpful.
The books provide self-help skills that are needed for those dealing with anxiety, stress, adhd, bipolar, as well as many physical ailments. The books teach the self help coping strategies needed and teach one how to use Mindfulness Meditation to provide stability and peace. Statistics also prove that Mindfulness Meditation greatly improves ones cognitive thinking, memory, concentration and focus, improves ones self-image and self-esteem and provide many other benefits, all without having to be on those expensive medications (which only cause many negative side affects).
Excellent Question. THANK YOU !!!
2006-11-21 05:17:37 · answer #6 · answered by Thomas 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Stonie. I had cognitive behavioural therapy last year when I was suffering from depression/anxiety and found it very helpful. The link below explains it all. Best of luck.
2006-11-21 08:41:50 · answer #7 · answered by tattyhead65 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is much truth in what Ashley said. Also your friends and acquaintances are important, some people will make you more anxious and some people less so, therefore simply by being particular with whom you mix and socialise with can have a big affect on your state of mind and it is effortless, good people will build you up and make you feel good just by being in their company.
2006-11-21 05:28:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a very good blog, a beginner’s guide to abnormal psychology.
Short, clear and simple; and you can even post your question and contact the author regarding particular subject you are interested in, for FREE
http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/
2006-11-21 12:30:14 · answer #9 · answered by LIz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not, you can help yourself a lot if you can practice deep breathing exercises.
http://www.yogajournal.com/parenting/894.cfm
Give it a try. As we grow older we all breath more shallow than we should and when under stress we breathe even more shallow until it feels as if we aren't even able to breathe. If you watch how a baby breathes, we as adults breath opposite. Just check it out.
2006-11-21 05:08:56 · answer #10 · answered by izzy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋