Any advice for living with an anxiety order?

Question

I am thirteen year old girl and have an anxiety disorder,agrophobia,and other phobias. i have dealt with this since i was seven years old and am on meds for it . i have also seen many therapists. its hard because i feel so alone. i have never met someone with something like what i have. i have a hard time making friends because an adult is always with me at school. i have constant panic attacks.

Answer 1

Sorry you have to go thru this-I'm bipolar, and had that since I was about 11 or so, so I know it's terrible dealing with emotional problems when you're young. It's good you know what's wrong, tho, you'll be stronger because you know.

Here are my anxiety tips that I've learned over the years (I'm 42):

Try turning the heat up in the house or dressing much more warmly. It is hard to feel anxiety when you are too warm. I was able to cut out ativan use altogether by using this trick. Saved me big $$ too, because pills cost way more than heat. Hot baths work too, and in a pinch, like at school, you can try running hot water over your hands.

Avoid caffeine like the plague. Also, some cold remedies and I think allergy meds can cause anxiety. Look for the "agitation in children" warning on the box.

Try meditation tapes like progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery. They may seem silly at first, but they work!! And I mean, they WORK. Play relaxing music, like new age stuff, or piano sonatas, whenever you are stressed out. Ocean wave type CD's are good, too.

Go out with friends, and if you don't have any, find a club/after school activity to join and MAKE yourself go until you actually look forward to it. Isolation makes things worse. Ask the special ed folks (or whoever it is that arranges for you to have someone with you in class) how to deal with making friends when you have an aide all the time. You're not the only kid in that situation, they may have some good advice.

Exercise at least 1/2 hour a day, and anytime you feel really anxious. Exercise is a great mood stabilizer and cuts down on anxiety a lot.

If you're having trouble sleeping, look up (using google) good "sleep hygeine" tips so you can sleep better. Like go to bed and get up about the same time each day, even weekends. Don't use your bedroom to watch TV and read and use the computer and all that-just use the room to sleep. Hard for a teen, I know. Don't do stuff that pumps you up right before bed, like exercising and using the computer. You want to use that last hour to wind down. Make the bedroom really dark, cover up the clock radio, even so the light doesn't shine at you. If you live in the rackety city, use a noise generator (makes wave sounds and the like) to cover up the city sounds.

Put a lot of colorful things around the house, happy type things, and keep the blinds open and let the sun in. Put on some pretty clothes. Make a list of things that make you happy. Here're some things on my list: A basket full of fluffy kittens, bread fresh from the oven, Fireworks popping on a warm summer evening, The first fireflies of the season, The crisp sound of a saltine cracker breaking, fresh sheets on the bed, etc. Use all your senses and read that list when you are breaking down. Smell something that is comforting when you are having a hard time, like jergens lotion, or vanilla, or whatever makes you feel good. What I do is put on jergens lotion every night before bed, so then if i'm having a really hard time, that scent is really comforting.

Work on time management if being overwhelmed and late for things and too much to do is getting to you. Cut back on other responsibilities if they are too much for you, so you can spend more restorative time with friends and family.

If you have a pet, cuddle and play with it more. Pets are really comforting, make time if you are always too busy. Your dog or cat will love that, too.

Good luck! All the best to you. You will get a handle on this as you get older and gain the skills.

Answer 2

I'm sorry you have had these problems for so long. My anxiety and panic attacks began only 1 year ago. I had to be placed on disability and couldn't leave my house, but now I am able to drive again and go places by myself.
I think different things work for different people...have you tried a different medication? Antidepressants work for anxiety and Xanax or Klonopin work for calming down when you are having a panic attack.
Also, exercising and yoga really help to keep you calm on a regular basis.
Hope something I have said can help you in some way. Good luck with the future!

Answer 3

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cognitive_b... worked best for me. I suffered from social anxiety for over 15 years. I've tried meds, individual therapy, and group therapy and studied psychology for 10 years, as a profession, but also with the hope to cure myself.

Depending on your comfort level, you could go to a psychologist that practices CBT and specializes in anxiety disorders, seek a group therapy, or create one. Usually those that do attend the group therapy are a bit more high functioning because as you know, it can be difficult to speak in a group.

Another idea is to see if there are any local research studies being conducted that you could participate in.

The program that finally worked the best for me is this one: http://www.socialanxiety.us/findinghelp.... and I was lucky enough to have a structured behavioral group to go along with it. Sometimes the people that actually attend this program come back home and form groups.

Any questions, let me know ... I can't tell you how much this has improved my life!

Answer 4

My sympathies are with you. Discuss with your parents and health professionals the advisability of using Bach Flower Essences. Go to the following link:

http://floweressencesintro.onlinecourse.com/

But again a word of caution: don't stop your medications and don't take the flower essences safe as they are, without parental and your doctor's approval since you are a child.

And yes, Reiki, EFT etc. are other good options for peopel with panic attacks. But talk to your parents and take them along.

Answer 5

you poor thing I also have panic disorder, and an agoraphobic. There is not magic words to make it better to handle. You must learn how to breathe. Find out where these fears are coming from. try to face them but that is the hardest thing you will ever have to do.

the main thing you can do is to learn your breathing to help. I am truly sorry for your pain

Answer 6

#1 Social Reprogramming Method : http://SocialAnxiety.uzaev.com/?NSDi

Answer 7

I HAVE A HISTORY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS PLUS BIPOLAR AND OCD
YOU ARE NOT ALONE ..WHAT MATTERS , IS THAT YOU ARE SPECIAL TO JESUS AND HE CARES ABOUT US AND OUR FEELINGS ..GOD BLESS YOU!