Coping with fear/anxiety?

Question

When you feel really afraid and/or nervous about anything you have to do in the future how do you deal with it? I have problems with that.

Answer 1

Dear Dan7,

Learning to cope with fear is something that everyone has to deal with sooner or later. But, let me tell you, I totally agree with you that it's its really hard. I have some coping methods that always seem to help me:

If i'm nervous or dreading some big event, i just try to concentrate on how i'm going to feel after it's done. Try to picture yourself relieved happy and proud.

Chewing gum also seems to clear my head, as well a drinking something warm, like tea or hot chocolate. (Be careful though because too much caffiene can make you even more jittery.)

Also, try doing something enjoyable, that you love. Personally, I:

Exercise
Play my violin
Sing
Bake or cook
Read
Come on Yahoo!

Hope my suggestions help!

I wish you the best.

Answer 2

About two years ago I sufferd from anxiety disorder which basically means I was anxious about things I didnt need to be anxious about and it effected my life and my mental wellbeing I even got admitted to hospital as it tamperd with my asthma and made me feel all sorts of feelings so I know what your going through trust me,

When thinking about the futre can seem tough and I expect when you read everyone's personal responses you will feel better then it will drop low again, The trouble is that you appear [ I dont know if I am making sense] to be living in the futre and not in the present,

The trouble with this is that when you look and live in the futre you aren't worried about whats going on in the now, So if something that upsets you happend in the now your mind will go spazzymege because it cannot handle this.

Try to think about one day and dont think about what's going to happend next week/month/year live in the now and do things in the now, Because then you can worry about what happens in the futre when the futre becomes the now

It is hard and It will take time but here's another few pointers I found myself doing

- I know people say this a lot but think positively, Label all the good things in your life and see what you have got going for you, If you are in a sticky situation in the " now " then identify what the worst case scenario is and then see how you can access the problem without you feeling nervous/anxious

- When feeling nervous/anxious and you dont have someone you can speak to, Get on your computer or find a pen and paper and write down what is exactly bugging you and then write 1 to 10 on how much you worry about it, Then assess the biggest problem first and work yourself downwards, and identify which problems you " think " you have to worry about can be left to leave your mind

It will take some time and maybe you would like to see your local GP for more information and maybe see your local counsellor for a small fee unless your in school and it should be free

Hope This Helps and start to live in the now ;]

Answer 3

Shadows seem to have this affect upon people and is why they withdraw and hold back from attempting to reach out for their goals.

They are only shadows and one only need open their eyes wide and LOOK forward. You'll find you don't hurt yourself by running into walls or poles, etc.

When looking into the future this is the same thing - you must first assign what you want to see there and then work to place that picture in the real world (leave out all the scary stuff you don't want there) and get on with life!

Answer 4

i used to do that. sometimes it was like building a mountain out of a mole hill. i have severe anxiety and i do take meds for it. however now what i do is i take a deep breath and try to take things head on and try not to worry about stuff that is in the future to much because i have faith and know that things will work themselves out. when it comes about that you need to deal with what is going on then the best that you can do is do your best. another thing that i do is i hand it up to the lord because he will always help. and pray. if you feel that this a problem that is like worring about death and stuff that you think now why do i worry about that, then you might need some therapy and some meds to help you out. that has helped me a lot. i used to worry that i was going to die and when i was going to die and would i be alone when i die. now i don't so much. i take lexapro and klonopin. i also take ambien at night to help me sleep. also try to do some things that take your mind off of what it is on. like call a friend of do some house work or go out and take a walk to clear your head. these things work too. make sure that you are getting enough sleep at night, that to will help. hope this helps

Answer 5

See the section on anxiety at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 6, and practise one of the relaxation methods on page 2. Imagine yourself performing well in that situation.

Answer 6

learn deep breathing exercises. try square breathing and check out Dr. Weil's website and his book on breathing for health