I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder - any suggestions?

Question

I have generalized anxiety disorder. It's very mild but still there. I have the racing heart, heart palpitations, deep constant breathing, etc. I don't want to take and med's because I know people that take them and most of the time they don't work or just give horrible side effects. I want to beat this. What can I do?

Answer 1

i suffer from anxiety disorder as well. i started taking vitamin b about two months ago. it is great for the nerves. my anxiety disorder was severe. i would wake up at nights unable to go back to sleep. i would get nervous when it was time to go to work, and sometime i would be so tired from lack of sleep that i was unable to get out of bed. when i started taking vitamin b i was able to sleep through the night and it settled my nerves so i didn't have those feeling like you described. good luck

Answer 2

you need to EXCERCISE.
Daily.
Excercise increases endorphins which are the feel good hormones. This is the opposite of anxiety hormones.
Very few athletes get depressed (which is similar to anxiety attacks. it is in the same family of illness).

You might also try eating more fish, especially the fatty fish, and the fat parts of the fish, as the omega oils also seem to help.

You can also go to spa's to help you to relax, regulary, so that the "good" hormones will be more prevalent in your system.
Remember, when you are anxious, your body is producing a lot of stress hormones.

If these do not work, you will need medication plus psychotherapy.

you wil also need to confront the anxiety. Rather, WELCOME it, and know that it is fleeting. In this way, it will go away.




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the medication for anxiety attacks is zoloft or prozac, but you would really need to see a physicatrist not only for the medication, but also for the "talking" therapy. You have to go to a doctor you can trust, and talk to, so you can find out the reasons for your anxiety attacks.

generally there is a lack of some enzyme in the brain. Science yet does not understand why. What we do know is that medication and psychotherapy DO WORK.
It takes time to "normalize". For some people it may take weeks, or months, or years.
Keep on taking the medication. Do not skip, even if you feel you are already better, in order to avoid relapses.

Dont worry, you are not crazy. Quite a number of people have anxiety problems, but the manifestations and symptoms vary from person to person. It just so happens that yours is that way.

Seek professional help. The common person will not understand this or know how to help, other than give "common sense advice" and that is not enough. So asking friends for help about this probably wouldnt help.

One of the VERY IMPORTANT aspect of curing anxiety is EXCERCISE. Start excercising, because this produces endorphins which are the feel good hormones, opposite of the anxiety hormones. Excercise must be regular, maybe 3x a week. You can just walk or whatever.

Anxiety, Depression and Obsessive Compulsive behaviour are three variants which all belong to the same line. That is why they all have the same medication.

Excercise is important. Research has shown that people who excercise regularly do better than those who take medication only.

Remember, go to a doctor. It will be easier. It will cost though.

Also, medications are long term. Eventually, it may be possible to wean yourself off it, with the approval and advice of the doctor.

Source(s):

personal experience

Answer 3

I understand you not wanting to take meds, and being that it's mild in your case, I have hope that you can beat it. I have it as well, but it might be a little more severe. I have panic attacks. Have you tried counseling? That may help.

Also, I don't know what triggers this with you, but I can say, COLDNESS helps me tremendously....anything cold. Turn the AC up, drink cold water, eat a popsickle, put a cold rag over your forehead/neck/chest area. Somehow the change in temp almost instantly relieves the symptoms.

Watch your caffeine intake as well....whether it's coffee, soda, tea, or beloved chocolate. Caffeine will trigger it.

Hormonal changes aroung that time of the month are another issue. Just knowing that can help you better prepare for an onset, ya know what I mean.

And I have to say,my meds (take 10mg Lexapro) worked wonders for me. Of course, if you can get control of it without putting chemicals in your body, by all means, take that route. But don't ever think that just because the meds didn't work for others, that they won't work for you. Everyone is different. While Lexapro has been a life saver for me, I've had someone tell me that it made symptoms worse for them. While Xanax made symptoms worse with me, I've heard people say it works great for them. It's just a matter of finding the right meds for YOU and your body. Sometimes, the Dr. gets it right on the first shot, sometimes they don't. They have no way of knowing how anyones body will react to any medication.

But, try to get ahold of your thoughts to figure out what's triggering it ( you may already have figured this out, but I just couldn't tell by reading your email). It could be anything from caffeine, to stress. (Think....did I have too much soda and chocolate earlier....what was I just thinking about/stressing over right before the palpitations and heavy breathing).

I live alone, so alot of times, I find myself just thinking about different things that may be upsetting since there's no one there to interact with. Just getting up and doing something to take you're mind off the symptoms (get out of the house, go for a walk, watch you're favorite show) will help. If you just sit there and concentrate on the symptoms, it can get worse. I hope at least some of this info helps. Take care!

Answer 4

I have it as well. I used to be scared of taking the meds because I didn't want to be dependent on anything. Once I started taking them though, I realized how much better off I was with them. Even if you are a teen, like me, there's not a 100% chance that you'll get the side-affects. Actually, the side-affects don't happen that often at all, they just happen more in teens. It's also rare for them not to work. If they weren't working for the people you know, they should have been on a higher dose. The great part is, when anyone starts noticing side-affects, you can just get off of them. I say go with the meds and a therapist.

Answer 5

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 6

I know you dont want medication but I would go to the doctor they may have other talking therapies which may help.

Or you could pay for private therapies, cognative therapy is supposed to be good.

If they dont help, in my experience of taking prescribed drugs for similar conditions, its a case of finding one that suits you.
if you are unhappy you go back to the gp and say so!
If you try a few different types and they are not for you can always stop. always tell the doctor what you want and what you are doing and never come off the drugs without telling them.

Answer 7

Eat right, exercise, take deep breaths, take care of problems as they come along. Talk with someone.

Answer 8

go to the gym or exercise to get all your excitement or anxiety tension out then try to relax listen to some good music or keep your mind busy.

Answer 9

You need to start a good exercise schedule and eat healthy.

Answer 10

You need to be more specific.