I have an anxiety disorder any ideas on how to lower my anxiety/stress?

Answer 1

If you think you have an anxiety disorder, the first person you should see is your family doctor. A physician can determine whether the symptoms that alarm you are due to an anxiety disorder, another medical condition, or both.

If an anxiety disorder is diagnosed, the next step is usually seeing a mental health professional. The practitioners who are most helpful with anxiety disorders are those who have training in cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or behavioral therapy, and who are open to using medication if it is needed.

You should feel comfortable talking with the mental health professional you choose. If you do not, you should seek help elsewhere. Once you find a mental health professional with whom you are comfortable, the two of you should work as a team and make a plan to treat your anxiety disorder together.

Remember that once you start on medication, it is important not to stop taking it abruptly. Certain drugs must be tapered off under the supervision of a doctor or bad reactions can occur. Make sure you talk to the doctor who prescribed your medication before you stop taking it. If you are having trouble with side effects, it’s possible that they can be eliminated by adjusting how much medication you take and when you take it.

Most insurance plans, including health maintenance organizations (HMOs), will cover treatment for anxiety disorders. Check with your insurance company and find out. If you don’t have insurance, the Health and Human Services division of your county government may offer mental health care at a public mental health center that charges people according to how much they are able to pay. If you are on public assistance, you may be able to get care through your state Medicaid plan.

More info at:
http://magnetic-diet.com/anxiety/anxiety-1.html

Answer 2

The best solution is to seek medical attention, and then seek out a group to help deal with this, There are great medications like Valium that help with this.
Also if you want to try the homeopathic route you can get some St. John's Wart from GNC or a health food store.
Take this along with some caffeine fee herbal tea, and stay away from soda, coffee or other drinks that contain caffeine.
Then I would suggest about 1 hour or Yoga or Meditation a day to help you deal with the stress.
Also get rid of the things that cause stress in your life, or simply learn to handle them in a different manor.
You should also practice breathing techniques.
Below is a few good sites, the first is Anxiety relief in 19 seconds.
And the rest are other techniques,
Good Luck and my Best wishes.

Answer 3

Make yourself busy, do something. By doing anything you keep your mind off your anxiety. When you wake up in the morning start doing something right away, and keep busy all day. Cleaning the house, washing the dishes or working in your garden, reading, studying, exercising your body or and meditating can help you keep your mind away from anxiety. Just sitting around and thinking about your problems and worries won't make them go away.

Find reasons to laugh. This will bring light and happiness into your life and drive anxiety away. Watch comedies, be with happy and amusing friends or read something that makes you laugh.

Exercise regularly. People who have anxiety often quit exercising, but exercise can give you a sense of well-being and help decrease your stress.

Avoid caffeine, a stimulant found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate. Caffeine may increase your sense of anxiety. Also avoid over-the-counter diet pills and supplements that contain ephedra (Ma huang) and other stimulants.

Control your worry. Pick a place and time to do your worrying. Make it the same time and same place every day. Spend 30 minutes thinking about your concerns and what you can do about them. Try not to dwell on what "might" happen. Focus more on what's really happening.Thought stopping is a skill that requires commitment and practice, practice, practice. Here are some quick tips to help you begin to control your thoughts:
Words and Phrases
» Stop!
» I can cope.
» I am okay.
» I have done it before, I can do it again.
» Okay, just slow down. You will be alright. You are going to be okay.
» This will pass - give it time.
» Just relax.
» I can accept this - it is unpleasant, not dangerous.
Actions
» Talk to someone.
» Breathe deep and slowly.
» Carry a lucky charm - touch it.
» Visualize a peaceful scene.
» Focus on external happenings - the wind, the sun, birds, noises.
» Sit down. Touch the earth. Touch a tree.
» Look at the ants working.
» Turn up the radio. Sing out loud. Hum a tune.
» Perform physical work.

Get plenty of sleep. Don't rely on alcohol or drugs. It may seem that alcohol or drugs relax you, but in the long run, they worsen anxiety and depression.

When you go to bed at night, and first thing when you wake up in the morning, think about the good things that are happening to you. There are always some good things happening, even if small and insignificant.

Talk about your anxieties to someone you trust. Talking about your anxieties and feelings often alleviate them and put them in the right proportions, provided you talk objectively, and with a real desire to reduce or get rid of your anxiety.

Talk about your anxiety with your doctor. This is important so your doctor can make sure your plan is working. You may also need to see a counselor. Counseling can help you learn to express your needs and cope with your feelings. Support groups can also be helpful, both during counseling and to bolster your sense of security afterwards.

Answer 4

You sort of have to "rewire" the way you think. Try to think of all the things you have, that perhaps, you've been taking for granted. Just a few examples; a roof over your head, food in your belly, you're health (I know this sounds really corny, but think of all the people that have to depend on others for a simple shower.) Try to appreciate your support system; your friends, family. And most important, try to look at your accomplishments in life. Maybe you've helped a good friend out with a problem. Maybe held a door open for someone not as strong as you. It could be anything & everything.
Maybe after you think of 1 or 2 things, you could take a deep breath & think "things could be a lot worse."

Answer 5

There are a number of ways to do that:

Think positively - Eat healthfully - Exercise moderately (Walking is good) - Watching a movie that you enjoy - Listening to music you like (Relaxing music) - Meditate - Read a book - Bird-Watching - Walking/Shopping at the Mall or (if your a Guy) then I suppose Home Depot - Surfing online by just looking at images of things that you enjoy - Take up a hobby that interests you.

Answer 6

I am single mum. I have been suffering for panic attacks for some 15 years now, though it was not until recently I understood what they were. They were progressively getting stronger and more frequent, stopping me from some days even leaving my house. I read this book and it all made perfect sense.

I am not saying I was not terrified of putting theory to action, I was more scared of that than the next attack! But I decided to view it as a game, one I had control of and could therefore not lose!

Answer 7

Keep yourself busy by elminating so much of the repetitive "thinking/worrying", do any chores around the house, yard, etc.

Get a prescription for Xanax, relieves a lot of anxiety and worries!

Answer 8

Try looking around www.stresscenter.com I did this program and it totally changed my life...it is expensive. BUT you can talk to others and get information for free while there. Most people here will say take medication...which can be good for some, but it just masks the problem. I recovered w/o medication. Feel free to email me if you have questions.

Answer 9

Drugs such as Xanax or Lexapro along with therapy. Meditation and yoga also help along with eating healthy and exercising.

Answer 10

go to the doctor and tell him how you are felling and ask about taking xanax to help you.