Bees that live with anxiety--- what are your best coping strategies??
My anxiety is based around my health. How about you?
@Jw1724: I worry about work and tend to replay stuff I said or did over and over. About 3 years ago, I either heard on a program or read, when having anxiety, tell yourself to STOP! in a stern voice (either in your head or outloud) and visualize a red stop sign. This has really helped me to break my concentration on the negative.
Another thing I do, is stay really, really busy. At work, I take on a lot of work. At home, I watch TV and browse the internet at the same time or do crafts and sing out loud. The busier my brain is, the better my thoughts are.
Kind of weird but, these little techniques help. I hope you find something that works for you too! :)
I have mild anxiety as a symptom of my low hormones and thyroid issues. I really recommend googling "Zoella anxiety" and looking at her blog posts and videos. She's really helped me and has some good tips (:
My best friend and I both suffer from severe anxiety (she takes meds, I don't). My anxiety issues hit when I was about 25. Most of my anxiety I feel is rooted in the potential of death, so anything that can cause me harm, injury or death I worry over to a ridiculous degree. That means that I am paranoid in many situations, hate the dark, windows on a first floor to be open, leaving any doors unlocked, flying, driving/riding in cars, walking along the street, going out at night etc and often see the worst is these types of situations.
How do I cope? As best as I can by TRYING to be rational, although we all know anxiety is very irrational. There are days when I am overwhelmed and nights when I can't sleep or wake up with an attack. My mother had this issue too and it hit her hard in her 30's so I may very well be on my way to needing medication too. For now I'm trying to deal by staying VERY active and living healthy...here's hoping.
I tend over-analyse everything, which then leads to anxiety and stress. I've found that if you keep yourself busy (work, hobbies, seeing friends, visiting family, or even going for a run) it's easier to keep your mind off of the millions of things you're stressing about. Something that does not help in the slightest, is doing nothing, because then you have time to replay situations in your head.
I'm probably not the best person to answer this, as I absolutely do NOT have a handle on my anxiety.
I get anxious in random situations: standing in line at the grocery store by myself, walking across college campus by myself, having a job/working... I get the pins-and-needles feeling all down my back and on the back of my neck, then I get flush in the face, and my heart starts racing and skipping beats.
I've tried meds but they do absolutely nothing for me. I don't know why my body is so resistant toward them.
I still haven't found a way to cope with it. :(
But I'm looking forward to seeing what others Bees solutions are!
I had severe anxiety (literally diagnosed with every anxiety disorder) for two years.
Therapy combined with medication and keeping a healthy body are what helped me.
@Jw1724: I also tend to get really anxious about my health. Any little thing that is going on with me, I'm convinced is cancer. I've learned to give it a week & if it's still bad, go to the doctor. I actually don't end up going to the doctor as much as you would think.
I also pray about it. Idk if you're religious....I'm somewhat. I'm a christian but I don't go to church or anything. But it makes me feel better just taking the stress off of my shoulders and onto God's. I also tell myself that it's all a part of God's plan, everything.
If you're not religious, I suggest exercise!! ESP since your health is an anxiety trigger for you too. I've started walking or jogging 6 times a week (even if sometimes just for 15 mins) & I feel LOADS better in general. My anxiety has calmed down a bit & I feel healthier when I push myself. Yoga is supposed to REALLY help & also lavender scented everything. I have candles, essential oil, room spray, bath salts...lavender is HUGE is helping anxiety (& it really helps you sleep!) I've even bought lavender hand soaps & lotions for my SO's mom & sister (sister has TERRIBLE anxiety omg). If nothing else PLEASE try lavender, I promise you won't regret spending $5 on a candle & spray!
ETA: I've been prescribed xanax for some time. I was on it for a couple years BUT if you have ANY tendency toward addiction or an addictive personality, DO NOT TAKE IT! I've never been so close to developing an addiction. It can be hard to keep in moderation if you aren't careful, I have known a few people who developed serious addictions & I would have probably too if I wasn't able to recognize the signs.
This is going to sound weird, but I shake my head (Like a dog shaking off.) I don't have bad anxiety. I wouldn't even say I have mild anxiety, but sometimes it creeps up on me and overtakes my thoughts.
Shaking my head really fast and telling myself that I am being ridiculous helps.
I have pretty bad anxiety (I have my whole life). My generally centers around my health, my family members health/ wellbeing, being alone at night (I am terrified of home intruders, walking to my car at night etc), performing well at work, the list goes on. I have a better handle on it that I used to, the severity comes and goes. I find that staying busy and doing calming activities (reading, meditating, painting my nails, petting my dogs) really helps me a lot.
Honestly, cry-it-out is my coping strategy lol. But I am on meds, and they make a world of difference. It really takes the edge off. I also reach out to people I love when I'm anxious: a phone call to my mom or 30 minutes cuddling with my FI calms me right down.
I got the book "When Panic Attacks" by David Burns and worked through it (to start with I partnered with a Therapist using Behavioral Cognative Therapy) and then on my own. I still refer back to it, as needed and I use the techniques I learned daily.
I also learned how to meditate.... mindfullness and thought control, specifically were extremely beneficial. I learned that I could have a thought and dismiss it. Sounds simple, but EXTREMELY eye opening for me.
Keeping a journal with you at all times is really helpful. Jot down the thoughts that are driving you insane. I find that once I write then down on paper, I tend to worry less about them. I guess it's a way of tricking my mind into believing that, no I won't forget this thought and that thought that I'm over analyzing, because I have wrote it down and will come back to it at a later time. Doing this before bed at night really helps me to sleep a lot better as well. I just write down all the things that I'm stressing over, or things I feel that I need to do for the next day or take care of and that prevents me from laying in the bed thinking about it all night.
Hope this idea helps, Take Care.
@CountryRose: @mayahpay: @Mrs.Moser: Can i ask what meds you guys take? My FI is having a really rough period of mental health and has horrible anxiety combined with another diagnosis. :( Until his meds for the other stuff kick in, I want him to get something that will take the edge off. I understand it's super addictive, etc, but he's hardly holding on right now :( We're seeing his doc tomorrow. Thank you!
I've had anxiety since the age of 14, which became really bad when I was 17 (I'm 22 now). I used to use medications such as Fluoxitine (sp?) which I used for about a year and a half. I find the best treatment is keeping busy. I get anxious when I'm bored. I'll usually make myself a coffee, read a book, listen to music or come on weddingbee! I also take b-vitamins and go to the gym, and keep a journal and do deep breathing exercises. Personally I find that medications can worsen anxiety, as I remember a time when I couldn't find my pills and had a breakdown because of it.
My anxiety is based around death a lot. I'm not sure why really. It's also based around my confidence, being in large crowds, or in situations when I don't know most of the people I'm with/ I think they don't like me etc.
I take Lexapro for my depression, which also has anti-anxiety effects. It has changed my life. I had taken every combination of meds out there and have never felt this happy and functional.
I am SO glad I posted this. You all sound so similar to me.
I get very anxious, leading to physical symptoms. I began having anxiety attacks my senior year of nursing school, which was 2010. I started taking prozac and was on xanax. I would take xanax LITERALLY every 4 hours on the dot all day long. If I couldn't take it, it was a whole other anxiety issue.
I stopped all of that once I graduated and I do feel like my anxiety has improved to SOME extent.
But, I get muscle twitches, random pains, feel short of breath... pretty much daily. I am convinced something more is wrong with me. My PCP always brushed it off as anxiety. I got a new PCP and they are actually testing me to be sure there is no underlying cause, which is a relief in itself... just knowing someone LISTENED!
Unfortunately, "relaxing" and "calm" things don't calm me. They do the opposite. I find that the busier I stay, the better I feel. So I now go about my ADHD way and just never stop moving to avoid the inevitable anxiety once I sit down.
I just wish I could relax!!!
My other anxiety triggers:
Work. I'm a nurse. Talk about bringing work home!
Being hurt, killed, robbed etc. I double check all locks every time I am home. I could not have my bedroom on the first floor. I walk to my car at midnight when leaving work and am paranoid someone random will pop out and try to hurt me. I am terrified of someone breaking into my home at night.
Losing control! FMIL has a lot to say about our wedding. And I tend to take it as her wanting control. I'm a control freak. Holy anxiety attacks!
My anxiety stems from life in general. I can usually keep it at bay, as a PP mentioned by staying busy. But it's gotten a lot worse lately, so my doctor prescribed Zoloft. Even though its an anti depressant, it can often be used to treat anxiety as well.
@Jw1724: I'm really glad someone is listening to you & checking to make sure it's not something else. I've never known anyone that had muscle twitches from anxiety, though most people I know have either anxiety over change, social anxiety, or like me, every little thing is life threatening.
I still suggest lavender, even if it doesn't help during the day, spraying it before you sleep will help you sleep. It's just soothing. I definitely wouldn't suggest yoga for you then lol although I love jogging & esp if I turn the tv on or put a movie in & then jog on the treadmill, I distract myself from everything else in the world.
Please let us know if you have any breakthroughs! I really hope things get better for you! & I'm really glad you were able to get off your meds, I was on prozac for like 5 years and it was TERRIBLE for me!
@soontobemrsm11: Thanks! I've found a lot of info online about people with anxiety and muscle twitches and unable to get any other diagnosis.. so we'll see!
I'll definitely try out the lavender... I have some "calming" type lotions too. I've tried yoga and noticed I last about 2 minutes before I need to go do something else lol.
I'll keep everyone updated! I really want to get control of this. I'm terrified of scaring my fiance away eventually with all my issues.
@Jw1724: If he loves you, he'll love you not only in spite of your issues, but probably for some of them as well. I wouldn't worry! =) My SO sometimes tells me about things I do (for example I was just informed that I snore sometimes...loud! after almost 2 years I'm just told this!) & instead of waking me up my SO said "but I love your snoring"...my response was yea, we'll see about that in 5 years! hahaha I'm sure your FI will be supportive & love you no matter what!
For me it's been a constant for as long as I can remember and I am 57. I've been on meds for a long time, currently Cymbalta and Xanax. They help somewhat.
I've been in counseling on and off over the years. The most effective was a group called DBT. It's based on changing your reactions, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and distess tolerance. If you google DBT, there is good info there. The behavior techniques do work. My favorite is circle breathing. With eyes closed, you visualize drawing a circle as you breathe. It's gotten me through major dental appts and I am terrified of the dentist.
My anxiety is anticipatory. I ruin a good time worrying about before I even get there! Haven't found a solution for this part yet.
There are several books I like by Gina Lake. One is called "Living In The Now". They are short chapters and as needed reads. Available from Amazon.
I have a lot of anxiety related to writing, which I need to do for my career. Whenever I sit to write or edit, I get this pit in my stomach, or a twitchy eye. Because of the anxiety, I often procrastinate on writing, which makes me feel worse. I feel like everything I have down on paper is horrible; easy to understand, but not professional enough. I think writing makes me scared because it feels really high-stakes; if I'm not a good writer, I won't be able to continue doing what I love, and writing is one of those "You know it when you see it," subjective things that means everything I write could be improved, but I don't really know when it's acceptable, good, or bad. I can write clearly and with good grammar, but can I write professionally? Can I get grant money? Can I turn all the time and effort in my labwork into publications?
And how can I do any of that when it freaks me out so much?
To deal with the anxiety, I pray, I take walks, and I try to break the writing up into short enough goals that I can at least feel good about accomplishing something before I get too tense. For instance, yesterday I typed in the manuscript edits I'd already made on paper. I didn't have to do more than that, though I did some more. I felt better about accomplishing that goal. If I accomplish my daily writing or editing goal, then I don't have to think about it that evening. I'm starting to think I have a problem that won't just go away, though, so I'm grateful to hear all of your tips.
I've had anxiety for years now. My main helper is B1 pills by Nature Made.. B1 is Thiamin and it's vital for maintaining your nervous system.. also a multi with B1 and foods high in it like Asparagus and Spinach.. it's been a lifesaver really, I found it while I had on of those nights I couldn't sleep because I was afraid of not waking. Google! :)
About 2 weeks ago I could not sleep at all, I had the nervous feeling in my stomach which was overwhelming.. so I remembered I hadn't taken my B1 in forever, slowly every night after that was better and better and now I can sleep.
I have a question for you ladies, right now I have Jaw pains/difficulty swallowing.. it's on and off and of course it scares me and I think I'm dying or something.. anyone have these pains?
I had a bad ear problem and the doctor was rough in there so I know some pain is associated with that because it still hurts but I'm still paronoid.. + I have costochondritis.. I'm all sorts of messed up! lol
The gym helps.
I'm glad to have found people I can relate to on here.
@Digidoll: I get major jaw pains and my dentist thinks its from clenching at night (from you guessed it... ANXIETY!) He says it doesnt do a ton of harm but I might start wearing a mouthguard at night. I also wake up with a locked jaw at times (talk about anxiety...)
I have swallowing issues sometimes too. I can swallow, but it feels like something is stuck in my throat. Other times, even the act of swallowing feels difficult and awkward.
@Jw1724: THANK YOU JESUS!!
You made my feel better. :p I mean I hate that we have those symptons but damn.. I feel like I have something in my throat right now.. Oh when will this end. lol
@Digidoll: I'm a nurse and carry a tool to measure oxygen levels on me. SometimesIll be eating dinner at work and feel like food is getting stuck in my throat and i will check my oxygen. trust me, you arent alone lol
@Jw1724: girl, lemme tell ya.....
I used to fly over volcanoes, hiked through jungles ( where poison dart frogs were everywhere because it was mating season. Those are extremely deadly). I have come across scorpions, and. All kinds of stuff.
Then I started may most intense schooling, had kids, and went through a very bad abusive relationship. Bam, everything changed. Now I get a panic attack when I go somewhere by myself and especially my health.
HEALTH ANXIETY.....this is what helped me a TON.....I was sick for 6 months and lost a tremendous amount weep eight, severe abdominal pains and blood in stool. The surgeon thought it was colon cancer. I'm 24!!!!!
Insteaoff opting for a colonoscopy and googling every little symptom I just quit. I read a book called "50 secrets of the Worlds longest living people." Upon reading many understandable health issues and how to prevent multiple diseases it dawned on me....
the only way I can prevent this, or try my best to be healthy. I eat really healthy, exercise etc. because that is all you can do. Many people worry about their health and I still see them munching down processed food every single day. The moral of the story is, when you TRY to prevent the problem, you start to feel much better in your own head. And I have to say, over the course of 2 months is almost disappeared.
As far as my other anxiety,what helps me is try and remember...if I live with this anxiety daily is
hurts the quality of life I do have.... Then lets say something did happen to me, I would not have been happy for that time. OR if you go on worrying and nothing ever happens to you, then you decimate your quality of life for nothing. Maybe it's not exactly a coping technique but youth I think about how "useless" anxiety is, it's starts to lose its power. Then I see it as annoying away try to ignore it. For me this works.
I used to take lorazapam, aka. ativan. as needed. that didnt seem to help much. I work as a social worker for a child welfare agency doing protective services.... needless to say stress, anxiety, major emotions come with this job.
they just switch me on klonopin. i havent started taking it yet, today will be my first day. it's something i will take daily, hopefully that'll help since most of my anxiety comes with work. i also take lamictal for depression. that has helped a lot and stabalized my moods. needless to say i didn't start taking meds until after I started working in child welfare.
i believe i always had anxiety but it increased after i graduated college and started working where i am... i know people think i should just leave, however i signed a contract to work for a year and they paid my last year of school. my yeaqr is up feb 1, 2013. yay!! i just got promoted to a new position as a foster care caseworker = less stress which im hoping = less anxiety
@Carolinabuckeye: Thanks for the reply!
The past two days I ran 2 miles each day and have changed my diet. Hoping to see a lot of improvement soon!
I've got a lot of anxiety... a little around my health but 99% social/comfort zone related. I love to travel and do fun stuff but for the first hour or so I always panic.
I cope somewhat poorly. I eat a specific way beforehand and take imodium (IBS gets triggered by anxiety) and, if I'm going to be on one kind of transport for awhile, dramamine. The latter is awesome because by the time it wears off I'm generally comfortable again.
I just wait it out most of the the time to be honest.
@Bebealways: Social anxiety? ME TOO!
I've only been struggling with anxiety for about a year (although I've had severe depression for about 7) and I hate it! I'm honestly starting to live like a hermit :(
I lost my job because of this, I haven't seen any of my friends in a year and I hate going anywhere! I've put on weight (60pounds, UGH!!) so that doesn't help my issues. SO is really suportive, but I just can't shake this!! I'm on meds for depression (100mg daily) but they don't help. I hate the way I look, I have terrible acne right now and I just want a body transplant!!
I mean, I'm ONLY 24!! I should be out partying, and enjoying myself!! I'm totally going to google Digidoll's suggestion!! Ugh, FML!!
@Quinlan: I'm such a hermit too, same age! I'm also naturally on the introverted side on top of that, and so is FH... he's just as happy to stay in and play Borderlands, so I don't even have that much incentive to try and go out more. >_<
I'm fine if I'm in my comfort zone, which is my general home area (fortunately including my work, a seven minute walk from here) but anything that requires a taxi or bus to get to (aka anything fun) is like NO NO NO NO MAKE IT STOP. When I had to go downtown to get my tattoo, the taxi ride outside my comfort zone to my artist's studio each time (five sessions) was more stressful than the four hours of repeated needle stabs during the session.
@Bebealways: WOW, we're TWINS!! :-D It's nice to know there is someone in the same situation. My SO is the same, he couldn't care less if we go out and do stuff, or if we stay home and watch movies. I just feel so silly sometimes! I have a wedding to go to in about 5 months, and I'm already stressing about it because it'll be the first time I've seen my friends in ages! "will I look ok?" "what will I wear?" "what if I don't lose weight before then?" "what will they think of me?"
STOP BRAIN, JUST STOP!!
In other news, I've just googled Vitamin B and it seems there are a lot of studies that show that it can help with anxiety! (Vitamin B Complex, to be exact) I'm going to buy some online now (coz that's what hermits do!).
@Digidoll: Just re-hashing this thread to say THANKYOU for suggesting Vitamin B1! I started taking it about a week ago, and have noticed a difference already. Can't wait to see how I feel next month!
Thankyou, thankyou, THANKYOU!! <3
I have social anxiety. That doesn't mean I can't go out in public or anything like that, it just means that social situations make me extremely uncomfortable and lead to me getting nausea, stomach pain, and total loss of control.
As for coping- no medication for me (I'm not willing to go through the side affects). I'm just dealing with it on my own and will try to begin therapy if I feel like it's getting worse. Part of what allows me to live with this anxiety is that I know there is always therapy if "worse comes to worse". It comforts me and makes me feel less anxious.
Anxiety and depression are the reasons why I'm studying to become a psychologist so that I can hopefully help people through these disorders in the future (without medication if possible).
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