Anxiety

Does anyone suffer with anxiety?? If so, can you tell me how you deal with it?

Re: Anxiety

MEDS they are great

No seriously see your dr.

Re: Anxiety

After trying to deal with it on my own for YEARS, I finally went to see a psychiatrist this past summer and she put me on Cymbalta. I feel like a brand new person. It really has been the best decision I've ever made. The quality of my life has improved so drastically that I cannot even remember what my life was like before.

Re: Anxiety

A close family member is taking Lexapro and is a different person for it. Talk to your dr., it can't hurt.

Re: Anxiety

Well.... it started about a year and a half ago before my wedding and I did try zoloft and I felt better but after the wedding I didnt wanna be on anything just incase we decided to have a family etc. and now its been a year where I have been off of zoloft and I have great days were I feel fine and other days where I feel like I am gonna have a heart attack or pass out. Its so stressful I read some books and that helped a tiny bit, I just didnt know if there was like self cure...
Thanks for getting back to me.

Re: Anxiety

Deep breathing exercises have helped me. I am considering meds but worry about the weight gain issue!

Re: Anxiety

i suffer from panic disorder. Started coincidentally when I was planning my wedding.

Anyway, if you are saying it gets as bad as you describe I would suggest a combo treatment. See a doctor for some meds (I have had very great results with Lexapro). In addition, you probably want to seek behavioral therapy in addition so that you can either get to the root of your anxiety and learn ways to cope. Since you say you don't want to be on meds long term this is probably what you're going to need to do.

My anxiety is particulary bad in the winter for many reasons I won't bore you with. I haven't been on meds in over a year because I was pregnant this past year. I happened to have a great pregnancy that was almost a natural cure for my anxiety. Unfortunately when the little bugger came out it all started again in full force with baby blues on top of it. So now I am going back on the meds at least through March. Then between March and November I curb any anxiety with Zanax. But you have to be careful because it could be addicting. My doc monitors it closely. If he sees I'm going through the zanax too fast he won't refill it and will insist that I go on the lexapro.

breathing techniques sound very generic but they really do work well.

FM me if you have any other questions.

It sucks --- i know.

Re: Anxiety

Posted by june262004

MEDS they are great

No seriously see your dr.

Re: Anxiety

I suffer from anxiety/panic attacks and general feelings of it. I went to see a therapist and got everything off my chest and even though I did not think it would help I have not had an episode in a couple of weeks. When I feel the anxiety trying to creep in I identify the feeling... tell it I am not going to let you do this to me and either throw myself into a book, close my eyes and picture my future children, dreams etc. or start writing... the same tactic does not work every time but everything I mentioned above has helped curb the anxiety and not let myself fall down the slippery spiral of craziness at least one of the times.

My therapist said something in the last session that I think has stuck. When you are feeling the anxiety about to come on recognize it ...don't deny it and say to yourself " ok this day is going to be a little harder than others" and focus on the fact that its not catastrophic but today you are going to have to work harder than others. I hope my rambling makes sense. fm me anytime if you want to talk.... sometimes talking with someone who can empathize instead of sympathize helps a lot.

Message edited 11/14/2007 7:56:03 AM.

Re: Anxiety

medication and seeing a therapist weekly has worked for me

Re: Anxiety

Posted by taytay423

Well.... it started about a year and a half ago before my wedding and I did try zoloft and I felt better but after the wedding I didnt wanna be on anything just incase we decided to have a family etc. and now its been a year where I have been off of zoloft and I have great days were I feel fine and other days where I feel like I am gonna have a heart attack or pass out. Its so stressful I read some books and that helped a tiny bit, I just didnt know if there was like self cure...
Thanks for getting back to me.

Re: Anxiety

I've had anxiety for a few years now and it seems to be getting worse and worse every year. I do have medication from my regular doctor but I only take it when the anxiety gets really bad. (its not a preventative med) People have been telling me for years now that I need to go see a psychiatrist, but I've been putting it off for one reason or another. I think I'm gonna start going soon because its really starting to affect my quality of life. Its horrible.

Re: Anxiety

Posted by jjk1007

I've had anxiety for a few years now and it seems to be getting worse and worse every year. I do have medication from my regular doctor but I only take it when the anxiety gets really bad. (its not a preventative med) People have been telling me for years now that I need to go see a psychiatrist, but I've been putting it off for one reason or another. I think I'm gonna start going soon because its really starting to affect my quality of life. Its horrible.

Re: Anxiety

It's been a long time but I self-cured instead of taking meds. It took a long time and a lot of work.

The details don't matter much but suffice to say, I changed every aspect of my life over a year. Tackling each trouble spot in turn made it manageable. I set a goal and even though I went over it, it made it easier to not pressure myself with too much too soon.

Now when I start to feel my pulse rise and my heart beat in my ears, I change my tune. I stop whatever I'm doing and do something different to focus on, deep breaths through my nose, forcefully out my mouth.

I'm not a believer in 'what works for me will work for you'. I know that's not always the case. But you owe it to yourself to identify your triggers and investigate them with a qualified professional. If you go the prescription route, it could be a lifelong choice unless the source of the anxiety can be worked on. It may not ever be perfect, but it may be livable without meds.

I wish you luck, and hope you can overcome.

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Message edited 3/7/2013 2:47:49 PM.

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Message edited 3/7/2013 2:53:48 PM.

Re: Anxiety

I carry Xanax with me too as well and I only use it if I really really need it. I always try and talk my self out of it first.

I am glad to know I am not the only one that suffers from anxiety.

Thank You all for helping me.

Re: Anxiety

Oh God you're not alone. Anxiety is my demon too I never really get depressed but anxiety is always looming her ugly head.

I typically try to talk myself "down" when I feel like I am going to panic/freak out. It's a technique I learned from a therapist years ago (I haven't been in therapy for years now). If not, I do have my trusty supply of Xanax. I try not to take it often bc it is highly addictive and the withdrawl is awful.

Re: Anxiety

I try and tell myself to relax and yoga helps. It's my fault. I stress and worry about silly things; I worry about what everyone thinks of me and on and on....lately, you want to know what I'm fretting over? Something as intrinsic as my name. Growing up, people always said it both ways....Lana like in banana and Loh-na. As I got older, I came to prefer it like Loh-na, but find that I say it both ways...sometimes depending on who I'm with, or just whatever. Lately I'm worrying that people find this weird. My cousin is like, "Um, it's not weird; it's your preference, and it's so subtle a difference I'm sure some people don't notice. And--no one cares." I feel like an ONdrea Zucherman snob or something and I actually have anxiety over this...I know-crazy!.

Re: Anxiety

I notice it happens more to near my period

Re: Anxiety

Posted by GenLCSW

medication and seeing a therapist weekly has worked for me