Anxiety?

I've been dealing with severe anxiety issues for as long as I can remember.... Anyone else with this problem have any outlets/ways of constructively dealing with this besides therapy/medication? Doubt I'll get much feedback but I guess asking never hurt anybody... or made my anxiety any worse.

You'd be surprised at how many people to through this. Especially in their twenties. I've been through it, made my first year of college hell. What caused mine was leaving all my friends and family and going to this huge school with a bunch of complete stranger, talk about overwhelming. I never took any medication but seeing a counselor helped TREMENDOUSLY. Once you can get your mindset right, you'll heal yourself. Some people say talk to a close friend, but I was against that because I didn't want my friends worrying about me. Try seeing a counselor, or if you do have a person close you can talk to, do that. Just talking about it really helps, and helps you understand the root cause of your anxiety. And trust me, it does get better.

Been suffering with severe anxiety problems on and off since I was 15 or so. I wouldn't totally discount medication. Meds are never a band-aid that 'fixes' all of your problems but for some people it provides enough stability day to day so that you're healthy enough to develop your own coping mechanisms. I'm not on them right now but I always do better when I am. My problems are still there but meds help keep it from getting totally out of control and to cope with panic attacks. They're definitely not for everybody but don't let pride or shame get in the way of trying.

I'm sort of anti-anxiety but I do think finding the root, really really finding it, not the tendrils that can fool you, but the main tap root then deciding what you want to do with it is a good goal. I always want to know the whys when I feel or do something. I learned looooong ago to be really honest with myself, accept responsibility, then just keep on keeping on. Hit that wall and maneuver around it, over it, under it, through it, whatever you need to in order to continue in a forward direction. Accept that pain and doubt and just plain being wrong are part of being alive. Then don't dwell on those things, think positive. It really does help.

This may not be of much help because I really don't have much experience with being anxious, but I think the above is good for anyone. Same stuff I have told myself and my offspring for a goodly bit of time.

My guess is that you're, as are most, stronger than you think or give yourself credit for. Fake it until you make it also works in this situation.

I doubt my feelings of anxiety are anything compared to "true" anxiety, but here's what works for me

I find that having some kind of religious/spiritual inclination helps me. I always find myself less stressed after our worship services than before...

And I have supportive parents who help quell my anxiety over stuff. Even if I'm still worried/fret over whatever it is, at least I know I have people behind me to help me get through things.

I don't want to start a religious debate or anything, so PM me any questions or stuff :gj:

I've dealt with this for a long time as well, since I was a small kid. Huge panic attacks and hyperventilating...I can say that I went through a lottt of therapists before I found the right one who worked very well with me. I was with him for 2.5 years ever single week.

Finding the right person is extremely hard. Once you do, though, it makes a world of difference. It was like night and day for me.

I wish you the best in your search. It's a tough issue to go through.

Sorry for the double post, but also what helped me is finding a hobby I could bury myself in. For me, it's painting and drawing. That always helps me clear my head and relax.

Me, definitely! I suffer from social anxiety and to some extent general anxiety. I think my anxiety is part of the reason why I am also obsessive (maybe a bit of OCD too). I have no coping skills LOL, so if you come up with something, do let me know ;) I have a tendency to avoid things that make me anxious, but that's not a solution, and because of it I have only a few very close friends, but don't make new friends or acquaintance easily. It doesn't help that I'm a stay at home mom, and not working with people. So I guess that's my only advice, if you have social anxiety, don't become a SAHM, because work forces you into social situations, and you will avoid them when you can. In some cases, facing your fears work, like, at one point in my teens I was afraid of driving (not so much afraid while on the road, but afraid of the prospect of it), but now it's not an issue at all because I've done it so much...I'm still an anxious passenger though, I don't think that will ever change LOL.

My Son's been starting to study DBT, it's too early yet to see much progress but it looks promising.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialect...havior_therapy

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Originally Posted by Xaila

I wouldn't totally discount medication. Meds are never a band-aid that 'fixes' all of your problems but for some people it provides enough stability day to day so that you're healthy enough to develop your own coping mechanisms. I'm not on them right now but I always do better when I am. My problems are still there but meds help keep it from getting totally out of control and to cope with panic attacks. They're definitely not for everybody but don't let pride or shame get in the way of trying.

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This. This right here.

I have had a moderate to severe social/situational/general anxiety disorder since I was 13. While 'finding the root' of anxiety is all well and good, many times that root is simply a chemical imbalance that needs corrected, and no amount of soul-searching, prayer, or talk therapy will touch it. Not to say that those things can't help- or that your anxiety IS chemical...but it'll take trial and error and learning about your mind and body to make the right decisions for you.

I have been virtually non-functional when unmedicated. Do I like being dependent on a pill everyday to function? Of course not. But If I was diabetic, or had a heart condition, or a thyroid condition...you bet your bottom I would take my medicine! It's taken a long time, but attitudes are shifting for the better toward mental health. Having mental problems isn't the shameful stigma it was 10+ years ago. Chemical imbalances in the brain are every bit as real and treatable as physical health problems.

Keep your chin up. :D

Your defiantly not alone Melody!! Funny thing is I haven't been on here in years as I rehomed my snakes, but I have recently gotten back into them again! Oddly enough anxiety is partially the reason too.. My hobbies and especially caring for animals as a whole has always seemed to calm me down. When I say that, I've always had anxiety for as long as I can remember.. It wasn't until I was 20 that it really hit me bad. After an extremely stressful week of work, school, and some crazy family and friend issues... One night I suddenly woke up with a horrible panic attack and no joke I thought i was going to die.. Sad to say i really was never the same after that. I continued to get them for what seemed like almost daily for months until I finally was able to seek medical help due to me insurance not covering "mental disabilities" at the time.. Even on a good day I was constantly on edge and sometimes the slightest thing could set me off. Even while driving.. not a fun situation. Since then I have been lightly medicated on a few different medications until my dr. and i found just the right one that seemed to work for me. I really wish I didn't have to take them as i feel its a bit debilitating feeling like "i have to have it so i dont start to feel weird" but even on days when i might just forget it or just haven't picked it up from my cvs just yet, i feel in control of myself. That right there is the most important thing i have found that works yet! On days when i do start to feel uncomfortable i or feel an actual panic attack coming on, i just tell myself "i am in control, it will pass soon and i will be fine". "your minds just playing with you again, and it doesnt make you a freak or weird, everyone body have differnt ways of dealing with things and situations". Im in the process of designing a tattoo of an awesome book i read that i love! I have an ebook of it somewhere ill have to post and let you check it out! But chapter four is called; Acceptance. My tattoo will read; 4cceptance.. lol seeee what i did ther ;p? Anyway before i ramble more and more here it really did hit a nail on the head for me. Just simply stating "accept it!". Its annoying and sucks really bad at times.. but!! Your not going to die, the feeling will go away soon. Yes sometimes it seems like it last for hours, but it will all be ok. Your not having a heart attack, youll stop sweating, fiddling with thing, biting your nails to the bone soon lol. It all will pass and there is nothing wrong with you!! You are totally normal and shouldnt look at yourself any differently because of it either!. Its taken me years of being able to let my self be ok with it, but i am now. Sorry for the horrible grammar and the rambling.. I tend to do that when taling about this haha.

Hope all is well and you find what helps you soon! Oh also for me working with my hands has always been very therapeutic! Weather it be fully rebuilding my car from the engine to the interior, graphic arts, drawing, wood working, and even building puzzles and block castles with my 4 year old niece lol. Ive found the worst things i can do is anything that contributes any more unneeded stress. Playing online video games or watching a movie are about the worst things to for me anyway.. Anything competitive tends to get my blood boiling weather good or bad, and movies just make you sit there and stair.. never is a good thing when having anxiety. Get up and out! Get out of the house and hell i duno go run in circles! lol do something!! Speaking of ive always read a good diet and exercise can help tremendously!!