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Anxietyhelp

Some guided meditations

speaker

These are some guided meditations that I have found helpful. I enjoyed the body scan meditations the most. The more you practice these meditations the more you will get out of them! This is a great first step in practicing mindfulness meditation, something that has helped me. http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22

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Anxietyhelp

Some guided meditations

listener_1

might have forgotten the link :)

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Anxietyhelp

Some guided meditations

speaker

I did indeed. Thanks for telling me! http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22

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Anxietyhelp

Cool website with some good article on anxiety

speaker

Don't be scared by the title, you do not have to light some incense sticks and assume the lotus position to enter the site. Just type anxiety in the searchbar and they have some great articles on anxiety and dealing with it. http://tinybuddha.com/

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Anxietyhelp

Cool website with some good article on anxiety

listener_1

Hey there, I don't see the links, MrParker12.

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Anxietyhelp

Cool website with some good article on anxiety

speaker

Ha sorry, off to a good start! http://tinybuddha.com/

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sympathizing

Anxietyhelp

Start a diary

speaker

This is something my therapist and numerous self help books will tell you to do. Every evening just write down how you feel and what you did that day. Doesn't have to be long, just whatever you feel comfortable writing. Then number your anxiety for that day. So maybe you went to the shops and then chilled at home. At the shops you were a 7 and at home you were a 3. (10 being full on panic mode, running home naked and crying while 0 is anxiety free). I personally found it useful as I noticed after a week that even when at home I would label my anxiety as a 4. I realised I was never truly relaxed and was always stressed, even when watching TV with no one around. Really prompted me to act.

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Anxietyhelp

Start a diary

listener_1

OhLife is an awesome online diary that I saw on another post somewhere. It sends you daily email reminders to write entries, and you can choose what time of the day you get the email. You write the entry by just responding to the email. My therapist recommended I start journaling, but I have a terrible memory so its pretty perfect!

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Anxietyhelp

I want to make this subreddit a positive learning place. Any suggestions?

speaker

What would people like to see on this subreddit. Would you maybe like to hear positive success stories, book recommendations or pictures? Likewise, anything people would like to avoid in this subreddit, for example memes? Whatever you guys think, I'm all ears!

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Anxietyhelp

I want to make this subreddit a positive learning place. Any suggestions?

listener_1

I would really like to have a place where I can direct my friends/SO to help them help me. I often don't know what they can do to help, and many of the websites that come up on google just say generic things like "be supportive" and not much in terms of specific advice (like what to do when someone is having a panic attack etc).

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trusting

Anxietyhelp

Book list

speaker

These are some books that have personally helped me. I encourage anyone else to add books that have helped them below or even create their own post! **The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle** The first time I read this book I got about halfway, chucked it across the room and think I said something along the lines of 'What a load of shit'. I came back to it a few months ago and really enjoyed it. Anxiety encourages you to always dwell in the past or in the future, never in the present moment. I was always fearful of what could happen on my commute home and never took the time to slow down and just focus on the trees or my feet on the sidewalk. This book encourages you to search inside yourself. There are some parts that are too new-agey for my liking but it is definitely worth a read. http://www.amazon.com/The-Power-Now-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386710190&sr=8-1&keywords=power+of+now **The feeling good handbook by David.D.Burns** Sit down, read, think and do every exercise in this book. The book encourages you to think and analyse your anxiety. Instead of walking into a shop and having a panic attack you can now walk into a shop and realise what is happening, you identify your 'triggers' and counter them. When I read this book I went through the depression section in addition to the anxiety section and I would encourage you to do the same. Just 10-20 mins a day would be good, I actually found it fairly enjoyable doing the exercises. http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-Handbook-David-Burns/dp/0452281326/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386710437&sr=8-1&keywords=the+feeling+good+handbook **The compassionate mind approach to overcoming anxiety by Dennis Tirch** I have mixed feeling on this book. I found some of the exercises a bit repetitive and silly. On the other hand this book made me realise what a massive raging dick I am......to myself. This book encourages you to be kind to yourself, that anxiety is not your fault and it's ok to be vulnerable. http://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Mind-Guide-Overcoming-Anxiety-Compassion-Focused/dp/160882036X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386710673&sr=8-1&keywords=the+compassionate+mind+approach **The wisdom of insecurity by Alan Watts** Really nice little book that encourages you to think about how the modern world encourages our anxious thinking. Really made me think about my own anxiety. http://www.amazon.com/The-Wisdom-Insecurity-Message-Anxiety/dp/0307741206/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1386710828&sr=8-3&keywords=alan+watts **EDUCATE** The more you learn about anxiety and yourself the stronger you will be. I spent years just browsing the internet, playing xbox, watching tv and being angry at the universe for giving me anxiety. I still sometimes feel this way but the more I learn the stronger I get. The best way to combat anxiety is to be pro-active. Reading is a great way to do this and I would urge you to read as much as you can. Don't beat yourself up either. If you read a book and don't see any noticeable change do not worry. It is a gradual process and even a fun one. There is a great feeling when you read something in a book and think 'So that's why I feel that way'. Best of luck!

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Anxietyhelp

Book list

listener_1

I would also recommend "Brain Lock." It's a bit note focused towards OCD but the techniques are fantastic for anxiety as well.

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Anxietyhelp

What (small or large) achievement have you made this past week?

speaker

Lets celebrate each little achievement!

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proud

Anxietyhelp

What (small or large) achievement have you made this past week?

listener_1

I walked up to a DJ and told him he played a good show yesterday. It took me about 2 hours to do but I did it. My friends gave me a high five. It was pretty nice.

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proud

Anxietyhelp

Let's talk about drugs

speaker

Prescription drugs or street drugs, let's talk. I personally think that the main cause anxiety are thoughts and that these are best treated by therapy, education, meditating and exercise. I think that prescription drugs are a short term solution and don't tackle the deep rooted causes of anxiety. In terms of 'street drugs' I have only really used marijuana. I found weed gave me horrendous panic attacks at first but actually in the long term maybe calmed me down a bit.. While it did calm me down a bit it also gave me what can only be described as mood swings and introduce me to a group of friends who are only interested in smoking weed. Don't get me wrong, cannabis can be a hell of a lot of fun, but it will not cure anxiety and it is very likely to make it worse. It might temporarily relieve symptoms, however, I always found they came back with a vengeance. The purpose of this post is to get some personal experiences of whether drugs lead to a reduction in anxiety. I have read some people advocating mushromms and mdma in /r/anxiety and I know at my lowest I was tempted to take them thinking they would be a one time cure for anxiety. I am glad I didn't and want some other people to share their experiences so people can learn. Thanks!

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Anxietyhelp

Let's talk about drugs

listener_1

I've never tried street drugs exclusively to treat anxiety. Years before I was diagnosed I smoked a ton of marijuana and it made me anti-social and paranoid, so I don't do that anymore. I was on Celexa for a month and it was hell. I had so many side effects; heightened anxiety, depression (which I wasn't suffering from previously), sensitivity to light and sounds, muscle clenching, insomnia, etc. I've started Buspar but it hasn't been long enough to tell how it's effecting me. I do think that prescription drugs can be helpful. For me, there are no triggers to my anxiety. I'm constantly in a state where my mind is buzzing and my heart is racing, so I do think drugs can be a great option.

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Anxietyhelp

What I do to help myself with anxiety, maybe some other might find this helpful.

speaker

**My Story/History with Anxiety**: I've have always been an anxious person. I'm constantly thinking about what to do next. It's hard for me to take a break or relax, but yet I'm constantly craving time where I don't have to do anything. My biggest desire is always to give up. It sucks, and I've been on Lexapro, Zoloft, Ativan (which helped but my doc won't prescribe it anymore), and Effexor. None of them really helped, just made me not feel any emotions. TL;DR I have anxiety and don't like use antidepressants. I didn't like this feeling and it didn't really fix the problem so I decided to seek out more natural ways of helping myself deal with anxiety. This is what I do, it might not work for everyone, but I figured I share it anyway. * I went to a counselor. This may not be possible for everyone, but I highly recommend it. Even when you start to feel better, it helps. I mean I went weekly for about a year and a half. Texted my therapist when things were especially bad. It's true what they say about you working everything out in therapy yourself. * I like soft/cuddley things. I worked that to my advantage. I carried soft sweatshirts with me everywhere. When I felt uncomfortable I'd wear it or snuggle it on my face. If acceptable I took blankets and stuffed animals (friends houses, dr's offices, in the car, etc) Childish, I know, but comforting. I'm 20 years old btw. So do feel ashamed or embarrassed. * I started tanning. In the tanning bed. You're more than welcome to disagree with me on this one, and that's fine, but I have reasoning behind it. My doctor told me there was a link of vitamin D defeciency and depression. He recommended I get out in the sun more. Problem: I have pale skin and burn easily. So I acclimated myself in a tanning bed. It helps with my acne, and makes me feel better about myself. Personally I notice a difference. * I take herbal supplements and vitamins linked to anxiety/depression/and mental health. The ones I take are: Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin E, St John's Wort, Valerian root (only when things are really tough-makes me sleepy), Kava Kava (I use rarely, also makes me sleepy). Here are some links of vitamins/supplements that are thought to have some effect on anxiety and depression. (Also worth a google :)) http://www.livestrong.com/article/22007-vitamins-anxiety/ http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/condition-1001-Anxiety.aspx?diseaseid=1001&diseasename=Anxiety * I work out/try to be active. I don't do it now as much as I did when it was warm. All I would do is run. Made a huge difference in how I felt. It became my go to thing when I was upset or mad. * I changed my diet. Stopped drinking pop. Started eating whole grains. Drank a lot of fruit smoothies and starting juicing. But still ate what I wanted when I wanted it. I just added healthy foods in. * I use the fact that my mind is always moving to my advantage. I try to keep myself busy with things. Downtime seems to not be my friend. I started crocheting, I play lots of video games, go out with friends, read interesting books, started larping. etc. Get out there and do things you've always wanted to try. * The biggest thing I keep in mind is that it's okay for me to be alone. I don't always need a person to accompany me to do something I want to. This is what helps me. If I do everything I listed and keep up with it, I feel almost anxiety free, but I can't keep up with myself (school/work) and my anxiety creeps back up. :/ If you have any questions or anything, feel free to ask! :) Thanks for reading and I hope it helps. edit-formatting because I'm a noob.

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Anxietyhelp

What I do to help myself with anxiety, maybe some other might find this helpful.

listener_1

Thank you for sharing. I have tried several of these but the supplements I have not. I'm going to look into those.

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Anxietyhelp

Meditation

speaker

I have been practicing mindfulness meditation for around a year on and off. Have become pretty good about it for the last 4-5 months and have been doing anywhere from 15-40 mins a day reliably. My experience of it has been slow but interesting. When I first started I would close my eyes and sit on a chair and get horrible panic attacks the entire time, I would try to fight them in my mind and refuse to give up. This was a horrible tactic and there really is no advantage to doing it. I read some books and did some guided meditations and changed how I practiced. Now when I felt a panic attack coming I just smile and let the panic rush over me, I don't fight it or judge it, I let it win. It is just a feeling that I accept. This has really calmed me down and is due to the practice of meditation. I have learnt that I don't have to listen to my mind, I can just let the thought come and go, something that is extremely hard for someone with anxiety to do. I am no zen master, I still get bored and I still have bad anxiety but mindfulness meditation has probably been the biggest help for me with anxiety. I find it relaxing, challenging and interesting. I find myself getting angry a whole lot less, I'm not as judgemental and I don't get so caught up in my own thoughts. Meditation has not 'cured' me of anxiety but it has helped me enormously and it is such an easy thing to start doing. I encourage everyone to give it a try, but don't expect a quick fix, it takes time. At the end of the day, anxiety or not, everyone can benefit from taking some time out to focus on themselves and nothing else for five minutes. /r/meditation is an awesome subreddit for anyone curious. Thankyou

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Anxietyhelp

Meditation

listener_1

I really want to get into meditation for my anxiety. Do you have any tips on how to get started?

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Anxietyhelp

Biological vs Mental Discussion

speaker

I've been looking for a place to have a genuine and candid discussion on anxiety and depression being a biological disorder, mental disorder, or combination of both. It seems that even the medical community can't decide and while some swear that it's some kind of "misfire" in the brain others will say that is a complete fallacy and the medicine is purely a placebo. In fact a local psychiatrist I was talking to swears that medicine does little to help the actual problem and that the studies are driven by the pharmaceuticals (not trying to be political but it is an interesting theory). Anyways, I hope this takes off and we can have a real discussion about this.

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Anxietyhelp

Biological vs Mental Discussion

listener_1

Every thought, memory, and emotion that you have has its basis in biology, and so I don't see how its possible to distinguish between the two. Additionally, I think that making this distinction is unhelpful, because it causes us to conflate issues of heritability, free will, treatment options, etc, that aren't really related.

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Anxietyhelp

Has anyone successfully come off of an SSRI for anxiety and learned to manage their anxiety without the drugs?

speaker

Day 10 here off of Effexor 75mg. Today was the worse day emotionally for me. My anxiety was through the roof. I couldn't make it to work. I'm very much trying to learn management techniques, especially meditation (I'm a yogi)- to help me. Yes- I quit cold turkey thought that wasn't my intention. I had to get an override from my insurance company and by the time someone was available to do it, I had already been without it for 3 days so decided to try and go for it.

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Anxietyhelp

Has anyone successfully come off of an SSRI for anxiety and learned to manage their anxiety without the drugs?

listener_1

I can't say I was ever on SSRIs long enough to come off of them, but I have learned to manage my anxieties without drugs. My OCD is pretty much completely gone these days. It's definitely possible. No clue if that road is any harder, because it's the only one I've taken.

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Anxietyhelp

The King who found it easier to live with his difficulties

speaker

*There is a story told of a King who had three sons. The first was handsome and very popular. When he was twenty-one, his father built him a palace in the city in which to live. The second son was intelligent and also very popular. When he became twenty-one, his father built a second palace in the city for him. The third son was neither handsome nor intelligent, and was unfriendly and unpopular. When he was twenty-one, the King's counsellors said: 'There is no further room in the city. Have a palace built outside the city for your son. You can have it built so it will be strong. You can send some of your guards to prevent it being attacked by the ruffians who live outside the city walls.' So the King built a palace and sent some of his soldiers to protect it. A year later, the son sent a message to his father, 'I cannot live here. The ruffians are too strong'. So the counsellors said: 'Build another palace, bigger and stronger and twenty miles from the city and the ruffians. With more soldiers, it will easily withstand attacks from the nomadic tribes that pass that way'. So the King built such a palace, and sent one hundred of his soldiers to protect it. A year later, a message came from the son: 'I cannot live here. The tribes are too strong'. So the counsellors said: 'Build a castle, a large castle, one hundred miles away. It will be big enough to house five hundred soldiers, and strong enough to withstand attacks from the peoples that live over the border'. So the King built such a castle, and sent five hundred of his soldiers to protect it. But a year later, the son sent another message to the King: 'Father, the attacks of the neighbouring peoples are too strong. They have attacked twice, and if they attack a third time I fear for my life and those of your soldiers'. And the King said to his counsellors: 'Let him come home and he can live in the palace with me. For it is better that I learn to love my son than that I should spend all the energy and resources of my Kingdom keeping him at a distance'. The story of the King holds an important lessons: it's often far easier and more effective in the long run to live with our difficulties than to pour resources into battling and suppressing them.* Excerpt taken from the book 'Mindfulness: Finding peace in a frantic world' by Mark Williams & Danny Penman

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Anxietyhelp

The King who found it easier to live with his difficulties

speaker

Some might find the story a little cheesy but it has a good point. Anxiety has a purpose, it is an early warning system to alert you of danger. This system isn't often needed in modern times but for sufferers of anxiety it can go off almost non stop. Anxiety is trying to help you, although it is misguided, it is your body helping you. The sooner you embrace that and allow it, accept it and embrace it the easier it gets. At least it has for me.

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Anxietyhelp

As Christmas approaches it is very common to feel a spike in anxiety, please don't worry.

speaker

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25416835

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Anxietyhelp

As Christmas approaches it is very common to feel a spike in anxiety, please don't worry.

listener_1

Love this article, thanks!

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acknowledging

Anxietyhelp

As Christmas approaches it is very common to feel a spike in anxiety, please don't worry.

listener_1

Love this article, thanks!

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acknowledging

Anxietyhelp

Linden Method?

speaker

Does it work? Anyone try it and like it/not like it?

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Anxietyhelp

Linden Method?

listener_1

It's available on the usual sea-faring website if anyone doesn't have the means to buy it immediately. However I must say, as with anything else, if it works for you, support the author and buy it, because that's the only way people will keep producing such helpful (and in some cases, probably life-changing) material. Basically it's a structured CBT course with some reassurance and mindfulness/meditation mixed in. The main audio file (visualisation) is pretty good (use it every night before sleeping), as is the PDF of other people's experiences if you sometimes feel like you're the only one who understands.

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Anxietyhelp

has anyone dealt with abandonment issues?

speaker

I've had depression for a while, and over the past 2 or 3 months ive had really bad anxiety about my friends leaving me behind, even though logically i know they haven't been doing that. I would feel left out and lonely after having a great night with my friends in college. I went to my psychiatrist yesterday and he's known me and my family for years. He knew that I was the youngest of 3 children and one of them had serious health problems and the other was having an awful time in the public school system so my parents never had time for me; my dad worked a lot in the city and my mom owns her own business. Anyways, he told me I have abandonment issues and that's what's making me so afraid of always being left and forgotten. So, my question is, has anyone else had to deal with this? How did you move past this?

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Anxietyhelp

has anyone dealt with abandonment issues?

listener_1

I have. I got over it around 7 months ago after a 18 month period of being severely depressed and mad. The only way I have found that helped at all was by telling myself that this person is not my life and I don't need them to live I can do things for myself. saying things like that and slowly taking my emotional investment in them out helped tremendously it still took me several months to get better.

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Anxietyhelp

List of herbal/non-medical anxiety products?

speaker

Is there a list anywhere here for products people have tried/used for anxiety help? I'll start with PureCalm by Native Rememdies. It helps takes the edge off when I can feel an anxious moment starting to build.

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Anxietyhelp

List of herbal/non-medical anxiety products?

listener_1

I occasionally use valerian. It targets GABA receptors in the brain (like benzodiazepines do). The effects are mild. I find it most helpful for getting to sleep when I'm struggling with that.

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Anxietyhelp

2014 is nearly upon us. The year we beat our anxiety!

speaker

Sitting here sweating my balls off at the thought of going to a new year's party tonight. But this is a new year, I'm going to go to this party and have a good time and start this year off great. I probably won't 'beat' anxiety this year but you can be damn sure I'm going to cuddle it into submission. Let's do this together, /r/Anxietyhelp, support each other and keep posting helpful resources and personal success stories, no matter how small. Whether you are at a big party with loads of friends or sitting at home reading this, Happy New Year, you can do this. :)

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Anxietyhelp

2014 is nearly upon us. The year we beat our anxiety!

listener_1

Happy New Year! Did you go to the party and have a good night? :)

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Anxietyhelp

2014 is nearly upon us. The year we beat our anxiety!

speaker

I did, had a really good time as well. Feeling pretty rough beforehand but still glad I went. :) Before I left the house though I was feeling panicked and I had racing thoughts, sweating and a constant urge to check If have everything I need. Just typical anxiety that turned out to be for nothing. Hope you had a good one!

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Anxietyhelp

2014 is nearly upon us. The year we beat our anxiety!

listener_1

Aww well I'm so glad to hear you didn't let the anxiety beat you and had a great time. I didn't go out but had a good evening anyway, thanks! :)

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Anxietyhelp

Free CBT course!

speaker

saw this in /r/socialanxiety (good subreddit). Anyway, go onto this site http://www.learntolive.com/get-started2/#.UswHoGRdVsW and type in FREECBT and that is all you do! i haven't actually tried it but it requires no credit card info and it's free so it is worth a shot! Not sure how long the promotion will last for so give me a shout when it ends and I will edit this post.

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Anxietyhelp

Free CBT course!

listener_1

It works, thank you so much!

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Anxietyhelp

I feel Trapped.

speaker

I recently graduated from college with my bachelors degree and a mere 7 days after graduating and the day after I moved into my parents living room my car broke down. I haven't worked since august because my school schedule didn't allow for a side-job. My parents are glad to help in whatever way they can but they don't have the financial means to fix my car for me but are glad to let me live in their living room as long as necessary. I want to find a Job so that I can pay of my minor debts(medical bills and less than $1000 of CC debt) and begin to pay my student loans but every way I look at it I cant do any of this without transportation. Unfortunately I live in the one of the top ten largest metropolitan areas in the US without public transit. I am trying my hardest to not become overwhelmed but the stress is overwhelming. I wake up every morning exhausted and I'm at the end of my abilities to find a job on my own. I am not interested in any pyramid/multi-level marketing schemes but I do need help looking finding employment does anyone have suggestions?

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Anxietyhelp

I feel Trapped.

listener_1

What's your degree in?

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Anxietyhelp

I feel Trapped.

speaker

International Recreation, Event and Sport Management

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Anxietyhelp

I feel Trapped.

speaker

no nothing yet but the anxiety has subsided and I have been very happy to just continue looking

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Anxietyhelp

I feel Trapped.

speaker

thanks for asking.

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Anxietyhelp

Anxiety help please

speaker

I'm new to this anxiety thing and it's really scary! I need someone to talk to about this! Preferably someone with anxiety.

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Anxietyhelp

Anxiety help please

listener_1

Hello! welcome to this subreddit. I can talk to you if you like, just send me a pm. i think I have at some point or other experienced almost every symptom of anxiety possible. Look at some of the links on this subreddit as they contain good book recommendations and tips. Also the subreddit /r/anxiety is probably better suited to this request as they have more members. This subreddit is more about posting helpful anxiety links. take care

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Anxietyhelp

Positive thinking can stop anxiety

speaker

We spend hours and hours dwelling and ruminating on the negative and fearful things in our lives. We worry about what could go wrong, instead of focusing and paying attention to the rational, the positive and the good. We should train ourselves to focus on thoughts that will move us forward in the right direction. Read one of these statements to yourself every day and dwell on it. It's about time we started paying attention to what is rational and right.

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Anxietyhelp

Positive thinking can stop anxiety

listener_1

But HOW does one go about that? For me, it's easier said than done.

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Anxietyhelp

Positive thinking can stop anxiety

listener_1

Right on, man! I'll give it a shot.

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Anxietyhelp

did I have an anxiety attack orrrr?

speaker

So I went to dinner with my roommates and while we were waiting for our table (about 35 min) I think I experienced my first anxiety attack...but I'm not quite sure. Here's what happened: So to begin today I have had some tension between me and my roommates just minor bull nothing that isnt manageable. So even through the awkward tension we all went to dinner. while we were waiting I wasnt really talking it was a little uncomfortable and i was beginning to feel a little anxious. One thing led to another and the background music is starting to be a little muffled. I felt nauseous and pretty unsteady. with the tension between my roommates i felt uncomfortable telling them how i was feeling. i excused myself to the bathroom and it was a race to find a place to sit down before i would pass out. i got into the bathroom and sat down and began taking deep breaths and the feeling of being drunk/out of control of my body began to go away. once i was able to calm down i broke out into sort of a cold sweat. I pulled myself together and went back to dinner and everything has been fine since but ive been super worried about my episode tonight. Does that sound like a one time thing or should i seek medical help? honestly if i wouldnt have made it to the bathroom i probably would have passed out.. :( I'm exhausted!

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Anxietyhelp

did I have an anxiety attack orrrr?

listener_1

Sounds like an attack

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Anxietyhelp

to anxious to be assertive

speaker

i suffer from extremly severe GAD and get extremely uncomfortable when people toch me, even if its just a poke or something. but lately there's been someone who wont stop no matter how many times i ask him. i dont want to be mean but hes making me feel very uncomfortable. ive explained to him why i dont like it but he wont stop! what can i say to make him stop without yelling at him or veing rude?

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Anxietyhelp

to anxious to be assertive

listener_1

You need to look him in the eyes and TELL him, not ask him. You may also want to post over at r/anxiety. This sub doesnt get much traffic.

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Anxietyhelp

to anxious to be assertive

speaker

thank you!

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wishing

Anxietyhelp

Power poses

speaker

I saw this TED talk a while ago and found it quite interesting. http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are Now in the morning, before work, I place an alarm on my phone for three minutes and just do power poses. I realised that I was embarrassed about myself, I was thinking 'what if someone saw this' or even 'what if someone put a camera in my room for a joke and can see me looking like an idiot'. This is why you do the poses. I have enough anxiety as it is going outside, I shouldn't be embarrassed of myself. So in the morning and sometimes at night I just set the alarm and do power poses and anything else I feel embarrasses me. This includes dancing like an idiot, pretending to be a boxer or acting like a dinosaur. I feel like I have noticed a difference, I'm less conscious of myself, not massively, but noticeably. It's three minutes of your day and it's a fairly fun activity to try out. Just get into the habit of making it part of your day. Because fuck it, if you can't pretend to be a dinosaur in your own room when can you be?

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Anxietyhelp

Power poses

listener_1

What types of poses do you do?

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Anxietyhelp

Power poses

speaker

Mainly hands on hips and starfish type poses. Just making myself as big as possible. Looks stupid but who cares? In your own house you should be able to do what you want without being embarrassed and these exercises help me with that.

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Anxietyhelp

Weird anxiety disorder

speaker

So I have this super weird anxiety disorder since I was 12, so about 10 years now. I don't know how it started or where it came from but my first panic attack happened when I started my first day of class. I remember I started sweating bad, started shaking and had the urge to just run out of the classroom. I was terrified that I was going to have an "Accident" in front of everyone in class and be humiliated. It affected my life dramatically for a couple years. I missed a lot of school. I couldn't go on long car rides without having to ask my parents to stop for me. But when I would get to the bathroom I was fine. I didn't have to go. It was like the bathroom was my only safe area as long as there was a toilet. I am now terrified to be stuck in a classroom or take tests with it completely quiet and no noise. I am now in college so this is no good for me. I cant be in a car with people I am not comfortable with or else I will start freaking out cause I dont like telling people my fear/anxiety. I never have to go I just think I do but once I get to a bathroom that is my safe place. I never pissed my pants or anything in public before so I dont know how this started. Anyone have any advice. Everytime I go to my dr. She wants to put me on antidepressents and I am not depressed.

negative

terrified

Anxietyhelp

Weird anxiety disorder

listener_1

Okay, this sounds a lot like me. My first semester of college, I stood in line to buy my books (for more than an hour) and I had a panic attack in the line because I felt I couldn't escape. I felt like I was going to throw up and pee myself! The second semester, the same thing happened. Finally, the next semester, I went to lunch with my mom, and asked her to come to the bookstore with me. She stood in line, and as I started to have a panic attack, I handed her my books, and told her that I needed to use the restroom, but I just stood outside and took a few deep breaths, went to the restroom, and walked back into the bookstore. I was fine. I could escape. The next semester, I had no problems. Just find people you trust to be with you in those situations, and tell your professors that you have an anxiety disorder. You don't have to give them details, they can't even really ask for details, just let them know, and they'll usually accommodate. Especially if you are being medicated... All you need is proof, I believe.

positive

embarrassed

Anxietyhelp

I'm burnt-out and irritated...And need some help.

speaker

After the passing away of an immediate family member, I became numb, and now I'm starting to see some change in my behavior. I'm exhausted from everything, and I become highly irritated when I hear people whispering or speaking quietly. I have absolutely *no* idea why. If I hear people whispering in class, I can't concentrate and my head starts spinning. It's so painful. Another thing is I've lost interest in so many things. I don't read as much as I used to, I don't see my friends as often anymore, and I get easily frustrated at family members. I feel guilty when I eat, and just super, super tense all the time. Never had a boyfriend, and I'm being pressured to find someone already from family. It's so hard living like this and I feel drained all the time, although I think I do succeed in appearing calm and composed in public. I need some help. Has anyone experienced anything like this before? What can I do? I've never felt this way before, but it's been building up for a while now. Thanks for your help, guys.

positive

annoyed

Anxietyhelp

I'm burnt-out and irritated...And need some help.

listener_1

It sounds like you are still in mourning after losing someone. How recent was their passing? Were you close?

negative

questioning

Anxietyhelp

I'm burnt-out and irritated...And need some help.

speaker

Very close. It was 4 years ago, but I wasn't like this. I have never come to terms with what happened and refuse to think about it, but I definitely did not feel like this before...I was "numb" and just now starting to feel much more antsy.

negative

neutral

Anxietyhelp

I'm burnt-out and irritated...And need some help.

listener_1

I get that at times after my youngest daughter passed away almost 6 years ago. There was a book I read once that described the moments as grief bubbles-times where you may not even be aware that your grieving is stronger than usual, which can make you feel just like you're describing. Then the bubble 'comes to the surface and pops', and it's easier to cope again. I still get them, and there are ones that are downright vicious to go through. I got a therapist and started going through the (very) painful process of, well, processing it all. People sometimes think that grieving/mourning is a period that has an eventual end. It doesn't. I hope your bubble pops soon. <3

negative

sad

Anxietyhelp

I'm burnt-out and irritated...And need some help.

speaker

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. You're absolutely right that grieving and mourning really doesn't have an end, and it's weird when I try to describe it to others--I'm sure you feel the same. I appreciate your very kind words and wish you all the best.

positive

sympathizing

Anxietyhelp

I'm burnt-out and irritated...And need some help.

listener_1

I'm here to chat if you feel like it, mourning sucks. There is no other way to put it.

negative

caring

Anxietyhelp

I'm burnt-out and irritated...And need some help.

speaker

It really, really does. Thank you so much for your support. <3

positive

wishing

Anxietyhelp

Chasing Symptoms

speaker

**Don't do it** Easier said than done right? I'm here to tell you that I have chased more diagnosis and attached awareness to more physical symptoms than there are stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. For more than three years, these symptoms crippled me. Each time I thought I had a breakthrough on alleviating the racing thoughts and fear, the physical symptoms brought me right back down. It wasn't the panic attacks. Those were overcome after roughly one and a half years. No, it's the physical symptoms that hold/held me back. **Well now I'm here to tell you there's a light at the end of the tunnel.** What started out as seconds of peace and relief have turned into minutes and even hours of freedom from physical symptoms. It's only a matter of time before those hours turn into days and days turn into months and months turn into years of freedom from the physical symptoms of anxiety and depression! **How was this achieved?** * **Mantras.** When I begin to feel physical symptoms, I would chant mentally or physically two different mantras. Those were "this too shall pass" and "Nonresistance. Nonjudgement. Nonattachment." * **Awareness.** By simply being aware and recognizing the physical suffering taking place was just symptoms of anxiety, that would sometimes lift the symptoms. * **Play With Them.** I know what you're thinking. *Timmy.... what?!* I'm giving you permission to play with your anxiety symptoms! I'll give you a couple examples. One of the symptoms I got regularly was the feeling of pins and needles in my hands. It would usually happen in one hand or the other. What I would do was acknowledge the feelings in the hand it started in and then focus on my other hand until it felt pins and needles. Then I would switch between the pins and needles back and forth and smile knowing that it was all in my head! Another thing I would do is if I noticed my heart racing, I would challenge it to race faster, and that I bet I could beat it! This slowed the heart down knowing that not only was I not afraid, but I was poking fun at it's attempt at scaring me. This transcended anxiety and brought me to a level of being happy/playful. * **Do Nothing.** This tactic has been the one I've been using a lot lately with success. When the anxious symptoms and feelings arise, I let them. I don't resist or fight them. I let them engulf whatever area they choose to reside. What this teaches me is that these symptoms are nothing to fear. You are now armed with the greatest physical symptom quelling tactics known to humankind. If you know of anymore that might help, feel free to comment below!

positive

devastated

Anxietyhelp

Chasing Symptoms

listener_1

Thank you so much for this. I found it very wise and I will try this when I feel those physical symptoms again, I especially like the quote "this too shall pass".

positive

grateful

Anxietyhelp

I'm done... There's no light at the end of the tunnel...

speaker

It's been 6 years now and slowly but surely the intensity of my anxiety is just destroying me. I got out of the military and seeked help the same year. I've been on every SSRI and most recently, any SSRI gives me tremors, shakes, night sweating and severe tachycardia. I have lorazepam (ativan) for emergency purposes and I mainly use it to sleep and be sane enough to wake up and get to work without freaking out in the morning and vomiting (for no good reason mind you). I've had my doctor order me the alpha-stim to try a non-traditional method of treatment and the first week was great now I'm in pure panic every night and every morning for literally no reason at all. I'm done... I'm fucking done with this shit. I wake up crazy and go to bed crazy. My wife has to put up with me and hiding this from my kids is so hard. I've become someone who can't enjoy anything and when I do step outside my comfort zone, it ends it a messy HORRIBLE manner. Therapy (2 therapists so far) has been a joke and believe you me I have tried, so hard, I've worked and left my comfort zones for just a day of normalcy. What now...? Are there any options? This is not a life..... I can't live like this.....

negative

terrified

Anxietyhelp

I'm done... There's no light at the end of the tunnel...

listener_1

I can't give you your light, but i can give you mine. Here you are: http://web.archive.org/web/20130928045837/http://nothingworks.weebly.com/

neutral

trusting

Anxietyhelp

Anxiety Supplement Advice Needed

speaker

In Advance, Sorry for this long winded text: A background on my anxiety I face: I personally suffer from generalized social anxiety disorder as well as ADHD. I am relatively socially introverted, being very social within my friend group, but often shy around new people or people I have met once in the past and encounter again (often trying to act like I don't see them). Once I get talking to someone, like a new girl I meet, I am often fine, however, I have trouble approaching them and sometimes feel awkward carrying on the conversation. Similarly, at bars or clubs I feel nervous going up to girls and trying to dance or say certain things (seeing my friends do similar things in the past and look foolish getting rejected or just being creepy deters me). Oddly and most embarrassingly I suffer from I guess what you would call "shy pee," or trouble urinating in public bathrooms with others around me. I know it shouldn't be a big deal, but I am always thinking others will wonder why I am just standing there and that there is something wrong with me I cannot pee. Obviously this situation presents itself frequently, as I am 22 and like to go out to bars, clubs and social events with my friends. Like many, I initially had phenomenal success with Phenibut, but it stopped working altogether. I have found benzos to be useful in the past but they are hard to obtain and highly addictive (I would not be successful in trying to get a script from my doctor). The only other successful supplement I have taken is a thienodiazepine called etizolam. While I like it a lot, it can be pricey and also carries a relatively high risk of addiction. I have taken kratom, ashwaghanda, kava, tianeptine, herbal teas, theanine and a handful of racetams to no avail. I also work out a lot, which I feel greatly helps, but truly is not enough. I was wondering if there were any suggestions of supplements worth trying so that I can stop wasting my $$$$ on a plethora of useless pills and powders. I am ideally looking for something that gives you a noticeable, "in-your-face" anxiety relief. Any review/input on supplements and vendors would be extremely appreciated!

positive

embarrassed

Anxietyhelp

Anxiety Supplement Advice Needed

speaker

PM me or comment if you have a chance, it would be greatly appreciated!

positive

acknowledging

Anxietyhelp

Driving is a no

speaker

I have really bad anxiety about driving. So much that I refuse/can't drive even though I do have my license and know how to drive. I haven't driven in months. My anxiety gets worse when I drive alone. I'm afraid to drive because sometimes I get suicidal and think about how easily I can end my life while I'm behind the wheel. I need to start driving again because it's convenient to be able to go places whenever I feel like instead of having to wait and rely on people to take me places. And since I'll be transferring to a university soon, I want to be able to drive to and from places. Does anyone know ways of how I can control/stop my driving anxiety?

negative

apprehensive

Anxietyhelp

Driving is a no

listener_1

I am so sorry. Your anxiety story almost made me cry. Some people have been prescribed medicinal marijuana to ease their anxiety. Maybe listen to soft music while you are driving. If you are religious, try praying.

negative

sympathizing

Anxietyhelp

First year at college, anxious as hell. Any advice?

speaker

I'm a first year at Champlain college, but it's been posing a lot of stress on me. One of my roommates is the biggest douche I've ever met (and it's not just my opinion, this is know by the whole grade), I'm constantly worried about the bulk of schoolwork (or the perception of schoolwork that will be due in the future), and I'm anxious and uncomfortable all the time. I have a good group of friends, but it just doesn't feel normal yet. What I miss about high school is the divide between school and your personal life. Living on campus, there's no divide, and I really miss that. I just want to enjoy college without always being so anxious, so down in the dumps, and generally unhappy.

negative

anxious

Anxietyhelp

First year at college, anxious as hell. Any advice?

listener_1

This is similar in a lot of ways with what triggered my anxiety to go from occasionally being a little anxious to panic attacks, depersonalizations, etc. I just started my first "grown up" job where there was a lot of pressure to be on point all the time and it blurred the line between work life and personal life. I did end up going on meds for about a year but I'm off now and managing it on my own. Here's what's worked for me and hopefully some of it can work for you. Learn to spot moments that can cause anxiety and try to head them off before they happen. For instance, very stressful times at work tend to drop my anxiety but afterwards when things have calmed down is when things get bad. So if I've had a very stressful week I'll work hard to find something to occupy my mind during the weekend and not give it a chance to spiral, could be finding an event to go to, scheduling activities with friends, or even just getting a video game to immerse myself in. Be conscientious of how you're treating yourself. Certain foods tend to make my anxiety worse so I have an Evernote with a list of things to avoid when things are getting bad. Of course exercise helps although for me it's strange because immediately after I feel worse, but after an hour or two things start to get better. So when I know an anxiety trigger is coming on I'll go for a run first chance I get. Keep a journal just for anxiety. Sometimes just getting it all out is unbelievably beneficial. You don't have to do it every day or have some kind of schedule, just when things start getting bad pour it all out somewhere and you'll often find your anxieties to be less important when you're putting them down. Talk to someone. You need to find someone trustworthy whether it be a friend or counselor. Your school likely has someone on staff just for this, utilize those tools! There's no shame in this and you're never alone. Remember that this is happening because you're brain is having a little misfire, nothing more, nothing less. This isn't your fault but it is your responsibility. That sucks but it's true. Ultimately it is up to you to find what fixes work and which ones don't. You have to practice those that help and, most importantly, you have to stick with it. Tomorrow might be anxiety free but if you go back to the habits that make things worse then you're just delaying things. It's hard work but it's the most rewarding work you can do. My anxiety is bad today, I can sympathize. Feel free to let me know if you need someone to talk to.

positive

anxious

Anxietyhelp

Anxiety

speaker

hello! I have very bad axiety, I usually get at least 2 panic attacks during the day. I wanna be able to manage and have control of my own body without taking any pills or going to a psychiatrist so I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to stop myself of getting to anxious , thanks

negative

questioning

Anxietyhelp

Anxiety

listener_1

A simple first step is deep breathing exercises. Tell yourself *breathe in*, *breathe out*. Breath deep enough that you can feel it, and hear it. This can do two things in particular: 1) Quiet your thoughts by focusing them on a single conscious act 2) Steady your heartrate, helping your muscles and other physical systems reduce tension. About 3 years ago I started having panic attacks every day for about 10 months. This was triggered by my drinking problems at the time which altered my brain chemistry. Starting with breathing exercises, muscle relaxation exercises (tense up the muscles and then shake them out, one muscle at a time), and a few other things I learned from cognitive-behavioral therapy, I ended up getting into /r/mindfulness. After reading about that for about a year I eventually got into /r/meditation. I also made myself /r/stopdrinking only 6 months ago. I just noticed this post is 3 days old, please let me know how you're doing. And good job reaching out!

negative

afraid

Anxietyhelp

Anxiety

speaker

I'll definetly try the breathing exercises!, thank you so much for helping me

positive

agreeing

Anxietyhelp

Anxiety

listener_1

You're welcome! Also if you haven't found it already, I think /r/anxiety is more active than this sub

positive

acknowledging

Anxietyhelp

Dealing with anxiety last 8 months

speaker

Its been a very long 8 months, seen 4 different doctors and nothing seems to make it work. Ive been prescribed benzos and have tried working out but for some reason at the end of the night its just waiting for me. I feel very helpless

negative

devastated

Anxietyhelp

Dealing with anxiety last 8 months

listener_1

Hang in there bud. See if you can pick out what the voices are saying in your head about anxiety. Observe the ones that occur most often. See what you might have to change to make those go away. PM me if you want to chat.

negative

suggesting

Anxietyhelp

Is this anxiety that will pass or something else?

speaker

Hi all, I wanted to post this to get some opinions on what has been happening over the past 8 months. Let me start with all the background. I recently got a new job which involves living in different locations overseas for a few months at a time in each location. While this is a great opportunity personally and professionally for me, I believe it caused me a great deal of stress (I am very much someone who likes to be close to home and comfortable in my normal surroundings). While I was happy I got the opportunity, as it came closer to me leaving home and family and everything became more real (including me selling my house) I feel like an overwhelming amount of stress and nervousness caused for lack of a better term "mental breakdown". This breakdown last for about two weeks during which I could not do anything. I could not go out in public without feeling like I was going to pass out. It took all the energy I had to get out of bed even to shower. I woke every morning throwing up and shaking and I couldn't go anywhere without feeling like I had to escape to be alone in a dark room. I was physically sick and even went to the hospital. I was hoping something was physically wrong, as I knew that would be easier to deal with then mentally wrong. I also became extremely hyper aware of every thought most of which were basically "what ifs" like what if I just drive off the road or what if I just start yelling. I didn't actually want to do these things but the thoughts were a very scary experience that I couldn't seem to get rid of. I was feeling like I was going crazy and I would never be back to normal. All of this occurred about 8 months ago, I went eventually got somewhat better and went on medicine (zoloft) and I can function normally (or what everyone else would see as normal). The problem is I feel like I am in a constant daze. I am kind of just going through the motions and I don't seem to have many feelings or emotions. I don't feel connected to anything. Almost as if people that I see around me do not feel real. I don't seem to get happy (or overly sad) for that matter based on things that would normally have affected me in the past. Another example, is I will be talking and it is as if I can hear myself talking and think strange thoughts like why are these the words coming out of my mouth or what if I just started saying insane things. I am wondering if this is due to the medicine, but I am scared to stop taking it because I can't afford to have a two week breakdown again and am worried this may happen. Basically I would rather go on functioning in this haze than risk that happening again as I can't afford to be away from my job for that amount of time. My question is has this happened to anyone before? Did you eventually go back to your normal self? How can I get back to my normal self? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

positive

apprehensive

Anxietyhelp

Is this anxiety that will pass or something else?

listener_1

I took sertraline and had a very similar experience. I felt completely detached from everything and everyone around me even though I was able to function. I wen't back to "normal" when I got off the medication; that is back to being anxious. But I did that when I got into more of a stable and less stressful job/life situation. Then I began to tackle the anxiety directly.

negative

lonely

Anxietyhelp

Fear in the shower?

speaker

Hey there, I'm 21(f) with Aspergers, and I've always had this reluctance around showers. When I was a kid I think it was more of a sensory thing, water on my face made me freak out for a very long time, but now I think it's become more anxiety related? Like, its not so much the shower itself that bothers me, but the vulnerability of being in the shower? Every little noise I hear makes me panic, and since my house makes a lot of noise all the time, AND the bathroom window is poorly sealed so all the noise from outside seems like its right there with me, thats kind of a big issue. It takes a lot of energy for me to go take a shower and even then I put it off and put it off as much as possible, double check all the doors are locked etc, and even bringing knives into the bathroom, and I still don't feel safe. I've lurked here before but majority of **the solutions tend to involve music, does anyone have any advice on this that doesn't?** Whenever I listen to music, I worry that I'm missing out something vitally important, like someone is creeping around my house and I can't hear them I currently rent a house with a friend and he's away a lot for his family. The anxiety is usually barely existent when he's around but when he isn't, and I'm alone, I'm barely functional. It's not just a dependence on him either, this was all a lot easier when I lived with family for the sole fact that there were other people in the house (But there's enough issues there that moving back for that one reason is hardly ideal) Any advice is super appreciated, trying to encourage myself to have one tonight!

positive

apprehensive

Anxietyhelp

Fear in the shower?

listener_1

I would say keep questioning why you're afraid of the shower. Why are you afraid of someone in the house besides you? To get past fear, one must go into it. This is the best way that works for me. It usually boils down to fear of suffering and death. Once you get to that point, look at other people's perspectives on it. Learn about it and understand that these are some realities we all have to face. You deserve a shower. You deserve to feel and be clean. You deserve to be free from anxiety. Grab a shower or not. There is no certain way one should live a life. There are no rules telling you that you have to be clean or you have to be dirty. You have a choice. Make one and be okay with it. I'm sending you love and hope you that you are kind to yourself tonight :)

positive

apprehensive

Anxietyhelp

My mother is obsessed with me.

speaker

This is a long story,but i'll try to make it short. For a long time, me and my mom have been arguing a lot. I'm very close with her however theres times when we argue and it makes me really hate my mom at times. My mom and I live together and we don't have family that is close to us and she doesn't have a group of "friends" to socialize with. I don't have that many people to socialize with even though I try. Since i am her only child and she is a single mother she has always been by my side and dedicated so much of her time to me and still does. She makes me her number one priority. She puts me before her, if you understand what I mean. However, the "situation", is that ever since i was 12 I felt like my didn't give me any space and we spent so much time together since i was homeschooled. What I mean by her not giving me any distance is that she would wink at me and sometimes look at me a lot and make comments about how i was beautiful or cute almost everyday.Before that i felt uncomfortable from her due to my own reasons which i won't go in depth now. However for a long time now i notice that my mom is always STARING at me. I feel like she is peering into my soul or analyzing my body by the way she stares. That's why it makes me uncomfortable and very frustrated. For example, if she is watching tv and i am in the kitchen doing something instead she would be staring at me while she is eating or whatever. She will stare for long time. The point is if you are watching tv why are you staring at me especially if I'm in the kitchen and i get creeped out because when i turn around and see her mad dogging me. When i was at school she passed by my classroom, then when she came to pick me up in her car, she parked in front of the subway my classmates and i were at and when i came out i saw her deeply staring at me. Another reason why I feel uncomfortable is because usually men or boys stare at me or wink at me. I feel like she is sexually attracted even though its not true.She doesn't wink at me anymore since I told my doctor(who said that even she winks at her own kids) and perhaps she told my mom. I have tried numerous times that i don't feel comfortable with her staring she just tells me to shut up or stop thinking wrongly or doesn't even reply. Im crying and frustrated. Also i told my therapist about another paranoia experience and he told me to write it down, or tell myself to stop however i didn't mention the staring to him in detail. Another ex, today i walked out of the living room and turned back to turn on the heater and she started to stare again, and i said what and she grinned and said what i can't look. I just don't like her constantly turning her head staring. I'm crying, so frustrated. Why is she always doing this? i CANT focus in school or at home because this constantly is in my mind. Can someone PLEASE reply i really need advice.???!! thank you in advance What should i do? Am i paranoid? Can you relate? Im a teenager.

negative

lonely

Anxietyhelp

My mother is obsessed with me.

listener_1

My mom does this too, haha. If she's bored, she'll just stare at me and it can get really awkward or disturbing at times. I don't think it's odd, just annoying.

negative

annoyed

Anxietyhelp

I (28F) care too much about what people think, how do I stop?

speaker

I (28F) am an educated, fairly professionally successful woman. In fact, I work as a therapist. But you know what they say - those who can't do, teach. I know I worry way too much about what other people think - in particular about my relationship. My boyfriend (27M) is a wonderful, kind, giving and loving man. However, he is quite different from the rest of my family. My parents are both extremely educated, driven, successful and generally physically fit people. My older sister is a doctor and my youngest is a straight A student. Expectations are HIGH. Needless to say, most of us have anxiety disorders. My boyfriend is a bit different. He is very intelligent and so friendly and sweet. He has a college degree, but works in blue collar work (welding), which he is very good at. He is a bit overweight, on the short side (5'8). He has ADHD and this also makes it difficult for him to follow through on things like chores, job applications, etc. Just to give you a comparison, my ex of 5 years was 6'2, working on his PhD and super fit (he was, however, a self-absorbed ass). Sorry for the rant! To sum up, I love my boyfriend but I have these nagging insecurities and I worry about what other people think of him and our relationship. I know it's unfair to him and I feel selfish. If anyone can relate, please offer some guidance! TL;DR I have an awesome loving boyfriend but I worry about what people think of us

positive

jealous

Anxietyhelp

I (28F) care too much about what people think, how do I stop?

listener_1

By asking yourself the question "is this the man I want to spend the rest of my life with?", you will have a better sense of how to go about handling your relationship with him. Being honest with yourself is the only way to get what you want and be happy with life. Don't settle and don't let your family dictate your life. It is YOUR life after all.

positive

trusting

Anxietyhelp

Surge of anxiety at night - I can't sleep!

speaker

For the last few weeks when I get into bed I have had increasingly strong feelings of panic for no discernible reason. I know I have a panic disorder and I saw a therapist for over a year to help me learn to cope with the causes of my anxiety. And for the last 6 months I have managed just fine, even through stress; but lately I have been unable to sleep due to mild panic attacks and an inability to control my racing thoughts no matter how hard I try. Its led to many nights with 4 hours of sleep and is getting worse. Does any one have any suggestions?

negative

terrified

Anxietyhelp

Surge of anxiety at night - I can't sleep!

listener_1

I have anxiety at night and that causes me to get little to no sleep. My problem is falling asleep, I have racing thoughts and get these horrible sensation in my body that don't let me relax. I take melatonin and drink teas. Have you tried Holy basil or 5 http? Holy basil helps to relax.

negative

apprehensive

Anxietyhelp

How do you know the difference between a gut feeling and being paranoid?

speaker

I feel like I have pretty good intuition. Except when it comes to situations with myself. I give great advice. My friends always come to me and tell me I say the right thing every time. But of course I can't follow my own advice because I'm emotionally involved. I have severe anxiety about everything basically and I'm trying so hard to improve. It's like I'm comfortable in chaos. If I'm sad then nothing can get taken from me. All I can do is go up from there. If I'm happy then I'm constantly looking for reasons something could be wrong or I expect something bad to come up soon. So naturally I think I sabotage relationships before anything happens so I'm not getting surprised. So basically what I'm asking is, sorry if I'm being confusing my mind is all over the place, how do I know if something REALLY is wrong or if I'm making shit up in my head. I try to add things up if something is a little fishy. So I'm not sure if I should listen to myself and stop making excuses for people or what.

negative

trusting

Anxietyhelp

How do you know the difference between a gut feeling and being paranoid?

listener_1

I think you should follow your own instinct. With anxiety it does make you over think and prepare yourself for the worst but you know in your gut whether to trust it or not. Honestly though it's a fine balance! I've come to learn when I know I'm being irrational. It helps to work out where your thoughts are coming from. Good luck though - hope you make the right decision!

positive

trusting

Anxietyhelp

Best treatments: GAD, social + panic? How to find courage to get help while dealing with SA?

speaker

So I'm just researching doctors and therapists around me who accept my plan, although I'm not sure I'll go through with it because going to speak to someone actually gives me a lot of anxiety... but I'd just like some information so I'll know what to look for. What is the best treatment method for General Anxiety, social anxiety, and panic attacks? I'm having trouble understanding the differences between DBT, CBT, and ACT. [Side note: I once went to someone who practiced CBT but their approach was to jump in the water regardless if it gave me anxiety, and just do it - which didn't help for me and ended up making things worse and developing into social anxiety and daily panic attacks (they were just once a month or every few weeks before). I have no clue if that was actual CBT and since then I haven't had the courage to see another professional out of fear something like that will happen again. Someone enlighten me.] Also if anyone has had any trouble going to seek help while having social anxiety (it's not only going to talk to someone, or the possibility of getting a therapist like my last one, it's also that I have to get there using public transportation and that I could possibly encounter someone I know), suggestions, anything - I'll take what I can.

negative

apprehensive

Anxietyhelp

Best treatments: GAD, social + panic? How to find courage to get help while dealing with SA?

listener_1

Have you tried ordering a CBT book or using any online resources? I know that would help if you're not too keen on seeing someone in person. Otherwise, you're on the right path by continuing to find someone that could help.

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Anxietyhelp

One Reason I Am Grateful For Anxiety

speaker

Because it teaches me to slow down. It helps me to practice a healthy lifestyle versus talk about it. To exercise, meditate, and eat healthy versus knowing in my heart I should be doing these things. To find ways to express myself versus holding it all in. To learn to accept things as they come and let go of things that have already happened. It teaches me to have more compassion with my fellow human beings; that I may not know the path they are on in life, but I know a lot of people suffer in silence with mental health issues. Instead of guessing who those people are that suffer in silence, I respect and love everyone. It teaches me to slow down and be more conscious of the people I surround myself with. None of it is perfect, but as I look back, I find anxiety to be my greatest teacher. And that is one reason I am grateful for it.

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Anxietyhelp

One Reason I Am Grateful For Anxiety

listener_1

This is beautiful. Referring to anxiety as a teacher rather then an enemy is something I really needed to hear. Thank you.

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