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Anxiety

spacemagic

Posts: 520

Mar 20, 2013 1:38 PM GMT

For over 10 years I've struggled with depression and anxiety, but through a combination of a healthier lifestyle, maturity, and medication, I have mostly overcome the depression. Anxiety is still an issue I'm working through, though. I'm starting to understand how anxiety affects my state of mind; it is a constant presence coloring my thoughts and feelings, sometimes more pervasively than others. I almost always have tension about something, whether it's work, relationships, self-doubt, money, etc.

How do you manage your anxiety? What helps you when you feel worried or tense?

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Mar 20, 2013 2:01 PM GMT

I also have a lot of anxiety. I try and manage it through meds and cognitive therapy. I'm getting better at it. It's a bitch to deal with but I think you just have to push yourself and gradually expose yourself to things that make you anxious. Easier said than done, I know!

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Mar 20, 2013 2:13 PM GMT

Great question, and congrats on getting depression under control. I have used a number of techniques over the years to deal with anxiety. You might consider seeing a cognitive behavioural psychologist to come up with tools that are specifically designed to help you at this time in your life.

One approach, whenever your emotions start to run wild with anxiety, is to mentally stop, breath, ask yourself what your task is at the moment, and then focus on that. Keep reminding yourself that worry and doubt just hold you back from your goals large and small. All you can control is yourself at a brief moment in time, so focus on making the most of that moment -- even if its just for mundane tasks, every moment is precious.

GABA is a supplement that works for anxiety attacks. Take no more than 500mg at a time for starters to see how you react. Some brands work better than others. NOW brand seems pretty good. Only take GABA if your anxiety has pushed to physical symptoms like racing or thumping heart, awkward breathing, insomnia, and so forth. Anxiety attacks result when the body's natural supply of GABA is depleted. GABA is a regulator that keeps severe anxiety in check and becomes depleted in some individuals. Side effects: a momentary dizziness right after taking it (this goes away in seconds) and fatigue (which happens if you have too much GABA in your system).

Medjai

Posts: 2671

Mar 20, 2013 2:13 PM GMT

I used to be immensely shy and reclusive. What worked for me is a really old adage: 'fake it until you make it'. It won't work for everyone, but it did wonders for me...

spacemagic

Posts: 520

Mar 20, 2013 3:19 PM GMT

Strangely enough, something that has helped me with my anxiety is a tattoo. It's a lion with the phrase "Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat" which means Fortune Favors the Brave. When I start feeling anxious and notice the beginning of my "spiral" I think to myself that I am strong, capable and confident. Reminding myself that I'm cultivating these qualities helps me deescalate.

MikeW

Posts: 6066

Mar 20, 2013 3:28 PM GMT

spacemagic saidStrangely enough, something that has helped me with my anxiety is a tattoo. It's a lion with the phrase "Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat" which means Fortune Favors the Brave. When I start feeling anxious and notice the beginning of my "spiral" I think to myself that I am strong, capable and confident. Reminding myself that I'm cultivating these qualities helps me deescalate.

Actually, that is a very good idea. I wouldn't have thought of it. It is "magical thinking" so to say, but the human mind is very suggestible to symbols. You might want to consider surrounding yourself, even wearing, other power symbols or totems that mean something to you.

At a particularly rough time in my life I was given an amulet that has "power" connotations associated with it (in my mind) and it has really helped. I never take it off. ETA: you can kind of see it in my profile pic, actually.

MikeW

Posts: 6066

Mar 20, 2013 3:32 PM GMT

For many many years, even when I was a small child, I was severely depressed. Not so much anxiety but depression was very bad. It took me many years of therapy as an adult (none available to me as a kid) to work through it. I don't take meds (other than pot on occasion) but I'm seldom depressed any more. Once in a while but it is rare.

I'm seldom anxious but when I am I just ride with it and DO something. For me, going for long walks with the dog helps.

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Mar 20, 2013 3:39 PM GMT

My Anxiety can get pretty crazy to the point where i'll have panic attacks. I blame it on my job (very high stress) and also what has happened at home with my fam the last few years. Since my family situation has gone back to normal my anxiety isnt nearly as bad or frequent. However, work still gets me sometimes. I've never taken any medication, frankly because it makes me nervous haha ironic? I just don't want to become dependent on something.

What's best for me is I go to a local park and walk out into the middle of the field, and just lay there. Luckily the parks near me are set pretty far back so you escape the sounds of cars, people and anything else. Laying on the grass and just listening to the sound of the wind is the most calming thing for me. I'll also sometimes pour my anxiety into a book. It distracts me and I feel better after.

MarvelBoy23

Posts: 284

Mar 20, 2013 7:40 PM GMT

For me, I smoke weed. It may not be a popular choice for many, but I refuse to take man made medications (as I've easily gotten addicted before and had issues getting off percocet and vicodin when I was about 18/19). I only consume natural/herbal remedies.

Also, in terms of preventative... I know for me as soon as I stopped drinking caffeine and booze and eating chocolate my anxiety levels dropped incredibly! I still get anxiety a few times a month, but in terms of crippling anxiety, it's a thing of the past for me! Plus one little hit and I'm pretty good to go.

Tho I do not suffer from depression, so i'm not sure how well weed would work for you! Hope you can find something for you that works!

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Mar 20, 2013 7:40 PM GMT

CBT and beta blockers are a god send. I suffer from mild anxiety myself and it can flare up pretty badly sometimes which is when the meds come into play.

I have a problem with being hyper aware which in turn can make me feel really anxious given the right situation.

In the long term CBT is the most effective form of treatment IMO.

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Mar 20, 2013 10:07 PM GMT

Cardio is great for anxiety.

And then there's Xanax.

Zinc

Posts: 197

Mar 20, 2013 10:09 PM GMT

Try learning about mindfulness and meditation. After just one course in that, I feel a lot more in control of my stress.

One thing you can do to start are the exercises in this video:

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Mar 20, 2013 10:23 PM GMT

I agree with the mindfulness method.

Listen to this audio book (free) by John Kabat Zinn. People have been cured of their anxiety and stress issues by using his techniques, but you have to go at it with the determination of an athlete: practice his methods for 45 minutes every day for 2 months.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=IiSQO6gS9e0&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DIiSQO6gS9e0

If the link doesn't work do a YouTube search for Jon Kabat Zinn full catastrophe living.

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Mar 20, 2013 10:27 PM GMT

Medjai saidI used to be immensely shy and reclusive. What worked for me is a really old adage: 'fake it until you make it'. It won't work for everyone, but it did wonders for me...

We walk into, through, above, and beyond, our biggest challenges...because WE CAN.

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Mar 20, 2013 10:29 PM GMT

GAMRican saidCardio is great for anxiety.

And then there's Xanax.

Yep... LOL. In that order. Zanax is like a miracle thing for me. If I'm staring at the ceiling, worrying about this or that. .5mg of Zanax lets me reset, get well rested and deal with whatever it is in a better way. Doctor told me I needed it, and, he was right. It lets me get on track without being exhausted.

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Mar 20, 2013 10:31 PM GMT

whateveryo saidCBT and beta blockers are a god send. I suffer from mild anxiety myself and it can flare up pretty badly sometimes which is when the meds come into play.

I have a problem with being hyper aware which in turn can make me feel really anxious given the right situation.

In the long term CBT is the most effective form of treatment IMO.

Beta blockers, unless they're B1 specific, SLOW everything about you. That's not good if you don't wanna be a fat slob, or need exercise performance.

Most doctors would recommend a SSRI, or a SNRI, or either and and a dopamine agonist.

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Mar 21, 2013 1:55 AM GMT

Nivek saidGreat question, and congrats on getting depression under control. I have used a number of techniques over the years to deal with anxiety. You might consider seeing a cognitive behavioural psychologist to come up with tools that are specifically designed to help you at this time in your life.

One approach, whenever your emotions start to run wild with anxiety, is to mentally stop, breath, ask yourself what your task is at the moment, and then focus on that. Keep reminding yourself that worry and doubt just hold you back from your goals large and small. All you can control is yourself at a brief moment in time, so focus on making the most of that moment -- even if its just for mundane tasks, every moment is precious.

GABA is a supplement that works for anxiety attacks. Take no more than 500mg at a time for starters to see how you react. Some brands work better than others. NOW brand seems pretty good. Only take GABA if your anxiety has pushed to physical symptoms like racing or thumping heart, awkward breathing, insomnia, and so forth. Anxiety attacks result when the body's natural supply of GABA is depleted. GABA is a regulator that keeps severe anxiety in check and becomes depleted in some individuals. Side effects: a momentary dizziness right after taking it (this goes away in seconds) and fatigue (which happens if you have too much GABA in your system).

Thanks man! I appreciate this.

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Mar 21, 2013 1:56 AM GMT

GAMRican saidCardio is great for anxiety.

And then there's Xanax.

LOVE. THIS. lol.

Both are true.

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Mar 21, 2013 1:58 AM GMT

I have severe anxiety about certain things in my life... Glad to know I'm not the only one who feels that way with things.

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Mar 21, 2013 2:07 AM GMT

The endorphins released from sexual activity wash away any trace of depression or anxiety. I love self-medicating, LOL.

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Mar 21, 2013 2:18 AM GMT

well, i tried to control it but it took full control over me though to the point where i need medication. OCD is no joke.

pretty much tried everything. one thing that i thought would work was marijuana. started to experience panic attacks because of it so now i'm learning to manage being drug free and all.

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Mar 21, 2013 2:36 AM GMT

For me: I realized the basis for all of my anxiety was simply self-centered fear. I wasn't getting what I wanted or was afraid I wasn't going to get what I wanted. It took a long time for me to see that, and sometimes it still does. Where there is fear-- there is always an opposing force. We just have to find the opposition that works. I found mine. I hope you find yours.

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Mar 21, 2013 4:00 AM GMT

spacemagic said... How do you manage your anxiety? ...

Artistic expression (music creation, photography, etc) and adrenaline hobbies.

Not that it works or anything. I'm always anxious to get into more and more adrenaline hobbies.

Markebri

Posts: 110

Mar 21, 2013 4:19 AM GMT

I too suffer from the same thing OP, and have come to realize that a cocktail of Klonopin and Paxil keeping those feelings at bay. I only take the Klonopin if I feel a panic attack ensuing in anticipation of what would be an highly stressful event for me , and the medication usually nips it the bud.

I've tried many alternatives before in the past such as working out more often to boost my serotonin level, and cognitive restructuring via cognitive therapy, but those weren't truly effective on addressing the problem. Ultimately, I find that taking antidepressant and anti anxiety medications has helped me immensely, and honestly wish that I had resorted to such treatments beforehand.

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Mar 23, 2013 8:48 PM GMT

Markebri saidI too suffer from the same thing OP, and have come to realize that a cocktail of Klonopin and Paxil keeping those feelings at bay.....Ultimately, I find that taking antidepressant and anti anxiety medications has helped me immensely, and honestly wish that I had resorted to such treatments beforehand.

I totally agree with this. An SSRI (50-100mg Zoloft) with an "as needed" benzo for breakthrough anxiety (.25mg Klonopin) have helped me tremendously and have really improved my quality of life.

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Anxiety