Anxiety help

[Mountrushmoor]

Hi! Another anxiety sufferer over here. I’ve had anxiety since I was 6 years old, diagnosed as general anxiety disorder, health anxiety and panic disorder. I have been on and off medication since the age of 21 (I’m 32 now). Citalopram for me is life changing and allows me to function like a ‘normal’ human being. I’ve also tried sertraline but in my experience in coming off these medications, sertraline was horrendous and I would not wish that experience on anyone. Citalopram was much easier to wean off. I’ve also been in therapy 3 times, my longest stint being six months of CBT. Learning about anxiety and why I think like this was a life defining moment so I do a lot of reading, self help books etc. It helps me to understand from an evolutionary process why my mind is stuck on worry mode! CBT helped me identify the anxiety and know when it’s worsening as well as managing those intrusive thoughts. We need to get rid of the stigma attached to medication, there is no stigma attached to any other medication that people need for any other body part to function the way it should so why is there for the brain? Other things I find help are: self care, so important. I now work for a mental health charity and one of the things they teach us before caring for others is caring for ourselves first. Take time to look after you and find some quiet time in each day (if you can!). As I’ve said, self help books are great. There are lots on Amazon. Mind over medicine is a great book which was recommended to me by my last therapist - eye opening!! Exercise (admittedly I don’t do enough myself) but endorphins are the real deal lol. Even just going for a walk - that’s all we can do now right! It’s cheesy but I also do journalling and practise gratefulness and I write poems as a form of creative expression. I still have anxiety and at present I am on medication but I have accepted this is me and this is what it takes for me to be happy and healthy. Hope that helps and take care x

 

[Bananabadger]

You’re right, they do! With me, it’s like I ruminate on (a) bad things which have happened in the past and (b) bad things which MIGHT happen, both so vividly it’s like I put myself through them. Not helpful. How are you doing at the moment?

 

[Bananabadger]

Sorry, I put that badly! I didn't intend to start a new thread, just looking to give & receive a bit of support over Christmas on a quiet thread.

 

[Youre a wizard Harry]

Hello from a fellow anxiety sufferer
I have been on antidepressants for anxiety since May 2019 and they have made a huge difference. The first few weeks were hard (increased anxiety along with some initial side effects!), so it does take a while to start working but it is worth it.
Having said that, there are different types of antidepressants available and you may have to try a couple before you find one that works for you. I did have a relapse at the end of last year and had my dosage upped.
I have previously taken beta blockers for anxiety but these didn’t help.
Best of luck- as I said, it may take a little while to feel the effect but for me it has been a life changer I am happy to answer any questions you might have.

 

[lozzapaloozza]

Hi there. Fellow anxiety and OCD sufferer here I originally went to my GP who prescribed me beta blockers then Sertraline but I found that I was fine only when there where no triggers. My triggers are seperation from my partner, leaving the house alone to do simple tasks i.e going to the shop, meeting up with friends and also getting new jobs and learning to drive are the main ones for me so I avoid them like the plague but imo medication only works when the triggers aren’t there so as soon as something set me off it was as if I wasn’t on anything. What helped me was counselling to deeper understand the thought processes, reading The Speakmans book! Also writing a diary whenever I felt anxious, implementing “worry time” in the day, distractions like what can you see/smell/hear and other small coping mechanisms. I am so much better now from all these tiny things over a long period of time! Also coming off birth control helped alot too, focusing on a more balanced diet and exercising too.

 

[Cupcakeapple]

Hi! Another anxiety sufferer over here. I’ve had anxiety since I was 6 years old, diagnosed as general anxiety disorder, health anxiety and panic disorder. I have been on and off medication since the age of 21 (I’m 32 now). Citalopram for me is life changing and allows me to function like a ‘normal’ human being. I’ve also tried sertraline but in my experience in coming off these medications, sertraline was horrendous and I would not wish that experience on anyone. Citalopram was much easier to wean off. I’ve also been in therapy 3 times, my longest stint being six months of CBT. Learning about anxiety and why I think like this was a life defining moment so I do a lot of reading, self help books etc. It helps me to understand from an evolutionary process why my mind is stuck on worry mode! CBT helped me identify the anxiety and know when it’s worsening as well as managing those intrusive thoughts. We need to get rid of the stigma attached to medication, there is no stigma attached to any other medication that people need for any other body part to function the way it should so why is there for the brain? Other things I find help are: self care, so important. I now work for a mental health charity and one of the things they teach us before caring for others is caring for ourselves first. Take time to look after you and find some quiet time in each day (if you can!). As I’ve said, self help books are great. There are lots on Amazon. Mind over medicine is a great book which was recommended to me by my last therapist - eye opening!! Exercise (admittedly I don’t do enough myself) but endorphins are the real deal lol. Even just going for a walk - that’s all we can do now right! It’s cheesy but I also do journalling and practise gratefulness and I write poems as a form of creative expression. I still have anxiety and at present I am on medication but I have accepted this is me and this is what it takes for me to be happy and healthy. Hope that helps and take care x

Thank you so much for all of those helpful tips

I suffer mainly with social anxiety as well as general anxiety. Does anyone else here suffer with social anxiety

 

[Prince fan 1999]

Hi everyone I hope you're all doing well as we're going into the festive season.

I get quite physical bad stomach/IBS symptoms with my anxiety, can anyone recommend tips to calm it down? Herbal teas, hot water bottle, things like that.

Thanks!

I get the dodgy tummy too. Anxiety really bad at the moment as daughter is getting bullied at school and the mum is unbelievable Also triggering for me as I was bullied at the same age

 

[JoanieDee]

Hello! I have suffered with anxiety, ocd and depression starting in my teens (I’m 31 now) and after doing various forms of therapy throughout my 20s and still feeling terrible, I went on 20mg of Citalopram and they were life changing! I definitely had that ‘feeling worse before feeling better’ period for a week or so which is fairly common and some side effects like brain zaps and waking up at random hours of the night but it’s definitely worth sticking it out. I was on 20mg for about a year and a half and very slowly weened myself off with the help of a dr over about 6 months. Still feeling great now I’m off the medication but would 100% go back on if I needed to and would recommend!

 

[legsbumsandtums]

I avoided medication for years. Gave in to meds after my dad died & it was the best thing I did. I take sertraline, took me 3 attempts to stick with them, I felt AWFUL for the first couple of months & the insomnia was something else but I'm so glad I stuck with it!

 

[Lalisa_mb]

I’m going to be getting psychotherapy soon and I’m so excited, I really want to heal and be better. I deserve to be happy, feel safe at all times

 

[Youre a wizard Harry]

thank you so much! I’m nervous about going to the doctor about it. I feel like I’m going to have to kind of plead my case to get them but I don’t know I just feel nervous about it

I felt the same, I was so nervous.
I think as you’ve had CBT and tried other coping mechanisms they may be more likely to agree to try you on medication (that’s what my GP surgery seem to do anyway- refer to talking treatment first and then offer medication if no improvement).
The doctor I saw actually asked me what I wanted to try which gave me the opportunity to ask for medication.
I have also found some GPs are great when it comes to mental health and others not so much. I will always ask for a particular doctor at my surgery if I have to go because of mental health.

 

[Crazycatlady18]

Hi all, hope I’m ok to join in. Recently been prescribed sertraline for anxiety and pnd. I’ve been having loads of problems feeding the baby and she isn’t gaining weight very well. I worry sick that I’m a bad mum and failing her as we gave up breast feeding due to the issues. I also have such a horrible anxiety about her breathing and atopppng breathing in her sleep I lie awake for so long and I’m exhausted. In the evenings im looking at the tv but not watching it, im in a constant fog. I’ve always been a “natural born worrier” but never seeked help for it. Previously I’ve been obsessed with my heart, people don’t like me etc
Now I’m a mum I am actually reaching out for help but when we have bad days with the baby it just sets me back so much and I can’t control my emotions. I just want to feel better so I can be a good mum.

 

[aouc23]

Hi does anyone get anxiety after drinking on a weekend ? I drank with my partner yesterday (Sunday) in a pub and we got a bit carried away, we had a great time but I’ve woken up this morning working from home today absolutely hating myself and riddled with anxiety/hungover. My hearts been beating fast and feels like it’s been pounding all day. I think because I’m in a new job role and I ended up getting carried away it’s made me feel bad but I beat myself up so much over everything wrong I do Now today I’ve ended up binge eating, having a bad day working and will have stomach pain through to tomorrow now. It also makes me not want to ever go in that local pub ever again even though I know I didn’t do anything wrong.
Does anyone else get this?

 

[Lifeisarollercoaster]

New to this thread but thought is was a perfect moment to jump on seeing as my anxiety prompts insomnia hence me being on at this time. Everytime I drift off to sleep I wake up all panicky with a racing heart, gave up lying in bed tonight as I'm up and down that much I don't want to wake my son . I've noticed my anxiety is much worse when I'm run down but it's got to point now I'm seriously considering a doctors visit, so I was just wondering does medication help?

 

[ChampagneBox]

Good idea! I’m working all week from home and my boyfriend who’s away 90% of the year is back for Christmas and the change in routine is making me feel so physically ill and unsettled Does change make anyone else feel sick?

 

[JoanieDee]

Ok thank you!do you mind me asking in what way did you find that they helped ?

Of course I don’t mind.
I did a lot cbt therapy before going on the citalopram, so I knew what I needed to do to make myself feel better, but with my anxiety and low moods I felt physically like I just couldn’t do it.
The citalopram generally just reduced the low moods and anxiety, so much so that it felt like a huge weight had been lifted and everything felt so much easier. I could just think more logically and clearly.

 

[Cupcakeapple]

Of course I don’t mind.
I did a lot cbt therapy before going on the citalopram, so I knew what I needed to do to make myself feel better, but with my anxiety and low moods I felt physically like I just couldn’t do it.
The citalopram generally just reduced the low moods and anxiety, so much so that it felt like a huge weight had been lifted and everything felt so much easier. I could just think more logically and clearly.

Ok thank you I feel like I need that.Everything is such a big deal in my head and becomes a big stress even little things such as meeting up with friends or stuff like that I get into a big stress about

 

[Cupcakeapple]

I have suffered with bad anxiety since I was a child, but have always been apprehensive about medication. I have taken CB therapy before and learned some coping mechanisms that I found helpful. But since the last lockdown has started it’s gotten really bad. I wake up anxious straight away in the morning and it lasts all day. I’m considering going to the doctors and asking for medication but just want to know what people’s experiences have been on them?

 

[lozzapaloozza]

No it was so so helpful thank you so much omg yes over thinking absolutely EVERYTHING I can’t believe you are so confident in work that is so admirable Especially in such a people oriented job. But I am the exact same I stress going to a shop or post office or anywhere really in case I bump into someone I know and have to make awkward small talk which I am TERRIBLE at all I am thinking about it ways I can end the situation.

My life would honestly be so much better if I didn’t have social anxiety it is the one thing I would change about myself. It is honestly such a daily struggle and a constant battle

It’s mad isn’t it, it doesn’t make sense but that must mean something I guess I am the exact same I will literally do a 180 sometimes if I see someone I know especially if I don’t really like them! The only way I have got better is to do the things that make me anxious. For example for nearly two years now I’ve been going to a lash tech to get my lashes done so thats once every 2/3 weeks so I have got used to going now and it doesn’t make me anxious anymore as it’s more of a routine. I also try and push myself to go to the nearest shop by myself, just get a couple of things, not too much otherwise it can be overwhelming and come back. Or I get my boyfriend to come with me but he stays outside and I go in. Just try different little ways of beating it.

 

[Saddlesoap]

I definitely get shortness of breath and a nervous cough. Not the best thing to suffer at the moment!

Don't suffer specifically with loose bowels, I fluctuate between that and constipation