Dealing with Anxiety

[House of Tea]

Thank you. Am taking it easy and doing as little as possible, but I'm really tired with it too, so that doesn't help, though I suspect part of the tiredness is anxiety as well. I'm hoping that I'll improve in the next week or so. I keep hoping that I'll wake up every morning and it will be better, but no joy so far

In the meantime I'll just think about what to do with Martin's stethescope

That’s the ticket!

 

[kimh90]

Doubled my tablets. Hope it works

 

[HaggisLass]

sorry to hear your going through this , I go through it from time to time myself but not often now.

What worked for me is joining a gym, feeling good , organising things and getting a diary.

I know it goes against anxiety, as I know thats what stops you doing things but pushing your boundaries to do things you normally wouldn't - because after you have done whatever it is, you feel amazing and proud of yourself and helps overcome some anxiety.

The best way is to speak to your GP to find the right medication that works for you, as there is hundreds out there and I found the right one which I have been on for nearly a year now, sort of trial and error but they will help and also provide support ! - not sure how GPs are with current covid but over the years I have just called up to say this isnt working or bad side effects and then I try a new one.

Walks and time off social media also help !

 

[Pariszai]

T

Haven’t read it but that book called The Power of Now is supposed to be good about living in the present.

Thank you I've ordered that and a few others. I do love reading so makes sense to spend my time reading something useful rather than trashy crime thrillers all the time!!

 

[Goose123]

Sorry to hear this. Can sympathize. At his age maybe something like a worry monster can help? It's a little teddy with a zip mouth. He writes down his worries before bed and the worry monster "eats" the worries while he is sleeping. It helped us with our boy at that age. Or a "worry spray"? We used water with lavender drops to spray away his worries before sleeping.
Sending you hugs. It's good that he is telling you too xx

They're great ideas I never would have thought of them. Thank you x

 

[or JusRollWithIt]

I’ve woken up and just experienced what I can only describe as a panic attack. I’ve experienced one before but last time when this happened I got diagnosed with low iron as I had a few of the symptoms that are similar for both low iron and anxiety/panic attacks (fast pulse, dizziness etc). I hate how it’s really hard to bring yourself out of them and now I’m trying to not get worried about my iron again and work myself up because it’s going to be a rigmarole with the doctor to sort it out. The thought of going back to sleep though and it happening again

Panic attacks are so hard, sorry you had one. The more you have them, you kind of have an understanding that they won’t last forever even though it feels like it in the moment. Doing the 5 senses exercise can help bring you back. Speaking with a doctor can help you address if it’s iron or anxiety and there are meds to help with both as well as coping mechanisms so you’re not afraid if/when it does happen. I know it’s a rigamarole with doctors but left unchecked in can become harder and affect you in other ways. For now, remind yourself you’re in a safe place and that you are ok. Deep calming breaths (you can try in for 4, hold for one, out for 8 counts, repeat).

 

[Suzesnooze]

I’m looking for advice for anyone with anxiety. I think I was on the edge of a panic attack or something today, I had to leave a room. This is the first time ever and I’m confused. My chest and throat were tight, my tongue felt too big, I felt like crying and it was hard to speak. Does anyone know what this is? I don’t want to call it a panic/anxiety attack cos I wasn’t sweating/thinking I was going to die or anything like that.

Were you anxious at the time?

How do you feel now?

 

[Boadicea1]

Does anybody else experience extreme social anxiety?

I don't seem to get anxiety about the real life things that should matter but become hyper focused and anxious on stuff that a part of me knows is to be really ridiculous. It can become so bad that I don't want to go out and be around people, drive anywhere, fill my car up by myself, go into a shop alone....It's like I become so worried I am going to do something embarrassing that I get panic attacks, sweaty hands, rapid heartbeat, etc. I get thoughts then 'What if I am doing something really awkward right now and people are laughing at me' Then more anxiety because I think people can see my anxiety and my body behaviours.

I tried CBT and I couldn't relate to the sessions as everybody was discussing real life valid situations like work, cost of living, their children...

It's like I know my thoughts are ridiculous, nobody actually really cares, and I know if I did something embarrassing people would forget, yet equally I can't fight off the worry and anxiety. It's honestly ruining my life and I can't be as independent as I want to be because of it and it's not fair.

 

[Confettiblur]

I always go back to the first few pages of the book Dare by Barry McDonagh. It really flipped a switch in my brain when I first read it last December. I still get anxiety on a regular basis, especially if I am tired of if I haven’t been eating well, but I deal with it way better than before. Highly recommend!

I’ve just read the preview of this book and will definitely buy it, thank you!

 

[lila11]

I had such a bad few hours of anxiety today, I came off Sertraline a few months ago and have been functioning relatively well off it but today I had to go to bed as it was the only place I felt safe. It was really scary, I think I need some counselling again.

in the mean time can anyone recommend any books or podcasts or anything on anxiety could help me to understand it better please? Thank you x

I always go back to the first few pages of the book Dare by Barry McDonagh. It really flipped a switch in my brain when I first read it last December. I still get anxiety on a regular basis, especially if I am tired of if I haven’t been eating well, but I deal with it way better than before. Highly recommend!

 

[alphaspagbol]

I’m looking for advice for anyone with anxiety. I think I was on the edge of a panic attack or something today, I had to leave a room. This is the first time ever and I’m confused. My chest and throat were tight, my tongue felt too big, I felt like crying and it was hard to speak. Does anyone know what this is? I don’t want to call it a panic/anxiety attack cos I wasn’t sweating/thinking I was going to die or anything like that.

I get this all the time. Sorry no advice to give. I kind of call them Adrenalin attacks though I know that’s not accurate. I feel like something is taking over. Can’t think straight etc. can’t calm down. Can’t stop shaking. Can’t breathe or talk properly. Legs feel like they’re going to give way.

 

[Palms]

Hi, I've been taking citalopram in varying doses since I was 15 (23 years ago) over the years they have tried me on various other things but I've always gone back to citalopram because it's the thing that works best for me.
It usually takes 6-8 weeks to get them into your system and the side affects wear off. What I will say though is please try and persevere with them. You will feel crap, but no worse than feeling depressed and anxious.
Try and be kind to yourself, go to bed early if you need to, rest plenty and you will soon look back on this period and realise you made it

Thankyou So much for your input. Really is very much appreciated. I will persevere even if I feel a bit rubbish to start off! Onwards and upwards!

 

[polarby]

Hi everyone, thought I would share on hear and asking for some advice! I’ve been suffering with anxiety for about 6 years on and off and never received any professional help outside of some talking therapy with school councillors etc. recently been feeling like my anxiety has been worse, been very tearful and panicky. Firstly Im not sure whether this is enough to justify going to The gp, I’ve had bad and dismissive experiences before so not sure it’s enough to be taken seriously. And then also how do I talk to my mum about this? I’m 17 and still living at home but not sure how to talk about it without being embarrassed or anything. No idea where to start

 

[Ethel's little Willy]

I have suffered with anxiety and depression for years and have various therapy and meds to try and help.
1 thing that does sort of help is mindfulness, whether it's listening to guided meditation, the shipping forecast or a piece on BBC sounds/spotify.
I've gotten into a routine of listening to the BBC sounds now when I am feeling overly anxious and have found the classical mindfulness sessions on BBC sounds extremely relaxing and very helpful.

Do you have easy (ish) access to your Dr or to a mental health professional at all?
Maybe try talking to one of those if it's really bad, or look at MIND
I really hope you can get some peace xxx

 

[kimh90]

Jumping on here.. Been struggling to catch my breath/ take a deep breath for months. All my observations/ chest xray have come back clear.. got told to go doctors again. They've given me 10mg of propranolol twice a day. ..hoping it helps me and stops my chest hurting and my breathing back to normal. . Anyone gone through this and has tablets helped? I was willing to do anything to stop it.

 

[aidil]

Hi everyone! I am very happy to have found this thread. I have been dealing with terrible anxiety for the past year, and it feels very lonely. When it’s really bad, I just want to stay home and do nothing.

For the past couple days, I have felt very dizzy and weak, which is a new symptom for me, does anyone have any good tips to help with that?

This is exactly like I get when I’m struggling. I used to get dizzy and faint all the time when I was at my worst. It’s definitely improved since I’ve gone on medication! My doctor put through betablockers as well as an SSRI and they help with the physical effects very well!

 

[House of Tea]

Sometimes I wake up and have no truck with anxiety, I saw to myself, not today, I am having the day off. Sometimes works.

 

[House of Tea]

I like how it's found in tea and your username is house of tea lol!

onto the serious stuff, where do you buy it in the UK?

Amazon - has loads. I buy 200mg, but you can buy stronger.

 

[TheStrawberryThief]

I have ordered some to get before I go. The reviews seem to be very good.

I am slo going to take my hot water bottle in my case, a mini first aid kit and some mint tea bags.

 

[boomska]

My anxiety/depression is at an all time high at the moment. I do find the Xmas and new year period stressful anyway but this year it’s something different. So i’m thinking about going back onto Steraline. I got into the habit of not taking it so literally went cold turkey (I know I know) and I felt better but no, I don’t. I have a terrible weight on my chest, worried about anything or everything!even have anxiety about requesting the prescription again, because I don’t want the doctor to be mad at me!

I speak to a therapist so I think if I didn’t have her, I wouldn’t be able to cope.

I just feel so shit and overwhelmed with life and that I’m wasting it!