What to do about anxiety

[RoxMonster]

PDQ

Deleted

Thank you all for the advice and sharing your own experiences.

[waverly]

Mine is mostly hormonal so I always look to see where I am in my cycle first. Then yes if it is not hormonal related I would get in with a therapist. Some of it can be related to a situation and taking steps to address the situation helps my anxiety, but these may not be the case for everyone.

[verycontrary247]

I started seeing a therapist again last year. Used to be weekly, now it's every other week.

When I was a teenager and things were really bad I also saw a psych and was medicated.

My therapist and I have an ongoing discussion about meds. I already take medicine for my ADD, and am trying to avoid the side effect game, so I'm holding off on adding anxiety meds back.

[Deleted]

Medication and/or therapy.

Medication helps, but mine also has very particular PTSD-related triggers so I am in therapy to deal with those.

[greysgirl]

Jun 13, 2019 10:12:17 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Honestly? Medication. Lexapro has done wonders for me, it’s almost 20yrs and Xanax as needed.
ETA: you don’t have to live that way. I’ve been there and it was awful. I remember when I finally felt like *me* again.

Ditto this exactly. I am on Lexapro and Xanax as need as well.

[savan]

I am dealing with that exact problem. It started almost a year ago. For me it starts off physiologically. I have physical anxiety symptoms, feel jittery, heart racing, etc., then the thoughts come in and I find myself obsessing over how I feel physically. That then exacerbates the physical symptoms and I get stuck in a loop.

I first tried Lexapro but had an awful experience and haven't tried another daily med. I am in weekly therapy and see a psychiatrist. For now I'm using Xanax as needed. I've found if I can stop the physical symptoms then my brain doesn't get going.

[laterz]

I could’ve written your post. Lexapro for me. My only regret is not having done it sooner.

[claudiakishi]

Jun 13, 2019 10:12:17 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Honestly? Medication. Lexapro has done wonders for me, it’s almost 20yrs and Xanax as needed.
ETA: you don’t have to live that way. I’ve been there and it was awful. I remember when I finally felt like *me* again.

Me too. I have depression and anxiety. I eat right, exercise, practice self care type stuff, and nothing has helped like medication. I waited for YEARS trying to get by on my own (including therapy) without meds, but a few months ago I was in a bad place and decided to try meds. I am on Prozac and it has made a big difference for me. I think if I found the right therapist it could be helpful as well, but I keep striking out in that area.

[cbwm1]

Drugs.

I’m on Celexa daily and have Klonopin for when it gets really bad. I prefer Klonopin over Xanax, because it doesn’t make me feel drugged.

I also have found that adult coloring books with intricate patterns can help reduce anxiety - my brain has to focus pretty hard on what I’m doing and it tends to calm the anxiety.

Also, binaural beats videos for anxiety on YouTube.

[wambam]

Medication, therapy, meditation, and a checklist of things I need to do every day to keep myself mentally healthy.

[Deleted]

Jun 13, 2019 10:42:53 GMT -5 wambam said:

Medication, therapy, meditation, and a checklist of things I need to do every day to keep myself mentally healthy.

This is partly where I think therapy is particularly healthy. To be clear, I'm not anti-medication - I'm on it, after all! For me, medication has reduced the frequency and intensity of my intrusive thoughts. But I also need therapy to learn strategies for dealing with them (because medication doesn't eliminate them). I've also learned a lot about what proactive steps help, but those are going to be different for everyone.

[shauni27]

please call and make an appointment with your PCP. They will likely put you on some meds and help you navigate this. You do not need to live like this. Being on medications has changed my life.

[brandy0331]

I also recommend talking with your PCP first. They can help rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to your anxiety. I say this because the first sign my thyroid was out of wack was unexplained anxiety/racing thoughts/trouble sleeping.

[RoxMonster]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with this.

[Que?]

Exercise in combination with yoga, meditation and mindful eating. Also, I do what wambam suggested re: a checklist for daily wellness, including nagging tasks that contribute to my insomnia. Just taking 20 min to knock off phone calls, emails, sort papers etc can be grounding and reduce nagging anxiety you’re unaware of.

I self medicate (THC/CBD), get regular acupuncture and massage. I was raised by a therapist, and was given coping mechanisms throughout my life, so while I don’t partake in regular therapy I’m a huge advocate. Medication doesn’t work for me because of side effects and because I also found what worked outside of that holistically; I know many people who have had their balance restored with the right medication.
Good luck.

[RoxMonster]

Deleted

[wambam]

Jun 13, 2019 12:19:11 GMT -5 Que? said:

Also, I do what wambam suggested re: a checklist for daily wellness, including nagging tasks that contribute to my insomnia. Just taking 20 min to knock off phone calls, emails, sort papers etc can be grounding and reduce nagging anxiety you’re unaware of.

This kind of checklist is also really helpful, especially if you ruminate about all the things you have to get done! The checklist I fill out every day includes things like: meditation, exercise, eating well, drinking enough water, identifying and expressing my feelings, accepting my body (not weighing or measuring), writing a couple bullets about how I felt that day, and a couple other things I’m not remembering off the top of my head. It sounds really cheesy, but I swear it’s been doing a lot for me lately.

[circa1978]

When I finally got diagnosed with anxiety, someone told me it's like a bucket. Small things can set it off because your stress bucket, so to speak, is already filled up by things like kids, work, spouse, bills, whatever.

Anyway, I don't do caffeine anymore and I cut WAY back on drinking. Exercise helps but I will never go without Zoloft and Xanex again. Sometimes, I just need to take a Xanex and lay down and watch a movie or whatever so my brain can reset and you know what, that's FINE.

[Que?]

Jun 13, 2019 12:32:51 GMT -5 wambam said:

Jun 13, 2019 12:19:11 GMT -5 Que? said:

Also, I do what wambam suggested re: a checklist for daily wellness, including nagging tasks that contribute to my insomnia. Just taking 20 min to knock off phone calls, emails, sort papers etc can be grounding and reduce nagging anxiety you’re unaware of.

This kind of checklist is also really helpful, especially if you ruminate about all the things you have to get done! The checklist I fill out every day includes things like: meditation, exercise, eating well, drinking enough water, identifying and expressing my feelings, accepting my body (not weighing or measuring), writing a couple bullets about how I felt that day, and a couple other things I’m not remembering off the top of my head. It sounds really cheesy, but I swear it’s been doing a lot for me lately.

My list is similar. I recently started to focus on improving my relationships, as I can be pretty self absorbed. My daily list includes the task of reaching out to one person, be it a text, phone call, affirming word or touch for my H (simple things that most good people do that I forget 😬)

[wambam]

Jun 13, 2019 12:39:39 GMT -5 Que? said:

Jun 13, 2019 12:32:51 GMT -5 wambam said:

This kind of checklist is also really helpful, especially if you ruminate about all the things you have to get done! The checklist I fill out every day includes things like: meditation, exercise, eating well, drinking enough water, identifying and expressing my feelings, accepting my body (not weighing or measuring), writing a couple bullets about how I felt that day, and a couple other things I’m not remembering off the top of my head. It sounds really cheesy, but I swear it’s been doing a lot for me lately.

My list is similar. I recently started to focus on improving my relationships, as I can be pretty self absorbed. My daily list includes the task of reaching out to one person, be it a text, phone call, affirming word or touch for my H (simple things that most good people do that I forget 😬)

That's a good one! My relationship one is about clearly expressing myself. I tend to get testy and retreat when I feel negative emotions rather than expressing them and saying what I need. 

[af1212]

Jun 13, 2019 10:22:04 GMT -5 greysgirl said:

Jun 13, 2019 10:12:17 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Honestly? Medication. Lexapro has done wonders for me, it’s almost 20yrs and Xanax as needed.
ETA: you don’t have to live that way. I’ve been there and it was awful. I remember when I finally felt like *me* again.

Ditto this exactly. I am on Lexapro and Xanax as need as well.

Can you talk to me about adding the Xanax? When and how you decide to use it?

I have been on various meds for the last 6 years and while they make a huge difference, there are times when it feels like I need a little extra. Almost like if I could have a beer to chill out it would help me.

Examples include when I’m around my mother in law, when my husband is traveling and I have too much on my plate, etc.

Would adding another Mrs help me?

[wambam]

Jun 13, 2019 12:42:58 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Jun 13, 2019 10:22:04 GMT -5 greysgirl said:

Ditto this exactly. I am on Lexapro and Xanax as need as well.

Can you talk to me about adding the Xanax? When and how you decide to use it?

I have been on various meds for the last 6 years and while they make a huge difference, there are times when it feels like I need a little extra. Almost like if I could have a beer to chill out it would help me.

Examples include when I’m around my mother in law, when my husband is traveling and I have too much on my plate, etc.

Would adding another Mrs help me?

I’m not greysgirl and I am not on Xanax, but Ativan has really helped me over the past year. When I first started therapy for my phobia, I wasn’t getting anywhere because I was too anxious to do the work. Taking the Ativan helped me get to a place where I could help myself. I took it most days at the beginning, but now I’m down to 1-2 per week.

[greysgirl]

Jun 13, 2019 12:42:58 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Jun 13, 2019 10:22:04 GMT -5 greysgirl said:

Ditto this exactly. I am on Lexapro and Xanax as need as well.

Can you talk to me about adding the Xanax? When and how you decide to use it?

I have been on various meds for the last 6 years and while they make a huge difference, there are times when it feels like I need a little extra. Almost like if I could have a beer to chill out it would help me.

Examples include when I’m around my mother in law, when my husband is traveling and I have too much on my plate, etc.

Would adding another Mrs help me?

For me, it's like even thought I don't always use it, knowing I have that options helps me calm down. I would definitely talk to your doctor. I see a psychiatrist everything 3 months and she prescribes it.

[rubysoh0]

I’ve taken various meds for anxiety for the last 20 years. Last year my cousin encouraged me to try CBD/THC and honestly, that has helped more than anything big pharma.

[cuadrado]

I’m sorry you are dealing with this. Anxiety sucks.

I would start with your PCP and look for a therapist who specializes in anxiety. Your PCP may also want to rule out any other health issues. My PCP told me that studies show therapy is effective in treating anxiety so she always recommends it as a starting point prior to taking medication. I’m not anti-medication *at all* but I found that therapy helped me SO much. I’ve been able to restructure parts of my life that were major sources of anxiety. If I am having a night where I feel particularly anxious then I will go through an anti-anxiety routine that I came up with to help me get ready for bed. I have also found that melatonin with ashawanga help immensely. Sending you hugs.

[AJL]

I have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and I see a therapist and take Effexor ER. It’s completely changed my life!

[mrsukyankee]

As a therapist, I encourage people to try out medication alongside the therapy. It allows people to engage better in it a lot. We can do good work without it, but if someone has long-standing anxiety, PTSD or generalised anxiety, the medication can be really important.