I know we talk about anxiety a lot.

[Deleted]

Have you looked at getting some behavioral therapy? There are non-drug treatments for anxiety that could probably work for you. Or even workbooks on amazon - perhaps Spenj has a favorite.

[Deleted]

I'd like to hear more about Vit D helping - I didn't know this and would definitely be interested in learning more.

I'm sorry to hear its causing you tummy problems

[whitemerlot]

Can you go on a walk, even around your office? Listen to music?

I have anxiety as well and it really stinks. Mine is generalized anxiety and I feel like my mind is sometimes searching for things to be anxious about, even when my life is great.

[Deleted]

Try to focus on your breathing (long slow inhale breathing into stomach-not chest); hold a few seconds; long slow exhale), posture (sit up straight and roll shoulder blades up and then back--then keep this), and a few stretches (ie. shoulder rolls, head rolls).

[cjeanette]

I have this issue and I really need to get it under wraps again. On the weeks where I do some sort of exercise 3-4 times a week it improves a bit. Thats just not always feasible though.

[mmp]

I was freaked out waiting for some biopsy results a few weeks ago. The only thing that settled my mind (I tried a few calming teas etc) was magnesium. Gave me the runs, but I calmed down to point that I actually forgot for a few days that I was waiting for the doctor to call. Usually I stare at the phone, obsessively check the caller ID, and wait for it to ring.

[Deleted]

I'm on meds and they completely take care of my anxiety issues. The drug I take is safe until the third trimester of pregnancy. If my insurance covered it, I'd look into therapy, but I'm not going to pay $600 a month on therapy when my $30 a month pill does the job just fine. I know that some people go on Xanax and take it only on occasion, but since Xanax is habit forming, I prefer to take a medication daily. However, it's an option you may want to discuss with your doctor. I also find that exercise and breathing exercises help with my anxiety.

[Deleted]

I am so sorry. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder when I went to the psychiatrist for my postpartum. Cognitive behavioral therapy as PPs have suggested was really helpful for me.

Also, I know you said you're not ready for meds, but I found them to be really helpful and not just because they made the anxiety go away. What I found most helpful was when I got off the meds and my anxiety started to come back--and I was able to identify feelings of anxiety as anxiety BECAUSE I had not felt them for months. Does that make sense? I would start to feel anxious, then stop myself and say, "Wait--this would not have bothered me when I was on Zoloft. It shouldn't bother me now." Just having had the experience of living anxiety-free helped me to remember what it felt like and push to get there again. Again, this is not to say you should go on meds, but something to consider if you feel you ever get to that point. (I was on them for 1.5 years and have been successfully and happily off since May.)

I also regularly practice yoga and (try to) regularly meditate. Not so great at meditating since I became pregnant and am sick and tired all the time, but those two things have been very helpful as well.

Good luck. Anxiety is a bitch.