My anxiety and worry is driving me absolutely bananas.
It is really taking over my life everyday.
Does anyone have a good method of managing it?
Should I go to the doctor?
I need to get it under control.
Fix whatever you are worrying about?
Let go and let God. :)
Zoloft works wonders - seriously. But I was getting panic attacks. Yours doesn't sound as bad, so maybe try and work on it the natural way first? And then if it gets worse - like panic attacks - go to a doctor.
good luck!
I used to get panic attacks from worrying so much. I started taking zoloft and it helped but the panic attacks were because my job was so stressful so while the panic attacks stopped, the other symptoms didn't. I removed myself from that job, stopped taking the zoloft and things improved. I still worry a lot and feel really stressed. I just try mediating for 10-15 minutes when it gets really bad and it calms me down enough that I can't justify taking meds again.
It sounds like you need a foot massage.
Oh right, one more thing. Ali's post reminded of something. Like she said, medication only helps so much. It doesn't remove the underlying cause of worry, it just helps with the symptoms.
I'm not sure what you're worried/anxious about, but if it's something in your control, you need to try and get rid of it or alleviate it. My anxiety/panic attacks were caused by an isolated trauma, so it wasn't like I could erase the memory of what happened. But if it's something external, such as trouble at work, or a bad relationship, or stress in social situations, etc., then you should try to fix it!!
I wanna hear advice as well. For people who don't have health insurance or access to a therapist.
Over the counter things, perhaps.
Chocolate...lots and lots of chocolate.... it makes you feel better :D ((but then worse because it has a lot of calories :(((
Chocolate, or any food, does not work. Believe me, I'm 100 pounds overweight.
St John's Wort.
Original Post by jewelsmcblah:
St John's Wort.
...stops the BC pill from working. Just in case you're on it!
I've had some success with deep breathing exercises.
make sure you're getting all the vitamins you need. deficiencies can make anxiety worse. and there's nothing bad about seeing a doctor -- you can be treated for anxiety problems other than panic attacks. I'm on antidepressants for my obsessive anxiety and doing much better.
I think it helps to break down problems into those you can and can't influence.
For example, if you're worried about paying the rent.... that's something you can influence. You can put a budget together, spend less, earn more money, sell stuff... and even if you don't quite get enough to pay the rent at least you can feel like you made some effort and this reduces the stress.
Problems you can't directly influence are trickier. If someone in your family is ill, for example, you can't cure them and you're going to worry about them - that's natural. But you can do other things that might bring you some comfort knowing you did as much as you could.
And then there's the class of random problem that you really have no influence over at all. Big events like terrorism, global warming, war or natural disasters. I've known people almost frozen with fear because of these. Managing these depends on understanding the real level of risk, taking reasonable precautions (like not planning a hiking trip in Helmand Province) but then getting on with other things.
If the anxiety has no root in anything concrete, if it's just a general feeling that you can't pin down then 'diversion' is often a good move. Focusing on feelings of anxiety can itself make someone anxious and more conscious that they are nervous. Finding alternative activities that are absorbing can break the habit.
Original Post by loriklorik:
Chocolate...lots and lots of chocolate.... it makes you feel better :D ((but then worse because it has a lot of calories :(((
Pfft - lots and lots of chocolate just gives you diarrhea.
Mood improvers -
- vigorous exercise
- a walk outside
- lists - lots and lots of lists help me. Lists of things I need to do, lists of things that make me feel better, etc.
- journal writing - contemplating the underlying cause of the worry/anxiety and how to approach it.
Like others said, medication is a possibility, but it cannot overcome the underlying cause. Eventually, if the cause is not taken care of, it will break through the meds.
This might sound kind of lame but it helps me when I'm feeling anxious - write everything down on paper. Write down whatever's in your mind - thoughts, chores, plans, etc. I find that once everything's in front of me in "black-and-white" it eases my mind a little. From here I can move forward and decide what to do with it all.
SAMe
5-HTP
B-100.. seriously, this helped me as much as the zoloft.
I'll never go back on ADs unless I am suicidal. They **** me up.
I worry. A lot. I worry if things are too good. I pace and wring my hands because if I'm not worrying then who the hell else will?
I worry about new social situations, my dogs getting sick, the roof collapsing, falling in a sinkhole, paying bills, water line breaks, driving off a cliff, running out of gas... these are things I worry about everyday.
I do a lot of self talk to calm myself. No matter what has happened I've always ended up okay. I've had troubles, sure, but I've made it to the other side unbroken. My husband helps talk me down and reminds me that everything will be okay, even if it isn't temporarily. He makes fun of me in the most gentle and loving way possible and it keeps me from taking myself too seriously. Therapy didn't work for me and I don't want to take meds but I've managed to find a way to worry and live a good life.
Husband takes zoloft for his anxiety and it works beautifully for him.
I read St John's Wort only helps with depression?
I have the type of anxiety that is there 24/7. I have no idea where it is coming from. I do have huge anxiety with big events (like GI Jane listed). It started since 9/11.
Social anxiety is a major one for me too, I am terrified of social situations (being judged negatively by others -- HUGE problem for me) and these situations are the most common that bring on a panic attack.
I also have anxiety with being outside? I get very bad anxiety when I'm outside, but I'm not afraid of the outside. I think it's mainly because people could see me?
Schnooder, I recommend you see a doctor if you can, a therapist that specializes in anxiety. Not a regular GP because they're not really trained in that area and will most likely give you a pill and send you on your way.
I read SAMe and 5-HTP was also for depression. Does a lot of people confuse depression with anxiety or anxiety from depression? Because I've been on meds that didn't work and they were primarily for depression. Lexapro was the only pill I've been on that worked, and unless you have insurance, expect to pay $100 for 30 pills every month. 
Natural supplements I'm on....
Fish oil
St. John's Wort
5-HTP
