Discussion How do you deal with anxiety?

[AutoTap]

My anxiety is so bad that it's crippling and has also caused me to have crippling depression.

Anyone else have the same? How do you deal with it? Did you used to have it and got better?

Ive done therapy and meds and still am and trying to get better... but I don't think it'll ever get better tbh. Think they just say gotta keep trying so they keep getting paid

 

[Mentalmick]

To be honest mine has only got worse over the years. Self harm and videogames is the main things I use. Along with questionable motorbike riding.

 

[WaitingForTheBusInTh]

Meds. I'm on a strong one for panic and it mostly works. Low to lower-mid anxiety is usually managed but ot cant handle extreme situations like being yelled at or other big stressors

 

[AltFoxx]

Honesty would like to know the answer to that one too. My anxiety only ever seems to get worse. Basically became worrying about worrying

 

[InTheAirTonight]

I try to visualize something that calms me down and let go. For me it's sitting down on the beach with a handful of sand and feeling the grains running down my fingers.

 

[RedRed]

I easly get anxious over the smallest of things! I'm not really sure if I'm coping well, but since I'm a member here...I guess not. BUT what I do to calm myself temporarily is to press down the tragus area of my ears with both of my pointer fingers. Press them real hard until I hear "nothing" while I hum to myself or whisper anything to myself. I like the feeling since it always feels like I'm under water, especially if you do this inside a dark room. I easily get overwhelmed by everything due to the amount of stress I have. I hope this method could help you as well :')

 

[OpheliasFlowers]

I wish I knew the answer to making crippling anxiety better, both to help you OP and to help myself. I've always been anxious, as far back as I can remember. I remember when I was just a little kid my mom would tell me I was a 'worrywart' and to not worry so much - she meant well but as everyone here understands, you can't just shut that off, unfortunately. My anxiety has only gotten worse as I've gotten older and my physical health worsened. As Ive aged I think hormones have play(ed) a part too in why my anxiety has worsened. I've tried meds, though not many...mainly benzos, which the psych I saw years ago just kept prescribing then I got off of those (not easy) and then a year to so later my health got really bad so my doctor put me on another benzo which I'm still on. :( I do not recommend that route. Therapy never really helped. I used to go driving and listen to music; that was a calming thing for me, but I haven't had license or car in years so that's out. When I was physically healthier and able to get out into the world and do some things, I think that helped more than I realized then to keep my anxiety somewhat in check. Now I'm essentially housebound so what I do mostly is watch movies. That's about it. I can't focus long enough (also my eyes are bad) so reading, which i've always loved isn't possible. And I don't sleep well so that's no escape either.

I guess I'd suggest that if you're physically able, try to get outside as much as you can: drives, walks, that kind of thing. I know Covid limits a LOT of possible activities these days too but try to find ways to move your body and see other things than just the inside of your home, if you can. That really did used to help me. If you're mostly inside at home a lot, like me, I guess distraction methods like reading, movies, even coloring ( I do that sometimes) can help. Or at-home exercising if you're up to it.

Also wanted to mention that I'm like previous posters also in that too much stimulation now really ramps up my anxiety. I suppose part of that is all the years of isolation and not being exposed to much stimulation, so try to prevent that happening to you if you can.

Best wishes OP, and to all of you <3

 

[x~Sophia~x]

My anxiety is so bad that it's crippling and has also caused me to have crippling depression.

Anyone else have the same? How do you deal with it? Did you used to have it and got better?

Ive done therapy and meds and still am and trying to get better... but I don't think it'll ever get better tbh. Think they just say gotta keep trying so they keep getting paid

Apparantly hypnotism works wonders for anxiety. Might be something you could consider?

 

[OpheliasFlowers]

Apparantly hypnotism works wonders for anxiety. Might be something you could consider?

I've also always wondered about that as a possibility to help anxiety. I started looking into it years ago, i.e. searching for a reliable hypotherapist in my area, but it got overwhelming and I can't remember is my insurance covered it or not but for whatever reason I never did anything further to pursue the idea. That was a good suggestion, I appreciate your mentioning it...might look into again myself.

 

[x~Sophia~x]

I've also always wondered about that as a possibility to help anxiety. I started looking into it years ago, i.e. searching for a reliable hypotherapist in my area, but it got overwhelming and I can't remember is my insurance covered it or not but for whatever reason I never did anything further to pursue the idea. That was a good suggestion, I appreciate your mentioning it...might look into again myself.

If it helps, I know of two people who used to suffer with crippling anxiety, and after 5 hypnotherapy sessions, their anxiety was 90% better. They are now able to function without the crippling anxiety. Anxiety can go downhill again over time, but a couple more sessions sorts it out again. Hope this helps.

 

[Yiyo123]

I overthink everything. Don't trust anyone. I think everyone is against me. We I go out (only for doctor's appointments) I close my eyes to avoid seen my surroundings. I'm just tired of everything and everyone. So I tend to be at home almost all the time were nobody can see me and play video games to escape reality. Sometimes I try to rest because I don't sleep well because of the psychosis. I like to hear music and a few times a month do yoga.

 

[FatalSystemError591]

Distractions, meds and time are the only things that alleviate it for me... but it is all temporary.

 

[AutoTap]

If it helps, I know of two people who used to suffer with crippling anxiety, and after 5 hypnotherapy sessions, their anxiety was 90% better. They are now able to function without the crippling anxiety. Anxiety can go downhill again over time, but a couple more sessions sorts it out again. Hope this helps.

I'm going to look into hypnotherapy now. Thank you kind friend

 

[x~Sophia~x]

I overthink everything. Don't trust anyone. I think everyone is against me. We I go out (only for doctor's appointments) I close my eyes to avoid seen my surroundings. I'm just tired of everything and everyone. So I tend to be at home almost all the time were nobody can see me and play video games to escape reality. Sometimes I try to rest because I don't sleep well because of the psychosis. I like to hear music and a few times a month do yoga.

You've got some paranoia going on here, along with anxiety. Do you have medication to help you?

I'm going to look into hypnotherapy now. Thank you kind friend

Good luck. Please let me know how it goes for you.

 

[Bauhaus]

There's lots of meds you can use:
clonidine, tizanidine
propanolol
ssri
lyrica
benzos
opioids
antipsychotics

Maybe ask your doc for clonidine or lyrica, they're pretty effective.
SSRIs are used a lot but they turn you into a zombie.
Benzos & opioids are the "nicest" but they're also the most addictive.

Supplements can also be useful:
kratom: is an opioid but far less dangerous than the synthetic ones. (imho)
Mg: there are a lot of them, I like Mg maleate (avoid Mg oxide or Mg citrate, low bioavailability, laxative).
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus): Chinese mushroom that is anxiolytic.

 

[newave3]

I don't, it deals with me.

 

[demuic]

Most of my anxiety is social anxiety, so I basically deal with it by being an isolated hermit with no friends.

 

[MindFog]

Have you ever tried doing breathing exercises? It helps me a bit but not for long term. I saved this gif from my phone and i look at it from time to time. As for my anxiety, well i'm in the same boat as you. It was much worse before were i'll just puke my guts out from the stress. Trying to slowly exposing yourself from the thing triggering your anxiety did help mitigate it. In my case, its being in front of people. I do hope this helps.
View attachment 7bG4SkqxDfWrOXsQNEq0AFEolxT7JDo-nuKoHKBy5M0.mp4

 

[RepressedMind]

For me anxiety only came when I tried a new medication, it made me have bad anxiety, but since I stopped taking those meds, my anxiety stopped as well.

 

[issyishere]

Browsing this site and planning out my exit gives me some feeling of control. My panic attack subsides almost instantly.

 

[sadworld]

Most of my anxiety is social anxiety, so I basically deal with it by being an isolated hermit with no friends.

Same. I just isolate myself from humans and I'm fine.