I'm struggling a lot with anxiety and I don't really know anyway of coping with how things are. I'm on medication Sertraline (sp?) and diazepam (for desperate times) but I'm not really finding them at all helpful with the anxiety (though my mood is a lot better.)
What have you found helpful? What do you do to try to calm down?
I'm feeling continually on edge and finding it very hard to concentrate with thoughts jumping from one to the other. Have you found any techniques that help control this?
I don't have any help other than my gp and I'm not seeing her until next week and I really want to be doing better for when I see her, I just don't know how.
Any help please? Am a bit lost for how to cope with things.
You see a mouse trap
I see free cheese
And a ****ing challenge
I found things like yoga and Thai chi helped because they taught me how to be relaxed and stretch out tension. It takes a little while to learn the techniques but in the long run they are very good. Most good yoga and Thai chi classes will do some form of relaxation as part if their class.
On a similar note, exercise also helps with anxiety. It give your body something to do with all of that negative energy and channel it into something positive. It also is good for overall wellbeing.
It would also be good (sorry the word "also" appears a lot in this post), to discuss your issues with your GP as you may need an increase or change in your meds. There are a lot of meds out there to help with anxiety so just because the sirtraline isn't currently helping it dosent mean you wont find something that dose.
Finally, things like a nice hot bath, long walks and reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption can help to reduce anxiety.
Hope this helps and you feel better soon.
The average,
well-adjusted adult
gets up at 7.30am feeling just plain terrible.
Call me Kate.
I have dyslexia so please excuse my poor spelling and sometimes poor understanding.
Going outside isn't something I'm able to really do right now, but I will look up some of the relaxation things you've mentioned online. It sounds like a good idea :)
I've been trying to push the anxious energy into more positive things like making sure my flat is tidy. Which I think is good.
My doctor has told me that there's only 3 medications I can try, amitriptiline (sp?) Which I had and didn't help, propanalol (I really don't know how to spell these things) which I can't take due to low blood pressure, and the one I'm on. I don't know why only three, it leaves me with very few options :/
Thank you again for your reply, I just feel very lost with this all.
You see a mouse trap
I see free cheese
And a ****ing challenge
I'm sorry you are struggling so much at the moment.
I don't really have any more relaxation techniques, Ballerina has covered pretty much everything. Whenever I got really anxious I always used to do breathing exercises, it gave me something to concentrate on and helped to clear my mind.
Would you consider going back to the doctor and seeing if they can offer you anything else?
Thank you for your reply.
I'm seeing her next week but I really wanted to be doing better than I am. I just don't know how to do that. The meds were meant to help, and they do in regards to my mood but not my anxiety. I'm just a constant bundle of nerves, it's horrible. I don't know where the confident person I used to be has gone, and I really want that person back. I just don't know how to do it, most of the time I feel sick with worry and I don't even know what I'm worried about.
I'll try to see if the doctor has any idea what else to do.
You see a mouse trap
I see free cheese
And a ****ing challenge
Hi there, I'm in the exact same position (well, I'm on citalopram instead but I've had sertraline before) with my anxiety. It's truly terrible...
Along with the other suggestions made, I personally find lavender or vanilla a very relaxing scent in the form of candles. Piano music is relaxing and, as silly as this may sound, holding a cup filled with hot water or other hot beverages. I was once told that it helps because it imitates the sensation of holding someone's hand which is soothing. Another one of my safety nets is cuddling a teddy bear of some variety.
I am a strong believer that mind-altering drugs are not a solution to personality, behavioural, or emotional issues. If it was me I'd taper off any mind-altering drugs, keeping in mind that it might be significantly worse for the time being due to withdrawals.
I think the best way to deal with mental issues is mentally overcoming it yourself. With alterations to your lifestyle being next.
I am a strong believer that mind-altering drugs are not a solution to personality, behavioural, or emotional issues. If it was me I'd taper off any mind-altering drugs, keeping in mind that it might be significantly worse for the time being due to withdrawals.
I think the best way to deal with mental issues is mentally overcoming it yourself. With alterations to your lifestyle being next.
that is terrible advice. why would you say that?
don't listen to this person. listen to your doctors for medication advice.
i'm caught somewhere in between alive and living a dream
[...]
the walls are caving in as far as i can see
-andrew mcmahon, caves
Thank you for the replies and suggestions guys :) I have had a much better day today, though did have to take the diazepam this morning to help. My partner and I were helping my parents sheer their sheep so lots of fresh air and exercise (sheep are fast!) as well as getting out of my flat. So I'm chalking this day as a big old PLUS, which I'm really happy about.
Akari - My anxiety issues started only a while ago due to a very traumatic miscarriage. I do not foresee myself using these medications for a long period of time, merely to help me cope with everyday life whilst I come to terms with the loss and emotional upheaval of my experience. Right now, they are the only form of help I have been offered and I'm unsure what lifestyle changes I could make that would help me with this problem. Thanks for taking the time to post though.
You see a mouse trap
I see free cheese
And a ****ing challenge
I am a strong believer that mind-altering drugs are not a solution to personality, behavioural, or emotional issues. If it was me I'd taper off any mind-altering drugs, keeping in mind that it might be significantly worse for the time being due to withdrawals.
I think the best way to deal with mental issues is mentally overcoming it yourself. With alterations to your lifestyle being next.
I don't think its wise to advise someone to come off prescription medications if you don't know the person. We are not doctors here.
The average,
well-adjusted adult
gets up at 7.30am feeling just plain terrible.
Call me Kate.
I have dyslexia so please excuse my poor spelling and sometimes poor understanding.
what about listening to relaxing music and see if that helps or reading a book.
Have you ever confused a dream with life? Or stolen something when you have the cash? Have you ever been blue? Or thought your train moving while sitting still? Maybe I was just crazy. Maybe it was the 60's. Or maybe I was just a girl... interrupted.
I know what it's like to want to die. How it hurts to smile. How you try to fit in but you can't. How you hurt yourself on the outside to try to kill the thing on the inside. I tried groups, didn't work out just made my depression a lot worse.
I'm currently on Sertraline too. I've also been on Citalopram, Mirtazapine and Fluoxitine and nothing has really made a noticeable dent in my anxiety.
For me (not sure if anyone is with me here), but changing meds always fills me with anxiety, purely down to that dive in mood when they take you off your current medication. So I'm always uneasy when it comes to trying something new. However, the next medication you get put on might be the one that works wonders, so it's always worth the risk to ask to try something else. Everyone's different when it comes to antidepressants, some work better for some than they do for other. You might find something that really works for you.
As for relaxing in anxiety-inducing situations, I always find that distraction works well for me. I recite song lyrics or poetry in my head, or I count. It sounds stupid but it works for me
Keep strong
x
Sunday is gloomy,
My hours are slumberless.
Dearest, the shadows
I live with are numberless.
Remember meds only take a little bit away it just makes things slightly easier
Have you ever confused a dream with life? Or stolen something when you have the cash? Have you ever been blue? Or thought your train moving while sitting still? Maybe I was just crazy. Maybe it was the 60's. Or maybe I was just a girl... interrupted.
I know what it's like to want to die. How it hurts to smile. How you try to fit in but you can't. How you hurt yourself on the outside to try to kill the thing on the inside. I tried groups, didn't work out just made my depression a lot worse.
HI everyone,
Thanks for the replies. I am actually doing a lot better now and have settled well with the medication I'm on. There is a question of whether it should be upped at some point but right now I am doing really well with it and have been getting out/being social/ planning my future with a lot less trouble and distress.
Thanks all for the helpful advice, I shall keep it in mind if I have a bad day
x
You see a mouse trap
I see free cheese
And a ****ing challenge
I know it can seem hard to get out an exercise when ur feeling anxious but personally I find this really helpful in reducing anxiety levels. That says, it depends what u do - don't do too vigorous exercise if that will stress u out more! Otherwise having a bath or massage can help, or trying to do something to distract urself (ie watch mindless tv, read a book). PM me if u need to talk *hugs*
"just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it turned into a beautiful butterfly..."
What about just watching your favourite programme on catch up or on demand or on the main telly. I stay clear from day time rubbish instead I make my own tv listings if I am stuck in but generally I leave the telly to the evening
Have you ever confused a dream with life? Or stolen something when you have the cash? Have you ever been blue? Or thought your train moving while sitting still? Maybe I was just crazy. Maybe it was the 60's. Or maybe I was just a girl... interrupted.
I know what it's like to want to die. How it hurts to smile. How you try to fit in but you can't. How you hurt yourself on the outside to try to kill the thing on the inside. I tried groups, didn't work out just made my depression a lot worse.
Try something that works for you, if it doesn't work try something else till you find something that does work for you.
Have you ever confused a dream with life? Or stolen something when you have the cash? Have you ever been blue? Or thought your train moving while sitting still? Maybe I was just crazy. Maybe it was the 60's. Or maybe I was just a girl... interrupted.
I know what it's like to want to die. How it hurts to smile. How you try to fit in but you can't. How you hurt yourself on the outside to try to kill the thing on the inside. I tried groups, didn't work out just made my depression a lot worse.
