Could we start a best tips for coping with chronic sever anxiety thread-say yur best 3 tips ?

[santababi]

I would love to hear just some tips please while i try and get over this period of my life.
Cheers x

[ComeWhineWithMe]

I have severe PA when I feel one starting
I tell myself that I know what it is it is not life threatning and to calm down.

Reminding myself to take deep breaths helps too.

Opening a window going into the garden sometimes helps me too.

Really hope you feel better soon.

[santababi]

Thanks-no panic attacks-just constant severe anxiety which is making me quite ill now-my blood pressure was 195/123 today !Have stressful job and work life balance but this has been coming for years and i want it to end-pref without pills.

[NAB09]

I try and tell myself I have been through worse stuff and it does help a bit. Until the next time.

[santababi]

Treu-and very helpful cheers x

[muffle]

I have been to CBT for anxiety and while it didn't conquer it, I did learn some tricks. As soon as I start worrying I have to "step outside" myself and think "oh, there I go again" so that I don't get so caught up n it IYSWIM. Then do a breathing exercise (just deep breathing, count to 7 for each in and out breath) which is a good distraction. I also sometimes try to take a "zen" kind of view that in the massively long run, nothing matters that much and I have to try to live in the present. nice idea but not quite as effective - but sometimes slightly helpful.

[beanieb]

Stop

Check

Let go.

that is, when you find yourself starting to think negative/anxious thoughts you need to stop and pull yourself back into the present. Sometimes this can be done by concentrating on something in the room you are in be it the clock ticking or the TV programme you are missing because of the anxiety.

Now that you have stopped yourself you need to think about the NOW and move away from the spiral of negative thinking.

works for me so long as I get the first bit right.

[ActingNormal]

Just seen this thread after starting another one on what my therapist just said about my anxiety. Sorry I didn't see this one first.

[fizzbuzz]

Say to yourself "I will cope with it" does help a little bit fractionally.

Also, actually allowing yourelf to feel the feelings rather than trying to ignore them.

Don't have a third tip....but do have lots of experience of anxiety

Oh, and keep yourself involved with something that takes your mind off it. I find being at work means I don't have time to dwell on it, although my gp thinks I should be off sick, I find working through it helps.

I suppose that's 3 tips now

[fiestabelle]

Hi

I suffer from anxiety/depression and have done for a good few years. I feel I have got it in check to a certain extent although at times I can feel the downward spiral starting again. My tips are -

1. accept it - sounds daft, but I find it I just think right, I am going to feel crap for a few days/weeks it takes the frightening aspect of it away, probably works better with an actual panic attack than just general anxiety ie take yourself off somewhere quiet, think this will only last for a short time and will then stop.

1. keep busy - I find driving a high help as you NEED to concentrate on something else. Keep physically busy so you are using up some of the nervious energy

1. Talk about how you feel, again, bottling it up makes it seem so much worse, talking it through helps you get some perspective. #

I really hope you feel better soon, this will pass.

[mooseloose]

Whan I panic,
1.I tell myself under breathe or aloud 'calm'.

1. Drop my shoulders (really helps me most of all)
2. Try not to do too much in one day. Else pay for it the next.