Anxiety is crippling me

I am in the UK and have no issues with prescription. It is masking the symptoms, that's the whole point of them. But I was prescribed them because I already follow anxiety management strategies and still can't function in certain situations due to physical symptoms so I take them as needed and usually get a script for 100 tablets which last me a year.
I was also initially put on anti-depressants and they have been great. We titrated down and stopped after 9 months. Is there any reason you don't want to take them?

This might not be much help but I didn't feel much benefit from HRT at three months, but now do at 6 months.

I’m sorry if I use the wrong words, but your post really touched me. It sounds to me like you have too much on your plate and not enough that makes you happy. Did I read it correctly? Is there any way that you can add some good time for yourself in all of this? Like a walk in nature? A bath when the home is quiet with lots of bubbles? Baking cookies/a cake by yourself when no one can disturb you? I’m not saying that it will solve your problems, just that it might help you tip towards more small things that are worth doing to warm up your soul?

Hey OP. You have my sympathies so much. I have autistic kids who I adore, but the world is so badly suited to them that there's an almost constant sense of anxiety dogging me. How to get them to the drs when they're poorly. Whether I have done the right thing sending then to special school. What will happen when I die.How could I build more of social life for them. On and on.

I also was already an anxious person. A pp asked if you also might be autistic- it's a thought ïve often had about myself. Don't have any time to pursue it.

If you are in the UK, there will be a self referral CBT/mental health IAPT service in your local authority. Google your borough and IAPT and register if you want talking therapy. I had very good quality CBT from there with clinical psychologists - found it hugely helpful. Poor quality CBT can be shit though...

As others said, exercise is helpful. Meditation and breathing also. They all stack up on the other side of the coping equation. But my god, you could do with some minuses on your stress equation! It's little wonder and you sound like you're actually doing great.

I feel your pain - bad OCD and anxiety complicated by PTSD. CBD drinks and ashwagandha tea really help me, as well as radical acceptance and just accepting what you are feeling

Meditation, CBT, acupuncture, using essential oils to help relax/uplift/de-stress, prioritise sleep, get out in nature, reduce caffeine and alcohol, try to eat a healthy diet, exercise, perform belly breathing regularly as it naturally makes your nervous system relax...
Get a GP appointment, even if it is 2 weeks away to review your meds. I found HRT really helped significantly with anxiety symptoms, both physically and mentally so maybe consider an increase in dose?

Yes proponolol is very good.
I know it sounds daft but I also tried to hypnotise myself. I would say I am going to watch this programme / do this job until 7.30 or whatever without stressing, and worry about things afterwards. Deep breathe all the way through. It started to work and I could go for longer periods of calm.
I also used to hair pull, and it has taken ages for it to grow back, so try and keep your hands busy when not working. Knitting, cross stitch.
I hope you feel better soon OP.

I have also been prescribed this. It's massively improved my anxiety issues that I've been struggling with for several years due to menopause. Also got some HRT at the same time. Things are getting better slowly, but the Proprolanol is helping me get back to more 'normal'. (I'm in the UK)

Are you in the UK? My doctor won't prescribe beta-blockers for anxiety as he thinks it's just masking the symptoms. All he'll give me is antidepressants and I don't really want to go on them.

I just got some kalms but not taken any yet as they take a couple weeks to kick in and it seems like you have to take quite a few a day. I take passionflower which may help a bit. I also have OCD (although not diagnosed I've had symptoms since I was a kid) and now anxiety on top, it's not fun.

Can you afford private therapy?

Are you autistic?

Can you get your husband to take the lead with the kids for a few days and give you a break to try to recharge and rest?

Some things that help me:

-Therapy (private)
-Doing everything a bit slower, talking slower, moving slower. It's calming for your nervous system.
-Taking time out to exercise, have fun, pour into things I enjoy.
-Getting out in nature.
-Using calming music to alter my mood.
-Mindfulness/being in the moment. Recognising when my thoughts have carried me away into the future and coming back to the present. Humming can be helpful for this.
-Purposefully engaging in mindful activities. So doing things like puzzles that give me a clear headspace. Engage in things that occupy my mind. I know that when I'm crafting/exercising/doing a jigsaw/talking to someone/reading I'm not thinking anxious thoughts. I'm solely focused on the task at hand, and I can create little oasis' of headspace this way.
-Take a few deep breaths, relax my shoulders and run my wrists under a cold tap.

ETA : self-compassion. Dr Kristin Neff us worth checking out on this, but being kinder with ourselves and catching that critical inner voice can go a long way. 💐

I take propranolol to manage physical symptoms and try to set time aside for things like mindfulness, meditation and exercise. Even if I'm tired or can't be bothered I see it as a medicine and it's non- negotiable for me