Managing Anxiety

[anitagreen]

Hi can someone please tell me how they stop the anxiety or at least calm it down? I have suffered with it for well over 15 years I'm now 25 and I've had enough of it. I should be getting 1-1 cbt therapy soon. But it honestly feels years away at the moment, it never used to be this bad but the last year it has been awful I'm constantly stuck in a cycle of feeling anxious, having intrusive thoughts about my phobia of dying, then being anxious again. I've read booklets about managing it, I've tried meditating but it doesn't seem to work I am fed up of thinking about it constantly. I'm sorry this is such a long post but I'm at my wits end with it. I tried magnesium for a whilst, healthy woman tablets, ignoring it but it doesn't work I am fed up of feeling so shitty. I don't expect a miracle but just to go one day without it I'd be happy

Anyone at all?

I had to go on medication

Hi Anita. Please go to your GP and talk through how you are feeling. You might need medication, and it can take time to find your way out of that awful feeling. It's not you - it's a powerful mental condition that can take over all your waking moments. I describe it like having to move around the house hanging on to the walls. Medication has been a lifeline for me and continues to be a godsend. Do please take care of yourself. Sending hugs.

My anxiety has definitely calmed down since I started taking these. Bought from amazon. Not expensive, may be worth a try.

So sorry that you're struggling OP. I've been there and still struggle with it at times and it's just horrible. Getting the talking therapy is critical, and in the meantime, have you tried a CBT workbook? I still use mine regularly.

www.amazon.co.uk/Cognitive-Behavioural-Therapy-Workbook-Dummies/dp/1119951402/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&keywords=cognitive+behaviour+therapy+workbook&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1540425898&sr=1-1

I'm managing my anxiety through a combination of CBT and trial and error of what's improved symptoms and what hasn't.

I rely on regular exercise and healthy eating. I walk 30 mins every day and do a 30-minute workout 5 times a week. I keep a very consistent sleep schedule. I eat a diet with lots of veg and fibre. Most importantly, I don't drink as that's a huge trigger for me.

If my anxiety is really bad I have management plans for myself. This usually involves a distraction technique, some rationalisation, and then something fun, active or creative.

For example, I'll get in a cold shower to distract myself (it works- ditto waxing my upper lip!). Then I'll give myself 5 minutes to write down a list of what I'm worried about and 5 minutes to rationalise away each worry before disengaging. After that, I might do a long yoga session, bake some bread, or go for a walk whilst listening to a podcast. Just something nice, active and productive that isn't sitting on the couch or in bed.

Sorry for the long post, I hope you get the support you need soon. And don't hold yourself back if you feel you would benefit from medication.

If you're a coffee drinker or fizzy drinks fan definitely cut them out. Even one cup of coffee a day is enough to cause anxiety at night. Fizzy drinks also.

Mindfulness is supposed to be good.

Thank everyone for the replies @SpaceCadet4000 I've recently cut out Alcohol to as I'm fine drinking but the next day it triggers it off badly where I spend all day worrying etc. My diet is really bad atm think loads of comfort food etc. I think I'll try more fruit and vegetables and exercising
I'm really scared to try tablets as I've read they can make you worse etc and I just don't want to be on them at all. But if it does help I might look into it x