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Original poster

How can I beat anxiety?

43 replies

Takebackfrown · 27/09/2019 16:20

I've been anxious constantly for two and a half years, since I had a bit of a trauma. I drink far too much because if I go out and socialise it keeps my mind distracted. I dreamt of the trauma again last night and it's knocked me for six, but I'm determined this time that I'm going to beat it.

I'm going to eat healthily all of the time (I do eat quite well anyway), and I'm going to exercise more than the once a week session I do, and stick with it.

What other lifestyle changes could I make to help?

OP posts:

KurriKawari · 27/09/2019 16:22

I've always suffered from anxiety due to trauma. What I've found to help is - having a good network of people around you to talk to anytime. And meditation - I was a bit sceptical and I've only been to a few sessions and it really has made a difference. Maybe start off by downloading the Headspace app and listening to it before bed?

KurriKawari · 27/09/2019 16:23

I would also learn to recognise your triggers. What situations, people, time, occasions make you feel more anxious?

Original poster

Takebackfrown · 27/09/2019 16:27

What situations, people, time, occasions make you feel more anxious?

There honestly don't seem to be any. It's just there constantly bubbling away.

I'll try the Headspace app tonight, thank you.

OP posts:

dad2hen · 27/09/2019 16:47

Hi, sorry to hear this. Have you had any help from therapy? Theres usually a number in your area. I have talking space in oxford. They're really helpful and can set you up with CBT online, face to face or group on the NHS.

Don't suffer, I did for years and it just got worse.

Original poster

Takebackfrown · 27/09/2019 16:54

I have been for therapy. I went for EMDR a couple of times and it did help, but I didn't like the therapist at all.

OP posts:

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/09/2019 17:28

Have you had medication?.

Original poster

Takebackfrown · 27/09/2019 17:42

No, I haven't had any medication. I feel a bit reluctant to take any for some reason.

OP posts:

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/09/2019 17:58

My husbands been prescribed meds for anxiety & it’s helping him. He had to have a nervous breakdown before he recognised he needed help though & used alcohol to self medicate prior to that.

Try not to go down that road. Our gp says you can’t beat these things on your own as dh was also resistant to taking his meds.

If they do prescribe you something and it doesn’t suit do try another type, dh wasn’t helped by sertraline but they swapped him to another group of meds & that seems to be working really well.

Please go to your dr & tell them what you’ve told us.

onemorecakeplease · 27/09/2019 18:02

I would try something like a low dose of citalopram and see how you feel.

It's helped me immensely

Somebodystired · 27/09/2019 18:09

I started taking fluoxetine for my anxiety a month ago and honestly I felt better within 48 hours. Within a week I was back to my 'normal' self.

I exercise, eat right, meditate. None of it made any difference and I struggled on for years. Years of my life that I wont get back because I was too scared of taking a drug that has given me zero side effects and vastly improved my quality of life within hours.

Spied · 27/09/2019 18:14

Paul David's Blog.
And stop the alcohol.

SpaceCadet4000 · 27/09/2019 18:36

I wouldn't say I've beaten my anxiety, but I do manage it. The key things for me were developing coping mechanisms through CBT, exercising and cutting out alcohol.

I cannot stress enough the impact that removing alcohol had- I didn't drink much but taking it out of the picture means I effectively use my coping mechanisms instead of pouring a glass of wine and checking out.

I've used medication at times, but I found that once I'd developed the coping mechanisms I didn't need it... although I'd still return to it if things got bad.

Bloggerstobe · 27/09/2019 20:58

OP here. Okay, it seems like it is medication which is helping people.

I have been to the doctors, about 15 months ago, when I was much, much worse than I am now, I was honestly barely coping. The doctor referred me to Talking Therapies then but didn't say anything about medication. Would I just go back and actually ask to be prescribed something? Does anyone know if I'd be forced to go back to therapy first?

Gamorasgran · 27/09/2019 21:06

I have propranolol because I asked for it. GP was fine with that

Gamorasgran · 27/09/2019 21:08

I actually didn't find ssris helpful. Cbt, exercise and rest help me the most. My anxiety was fairly well controlled on that basis (has gone to shit recently)

PersonaNonGarter · 27/09/2019 21:11

Please please give two weeks of no alcohol a go.

That’s all, just two weeks.

Bloggerstobe · 27/09/2019 21:14

Please please give two weeks of no alcohol a go.

If I did that it would be a constant stream of 'why aren't you having a drink' in the pub after work meetings.

Bloggerstobe · 27/09/2019 21:14

I definitely will cut down though!

Titsywoo · 27/09/2019 21:25

Here's how I got rid of my constant anxiety after 15 years. Not sure all of these changes contributed but at least some of them did!

Stopped smoking
Cut way back on drinking (from every night to once a month)
Dealt with my acid reflux/indigestion by eating better (my anxiety seemed to correlate with my stomach issues)
Got more sleep (this definitely helps a lot)
Kept stress to a minimum (stopped overloading myself and got more organised)
Spent more time outdoors (I got an allotment)
Exercised more (an allotment is hard work so I count it as exercise!)
Started volunteering as emotional support for people with life threatening and terminal illnesses
Kept seeing my counsellor once a month just to be able to get stuff off my chest

I honestly think they all contributed in a small way (and some in a big way) and I knocked my brain out of the vicious cycle of anxiety.

Titsywoo · 27/09/2019 21:26

I never took medication though. Well I tried it once and had such horrible side effects I never took them again!

PersonaNonGarter · 27/09/2019 21:28

If two weeks is going to result in too much pressure for you, I think you need to look hard at your lifestyle.

Are you going to the pub every night after work?

Alexkate2468 · 27/09/2019 21:32

For me it’s been a combination of things. I made grafuusl changes until I developed good habits in multiple areas of my life:
Diet - lots of fruit, veg, water and trying to keep blood sugars balanced to avoid peaks and troughs.
Cut out caffeine and really reduced alcohol
Regular exercise
Counselling
Cut down phone/tech use
Good sleep habits (this is tricky due to dc)

I find it really is a combination of things for me.

Counselling worked wonders. I found an absolutely brilliant lady after trying quite a few and it changed my life.

Alexkate2468 · 27/09/2019 21:36

OP, does it matter if people ask why you’re not drinking? Just say you’re cutting down?

Could alcohol possibly be more of an issue that you realise? If someone asked me not to drink for 2 weeks, I’d be able to without a problem.

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/09/2019 21:45

Op, tell them that the talking therapy didn’t help manage it & you’re self medicating with alcohol.

Don’t be put off by a drugs side effects, everything has side effects. Some of them don’t mix with alcohol either.

It’s not unusual for people to get intolerant to alcohol as they get older either & find that drinking just isn’t worth it anymore.

Bloggerstobe · 27/09/2019 21:53

Thanks, Titsy. I definitely feel so much calmer when I'm outside. I love walking so I might try and find a rambling club or something.

Are you going to the pub every night after work? No, I go out about 4 times a week now (not always after work, that includes with my friends at weekends).

Cut down phone/tech use I've been thinking about deleting social media actually.

For those seeing a counsellor, is that different to a therapist? Does a counsellor do something different?

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