How can I beat anxiety?

[Takebackfrown]

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?

My doctor explained the relationship between alcohol and anxiety really well. I’ll try to repeat it!

She said when you are out having s great time and drinking your brain floods with happy hormones. Your brain adapts to the higher levels - so your normal lower levels trick your brain into feeling anxious. The more this happens, the stronger those brain pathways become and this can lead to more and more anxiety.

You have to stop drinking (sorry)

Also get your B12 and iron levels checked and try taking some 5htp.

4 nights a week is still a fair bit. Can you tell us what you drink a week - roughly?

www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-and-anxiety/

Not sure of the difference to be honest. A counsellor tends to be cheaper I think! For me it's just someone to offload to who is fully concentrating on and listening to me. They ask questions to open you up.

I really do think you should cut down the drinking. 4 nights a week is a fair amount and you can bet those nights you won't be sleeping as well.

You might find your anxiety will increase a bit when you cut down as you have to actually face your emotions instead of dulling them with booze (and even a few drinks does that I'm not saying you're an alcoholic!). But it gets better!

I quit for a year once just to prove I could. People ask questions for a while but they get used to it. Turns out nights out are still fun when you're sober!

I know I'm drinking too much, I said that in the OP. The point was about other changes I could make.

Also get your B12 and iron levels checked and try taking some 5htp.

I actually took these as supplements during the very worst of it and I truly believed they were a large factor in getting me 99% better than I was. I'd recommend them to anyone.

Thanks, Titsy. I might try counselling. The EMDR was excellent and I two sessions lifted the anxiety so much, but I don't think the therapist liked me. I felt quite judged and uneasy around her.

‘Yes, but’

Sorry, OP. This is the one you need to do. Two weeks. No booze. At all. Completely. You will feel infinitely better.

Try the Alcohol Support board for people/ideas to help you make the change.

Try the Alcohol Support board for people/ideas to help you make the change.

The alcohol isn't the issue. I drink too much because I don't want to be sitting in the house alone and anxious. When I am in the house, like tonight, I don't drink, don't think about drinking.

I mean this kindly OP. I think you’re missing the point about the alcohol. It has an effect on your brain chemistry which contributes to anxiety. You need to spend time where you aren’t putting any into your system at all.

Honestly, it makes a huge difference. What have you got to lose by giving it a go alongside the other changes you want to make?

Okay, I'll give it a go.

It is people's experiences of other changes I'm interested in though

if the therapy was working why stop? You sound a little paranoid regarding the therapist not liking you. Therapists are trained to work with all manner of people and not to show dislike of clients.

I didn't like her either. She was a bit rude about what had caused the trauma. I should perhaps try a different therapist though. I'm miles better than I was when I went there though, and the trauma doesn't play as badly on my mind any more, but the anxiety has hung about.

I know you have acknowledged the link between alcohol and anxiety so I'm not saying this to piss you off but I drank too much and suffered from anxiety. I didn't realise how much of an effect it had but I stopped drinking for other reasons and around 6 weeks in I noticed an enormous reduction in my anxiety. I don't have to take my beta blockers any more and touch wood my panic attacks seem to have disappeared!

I can remember thinking the wine was taking the edge off the anxiety and it did for a few hours but the next day was horrific, all the wine was doing was feeding my anxiety. Exercise, sleep and healthy eating certainly helped.

That's interesting, Northern & user. Do you mind if I ask whether the anxiety predated the drinking?

I am trying no drinking as I am trying to address my eating disorder issues. I think drink depresses me and makes my anxiety worse.

The Anxiety Coaches podcast is good. Short practical podcasts focusing on different aspects of anxiety.

If therapist isn't good fit, find someone else. I have seen quite a few over the years. A couple weren't right, so I moved on. Your mental health is too important to spend time with somebody who isn't helping.

@Bloggerstobe That's a good question and one I haven't actually thought about. Looking back I had started drinking more then the anxiety kicked in. I wasn't in a good place at the time, hence the drinking more and the more I drank the more the anxiety spiralled.

I’ll have a look at those podcasts, thanks.

Yeah, user I can see how it becomes a vicious circle.