Those of you that have overcome anxiety…

[Sfuandtired]

How did you achieve it? I’m driving myself crazy with my constant overthinking, catastrophising and generally stressing myself out completely.

I have been taking Fluoxetine which definitely helps but not as much as it used to, I wonder if the fact I’m peri menopausal is a factor there, any tips gratefully received. TIA

@Ellietee123 i keep meaning to look into tapping. Is it something you do as a preventative or as a treatment when anxiety is acute?

Did exactly the same! It's helped tremendously.

I missed those ones but that's great. Work has been the source of most of my anxiety over the years, feeling inadequate, not wanting to be there. I finally found work I actually enjoy and do it freelance and even went back into work and again, massive anxiety. I won't ever do it again unless I know it will only bring me joy.

I focus on parenting now and "work for my family".

For me it was accepting that I was always going to be anxious to some extent, and with years of therapy I've learned to manage the ups and downs that come with it. I'm more aware of my 'triggers' and on the whole things are so much better. I keep busy, exercise and reach out when I'm struggling (I used to hold it all in, not believing I should burden others).

I've tried meds too, many times. Just not for me but I understand that they are a lifeline for others.

Propanalol saved my life. I don't need it anymore and had no issues coming off it.

Duloxetine worked for me and also helped with back pain and bladder spasms. Awful to come off though, needs tapering very carefully, and after losing weight starting it. I put on weight once it settled down.

Take time to do things you enjoy, for me that was learning the piano, crafting, reading.

Exercise. I do some form of exercise every day now and find the long walks one of the best things for sorting out my head.

Cut right back on sugar. I was on a total sugar rollercoaster which never helped.

Start writing a diary, there are apps like diaro you can use on your phone. Helps to get your thoughts out of your head and on to paper.

Good luck, anxiety sucks, but you can beat it!

Also, don't know if this is possible for you, or would necessarily help, but wfh was a massive game changer for me.

It sounds like bollocks but I've had a lot of success with hypnotherapy. It changed my life actually.

T

This is a short intro, well worth taking a look at.

For the coffee drinkers, I try to have just one in the morning, maybe two if on a really early shift but I take a L-Theanine supplement with it (as recommended by Davinia Taylor for those who are familiar with her) and it seems to stop the jitters.

I made friends with mine and stopped seeing it as an enemy but as something that tried to protect me when I knew things felt off.

it’s still there, but it doesn’t half have the control over me that it did.

I even welcome panic attacks now as I know they are my bodies way of needing a release of the energy. So instead of trying to fight them I let them happen, and when they are out of my system I take extra kindness and care towards myself. They are much shorter the attacks this way, and do not drag on for ages and feel less intense than they used to.

anything physical also is great - exercise (I know everyone will tell you this and the last thing you want to do with anxiety is exercise!) but it really does help

Thanks @Ellietee123 , will take a look

You don't sound mad to me. You make perfect sense.

I had noticed that if I dropped something for example, I'd say "Jesus, but you're a fucking idiot!" If I forgot to do something "Jesus, can you not remember the simplest thing??"

My mother was abusive verbally, and she's the gift that keeps on giving. I've taken on the role. My internal dialogue is simply a repeat of things I would have heard repeatedly as a child.

My mood lifts entirely when I change my self-talk (and I have to consciously do it). So, I now try to say "don't worry, it's not the end of the world" or "don't panic, everyone forgets things".

Medication is the only thing that makes my anxiety go away.

I can manage it with exercise, diet, no caffeine, CBT, meditation, falling asleep to podcasts etc etc but it's a lot of work. Constantly trying to stay on top and manage it. It takes a huge amount of energy and attention.

I really prefer being on medication.

What are you anxious about

I'm medicated and wish I'd done it much sooner. I'm still very anxious and have to work at it (a lot!) But meds help.

DS is currently doing this without the aid of drugs although he very nearly took sertraline.

He gave up alcohol, sugar, caffeine and vaping (vaping was - for him - a massive anxiety trigger)
He now does 10 mins yoga and meditation every morning when he wakes up.
He uses a lot of CBT techniques to calm his mind and rationalise his thoughts. He journals to do the same.
He has little calming rituals for any situation that tends to trigger his anxiety.
He uses breath work a lot.
He takes a passionflower tablet at the first sign of anxiety to take the edge off before it takes hold of him.
He now avoids people who make him feel stressed and hangs out with friends he feels more at ease with.
He has reduced his overbusy schedule which was another thing making him very stressed.
He eats very healthily and makes himself eat three meals a day with small snacks, as low blood sugar was a massive trigger for him too.
He paid for some therapy sessions until the NHS ones came through.

It's probably easier for a young man with no dependants than for a busy mum whose time is not her own, but he was very ill with it in early autumn and has almost conquered it now.

Great thread, some good tips here. I will read properly later.

Sertraline, propranolol and hypnotherapy.

I've suffered for years and years and it was the last load of therapy that really booted it up the arse. It was extremely expensive but over the last 30 years I'd exhausted all other avenues. I think it was also that I'd had enough of being anxious in a way I hadn't before so was absolutely ready to put the work in to fixing myself.

Oh, and I also got a new job. Funny how work seems to be damaging so many of us, isn't it? There's something deeply wrong with capitalism and society, IMHO.

Placemarking as I am in a similar boat. My anxiety mainly manifests itself in panic attacks in the most inappropriate places :-( it's starting to make me not want to go out which is really shit.

Propanolol was recommended to me by a few people but I'm still building up the courage to speak to my GP about it.

😂 Can I use that as a marketing quote??

I found this guy on Facebook and started listening to his podcasts. His theory is based on the books written by Claire Weekes. It has been totally life changing for me, especially around my anxiety with driving and life in general.

www.facebook.com/thatanxietyguy
theanxioustruth.com/
It's very simple what he teaches and it works.

Suffered from terrible daily anxiety. Self medicated by having a drink or two (sometimes more) each night

Gave up alcohol completely - anxiety got slightly worse the first week/second week then all but vanished from then on......changed my entire life, single best decision I've ever made.

Have a look at this video "how not to feel anxious about anxiety"

Tim hosts a live Q&A on anxiety every Friday evening.