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

Haha yeah that’s what my hypnotherapist has on his hoarding outside his clinic now 😂

I'm not perimenopausal but sertraline and quitting caffeine sorted me out after almost 10 years of on-off generalised anxiety and panic disorder. Sertraline was by far the biggest factor in this. I didn't find CBT useful.

If it has got to the burnout stage or you are having a nervous breakdown, Claire Weekes is old stuff but fabulous, see link above that uses her methods. I brought the books and audio and listened to them daily. Also eat regularly, three meals, two snacks, drink non alcoholic drinks. Medication on low dose to get over the worst til you can set up therapy, change lifestyle.

Sertraline for me and ditched the anxiety inducing boss and job!!!!

I got bored of it and accepted I am an anxious person. I also made myself look at what was going on when I was having a panic attack. I felt overwhelmed and at the edge of catastrophe. But if you look from above I was just a vaguely twitchy woman in a completely safe place.
Then I stared down a few nasty panic attacks. I took control of my breathing - remembered to do it - and repeated to myself over and over You’re a blooming drama llama.
I did this a few times.
I went from someone who was staying at home almost all the time to someone with a normal life.
There are things I find tricky - like flying - but I do it. I’m ok with lifts and I will go on the underground if I can’t avoid it or if it’s stupid to avoid it. I can’t drive myself on the motorway but I’m working on that.
The biggest revelation was that I was in control of it and I needed to take back control so I did.
I do still get anxiety but I know what to do. Walking helps. Also if things are tricky I go and read a really good book.

I got rid of a few relationships with people who were making me feel bad and I go through stages of totally avoiding the news.
I also got to the point where I was able to just not do things which made me anxious like parties. I am not a party person so why keep inflicting this on myself.
You just need to take tiny steps. Once you know the structure of anxiety and panic it’s a lot easier to deal with. Just breathe in and out and think about something lovely or stupid.
It’s not easy but it’s doable.

Fluoxetine
CBT
Cut out alcohol
(and give up work, but I realise that's not an option open to many).

@Eyesopenwideawake - thank you so much for posting that Tedx talk. It is really good. Going to send it to my DS.

Very true. I’m not looking forward to coming off it as I’ve heard it can be horrendous, even with very careful tapering. But for now I am happy to stay on it indefinitely it has made such an amazing difference to my quality of life.

Great thread, thanks for the tips. Going to look up Claire Weeks.

THIS

Especially the Exercise and not drinking. Life changing

I’m on citalopram which helps to a degree, it stops the physical symptoms eg pounding heart. But I still feel anxious a lot of the time. Should I look into alternative medication?

Some great tips.

I have currently started a low dose (5mg) of lexapro. Hoping to see an improvement in my anxiety in next few weeks. I have also cut out caffeine.