To feel like there’s no way out? What cured your anxiety?

[StopFastForward]

Battling anxiety and have been for a year and a half. I’ve tried all the therapies, medications but I just can’t find myself. I feel so lost.

A high dose of medicine and getting a dog did the trick. I have always done a lot of exercise but unfortunately it never helped my mental health.

Citalopram. Within a week of taking it I felt a calmness I hadn't felt before. Feel normal for first time ever. I still feel emotions, worry etc but it's manageable instead of feeling too big for me to control

Hi OP, I had medium level anxiety for 5 years followed by severe anxiety for 4 years. Can honestly say despite the odd episode when something truly terrible has happened ( a death, a break down of relationship etc) I have now been anxiety free for 6 years.

For me it took taking a few months out to totally focus on getting cured. I tried meds and seeing a psychologist first but neither did it for me. In the end it was self administered CBT (via a book, which I literally followed to a T, did all the exercises etc on the appointed timelines), and a fresh start - new home, new job, but same friends!

Best of luck, I'm sure you will get through this to the other side.

Oh and also being very kind to myself. Lots of positive mantras and allowing myself "luxuries" such as a long bubble bath, my favourite healthy meal for dinner, an evening to just sit and watch my favourite film and not do any chores.

Yoga every day
Running
Alone time
Drastically cutting down screen/ tv time and replacing with reading, knitting, and radio (specifically radio 4 and classic fm)
No alcohol
Limited caffeine
Regular sleep pattern
Leaving a shitty job
Having a pet

Honestly - regular moderate exercise!

Citalopram and the Three Principles - Michael Neill.

The videos that TheMakeupChair has on Youtube about how she copes with anxiety (otherwise all makeup videos) are great. I have similar issues to her and find her very helpful.

1. Letting other (nice) folk know how anxious you feel.

Find others (online, irl) who have sucessfully managed anx.

Not beating self up about having anxiety.

Externalising the anxiety...

1. Exercise and good food

1. Not avoiding (valued) stuff that feels terrifying... It just continues and maintains anxiety.

Not bothering with things I don't value /not interested in... (eg. A pal decided tryinf to get used to dance/rave events where she had horrible panic attacks, just wasn't worth it - sje hated the music anyway!)

Writing a hierarchy of feared things and starting at the bottom of list and getting on with it!

Building in rewards!