To ask what helped with your anxiety

[Peanutss]

I have gone through some really really terrible times these past two years involving pregnancy loss.

This has developed into quite, I feel, severe anxiety regarding various and most things in life.

For example, today I am going for my routine smear. No problem. Except I am so worked up and panicked that they are going to find something wrong that I've made myself ill, shaking, sweating and nearly vomiting occasionally.

I go through this with a lot of different day to day things after losing my pregnancies. I was never like this before. I worry constantly. I am convinced that everything will go wrong and it gets me to the point where I can't sleep or eat sometimes.

For those of you that have suffered with anxiety. What helped? Was it a case of counselling or did you need medication? Did it go away on its own or should I really think about seeing my GP about this?

Building Lego
Colouring

Meditation, medication (citalopram) and journaling

CBT and drugs: combined with doing everything I can to stop it getting out of control - eating healthy food, getting sunlight and fresh air, making sure I am not having too much screen time. It is tough, OP - you have my sympathies

I think that you should go and talk to your GP, plus Google IAPT and your nearest town to self-refer for some counselling and CBT. You've been through a lot, so general counselling might help you a little with that, and CBT techniques will help you a lot when it comes to actually managing your anxiety.

Please - go and get some help: you really don't need to suffer like this

-CBT
-Medication
-Walking every day
-No alcohol or caffeine

How ever much you don't feel like eating, please do eat something. Low blood sugar makes anxiety worse.

Weekly sessions with a good shrink and citalopram. CBT didn't work for me, and as for therapy, I needed one-to-one (not group) interaction.

Escitalopram. Has changed my life, I can now function 'normally' and feel so, so much better. Was adamant for years that I didn't want to take drugs, had counselling, CBT, etc but was incredibly anxious and stressed all the time. Life is so much easier now, my family agree.

Also agree with other posters that good diet, exercise and sleep also essential. Wish you well, OP.

Those of you on medication. Have any of you been TTC whilst on them?

I know this is a question for my GP but me and DH are still TTC despite our losses so I worry that if I were to need medication it would mean putting a stop to that.

I feel a bit stuck because I know it's the cause for my anxiety but I also don't want to give up yet.

Sertraline is safe for breastfeeding, maybe pregnancy as well

OP I wasnt always like this either but the past 10 years have been helped with medication, counselling, CBT and I agree, running, quitting caffeine and alcohol 💙

cbt, meds, exercise, routine, continued practice of cbt methods even when not technically 'needed'

Sertraline.

Not helpful but for me leaving my Exh stopped my anxiety

Cold water swimming,
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-45487187

The lady in this documentary sometimes posts on the FB open water swimming page.

Setraline, CBT, reducing work hours, yoga, walking, writing everything down before bed. Reading in bed (otherwise I don’t go to bed).

In the short term medication took the edge off, but longer term I had loads of counselling (3years plus) - talked about anything and everything, put a lot of things about my life and beliefs into perspective. Gradually my anxiety lifted and I'm mostly anxiety free now.

CBT then hypnotherapy.
Expensive but definitely helped.
I'm a lot more chilled out now.

I suppose finding the root of my anxiety.

I now know it comes from uncertainty. If I am clear on something and I know what’s going to happen then I’m fine. Through in the unknown and you’ve swept my feet from under me and I’m all over the place.

Therapy, medication and striking up a friendship with one of my various doctors who dragged me kicking and screaming down the road to recovery. I still have low periods but the meds do help and so does therapy. I think they work best when you do both at the same time.

No alcohol
Beta blockers

Thanks I'm definitely going to look into some of these things.

For me, my anxiety centers mostly around things going wrong with mine/families health.

Like today I am convinced that I am going to have a bad result from my smear. It all sounds very dramatic but it's like my mind just knows I'll be the 1 in 100 that has a negative result. Statistics etc... Don't help. Statistically it's rare to lose as many pregnancies as I have but here I am.

Not just me either, I worry about DH constantly. Being in a car accident, getting ill etc... Even the dog worries me. If there is even a hint of him being off his food I'll be beside myself worrying that he's going to die or become seriously ill. It's got to the point where I've actually wasted quite a bit of money taking him to the vets for nothing. It all sounds a bit crazy when I type it out!

A mixture of CBT and medication (venlafaxine).
Also gave up triggers such as alcohol, caffeine and smoking.

Still on meds 7 years later. A much lower dosage but able to drink alcohol and caffeine now (in moderation), not had a full on anxiety attack in years.

You asked if anyone had TTC on meds... I did. Twice. Was able to take medication throughout both pregnancies, on advice of doctors of course.

Not for everyone I know, but praying helps me.

Just to add, the only thing with being on meds is my DDs had to be observed after birth for any symptoms of withdrawal. Sounds scary but both were absolutely fine and no issues.

I was monitored closely by health visitors etc in weeks/months after birth in case of PND. Again all fine and no issues.

I also wasn't allowed to breastfeed on the meds (something to do with more entering baby's system via milk rather than while pregnant). But I was happy to bottle feed as I knew me being mentally healthy was best for them!

So sorry OP. Anxiety is horrendous.

Things I've tried which haven't worked: medication (pretty much every med it's possible to try), mindfulness, CBT, counselling, psychotherapy, exercise.

I've come to accept it really. It ebbs and flows. Not very helpful I know. But you aren't alone

Exercise (running) and a book called The Compassionate Mind by Paul Gilbert. I had bad anxiety after newborn ds had surgery and I had dangerously high bp and was convinced I was about to have a heart attack or a stroke. In hindsight I should probably have sought medical help, but couldn't handle the prospect of talking to the doctor about it. It took a long time but I got over it.