Simmering anxiety

[KinkyAllTooOrangeDorito]

I was on ADs last year and they did nothing for my depression or my self esteem as I piled on weight and was left feeling more crap than before I took them.

However, I also have anxiety issues. Since I stopped taking ADs I feel a lot better, more settled. But, I can feel my anxiety creeping in again. I get really anxious over silly things.

Has anyone got any non-medical suggestions for coping with anxiety?

I would really appreciate this. I don't really want to go back on drugs. I'm supposed to be getting counselling for a few things, but waiting list is about a thousand years, so I'm looking for my own solutions.

Thanks

I don't have any advice, (sorry). But will be watching this thread with interest as I have been suffering from anxiety since coming off ADs and I really don't want to have to go back on medication.

Hi good for you. There's gathering r evidence against efficacy of ADs anyway so after factoring in their side-effects, why bother?

The book Healing without Freud or Prozac is worth a look.
I find the hollowing helpful-

Good quality omega 3 oil
5htp
Not too much sugar/carby food/caffeine/alcohol
Exercise
Sunlight
Therapy
Supportive friends, partner

Writing

Thank you for replying Salbertina. I will look into your suggestions.

Hi Salbertina. I'm interested in knowing more about the evidence against the efficacy of ADs, could you link to some of the information you're aware of? Many thanks!

Have a Google for distraction techniques. This thread gives an example of how they work and that they can be effective in a short space of time.

Gosh there's loads and too tired to google as been awake since 3am!
There was an article in last weeks Times and much debate 2-3 years ago from medical trials proving their effect as best was as a placebo. Happy digging!

Hi, I think exercise is a great restorer of mental balance. I know it's a bit cliche but it has really helped me in the past. Not slower paced exercise so much but something a bit harder like jogging.

I also limit myself to one drink of caffeine a day and whenever I lie awake worrying at night I repeat the phrase 'I will deal with it in the morning'.

Sorry if it sounds a bit tame but it really helped me. Good luck xxx

Not tame at all! Simpler things work th best. Agree about a good hard run, nothing like it!

Totally agree with exercise - a good 20 min run at least 3 times a week as a start. Cutting out all caffeine and drinking bucket loads of camomile tea (4 cups a day at least). No alcohol at all. Lots of leafy greens, nuts - walnuts especially. Little sugar. The effects are most certainly not as severe as medication I would imagine but slowly cumulative. Also agree with the person who said writing - helps to 'get it all out' and make your worries seem smaller and more manageable, as zany as they feel it helps to try and make sense of them. Meditation. Ooh also counting to 100 saying to yourself 'if I can count to 100 I'm clearly not losing my mind/going to die and collapse.

Thank you again for all of the really helpful replies. I will MAKE myself do some exercise .

Yes, not easy! Good luck! I drag myself out for a jog twice a week with my baby sleeping in buggy. It's just 30mins but makes such a difference.

Try the book 'Self Help for your Nerves', by Dr Claire Weekes. It is ancient, written in the sixties possibly, but what she says makes such good sense. It is great when you are suffering with anxiety.

Distraction works too, especially exercise, sorry! Really gets those endorphins going. I came off ADs for PND and did feel anxious now and again for four or five months after stopping.