Struggling with anxiety - tips?

[GroupieGirl]

I'm sorry if this has been done before, I'm quite new to the MH boards and unsure how things normally work.

I've been managing my anxiety quite well for a few months. A combination of meds & taking time for a hobby I enjoy have really helped. However, I lost my job a few weeks ago, and am embroiled in a bit of a dispute with them. These two things are really triggering my anxiety, and I am finding it difficult to keep going with normal life at the moment. I'll be okay for a few hours, then hit with what feels like a punch in the chest, and it's back to square one.

I know that it'll take a little time until I'm truly ready to feel better, and starting the jobhunt is difficult, but will help (hopefully) but I was wondering if you would share with me your tips for getting through the day, and keeping calm when all you want to do is run around in circles flapping ?

Hi Groupie.
I do breathing exercises/short meditations if I feel my anxiety levels rising - I found the Mark Williams 'Mindfulness' book really helpful for these (it comes with a CD). Takes a while to get used to but I'm finding it much easier to calm myself before the anxiety takes hold nowadays. Longer term, have you considered a course of CBT? I had a few sessions and picked up some really useful techniques around changing my thought processes which stop me getting into a negative spiral.

Thanks Toothpick. I've tried a variety of relaxation/meditation techniques, and whilst they can be really helpful for helping me sleep, I find it tricky to get into the right frame of mind during the day!

I have thought about CBT, but haven't had great counselling experiences in the past so am a bit wary.

I think the main problem is that I start to obsess over the thing that's making me anxious, which of course just makes it worse. I need to make more of a conscious effort to get up and walk away from whatever it is that is triggering the panic.

Thanks for taking the time to respond - I'll look for the book.

I have been struggling with anxiety for a couple of years. I have started to do meditations, but guided ones otherwise I can't hold my concentration. I have downloaded then on my i-touch. I like the ones by Rick Hanson, I think it is, which use a lot of visualisations. I am doing CBT too, my therapist is very matter of fact, which works for me; it is not like counselling at all.

Also, try this leaflet. I got referred to it by a friend who found it works really well for her. It didn't help me so much but everyone is different and it might help you