How do you deal with anxiety?

[WalkingWolf]

I've been dealing with depression and anxiety since DC1 was born 3 years ago.

I've got a few minor things going on at the moment and I've been feeling my anxiety levels increasing. Yesterday DC2 had an accident and had to be taken to hospital (he's fine now) and last night I just felt completely overwhelmed, trapped and panicked. I literally had to force myself to put the DC to bed last night because I just didn't have the mental energy to do it.

It's not so much of a problem now as they are all starting to die off now, but I developed a random fear of wasps this summer. I stopped going in the garden because of it and I am constantly listening out for buzzing when I'm outside. It was so strange as I've never minded them before.

Once I get something in my head I can't get rid of it. I'm just wondering how other people deal with their anxiety?

Anyone?

I wouldn't say I suffer very badly with anxiety but I have my moments. I try to avoid certain situations which I know I will find difficult, for example the tube in the rush hour. Other things like public speaking I try to actively embrace as I always get a bit of a buzz afterwards. To be honest, in other situations I just do what I can to fight it. I have seen what anxiety has made of my mum and I refuse to allow it to control my life like that .

It's very difficult with young DCs but I always try to build in a little 'recovery' time into every day.

Thank you for replying. Do you mind me asking what you do during your recovery time?

I sometimes find distraction works. But it doesn't when it's this bad.

I have started baking which is quite a novelty for me and am finding it quite comforting in a way I never thought I would. It's not stressful as it's not work or study and I have a sense of satisfaction watching my family eating yummy things which I have made.

I also really enjoy 'celebrations' of different kinds, Christmas, Halloween, Easter, holidays, birthdays and I take a lot of pleasure in planning these. Feeling organised also helps with the anxiety anyway.

The other thing that helps is knowing that others all have their own issues they are dealing with. Everyone has elements of their life they find difficult. It's when the difficult parts outweigh the non difficult parts that it becomes overwhelming. This will happen at times, like when you children are ill or have an accident. That's often enough to tip a fine balance. But if there is no chronic illness then try to take comfort that the imbalance is only temporary and it will get better.

I have anxiety, I find while it's really bad mindfulness meditation can help, sounds woo, but it works for me. I also cut down on caffeine, had camomile tea instead, rescue remedy helped me if I felt like I couldn't pull myself together to make dinner or bath the dc.

There is a thing called tapping, google it to get a decent explanation as I don't think I will explain it very well, but it does help and doesn't have to take long.
Also exercise really helps me, I did the 30 day shred every day when I went through a bad patch, it really helped me focus and I felt like I had achieved something at the end of it. I find walking can help too.

Thank you for replying. I'm going to google some of the things you've mentioned and see if I can use any of them. Thank you again, I'm feeling quite bad tonight.

Sorry you're feeling bad tonight, I find property porn a good distraction. Hope you find something that helps you

Thanks. It doesn't really help that DS won't go to sleep and I've still got the dishes to do! I've got a busy day tomorrow so that will be a good distraction. I always feel worse in the evenings.

My Dts wouldn't sleep either their eyes couldn't shut apparently .

I'd agree with the meditation (I have downloads) and camomile tea can be as good as a Valium (and I know!) I would really recommend some CBT and your GP should be able to refer you - there's some free online at mindgym and nomorepanic.org if your GP says there's a long waiting list. You aren't alone - I often feel worse in the evening

Beta blockers.

I have a lot of anxiety issues, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks etc and I am going through a bad phase at the moment.

My main strategy is distraction. I was on antidepressants and beta blockers but I stopped taking these because - I don't know why really. I was worried about being on them for the rest of my life.

I have had counselling in the past but I didn't find it helpful, however I put this down to my own state of mind at the time and the approach of the particular therapists that I saw, one in particular was psychodynamic and it wasn't right for me.