Anyone suffer from anxiety, not on meds, but just lives with it?

[Olivesandwine]

Hi. This is me. I suffer from bouts of anxiety from time to time. Not constant as I have times when I am fine, and not crippling, as I am able to carry on with day to day life and pretend that I am ok. Because of the times when I am ok, I am very reluctant to take medication. I am not totally against it, and have taken it in the past when I was really low for a long time but I just think I can cope with things on my own so I struggle through.
Just wanted to know if there are others like me. I don’t worry about everything in life but sometimes just get carried away with a thought or if something happens, and I spiral out of control and become a bit obsessed with this worry for however long it takes to resolve itself or I can sort it out myself. However, nobody in real life would guess the turmoil going on inside.
I won’t ramble on too much more but would love to hear from others like me so we could offer mutual support when times are rough.

Yes I do. Have been on meds in the past but not for a few years now. I have had CBT recently that has helped immensely. Mine tends to be health anxiety related but I also worry too much over most things.

I recently did couch to 5k recently and it's also had a positive impact on my mental health. I try and keep myself busy and distracted.

Also focusing outwards helps. So if I think I'm worrying too much (focusing inwards) I make a conscious effort to listen and look around me. For example, how many different sounds can I hear or colours can I see.

Is it linked to your menstrual cycle? My anxiety was for years, I could tell when my period would start ( once Id made the connection) because I'd wake up with that"something's wrong, what's wrong, I know something's wrong! " feeling whirling around in my head and a sick feeling in my stomach. Tried Seratonin inhibitors once but felt like Id been tied up in a duvet, not helpful. So yes, lived with intermittent anxiety for years. Much better now that Ive passed menopause.

No not linked to menstrual cycle. I’m post menopausal so not that.
I tried telephone cbt once but it didn’t help but agree exercise is good but often cannot get motivated to do it. When I’m bad I can just wallow in it which doesn’t help at all.
I’ve tried all manner of vitamins/natural remedies etc but nothing works. However I am usually looking for a quick fix and I know you have to be taking them for a long time and in the right strength to make any difference and I’ve usually just given up.
I work part time in a very busy job and that distracts me. I find talking about my current problem helps enormously but poor old Dh is sick of me wittering on - although he doesn’t tell me that - and I’m too embarrassed to admit to anyone else just how worried I am because I want to appear capable and in control. And some of the things I have worried about have just been stupid. That hasn’t stopped me fretting about them though.

This is me. I've got proponolol in the cupboard but never taken any.

It's mainly health anxiety and social anxiety which can produce physical symptoms when it's bad. It tends to run in cycles that last weeks to months and I can't explain why I move between being fine and struggling.

I do. I was on meds years ago when it was almost constant.

Now I just live with it when it descends.

I also work full time and find that helps. May start couch to 5k again, it did help as well.

You're right that no one knows the thoughts going on in your head and just assume you're fine. I've also heard some really negative comments about anxiety from colleagues who have no idea.

Actually Im on Propanolol for migraine, maybe it helps with the anxiety too. Never thought of that!

OP I think its a case of whether you can live like this, it might be worth giving meds a go if anxiety is making you really unhappy, what have you got to lose?

I do! I've always suffered but like you could manage it without letting it take over me completely. Lately though it seems to have ramped up massively to the point of panic attacks, completely over thinking everything and just generally making me a mess. I am considering getting advice from the Doctor

Mine is also hormonal, so I can tell myself that which usually helps. It was crippling in my teenage years before I learned ways to cope. I had 20 years of almost nothing and it has started again recently, I think due to permenopause. I have many self help techniques that really work. I am also more open now than as a teen which does help me.

Me too. Only on occasions though not constant. It had gotten worse since having DD, mainly social anxiety and worry about what to say to others and me doing something wrong. Has anyone tried Kalms before now?

yes - over the years I have suffered from anxiety - I am now 71 - and in the past because no-one diagnosed it - I was called shy, awkward, obsessive, and a few other epithets. I held down a demanding job, brought up my son on my own while working full time but knew when I got to 55 and my son was off at university - I need to let go of all the stress and got a dog! This brought me an interest of my choosing and kept me active and fit - no more commuting.
I have learned to control my anxiety in social situations although organising for visitors (even family) send my stress levels sky high. But the depression lurks in the corner when times are tough and although I have been offered anti-depressants by the GP I prefer to apply relaxation techniques during bouts of depression and keeping occupied.
I would emphasis I did not have debilitating anxiety/depression and anyone who does needs medication, therapy there is no easy DIY solution But it is interesting how others cope in their lives.

Have you tried meditation or mindfulness?

Try the headspace app. Anything to try give you some calm in times on high anxiety to try rationalise your thinking.

I think if you can suss triggers you could prep yourself a little ‘tool kit’ to carry in your bag for when you start to feel anxious.

Things like a photo of a loved one
A song to listen to that reminds you of a good memory or person
Calming smells - lavender oils

Anything that can potentially distract you in a pleasant way.

Living with anxiety is tough - but is possible to manage without meds

I’m reluctant to take medication because of the times when I am ok. Just had 2 months when I’ve been fine, then just a word, that turns into a thought, then a worry and I’m off again. But I get over it.
If I was really rock bottom or things were going on too long, I would be forced to go to the docs. But even when I was on meds in the past, I still worried so currently I don’t want to go there.
Being honest and open and talking about things is the answer. And if I can’t do it in real life, for now I will post on here.
Thank you for all your comments. It really does help knowing I am not alone.

Me too op. In fact I’m feeling very sick and anxious this morning, and I know it’s because I drank too much on a night out on Friday, and it’s an after effect of that.

I find that cutting back on alcohol helps, also a brisk dog walk every day, and evening primrose oil seems to settle my hormonal surges.

It sucks doesn’t it? I hate the feeling of dread I wake up with sometimes, always on edge, always fearing the worse.

I worry about the most trivial of things too.

This morning I’m worried about our holiday next week, and finding things to entertain the teenagers, because if they hate it and we struggle to enjoy ourselves then it’s all my fault as I chose this holiday!

Crazy isn’t it?

Ha yes the holiday worries. I worry about getting to the airport!! What if there is a traffic jam, what if we miss the flight etc etc. Usually end up being there ridiculously early.
Yes I can worry about trivial things that I think most people would just shrug off which makes me a bit ashamed of myself and reluctant to talk about such things.

I do. Had an awful episode in my early-to-mid twenties where for a few months I kept waking up crying, at about 3 or 4 in the morning. Just kind of uncontrollable sobbing. And I'd lost about a stone in weight and felt very tearful all the time during the day. I was trying to buy a flat but the solicitor wasn't being very helpful and I was living in a rented house with a boyfriend that I didn't really want to be with anymore but he had nowhere to go if I didn't let him move into the flat I was buying and while he was very sympathetic with all the early hours crying, I think possibly I needed some outside help because looking back I was tying myself into knots trying to keep everyone happy. Awful. And all though being very, very anxious to please.

These days I am more aware of what I'm doing to myself but some days I would just like, just one, to know how it feels to be like other people, who aren't constantly in a state of high nervousness.

Not me but my 20 year old dd. She has been on meds in the past - when she was in sixth form but she stopped thenduring her gap year. To be honest I think the things that she gets particularly anxupious about are entirely appropriate -workload at uni, undertaking a big trip etc. I’d like her to consider CBT but she is reluctant so I’d be very interested to hear about others experiences of this.

Ive used the DARE technique which I found really helpful. A great book which I could really relate to.

Mine has been particularly bad recently, have been given meds by the doctor but am reluctant to take them as I really don't think I could cope with weeks of side effects first. Have started mindfulness again, going to try CBT, more exercise, and less caffeine and see if all that helps. My main source of anxiety is being in a car as I have had some bad experiences the last few years. I hate it, not so bad driving myself (though have had one or two mild panic attacks) but if I'm a passenger I feel out of control and very anxious. My poor Dh has to put up with it! So at the moment I am willing to try anything (apart from meds!)

Yes im exactly the same. I get periods where I’m awful and others where I’m completely fine. No one around me knows I go through it because I suffer in silence. I’m currently going through a rough patch and it’s worse than it has been before. I’m currently debating telling somone, I probably won’t though. X

Learned to meditate. This helps me to get to the bottom of what is causing my anxiety, so I can take steps towards change if possible, learn to come to terms with it if it’s beyond my control.

This now, when necessary, involves really immersing myself in the felt experience of my anxiety and emotions during meditation. This can be excruciating but it is immensely liberating and has led to some profound changes for the better in my life.

I would definitely say it’s best to learn to meditate from a person though, preferably someone with a deep, long-term practice, who can give you guidance. I think apps can potentially get you into quite deep water as they over simplify things.

Hey, i totally understand you! I am on CBT and starting a mindfulness course in sept. I am also taking propranolol at times of bad anxiety. As you said, the hardest part is no one knows. I am completely competent and confident at work, but when at home with the kids I am constantly anxious and worry about everything. I feel guilty for everything where they are involved. I feel guilty for even feeling like this as most people would look at my life and think I am very lucky. Don't know why I am like this. I hope you are ok. I think if you don't want to try the medical route try some herbal remedies first. They may help

I feel guilty for being like this too Beba as I really haven't got anything to worry about. My mind won't let me be content for too long so finds a reason to worry.

Yep, I have a panic disorder. Never been on meds but have had CBT which was wonderful. Mine is linked to a certain situation which I have to be in every day (think using a car, being in a lift etc) which I can't control or escape from - that's the root of the panic. Manifests as physical symptoms: racing heart, stomach cramps, gas, chest pains.