Can you overcome anxiety?

[Afternooninthepark]

I’m 45, I’ve suffered from anxiety most of my life. I’ve had really bad times with it and had much better times. However, over the last year or so, it has really become troublesome and is starting to take over my life. I’ve had a few stresses over the last year which haven’t helped but it’s really getting too much at times.
I hate the feeling of the actual anxiety but it’s the physical symptoms which I really struggle with (IBS, aura migraines, general feeliings of malaise etc).
I’ve just completed a 12 week CBT course which helped to a degree but I feel I neeed something more. Something longer lasting.
I do wonder if my age and increasing anxiety is perimenopause related but I’m not getting very far with my gp on that one.
My New Years resolution is to really try to kick this anxiety in the butt, I’ve had enough of it.
So what I’m asking I suppose is, is it possible to overcome anxiety?
I’ve never taken antidepressants, although I’m always being offered them. Maybe it’s the only way to overcome anxiety for some, maybe for me?
Has anyone controlled their anxiety through whatever means?
I’d love to know as I genuinely have had a gut full of living like this!

Following x

Yes, it's possible. Ten years ago my anxiety was so bad that I was at the stage of just sitting on the sofa rocking back and forth and not knowing how to actually function. Now I'm 'a bit of a worrier' but nothing more than that.

Don't give up.

Don’t have any specific advice sorry but wanted to say I was crippled by my anxiety up until the age of 30/31 and now it’s nearly completely gone. (Only becomes difficult again if DS is very unwell) I didn’t do any one thing in particular but lots of small things whenever possible to practice self care, actively doing something about my worries if I could and talking about them if I couldn’t. CBT, healthy living, trusted friends...not any one thing but all of them. Also like you I got very fed up with the anxiety controlling me physically and not long after things started to change for me so perhaps you are on the cusp of that too I’m now 35 btw

Sertraline is good for hormonal stuff, anxiety, depresssion, ocd

treacle was there anything in particular you did to help?
madabout thank you, I really hope I can turn a corner, I’ve had enough tbh!
granny I’m seriously thinking of turning to anti d’s, I’ve always said no to them but nothing else is helping.
always hopefully someone will come up with some suggestions for us?!

Yes. I'm on sertraline and it helps so much. I still do get anxious but only when I have a really major trigger. Maybe once a month. As opposed to all the time before it.

The thing that helped me through it sounds so trivial and silly, but it really did work. I made a board on pinterest with words of wisdom and sort of mantra-type things that I just browsed whenever I was in a bad place. I find pinterest soothing in itself, and searching for words and phrases that spoke to me got me through times when I didn't know where to direct my thoughts (often in the middle of the night) really helped. Having all of these in one place then gave me a resource to go to when I was out and about and needed instant reassurance. I remember sitting in the doctor's waiting room one day when the doctor was running very late (health anxiety was a particular problem) and using it like a security blanket, repeating the words over and over inside my head.

The headspace app is also really good. They do free trials, so you can try it without having to pay. My anxiety has massively reduced, but I think I'm going to re-subscribe in the new year as I need a top up.

Big hugs to everyone dealing with this. It's really grim.

Afternooninthepark In my case I'd say it is a combination of CBT and medication. But mostly medication if I'm honest. I used to want to wean myself off the medication but when I do, the anxiety returns. So now I just think 'well, if I have to take this forever in order to function in life, then I'm taking it forever'

frogle & treacle I do think I’m going to have to try meds but I’ve always been so afraid of potential side effects. Did you get any side effects from these meds?
pink I love Pinterest, I’m quite addicted to it. I do have a positive quotes board on it, must look at it more regularly. I have listened to Headspace, I do find his voice very soothing.

No side effects from sertraline but it took a couple of weeks to really kick in. I have no intention of ever coming off it as it makes life so much better.

Yoga and self care routines. Mine include reading a book in the bath with aromatherapy candles on. Walking with my earphones and listening to music. Preparing healthy snacks and meals. I agree with the positive affirmations as well and making a 'grateful for' list. Good luck OP

Sertraline (for about a year)
CBT
avoiding fb and social media for a while
exercise

mindfulness

Also understanding a bit about neurology and how my brain was functioning helped - I was able to detach myself a bit from the anxiety. This sounds bonkers but when I am triggered and feel a panic coming on, I thank my brain for trying to help me but tell it that I am safe and then smile and imagine the panic washing over me and disappearing.

I suffered badly a few years back. I got back to work with support from an amazing counsellor. She also drummed in to me To be good to myself, so I am. I read a book and try and find time for my garden, I am reminded todo this every day. I don’t think you lose anxiety once you have it. But you learn the tools to help it,
The best thing is did was run. I started with a good walk every day... stimulates your happy hormones ( a bit like a pill would) and then I ran. I ran four times a week and built it up to a half marathon,
Try it, it made an amazing difference to my wellbeing,
I can’t run now as my back hurts, but I still walk every day.

If you want to try a natural medication then check out ashwaghanda online. It’s meant to be nature’s anti depressant (and a very powerful one at that). Even my GP told me to take it and she said she’s normally very against herbal type stuff. I’ve noticed my anxiety has really decreased ever since.

Also try some guided meditations on YouTube which are specifically for anxiety. They really helped calm me down before bed time too if I was worrying and stressing about things.

There is also increasing evidence to suggest that anxiety is very much affected by gut health and that some probiotics can alleviate it. Might be worth looking into that too.

70% of serotonin (the happy hormone) is made in the gut so a happy gut makes for a happy mind

I’ve deleted my Facebook account since yesterday as I really don’t think it’s good for my mental health.
I walk every day ( I have a dog and I’m a part time dog walker) which does me good, I know. I’d love to try running as I’ve heard it’s great for mental health issues but I too have an iffy back so will have to stick to walking.
I’ve been reading a lot about ashwaghanda, I am tempted to try but have IBS and was concerned about it upsetting my stomach?
I too have read a lot about gut health and the connection with mental health, apparently most of your serotonin is made in the gut.

I have quite bad IBS too and the ashwaghanda gave me zero symptoms. Guess it might be different for everyone but all it did was make me feel better. It also helped me to sleep deeply too.

For the IBS try having kefir. It’s full of probiotics and it’s done wonders for things like my bloating etc. I like The Collective brand and I get the coconut or vanilla flavoured yogurt ones

frosty that’s good to know. I’ll look into the kefir.

Yes, it's hard though. I've suffered depression and anxiety to varying degrees all my adult life and find it much easier to get a grip on depression usually.

I use aromatherapy and recently paid for the full version of the Calm app which is great. Cats help too!

OMG, yes, it can get so much better. Honestly, the right meds have changed my life. I can do stuff like a normal person now.

Sertraline. Made me feel normal again.

My daughter has severe debilitating anxiety & has found Sertraline totally life changing. It worked dramatically with days for her. Amazing!

I too suffer with anxiety and it’s getting to the point where I feel I need to talk to the GP. For those taking sertraline, did you get this prescribed easily or where other options explored first?

Sorry were, not where