What can I do to ease my anxiety?

[Sunflowers2811]

I have crippling anxiety. It's completely taken over my life. I've lost friends though it. I've left jobs because of it. I can't move house (when i really need to) because of it. Does anyone have experience of something that has really worked to ease it? I'm on medication, have been for years. I've done loads of different types of counselling, CBT, EMDR. Still I'm so anxious its just like a living hell. Can anyone recommend things that work. I exercise as much as my anxiety (many days can't leave the house) allows, try and eat a good diet, limit alcohol intake etc.

Bump

I very highly recommend this book...

www.amazon.co.uk/Dare-Anxiety-Stop-Panic-Attacks/dp/0956596258/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3P0HYOF394DGT&keywords=dare+barry+mcdonagh&sprefix=Dare+%2Caps%2C362&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1570903879&sr=8-1

Actually, getting the digital version is great because you can have it on your phone and refer to it when you need support, wherever you are.

Basically, it will teach you to embrace your anxiety. Anxiety is nothing more than a very inconvenient rush of hormones, that's all. It doesn't have to be feared or dreaded. I'm sure you spend an enormous amount of time fighting and fighting and fighting your anxiety. That just doesn't work, and you will be chasing your tail every time. Please read this book, right now. I helped me more than I can say.

Depending on your age, I would also consider that peri-menopause might be making everything worse. Anxiety is a major symptom of peri.

It sounds like you've tried a lot so I don't have specific advice, just to sympathise. It's tough Do you have a good support network?

I have been looking up videos on anxiety and discovered a strong link between anxiety and nutrition and basically our soil is usually very depleted in nutrients now and patients treated with very comprehensive multivitamins and fish oils did much better than those on medication or placebos (I am trying to summarise but do look into this as I don’t remember exactly the study . I thought it highly important though )

Also for me I notice coffee and alcohol are triggers (very sadly!!)

I hope I was clear that even on a really good diet many of us will still be short of vital nutrients like magnesium etc etc

A HUGE yes to what @EveningLight said. My doctor told me to take a magnesium supplement and I think it has helped me hugely.

I too battle with dreaded anxiety ☹️
Have done in bout since being 25 now 62, so a good 30+ yrs
and still battling with the s...
Everyday is a battle, from the moment I wake up. I hope that it’s a good day just so that I can get on with everyday normal household things.
Since peri menopause and menopause it’s been sky high, to uncontrollable levels where only diazepam calms it down.
I too haven’t found anything that’s help me get rid completely. The last thing I tried was ACT acceptance commitment therapy .

Sorry can’t honestly say I found anything, like you on bad days I can’t get out the house. The thought of appts, even people coming to the house sends it sky high. I just want to hide. I get jealous of people who can just do things, simple as say hairdressers.

Do you have a hubby or dp, I don’t know how old you are.
Just wanted to say
Your not alone, I know that’s not what you want to hear. We want a magic wand and for it to disappear for good.

I have a book I recently bought of amazon called
Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts
Because most of the time, it’s the thought that’s popped into our head that stops us or as a battle going on in our head!!!
I can’t do it, I’ve got to , I feel ill
Etc etc
The book gets you to realise the battle we go through and that to say that “ don’t think about it”
Is never going to help
It’s like saying “ I want you to not think about banana’s for 2 minutes”
It’s impossible!! Try it
It’s to accept “ there thoughts, not real”
I keep the book on the side table, so I pick it up to remind me everyday

It’s also the physical symptoms anxiety brings with, that’s so scary how it can make you feel regardless of age. Anxiety is powerful s..,

We also all soak in Epsom salts i buy cheaply in large bags on amazon as our children feel itchy with the oil spray. Our DS’ anxiety has definitely got much better as used to really impact him

I second the nutrition stuff. When I took health supplements to improve my digestive health, my anxiety was much better.

Sorry but I take
B50, Magnesium spray, zinc d3
Also Epsom salts baths 2 weeks
10kg box £20 oh and a sad lamp for winter

I really can’t say it’s made a massive improvement/if any but I still take them religiously

The digestive supplements were to help me absorb vitamins and nutrients. So maybe we’re all depressed because we’re taking vitamins but our stomach/body can’t absorb them?

That’s exactly what my dp says
You need to know if your absorbing what your taking

How the bloody hell do we do that?

Can we get blood tests that show the levels of things in our bloodstream? I know they can test for the levels of B vitamins. I'm sure they can test for Vitamin D, magnesium, etc. If you can get an appointment and get a doctor to agree to test you...

@Aquamarine1029 I’ve just ordered this book. The reviews are very good.

I’ve had a bit of anxiety in the past but this year it’s through the roof. We are going away at half term and I’m already working myself up about it.

@Goodwithrocksandgems

I hope it helps you as much as it helped me.

Paul David blog and 'At last a life'.