Young adult with anxiety

[LightandAiry]

Has anybody tried an app that has helped with techniques to help with anxiety/panic attacks?

My 18 year old ds is struggling - I wasn't sure where to post this as he's still a teenager....if anybody can recommend anything it would be great, also what more I can do to support him apart from just being there albeit remotely. He can come home at Easter.

It's his first year at university; it's disappointing for him and he's struggling in his accommodation. He's always suffered from anxiety but hated counselling and would rather avoid medication.

Any advice welcome on how to develop techniques. Thanks in advance

Mindfulness brings in more of the relaxing Alpha(?) waves l think.

Or exercise?

But as a life long sufferer l found medication the most helpful.

I am also going through this with my 15 year old dd. I am going to arrange a GP appointment for her. I thought the young minds page on anxiety was quite well written youngminds.org.uk/find-help/conditions/anxiety/ and has some links to apps etc.
I found it helpful that it emphasises how common it is.
Honestly, I am a mental health professional and the most helpful things are enjoying hobbies, exercise, possibly meditation, talking and social contact (all modulate the soothing system) but people have to find what works for them because prescribing headspace etc tends to be a turn off to people. Even though if they find it themselves and commit, it's often really helpful. GPs often prescribe propanalol now but I don't know what I think about this.

Thanks for replies.

ArseInTheCoopWindow Exercise has helped him in the past, but he said he went out for a walk and it didn't help, but I think he gets very anxious at times not helped by current situation. Were you a child when the anxiety started?

GoWalkabout you've hit the nails on the head - he says Headspace isn' helpful for him. I've just looked on the YoungMinds website and they suggest concentrate on things such as the 5 senses.

Can anybody recommend a book on how to manage anxiety, and if so has it helped? Thanks

I think it needs more powerful exercise to get rid of adrenaline!

Ever since l was about 5.

Trying not to fight the panic attacks and just let them come has helped me make peace with them in my life. Forgiving myself for them and befriending them. That’s the only way I can feel ‘in control’ of my panic attacks.

I really, really, really wish someone had told me this when I was 18. It would have saved me a whole decade of pain. They don’t feel half as bad now because I allow my body to have them, and I feel much better for when it’s all out of my system.

In the meantime, whilst I can feel anxiety building up there is a great game app called ‘I love Hue’ and it’s like a colour matching game. This has soothed me loads over the years it’s so calming and distracting.