Living with Anxiety - Guardian

[Basilbrushgotfat]

Wanted to share this article as it neatly sums up the things I've found work for managing anxiety. Especially the bit about building small, manageable routines.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/may/21/what-i-wish-id-known-about-living-with-an-anxiety-disorder

I hope it helps someone who's struggling today x

Thanks for that. Some stuff there I can use with some of the young people I work with

Thank you for sharing, I liked the bit about how our anxiety is lying to us when it says we're not strong enough or resourceful enough to cope (paraphrasing). I was thinking almost exactly that about myself this afternoon, now I'm gonna sing "why you always lyin?" in my head when that happens.

This has helped me today, thank you.

Thanks op, I'm another struggling today and appreciate this

Thank you. Anxiety is horrible. Takes over your life. I’m supposed to be accessing CBT soon but I’m not sure my heart’s in it really.

@Whoatealltheminieggs
I felt the same about CBT.
Best thing I ever did. I like the practical approach. It wasn't the rehashing of the past - though their was an initial assessment.
But the exercises you were given helped me organise and focus my thoughts. My self esteem increased for the first time ever. I had 7 sessions over 3 months. My confidence increased. Even after the sessions ended the improvements kept on coming. A year after I was still getting improvements. Fully recommend.

@Robin233 I think I’ll be giving it a go. It affects my life so badly so I am willing to try it. I’ve never found counselling helps. Like you I don’t like going over the past. I feel like bringing my childhood traumas into my present life just gives them space I don’t want them to take up.

Excellent article - thank you for sharing this.

To all those with anxiety, please take care, look after yourself, and remember that you are capable of more - far more - than your anxiety says you are, and each positive step, no matter how small, even if it's getting out of bed, is a kick in the balls to your anxiety.

Thanks for sharing OP x

The whole supplement was excellent.

@Whoatealltheminieggs i had CBT years ago for ocd, worked very quickly and was great.

i suffer with horrible anxiety. Breathless, throat closing etc. can CBT help with that and if so how?

thanks

I would also be interested in how CBT helps anxiety. I’ve considered counselling as I think past bereavements need addressing, however it’s really interesting to hear @Whoatealltheminieggs say that it would be unhelpful to bring past traumas into present life.
I just need to stop putting things off because of my anxiety. I feel like I’m stuck because I’m so scared of change. DH & I have been planning a house extension for years but can’t move forward because I won’t commit because I’m so scared. But can’t verbalise it. I’m pushing myself out of my comfort zone at the moment by looking for a new job after almost 20 years at the same place but the anxiety over interviews is crippling. And I’ve done really well so far! Got another one coming up this week and I already have that feeling of nausea due to the anxiety.

Sorry - got a bit carried away there! Need to read that article again I think!

@Lovetok
CBT. Helps you use your mind in a helpful way.
For example if you was to think 'this extension is going to be fantastic'
Instead of 'whatever negatives you are throwing at it'
This assuming you can afford one.
But you need to apply all the exercises in CBT.
And keep at it.
Retraining your mind does take time.

I'm glad the piece had helped :)

I've just started CBT for anxiety, only 1 session in so can't comment on it yet, but therapist seems great and I'm feeling positive about it.

each positive step, no matter how small, even if it's getting out of bed, is a kick in the balls to your anxiety

I love this, so true!

Another useful piece in the Guardian today -
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/may/24/panic-101-what-to-do-during-a-panic-attack-and-how-to-prevent-them