What anxiety treatments have worked for you?

[EqualFranknessWithYourLadyship]

Hi there, I am neurodiverse (undiagnosed, but both my children were offered dxs when young and it clearly comes from me, plus my childhood experiences all “fit”).
If you have been helped successfully to manage anxiety, were there particular treatments/methods that worked for you? Any that didn’t?

I’ve managed anxiety for many years. When it overwhelms, I get horrible restlessness and can’t sit still.

Some of the standard advice doesn’t seem very good for me because my mind is overactive and hyper vigilant so when overwhelmed it can add almost anything to the list of things to be anxious about - it just “colonises” and twists . Eg “breathe deeply” “oh what if I can’t?’ Etc,etc.

in ordinary life I am an intellectual problem solver and have a track record of campaigning for and achieving positive change. So I don’t want to stop being me iyswim. And whilst I’ve had my fair share of shit in the past 2.5 years, my life is a good one.

all stories appreciated.

I struggle with anxiety too. I can’t control it. The best I can do is to try to avoid triggers.

Have you considered meditation? Sertraline has been a life changer for me.

Thank you both for replying. It’s much appreciated.

20Digit, are you thinking meditation because it’s about clearing the mind? Is that something you’ve tried?

I did go to a mindfulness therapy group once via the nhs. After a couple of weeks’ practice I was just starting to feel it. Then life improved and I dropped it.

Re Sertraline, could you describe how you felt before and after?

@EqualFranknessWithYourLadyship sorry, that was an auto correct!! I meant medication 😆
Meditation might help too though!

I went on Sertraline during lockdown as I couldn't cope with the lack of routine and not being able to do my job in the same way. I then realised that I no longer felt anxious. I can now sleep properly for the first time in my life. I no longer wake up in the middle of the night with a feeling of dread and panic. I no longer overthink my mistakes. I can now deal with embarrassment. I also feel more confident being me rather than trying to fit in. I still get overwhelmed from time to time and I find social situations exhausting but on the whole, I feel much more able to cope with life.

That’s nice to hear :)
lol re typo.

If my brain is racing and anxiety is starting when I am trying to get to sleep, I think of 5 places/towns/countries etc around the world, following the alphabet. I try to be fast to stop thoughts poking in. It's taken practice, but it really helps me calm now and I fall asleep easier.

I am autistic and have ADHD. Mindfulness meditation works. It took weeks of daily practice for me to 'get' the benefits, but once it started to work, it became invaluable and remains so 10 years on.

Diazepam as a last resort/when things are too bad to cope with. I use this drug very sparingly.

Anti-depressants have never worked. They seem to have the reverse effect and have, at times, been quite dangerous to me. Never again!!

I've just posted a very similar thread op (you were first - should have checked):

www.mumsnet.com/talk/neurodiverse_mumsnetters/4721179-anxiety-and-being-nd-do-you-take-anything?reply=123125877

But it sounds very similar to how I feel.

I can't meditate, as I am completely unable to sit still - it makes me feel vulnerable and trapped. I can't stand stuff like CBT - I hate being told what to think, it makes me want to do the opposite. I have a few mindfulness type activities that I like doing, but they only work in the moment - the unease and restlessness come straight back. I've noticed that if I drink a beer then the tension eases - this is not a habit I want to pick up! I think I am going to ask the GP for meds, but I am anxious about being fobbed off, which stops me making the appointment.

BigMad I’m sorry to hear this.

does walking help?
fainting helps! I had two bad nights, fainted, then had a good nap!

BigMad I’ve just read your post.

I think maybe we get so used to problem-solving as a way of harnessing our brains that it becomes a habit we can’t stop?

Some of my episodes are illness-related or female-hormone related but it often flares just After a crisis in my life (not during).

anyway, I actually don’t believe we are complex. I believe we just have this bad habit.