Dealing with anxiety

[Owl]

I have a big problem with anxiety. And it's gotten worse as I've grown older.

It's to the point where I get a lot of anxiety and stress over some of the most mundane situations. Like if I have to return an item to a store. Or if I have a disagreement at work with a co-worker.

I've contemplated seeing a therapist or getting prescribed anti anxiety medication but I wanted to ask if anyone has successfully dealt with anxiety and how they accomplished it.

[Tegir]

if it is that bad, you should go see someone about it. anxiety isn't really a therapy thing, it's more psychiatric. i freak out at some pretty simple stuff too and it is not worth the consequence of what i might do. medication is so much better.

[Sasha]

Potentially any medication can train your body that certain every day environments need not be stressing, when finally off them, as I notice when some moments really click in normal environments they are better the next time around, but yes it is very difficult when they are very mundane things.

I'd had rounds of therapy before and they can be a well rounded measure to see what is wrong, but going further than just talking is a valid course and it might be the right thing you need and hopefully the phase will be lifted in a few months.

Sasha~

[Tegir]

What ever happens in this life, is minuscule to; the experiences that will happen after you die, and, the ones you remember from before you lived........but that's all part of the experience. Learn and Love.

im sorry, but i have done the new age metaphysical stuff for a few decades now. ive also learned that it really doesnt help at all. if one has anxiety or other similar issues, then rational thinking is pretty much the farthest thing from their mind. otherwise wouldnt they be thinking clearly and not having the problem at all. thats like telling someone who is suicidal to just stop and ponder life for a moment.

i know what comes after life, and i have even seen my past lives, so if this life is miniscule and doesnt matter in the grand overall experience, then what is the point. no one is meant to have to go through these kinds of things willingly, and those people that think that its some kind of choice or switch they can flip clearly dont understand at all. i have much experience in the area you are talking about and what he is talking about and it just really irked me. really. i am not a total asshole, ive just heard this so many times that it kills me to see these situations not thought of a little more seriously. a lot of people go through so much unnecessary pain for no reason, and it certainly isnt to gain any grand insight in to life or learn anything that if worth that kind of trouble....   i can also argue for your side as well to an equal conclusion in your favor, but ive seen where that leads.

if the moderator can delete this, that would be great.

[Wereman]

Interesting viewpoint Tegir and thank you for sharing. I assume having memories from your previous life gives you a different picture what life is and how to value it.

While a therapist and medication helps in this situation it comes handy in the short term (few years maximum). Looking over a decade or two you find solutions for your challenges, anxieties and stress. You find activities that help you to overcome these situations, be it a walk in the wood or even reading a book. Yet for other challenges you also learn to cope with it, come to terms with it. As you move through life with everything things don't get better or they do. It is the constant balance between the good and the challenging (or bad if you will).

[Fuzzy Wizard]

   Face your anxiety. I live with terrible anxiety when it comes to other people as I am constantly trying to review every situation from their point of view.
   I lived in Drumheller which is very much a Religious town. I was with my male partner and would always suggest side street so nobody would see us walking. In my mind I was terrified that someone I know would ask about it and then I would have to explain to them. This got worse until I almost didn't want to go outside with my partner which made him feel bad like it was his fault. I finally just said I don't care and went down center street on purpose. Everyone was very accepting and all that fear and anxiety over other people was unwarrented. It still bothers me to goto clubs, meetings, busy parks, and anywhere there is more people. I even have to pee before I leave usually, That is how stressful and frightening it is. The trick is to remind yourself you don't care (doesn't always work), but you just keep working at it and know your boundaries and make sure your friends know your boundaries. (Nothing worse then getting yourself into a Panic with friends). Oh and do not Drink to try and reduce the feeling it will just make it worse over time.

[ppakky]

Sat by a river filling my pockets with rocks. When I realized I couldn't cry for myself, I decided I was determined to do something more then worry about my own being.

[Keitsu]

Hi Owl, how is the anxiety going? I understand how you feel and I absolutely hate returning items to stores.

I have been diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder by two different doctors this year. I found that a few things helped reduce the amount of anxiety I experience.

For me, I believe these things helped:
- Talking to a professional psychologist (A doctor gave me a list of psychologists in the area)
- Talking to friends and getting support from them
- Experiencing and getting used to more social interaction
- Becoming independent (I only just moved out of my parents place earlier this year. Before that, I had very little social interaction with strangers; and I was a very shy person)
- Leaving an abusive situation (the main cause of anxiety)
- Finding something you can do to feel accomplishment (for me that is art and cooking; though I hardly do art anymore. I guess currently learning french is something that I am doing as a daily goal)

When my anxiety first got really bad (I also had Depression) I tried to take some anti-anxiety/anti-depression medication. It was a drug in a class of drugs knows as SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor). These drugs have been shown to be no better than placebos and drug companies have lies about their effectiveness for a long time. I don't see how you can treat emotional problems with a drug.

My experience with being on SSRI's is that they made me feel emotionally numb. I couldn't feel happy, or sad. I felt emotionally dead. I also had an unpleasant sexual side effect of not being able to feel orgasms; which seems to be a common side effect.

I would highly suggest you trying to take a non-medicated route to recovering from anxiety.

*hugs* good luck, and I wish you a speedy recovery.

[00ACE00]

I have really bad anxiety, some of it has gotten better while some of it has gotten worse. When I lived alone I used to not be able to go across the street to the grocery store  for food even though I had the money for it, I would rather starve than go out and a bunch of things like that. My current situation of being at home has caused more problems unfortunately. Anxiety is possible to get over but you have to try and figure out what causes it first. It could be a mental problem but be careful with that. Often doctors misdiagnose mental problems and even a lot of mental problems are caused from a lack of something in your body that can be fixed better and more safely with supplements or vitamins than medications. I agree with other people too saying that to be more independent helps. I found that when I lived on my own most of my anxiety did go away until I went to college. That's just stuff that worked for me though. I hope you can find what works for you and probably to seek counseling would be a great help. ^.^

[Gizmo]

I am not qualified to give any therapeutic advice on this subject however, what I can tell you is that you have found the right community to help deal with your anxiety. There are many in our little community that suffer from similar issues and having people around you that understand will help you tremendously. Sometimes, talking with others who empathize can be more therapeutic than a pill. You may want to try that before taking any further steps.

[Doink]

I'm not being sarcastic but alcohol helps. If that dosnt help umm.... ability sure fixed me but its really expensive like 5 dollars a pill once a day

[Kit]

its not for everyone, but sure worked for me, my doc gave me some anti depression pill without even sending me to a psychologist, I researched them online and thought ummm no, so I went on my own search for medical marijuana. I smoke every day all day and it helps me so much, its all in the dosage, and if u prefer taking it orally or smoking it.

Also I try and get as much exercise  as I can through swimming and martial arts, also taking my dog for a roller blade  :) when you exercise very hard it releases chemicals in the brain that help with anxiety.

[Dru]

I'm not being sarcastic but alcohol helps. If that dosnt help umm.... ability sure fixed me but its really expensive like 5 dollars a pill once a day

Dude, where do you get this info from? If you resort to drinking to get rid of depression then they can become an alcoholic and that makes more issues. No one wants to drink to be happy, that's not a good way to fix it.

[Freezie]

Dude, where do you get this info from? If you resort to drinking to get rid of depression then they can become an alcoholic and that makes more issues. No one wants to drink to be happy, that's not a good way to fix it.

He gets it because he does it himself. Check other threads, he posts this information often.

Anyhow, I already pm'd you OP. You know my skype. I can give you legit advice from experience. lmao.

[Doink]

Dude, where do you get this info from? If you resort to drinking to get rid of depression then they can become an alcoholic and that makes more issues. No one wants to drink to be happy, that's not a good way to fix it.

depression and anxiety are different alcohol takes away anxiety but makes depression worse