The older we get......you know the drill. Keep chugging away at it. My educated guess is anxiety always lurked in the background because you never completely got rid of the inner fears you’ve most likely had for who knows how many years, plus your confidence in yourself never reached a sustainable level. If I’m wrong, I apologize. I’d like to recommend a book available on Amazon, called “It’s Only Anxiety” by Carl James. You would most likely benefit from it. James also has a web site by the same name as the book, which describes the contents of the book in great detail. Check it out.

Thank you so very much ! I will definitely look into the book ! Thanks for the advice! It’s great to hear from others who have suffered because this can be a very scary and lonely disorder!

A girl in a private group that I belong to on Facebook told me to have my hormones checked. I think I was complaining about panic attacks. I am getting bloodwork done this week and am having my hormones checked. Google hormones and anxiety. Very interesting. The only problem will be if they want to put me on hormone replacement therapy, I most likely will refuse. My poor Mom went on it and got breast cancer. She won her first battle but lost her second. Anyway, I wanted to get that to you. Now for a welcome! You'll love it here!

Hello AKS. Welcome to DS.

My nervous stomach has been extreme for as long as I can remember. It, also, comes and goes in waves. My first official dx for that nervous stomach was, "Spastic Colitis." I believe it is being called, "IBS" these days. My own case is too extreme for sure and simple fixes, but when I feel a wave coming on, gentle stretches and walking are my first response. The gentle, rhythmic motion helps me massage and relax the muscles my anxiety habitually tenses. A tight gut will help me outrun a bear more effectively than it will help me pass a math test.

For what it's worth
I solidly believe that anxiety is a hard-wired part of the survival system. It is the very mechanism by which Nature provides her children a fighting chance to live another day in her all natural food chain. May we never find a cure for the survival instinct. Don't cure it. Train it.

Then we get to the human nature to take Mother Nature's great ideas and develop them to absurd extremes. Meet the Anxiety Disorder. Too much of a good thing really can kill you.

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

You've taken the important first step in writing it out.

Anxiety...is...natural. It is a part of us. Learning how to get it to maintain in a normal range takes a combination of breathing exercises to find calm in the moment, gentle motion to release tension naturally, and letting your feelings release in a way that allows you to be calm and clear headed.

Best wishes as you find your better balance.

I'm happy to have found a place with solid advice and suggestions for sufferers of anxiety disorders. some other anxiety/panic support groups only compare meds. On here we're on the same page and that's a real plus. This way we can support and help each other. I don't like relying on drugs and instant answers. These things take time and a little work.

Welcome to DS. I am glad you reached out here. Yes, I have had a similar time with my anxiety and depression. I can go months and years without struggling than all of a sudden I begin spiraling. I have 4 techniques I use regularly when ever I start struggling. Most of the time I begin to feel better and don't spiral so fast or so deep. I know anxiety and depression are chemical imbalances in the brain. Medication helps some, but being aware of how I am feeling and not giving into the anxious negative thoughts really helps me. Through prayer and practicing the following, I feel better. I also find chatting on this forum a big help because I know I am not alone in this.

1)Becoming aware of what you need through self-care and personal nourishment. Take time for yourself - you are worth it. Like taking walks, baths, massages, mani/pedi/, listening to uplifting music/sermons and anything that makes you feel refreshed and renewed.

2) The 557 breathing technique is take 5 deep breaths in while thinking good thoughts about yourself like I matter, I am special, I am strong and then hold the breaths for the count of 7 focusing on those words about yourself, then let out the breath slowly for 5 seconds letting go of any anxious, self-defeating, unhealthy thoughts. I do this one to three times a sitting.

3)The gratitude journal is writing down something good every morning and night something that went well in the day, or something I appreciate about myself. Taking our focus off of the anxiety and depression and focusing on positive uplifting things really helps. What you think is what you believe. So thinking uplifting things you believe those things but the reverse is true - thinking negative self-defeating things, you will believe those.

4) Emotional Freedom Tapping - Look up the actual pressure points that you use, but you tap on those points while you repeat positive uplifting things to yourself.

I will be praying for you. Feel free to pm me if you'd like to chat. Hugs and God Bless

Thank you all so much ! Great advice from everyone! It’s comforting to know I’m not alone and have a place to chat with others . Thank you all !

Reach out anytime, we are here for you. I agree this is a wonderful forum to chat with others and know we are not alone in our struggles. Hugs

@caring2018 thank you! I’m so happy to have found this group