It is extremely uncomfortable.
I have experienced it most of my life.
I have found paxil and epival work best for me and have improved my quality of life.
Speaking with a therapist helped.
Not every day is stellar but it can get better.
Welcome aboard.

Yes, you are not alone. First it’s important to understand the flight or fight instinct that causes anxiety. The key is relaxation and grounding. Staying present and not worry about past or future can help. Relaxation through deep breathing, meditation warm bath or shower, or whatever you find calming helps your body to naturally combat anxiety. Deep breathing through your lower belly can help. Breath in hold 5 seconds and let out slowly. In meditation remember a really happy time in your life, a place you would like to be or even a calming scene in your mind. In corporate your five senses into your meditative state including touch, smell, sight, sound and taste.

Here are some links you may find helpful:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prescriptions-life/201709/7-ways-calm-your-worried-mind-and-reduce-anxiety

https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/fight-or-flight-response/

https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/grounding-techniques.pdf

Welcome to DS hold on. Congratulations on doing something positive to change your situation scary as it may be. I often find treatment sets off my fight or flight response and makes me worse too. It would be a good idea to tell the therapist so you can work on it together. It may be hard to meditate yet, but I find trying to incorporate things like Buddhist philosophy and Stoicism really helpful. Lots of good stuff on YouTube about it. I hope you find what helps you.

Hello Holdon. Welcome to DS. Sorry for what brings you here, but glad you are here.

Inside my strictly personal herstory, I have gone through something similar every single time a dam of denial has been broken. In my own case, the only thing that has really changed is that I have quit lying to myself about that particular symptom. Denial is a powerful mask which makes lying to myself nearly inevitable. When a denial dam breaks, the awareness gushes through with tsunami strength force. Ouchus maximus. . .

The good news is that when I hold fast and face my inner demons, those tsunami strength forces can and will pass. The resulting gain is worth the pain.

But that is me and every case is unique. . .

Gentle support while you discover what ^it^ is for you. Welcome aboard. Hope you find stabilizing companionship here.

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

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

Keep a daily journal and practice even breathing to help you find calm no matter where you are.

Make a list of tasks you do daily and mark off as you do them to help you see just how much you do.

Best wishes as you find your better balance.

I contacted my doctor today after a VERY rough morning. I woke up in a complete anxiety attack to the point of vomiting. The anxiety is soooo much worse now. The heart pounding and the non stop thoughts are making me crazy. My doctor decided to go ahead and add propranolol on top of the zoloft and wellburtin I just started last Wednesday.
New medications make my anxiety even worse of course...has anyone ever been on propranolol??

Holdon-

I’m on propanolol and it’s been a huge benefit for me because it’s treating the accelerated heart rate of a panic attack

Here’s a link my therapist gave me that I found useful:

https://www.sunrisertc.com/distress-tolerance-skills/

And this hypnosis is pretty amazing in general, a nice 8 hour one for bed time.


https://www.sunrisertc.com/distress-tolerance-skills/

Hiya--yes, getting a label slapped on you is pretty scary--but remember, a diagnosis is to get help==it isn't who you are. You are pretty strong to face it and deal with it, and to want a better life for yourself. So think of yourself as a warrior-ready to do battle with the anxiety monster, not as crazy. You aren't crazy.

Are you seeing a primary care doctor or an actual psychiatrist? I'm just curious to know how they came to that cocktail of meds for anxiety after a first meeting.

Welcome to the board and good luck with your coping. We are all here for you