Welcome, you made a good decision coming onto a forum. I am also new to this group. But I have been on other online support groups and can tell you that it really helps to talk to other people about things you are going through. This site seems great because you can post and keep journals. What do you do for work if you dont mind me asking? I actually tend to lock myself in my closet when I am having a panic attack so I understand the need to "get away" and be somewhere else. People think I am weird for doing that, but I tell them I dont want people to see me and it makes it just a little easier to get myself together. What is it about work that makes you have anxiety there? I know alot of jobs are more stressful because of the world we are living in these days and the workload is alot more. I just quit my job this past week because things became too much for my anxiety. But I would have to do deep breathing to calm myself at work.

Hello milgal, welcome. If you've had anxiety for 14 years, have you ever tried therapy, medication? I do both, and they help me.

I would also suggest journaling. Writing everything out helps to get those anxious feelings out of your head and on to paper. Try and do this every day. And, it's free :)

Welcome to the board.

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

Do breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth, in through your nose, and out through your nose to help calm.

Keep a daily private journal as well as posting on the board. Everyone here understands, encourages, and supports each other!

Stay hydrated.

Welcome to the group.

Thank you all for responding. I am in the military. Yes, I have access to mental health care, but that has not always worked in my favor. I have had some horrible therapist who only wanted to medicate me and leave me be. I have had some who wanted medication to be a last resort, but didn't do well with helping me work through my issues. I have been medicated plenty of times in the past, but it just helps with the anxiety, not what causes the anxiety. I have more good days than bad, but that has changed recently amid the pandemic and all. I have to physically see someone for meds and the appointments are booked for months. I will try journaling again. My thoughts are always so jumbled that I never know where to start. Does that happen to any of you?

I am having an awful Time with my anxiety also. I have to wait 10 days to get into a Pdoc. I’m on meds and see my therapist on Friday. I may have to quit my job. Sorry things are tough for you. I know what you are going through. Hugs.

welcome! when my anxiety is high about going to work-I make my car into a little relaxation station--lavender sachets--calming new age music--at one point I even had a seat massager!! lol...

It can take a while finding the right person to use with therapy. I went through three before I found a military veteran psychologist who was able to work with my primary care provider.

Writing in a private journal is one way to explore all the ways that anxiety actually helps you to make decisions. Things we avoid - when I wrote out about this one, one sentence at a time, I saw a pattern and was able to distract that pattern.

Staying in touch with a support group will help you be comfortable with the changes.

Best wishes as you find your better balance!

There is no right or wrong way to journal. You are the only one who will see it. Just write anything you want, and it will probably flow from there. Or, you could draw what you're feeling. Whatever works is what works.

I feel it is worth a try and something you can do right now. I hope it helps you and that you get into see your doctor soon, too.

Hang in there, you are not alone.

Hello and welcome Mil Gal from a lady Viet Nam Era Vet. I started my psychotherapy while I was in the Army and segued into the VA, as well as using ample civilian sources. The difficulty of finding a good therapy program seems to be a common factor for all available sources. Balance is hard to come by, wherever one is seeking their balance.

Journaling is one of my most reliable therapy tools and, absotively jumbled thoughts which make it difficult to know where to start. I hold that as part of the healing process. The still growing instability **out there** currently has me struck dumb. I'm plying other therapy tools --vigorous workouts, sharing as often as possible within my therapy support network, extra self-care, etc.

Prayers in progress for all of us. Faith in the maskite solution is growing weaker by the martial law extension/escalation.

I'm so sorry you are feeling so bad! Some things that help a lot are the following: magnesium will help calm the mind, body and spirit. Ginseng is great to get rid of sticky negative thoughts that loop too. A good multi will have the B vit and magnesium to help nerves heal and anxiety lessen. Hope these help you too, dear! Blessings!

I also have Monday anxiety, if it is getting bad I try to plan something enjoyable for Monday after work...just so I have something to look fwd to--it makes it a little easier to get out of bed.

Welcome to the group!