Anxiety can be an ongoing maintenance. Therapy, and medications have helped me control it. It's a daily thing for me, though. I don't think I will ever be *cured*.

Please do not cut, or hurt yourself. You need to be kind to yourself. Cutting can also cause infections and you could bleed out, and you don't need to have more things going on that could seriously harm you. Do you see a psychiatrist, a therapist, or take any prescribed medications?

Soothing music helps me. I also look for something to keep me busy.... cleaning out a drawer, going through the closet, etc. When the anxiety has passed, I feel good about having accomplished something. (I had a friend who loved to go on long runs.... but that was never my thing.)

So glad you're taking a stand...... no more battle scars! May you find what works for you.

Thanks girlincalif and blue Jay. I don't seek help because the ones I've seen around here unfortunately just tell you "that's life" so basically just deal with it. I do take meds but sometimes I'm so far gone meds dont help. I definitely like music and maybe cleaning will help me get rid if some of my tension
Thanks for the suggestions

Depending on the situation I like to run cold water over my wrists or splash some on my face. Like in a social situation I’ll excuse myself to the restroom for a breather. Or if I get caught up in an anxious moment I’ll give myself a little pinch. Not enough to hurt myself but something to distract my racing mind and ground me a bit. It helps remind me to take a deep breathe and center myself.

Thanks mr Lincoln I do pinch myself or lightly run my nail into my skin to feel the release but I need to try the cold water trick!

I tend to hold my breath and/or shallow breath when I am anxious. I also tend to starve myself. Dizziness is a symptom of both those psycho ticks. Breathing exercises are my front line tool for addressing a dizzy spell, followed by a review of my recent nutrition intake.

Hi! So glad you aren't hurting yourself. I find walking very helpful, also breathing. I have a few friends I can call, just tell them what's troubling me and then try to chat about something else. Also, I remember that, if I'm having an "attack " that it WILL pass. Good luck to you.

Thanks Masha, getting lots of air had been helping

I've been taking citalopram 20mg for about 2 years. The first year it worked really great but then I started noticing the racing thoughts and I think my body become too tolerant and the drug isnt working anymore fully. I also keep Xanax on hand as an emergency. Ive been to the ER 3 or 4 times because my attack would get so bad I was convinced I was going to die. Xanax really does help HUGELY but I dont want to just run to that whenever I freak out. So I try breathing deep in and out which sometimes works sometimes doesnt. Exercise almost daily but it really doesn't seem to have a big effect unfortunately. I've tried meditation that can sometimes work too. You might also try Yoga I find that very relaxing.

Honestly the only thing that helped me was meds and therapy. Exercise helps a lot but anxiety is because of brain chemistry. So a lot of times it’s the only thing that helps.

My anxiety can get really bad and then usually leads to a major depressive episode. Just recently I went through one during the holiday. First I have to take deep cleansing breaths to clear my mind. I focus on my breathing. I breath in for the count of 5 big breaths through my nose, hold them for the count of 7 and then slowly release those breaths for the count of 5. I call it the 557 cleansing breath. As I breath in I breathe in healthy thoughts and I breath out I let go of those anxious thoughts. Visualization also works, I think about putting my negative anxious thoughts on a cloud and watch it float away. Changing my focus on God and not my thoughts also helps. I spend time praying to God and listening to Him through praise music; trying to relax in His Love. I will be praying for you and reach out anytime. Know you are not alone. We care for you. God Bless!

Anxiety is a hard beast tame! Voice of experience here. I have found a great resource for anxiety sufferers and that's The Anxiety Guy. If you google that, you will find his site, his you-tube videos & podcasts. I also try to avoid the news which only increases my anxiety. I don't watch action or scary movies or anything like that which would increase my adrenaline level. If it doesn't make me smile or laugh, then I don't want to see it. I play solo word games on my tablet. I go to the gym. When it's really bad and maybe the weather is bad and I can't sit still, then I clean and organize which is what I did today. Oh, yeah, and mine is medication-resistant. I have a cat that I love dearly. Sounds silly but he can be like Valium sometimes. We stare into each other's eyes. There's no judgment and no issues. He accepts me warts and all. Good luck, we're all in this together.

I forgot a couple more things.....Emotional Freedom Technique also known as Tapping by Nick Ortner. And I like the sites Tiny Buddha, (motivational speaker) Jay Shetty. and (life coach) Mel Robbins. I created a Facebook page just for me to follow these things that help my anxiety. Otherwise, I don't do FB at all. All my suggestions sort of focus on different things since anxiety isn't just one thing. It's like a porcupine.

Used to be lots of alcohol. Of course that just makes things worse. I have taken 7 or 8 different meds and some worked better than others. When I practice I find mindfulness to be very helpful. It is something along with medication I try to do every day. I also pick up the phone and call a friend because just the distraction of the conversation can settle me down. Whatever you do pick positive choices and get help. You might find a way to manage it and keep it in check.