Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Hi =]
I guess I'll dive right in. I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder in 2000. They gave me paxil, it made me feel horrible so I threw it away and was never treated/seen for anxiety again until this year.
I lost all of my medical benefits in February. In the process of trying to get assistance, I was diagnosed with GAD and major depressive disorder. Here's my issue... Depression I understand somewhat. All of my other physical health conditions, I understand.
Anxiety I do not understand at all. I don't get it, it confuses me. I've been denied all kinds of assistance so I really have no one to help me understand it better. I don't even know when I have anxiety attacks but I'm pretty sure I had one today.
I've been tense, sweaty, stomach in knots... the chest pain is what convinced me. That and I'm suddenly rethinking the major life changing decisions that I've been forced to make this last week. I don't know how to prevent anxiety attacks, I don't know how to walk myself through one or how to bring myself out of one.
I guess I'm hoping to hear that eventually there will be some clarity. With or without the help that medical insurance can provide, I'd feel much better if I knew that I can learn about this help myself when no one else can!!!
I guess I'll dive right in. I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder in 2000. They gave me paxil, it made me feel horrible so I threw it away and was never treated/seen for anxiety again until this year.
I lost all of my medical benefits in February. In the process of trying to get assistance, I was diagnosed with GAD and major depressive disorder. Here's my issue... Depression I understand somewhat. All of my other physical health conditions, I understand.
Anxiety I do not understand at all. I don't get it, it confuses me. I've been denied all kinds of assistance so I really have no one to help me understand it better. I don't even know when I have anxiety attacks but I'm pretty sure I had one today.
I've been tense, sweaty, stomach in knots... the chest pain is what convinced me. That and I'm suddenly rethinking the major life changing decisions that I've been forced to make this last week. I don't know how to prevent anxiety attacks, I don't know how to walk myself through one or how to bring myself out of one.
I guess I'm hoping to hear that eventually there will be some clarity. With or without the help that medical insurance can provide, I'd feel much better if I knew that I can learn about this help myself when no one else can!!!
Some people seem to be able to handle their anxiety through meditation and yoga, but I prefer meds and therapy :-) Lol. Good luck to you.
From what I have read, anxiety is just that...it's an intense feeling of worry and stress. Are you familiar with the Fight or Flight response? If not, make sure to look it up. That is basically the reaction your body/mind has when having an attack.
You kind of figured it all out, maybe without even realizing it, but your trigger...you said you were rethinking major life decisions. In the Fight or Flight response, chemicals are triggered to prepare us for a fight or the escape a situation (that's where the shaking, rapid heartbeat and discomfort, shortness of breath, etc. come from).
Your thoughts may not have seemed "threatening" in any physical sense, but for people sensitive to anxiety sometimes that is all it takes for the chemicals to be triggered.
I have read that these chemicals can only release for 3 minutes on their own, so I have found it beneficial in the past to watch the cock for 3 minutes and tell myself "You are allowed to experience this for 3 minutes and 3 minutes only. Your body has no choice but to go through this for those 3 minutes. After that, you are in complete control again." It seemed to empower me enough to be able to move forward from the attack.
There are a lot of self-help books out there, some people turn to yoga, church/spirituality, distraction, positive thinking, breathing exercises, hypnosis, etc. It may take some time but once you find what works best for you, you are bound to feel much better:)
Sorry that was so long, but I hope it helped!
I have had GAD for 12 years and still don't quite understand what it comes from...I know some of it just comes out of nowhere...without the medical benefits I know it is tough...the key for me has been to find the right medication for ME....but being that you don't have the medical coverage there are things that can help you cope and understand it more...There is a great book by Claire Weakes called "hope and help for your nerves" it explains all of the different types of disorders, from depression, panic, anxiety to giving you ways to cope...I know each person is different in the sense of what works for them...I personally can do something as simple as a crossword puzzle ....sounds silly but sometimes if I can get my brain focused elsewhere it helps...sometimes taking a walk, or listening to music helps....you just have to find what is right for you...I really do recommend that book though it has helped me a lot through the years....and I wanted you to know if you ever need to talk or just vent...I am here....Trish
1. Accept the feeling...It can't hurt you.
2. Give permission to feel the anxiety
3. Breath slowly through nose
4. Calm self with positive self talk.
5/ Let go, float and flow
6. Distract yourself
7. Use the adrenalin in a positive way
8. Don't let a bad day scare you
9. Pat yourself on the back for how far you have come
10. Let time pass
Thank you all for your replies, advice/tips and input! I was able to read over them the day I made this post and it helped to see your support :) Breathing exercises do wonders for me at night just before bed. So far its the only thing that helps me fall asleep faster (It usually takes me hours to fall asleep)
Wimbly - Typos happen! Yours put a smile on my face lol. My husband says he supports trying what you originally typed haha. A good sense of humour is a god send on the bad days, so thanks for that! :) I've tried telling myself that it will pass briefly and I'll be back to my normal self soon and it does help a bit!! Thank you :)
Trish- I'll check out that author, thank you! I've noticed recently that sewing helps! Even though I am horrible at it lol.
shemp- that is an excellent idea!! :)