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...

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Anxiety Disorders
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No Medication?

kpj3610
kpj3610

Hi everyone, hope you're all safe and well during these times. I am on month four of a particularly bad episode of anxiety and panic, which started completely unrelated to the pandemic. I have had significant improvements with lifestyle changes, breathing exercises, neurofeedback, and acupuncture, but seem to have plateaued in my progress. I'm still experiencing a lot of physical symptoms of anxiety, like chest pain, andrenaline rushes, nausea, and dizziness on an almost daily basis. I have felt almost no improvement in about four weeks. I have been on medication before, and tried buspirone in February, but experienced horrible vertigo and then almost went to the hospital for the withdrawal I experienced. I also tried other medications in the past, with little help and terrible side effects. I wonder if anyone has any suggestions on whT else I could be doing for intense physical anxiety. "Relaxation" doesn't do enough for me, but medication doesn't seem to be the right route either. Any suggestions help. Thank you for your time. 

Secouya
Secouya
Have you identified triggers for your anxiety and panic attacks? Do you journal. Journaling after each episode can often help you relate to what triggers you so you can avoid them or work on resolving them. For me personally it helps to have a schedule and to stay busy. I plan out what I am doing for the week. If I am busy I am less likely to be anxious or panic unless I am in a stressful situation or doing something that I know is related to my triggers. During these times I do coping exercises telling myself that I am safe, staying present by describing my surroundings in my head, etc. I also try to find activities that make me happy. I exercise daily even if it’s just a walk or tai chi exercises. I also meditate and do deep breathing, but from my belly and slow my breathing which helps my body slow it’s reaction to the flight or fight instinct that we have. I hope you feel better soon.
GirlinCalif
GirlinCalif
Have you tried talk therapy? I find talking to my therapist helps to put my thoughts into perspective. I've had what they diagnose me as "severe" anxiety for over 20 years. I am also on daily medication.

I have heard biofeedback might help, but I haven't tried it yet. Hypnosis maybe?

Also, if you decide to try a medication again, remember that there are hundreds of them out there. So if one didn't work, another one might.

Hope you are well.
arfie
arfie
I'm another who doesn't like to share many details of my illnesses, mental or physical, with co-workers or business associates. I don't keep secrets about ^it^. I just like my privacy and abhor the ailment recitals which typically follow any casual reference to illness. I don't much care who has the most exotic complaints in the office. "I was sick." covers ^it^ for me. "I'd rather not discuss ^it^ at work." backs down any of the ghoulish lovers of sick details.

But sharing is an important anxiety management tool. I believe that we are only as sick as our secrets and sharing about my illness is the diff between a sick secret and a healthy boundary. That is where my peer support network (including DS) becomes a lifesaver. Sharing about my problems as they arise within my peer support network helps me lighten the load and feel less freakish for the fact that I suffer mind warping levels of anxiety.

My suggestion would be to share freely and often during your transition back business as usual. Listening. . .
Community LeaderMid
Mid
Writing it out is an important first step in finding your new balance.

Separate your sentences. Write each day in a private journal about what you've listed. The more you write it out, the easier it will be to see the pattern of behavior and thought.

This will help you move through the feelings and learn what helps, and what works, and what you are focusing on.

Do activities that distract your usual thinking pattern.
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