Well I don't have much sucess in the area of dealing with anxiety, but i've overcome an eating disorder and i'm accident free over a year, haven't cut myself in over a year.

These are tremendous accomplishments to me.

Since I started using a Dopamine enhancing medication, plus an Alpha Stim, my anxiety has gone away 95%. I still have depression, but heck, who needs everything?

i do like this new thread!!!!
for me, well ive been on zoloft, and zanax, and others before...
but my docs have found that my thyroid may be the biggest problem..
i still have anxiety, but its not as bad, now that iam on higher fosage of synthyroid..
i do deep breathing,meditation,positive thinking, exersize, and keep myself busy!!
iam learning how to rethink my thinking!!!
bren

The Lexapro I was on did its job as far as masking the anxiety. I just didn't like the crappy side effects, even though they could have been much worse.

I find Yoga is fantastic for stress and anxiety. I do it at least once a day, twice if I have the time. Breathing exercises alone can trigger an attack for me, so doing poses along with the breathing is a great balance. Plus its exercise, which is one of the best things for anxiety/depression.

Well, I avoided most left hand turns after having a bad panic attack at a left hand turn lane in the middle of an intersection. Sounds quirky, but I tried to go to my destinations doing right hand turns...for years. Talk about taking the LONG way home! After antidepressants, I got enough courage to do those "lefts" at safe intersections...now, I'm a pro!

You guys this is just great!!! I find that with anxiety, which also triggers my depression, that a good success story can really make me feel better.

I have been going to therapy, taking Zoloft, and I read alot about anxiety which helps me not be so afraid of it. I still have moments where I know I need to just get busy and train my thoughts. I find that it helps for me to think of the day that I will mellow out and won't deal with this problem anymore. Please don't burst my bubble!! We all have the ability to get past these hard times, it's all about how we approach the situation.

Best of luck to you all!!!! Please let me know if I can help any of you achieve success. And let me know if you find a special trick that works for you!!!

I suffered with severe GAD for over 30 years. My family always told me to just stop worrying - turn it off. Obviously I couldn't do that. FINALLY - I recently sought help. I'm currently taking Lexapro and Klonopin. I am a new person. I am enjoying every single day - and my anxiety (which led to depression) is almost completely gone. I am also going to therapy - but since this problem is rooted in a physical condition inside our brains - it is necessary to correct this with medication. Because we all react differently to various medications and because we all have varying degrees of sucess - talk therapy can help - but it cannot solve the problem alone. I've had no side effects from Lexapro - and only get a little drowsy from the Klonopin. I'll take drowsiness over anxiety any day. Plus, an extra cup of coffee zaps the drowsiness and I'm good to go. I have my life back!!

Hey, oohum! This is a good idea. I'm like you where I have anxiety with a depression chaser. Last winter I started a regular exercise program -- first with just walking and then upgraded to bicycle riding. The endorphin rush along with the long term affects of exercising have really help clear up a lot of the negative thoughts and feelings related to depression.

...I have another one! My anxiety and depression in recent years has destroyed my social circle. So on top of my disorders I was also dealing with loneliness and self esteem issues. This past April I joined anxiety support group. I was really anxious to go to the first meeting but it got easier after I went to a few meetings. Besides giving me a forum to discuss my problems I'm becoming friendly with some of the other members and feel I'm a little more reconnected to the world.