This is a question that I, myself, would like answered. Im still trying to figure it out. Ive seen so many ppl that suffer from anxiety but yet they seem to be leading pretty productive lives. And here I am stuck in the house and cant even get in the car without feeling panicked. Just how do they do it??

I'm trying to fight negative thoughts with a strategy that looks at them as voiced by my depression, that it's a bully making up lies and nothing depression says is true! I'm trying to be more aware of the words I use when the negative thoughts attack (especially the ones about myself).

I recognize that words like always, never, and try to correct myself... It's more accurate to say things like usually, often, frequently, and "right now." Try to distinguish your "well" self and your "sick" self.

These are strategies I read about in a book, and I highly recommend it (for you too englishrose):

"Get It Done When You're Depressed" by Julie Fast. You can find almost the whole book for free on Google books, I got my copy on amazon.com... It's been helping in general and is not just for increasing productivity but just getting through every day.

I can't say I "always" am optimistic. I feel helpless way too much... it's just been too much trial-and-error and error and error and error. I think the book helped me more than the last 3 years of the drug rollercoaster.

Hope everyone is feeling better and has a good day tomorrow!

i think to me at least is finding something good in ur life that makes you forget about the bad. duh! right? i know its not as easy as its said but just find something that makes you feel good. lately like the past few months ive been really down about alot of things, just so much going on and seems like everything and everyone is against me, nothin can go may way.
The main thing right now that i think is keeping me sane is my niece. shes so great and we always have a fun silly time together. I cant help but smile and be in a good mood around her. she gets so excited to see me and runs right up to me and gives me a big hug and its great, shes everything to me. another thing i tried and is working out very well so far is joining groups with people of similar interests, ive been using www.meetup.com and i found and joined a group. actually just got back alittle while ago from a meeting and its great, im meeting new people and really great people too.
what works for me might not work for you, but everyone is different and you just gotta find that one thing that makes you happy. it might be drawing r just takin a walk or writing anything. try new things and see what helps
good luck, hope i didnt confuse you more

Reading a few pages from a self-help book often works for me. Some I found effective are Ask and It Is Given, I Don't Have to Make Everything All Better, and Power of Positive Thinking.

Writing often helps - especially if I write in the form of questions and then write whatever answer comes to mind.