Lets all be anxious/depressed together.

Hey Folks,

I've had panic disorder about 16 months now and would like to consider myself at the stage of managing it. There is no such thing as a cure, as we need anxiety/stress in our lives and its more to do with accepting it for what it is and realising when the panic and negative thoughts are there, we need to realise what they are annd cannot harm us. Easier said than done!!!!

I will elaborate on my story another time, but just to let you know that I was hospitalised in May last year, but with the help of a fantastic medical team in SJOG, great support from family and friends I'm here and fortunately able to work in a good/highly stressful job in and IB and loving it!!

Anyway, I wanted to pass on some tips that I found helpful that may help others

1. Talk to somebody (GP, family member, friend, teacher etc.) as soon as you think there is something wrong with your mental health. It is by far the biggest obstacle you will face and you will feel a great deal of stress lift from your shoulder

2. Research. Part of my job is solving problems and with my stubborness treated it in a similar way that i would in work. I'm not saying Dr. Google!!. Ask you doctor, psychiatrist, counsellor etc. for books websites etc. It is very common so don't fear reading about it, though it can be uncomfortable to read about at times.

3. DIET!!! Is very important. Im not saying no sweets, common sense like not spending the day eating crap. Fruit veg etc. need to be part of your daily diet and DON'T skip breakfast

4. Exercise according to your abilities a few times a week. No better way to get rid of aggression/anger etc.

5. HYDRATION HYDRATION HYDRATION!!!! When I increased my water intake to 2.5litres from 1.5 a day ---- Notable decrease in anxiety

6. Meditation. I do Transcedental meditation and finds it works quite well. 20 mins in morning and evening (most days)

7. Counselling/Psychiatrist. Did pyschotherapy for 9 months, was great in delaing with issues. I still go to shrink once a quarter just to see how I'm doing. make sure you have the right one though.

8. Recovery Inc. helped me for the first 6 months out of hospital. very nice and dedicated people and great structure in place

9. Panic Away Programme - You can google that :P

10. Routine -Anxiety hates structure

Hope this helps

Hi Pink,

What other forum was it?

I use Transcedental Meditiation (TM). Found it really good but expensive at the start. It depends what suits but I noticed a decrease in about 2 days in anxiety. That said I still do get heightened anxiety but recognise it. It tends to happen when I havent kept up my TM, exercise or moving around with work. (I work as a bank contractor so move around countries a bit)

I'm not on meds and tbh don't like taking them. The reason for this is because I have had to take tablets for spinal problems over the years and I really HATE taking meds. I looked at anxiety of more of an equation to be solved. My medical team saw this and decided no meds, which I was happy with. That said, if people need meds then take them (don't stop unless told to do so by your doctor!!

However, I don't like how easy Xanax are prescribed by GPs without getting to the route of the problem. I had one doc tell me the get over my attack (first one and rang ambulance thinking heart attack)! It has amazed me how some people think they have been given meds and they will be fine, when there is hard work needed to do yourself.

In the 16 months I've taken 6 Xanax (last one was in Jan on a flight) and I always feel worse on the come down. I remember been given a Diazepan and sleeping tablet one night and felt so crap the next day i refused them from them when offered again. This is not to be hard or anything just my opinion and I had loads of supprot everyday to help me aswell!!!!

Pink,

It will pass, honestly. Can you meet with your counsellor at all?

Does anyone with anxiety get a recurring symptom that I suppose is a tightness in the abdomen/chest?
I haven't been doing yoga for a while and that may solve it but it just constantly feels like I am uneasy there, like the muscles are constantly flexing / (spasming?).

It's just really uncomfortable and annoying but I may be focusing on it too much.

Now that I think about it I remember a book about anxiety that said something along the lines of 'let it churn' referring to a churning stomach. I'll test on the bus to see if I can concentrate and allow it to be, see if it makes a difference.

Hersheys wrote: »

Very. It's expensive to get headspace for the year, but if you're into guided meditation its defo the way to go.

How much is it for the year?

Does anybody else feel like they are just passing the days away, gone way passed the point of caring...watching the clock and the hours pass, relieved that another day is over and maybe, if your lucky...you might get an hours sleep before the whole thing starts over again

Hersheys, I know that feeling, at times I feel that I have no one that actually underdtands what goes on in my head. Right now I am dealing with two sets of relations not speaking to me. One set have been hurt by me so I can at least understand where they are coming from. But the other set have totally behaved in the wrong against me. No connection between the two sets.
I'm justs reeling from it all.

Hershey you can trust this board at least.