[brookew09]

so basically i suffer from a number of anxiety disorders, and sometimes it gets really overwhelming to deal with. i always feel anxious and nervous, and it's hard for me to ever relax. last year, it got to the point where i couldn't handle it anymore, and i turned to drugs. please don't tell me drugs are bad, because i know they are, but it was really the only way for me to relax. i haven't done any since last year, and i don't want to start again. what are some other ways to help me relax and cope with stress/anxiety? i'd rather not be put on any meds, and besides, we couldn't really afford them at the moment.

[yutzman]

Not many truly effective ways to deal with anxiety for us with low funds....You could try relaxation exercises, but real clinical GAD needs professional teatment (and probably meds to get you some relief at first) with a talk Psych or therapist or support group (in person, with all do respect for PC). I think you will find one on one will help greatly, and I never thought it would help me, but it did. A good Psych will work around your funds ( I was lucky to find one), and the drug companies offer free or low cost meds if you apply for them. I hope this helps. I've been suffering from GAD for twenty plus years, and it's only lately that I have found relief in this way. Good luck....................Y

Try here: http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?sec...our_local_nami

And here: http://211.org/

Good luck.

[Elysium]

I don't know if you're in to this, but I've found that Yoga really helps me relax. And you don't have to go to a class if you don't want to. You can get a tape/CD of a yoga work out and do it at home.

Also, I would suggest, if you can afford it, going to your local bookstore and getting an anxiety workbook. These are great!! They help you learn about the anxiety and they have exercises in there that you work through, and they teach you about different coping skills that you can utilize. They aren't very expensive. I have a couple different ones and I think they were about $20-30.00 each. These type of workbooks can be very helpful.

Also, do some research online about self soothing techniques, and distress tolerance techniques as well. These things take some practice, but if you make an effort to work with them, after a while you will be able to use them and not even realize it. Practice allows you to build up your anti-anxiety muscles.

Also, seek professional guidance. I know this isn't easy and may not be plausible due to finances, but it could help.

Keep us posted, and know we're here when you need us!!

[chosenseclusion]

for me. when I couldn't seem to place certain aspects because they were all so vast, I knew there had to be a place where it all could be sorted out. I got introduced to the meditation aspect-(not the stances)-of tai chi. It shows you there are 7 'chakras' that a person deals with in understanding life. If you get a chance, you should check it out. meditation can help.