["Tilly may"]

It seems that everyone on this forum has some form of anxiety. Im interested in any tips or ideas on how you approach controlling it or stopping it dead in its tracks.

[Big Mama]

anxiety seems to take on a life of it's own w/ me. So rather then have it linger slowly eating away at me, I feed it. I get in the car and jam and let out what ever feeling I have. Once they escape it's gone usually.

If that doesn't work, sleep. Things are always brighter after a good sleep.

[jojo1988]

I listen to guided mediation. If i can't really meditate, it helps to hear a person's soothing voice telling me everything is going to be okay. I've recently been trying to balance my chakras which i think has actually helped. It makes me feel too relaxed sometimes. *lol*. It doesn't happen right away, but after a few times I can feel it working.
there are many videos on youtube if you are interested

[doggiedo]

I have downloaded guided meditation apps for my iPhone. I use them to chill during my lunch time-plug in my ear buds and listen. It's a big help to relax if I'm having a stressful day. I also use one to fall asleep every night. I have found it really helps to clear my head and I fall asleep before it ends, usually.

Good luck and keep trying new things-baths, lavender candles, all that stuff is worth a shot.

[Maven]

I have seen these tips before, but you can get some tips from the book, From Panic to Power by Lucinda Bassett. In short, what you can do to get yourself calm is to focus on something else (I know, not easy). You can say calming things to yourself, but also, you can make games or just start a mental discussion with yourself (or a partner, if one's available). If you have a book or a picture, for instance, look at the cover/picture. What do you like about it? What colors are in it? Do you know what kind of font is used for the words (if any)? Think of crabs in the ocean. Or puppies all running around, exploring their backyard for the first time. What is it like for them?

Just try to think in detailed thoughts to derail the panicky thoughts. Another trick I've found is to change your temperature. If you have a moist cloth with you, I've found that can sometimes knock the panic attack right out of you. You put it on your forehead and/or back of neck. The sudden change in temperature is what I think is making it work. If you're cold, put something warm on your head or neck. This is no guarantee, but I've found it to be quite effective.

[yellowted]

to lessen anxiety i plan plan and plan again! i work out the what ifs and plan for those too so whatever happens i am ready to deal with it!

[Opeth]

Understand anxiety for what it truly is. That is a false alarm from your body to your brain indicating an emergency when there is no emergency. This is more commonly known as the fight or flight mechanism and with us anxiety sufferers, our body chemistry triggers it when its not supposed to.

What I'm getting at is to convince yourself that everything is OK and the symptoms you're feeling, while awful in the moment, will soon pass and you'll be OK. It takes alot of practice but you'll get there.

[Maven]

Opeth, your sig has a link for Panicyl. Have you tried this? I am on several medications and pretty sure I'll never be able to be off them, but I'm curious, since I've never heard of Panicyl before.

["Tilly may"]

Originally Posted by Maven

I have seen these tips before, but you can get some tips from the book, From Panic to Power by Lucinda Bassett. In short, what you can do to get yourself calm is to focus on something else (I know, not easy). You can say calming things to yourself, but also, you can make games or just start a mental discussion with yourself (or a partner, if one's available). If you have a book or a picture, for instance, look at the cover/picture. What do you like about it? What colors are in it? Do you know what kind of font is used for the words (if any)? Think of crabs in the ocean. Or puppies all running around, exploring their backyard for the first time. What is it like for them?

Just try to think in detailed thoughts to derail the panicky thoughts. Another trick I've found is to change your temperature. If you have a moist cloth with you, I've found that can sometimes knock the panic attack right out of you. You put it on your forehead and/or back of neck. The sudden change in temperature is what I think is making it work. If you're cold, put something warm on your head or neck. This is no guarantee, but I've found it to be quite effective.

thank you
i will try this technique

[Cooperperu11]

Like others who replied, I also participate in guided meditation and grounding. Sometimes it is helpful to just completely turn off the lights and let myself relax with my thoughts and other times I will utilize a recording or someones voice that will walk me through a meditation.

At times when my anxiety isn't as bad I will just change my activities to something I enjoy such as reading or talking to a friend

[BrokenNBeautiful]

Originally Posted by Opeth

Understand anxiety for what it truly is. That is a false alarm from your body to your brain indicating an emergency when there is no emergency. This is more commonly known as the fight or flight mechanism and with us anxiety sufferers, our body chemistry triggers it when its not supposed to.

What I'm getting at is to convince yourself that everything is OK and the symptoms you're feeling, while awful in the moment, will soon pass and you'll be OK. It takes alot of practice but you'll get there.

I am also doing this.

thanks for the reinforcement. I appreciate it.

Carol

[tigerguy]

take deep breaths. focus on GOD. pray and meditate

well, what i try and do, (where possible), is think of the situation in question- then try to think what i'm anxious of, and the worst thing that could possibly happen (yeah, the worst!). i find if i rule out crashes and death, all the nasty things, it becomes easier

and then... let's say i'm in an elevator for example- and we get stuck, i try and think... okay, me freaking out, banging on the walls, trying to kick the door down- it's not going to get me out. if i stay calm, or try to stay calm, the quicker someone can come and rescue us. or sometimes, i try and distract myself with the successes of something.. for example, 1 thing i don't get on well with is water slides and a few years ago at 1 of our local pools, they built a new one- only a tiny one, but i was really hesitant to do it. well, everyone else had gone down the slide, and despite how i felt about it, i thought okay.. i'll do it. so i get to the top of the slide and i'm thinking.. oh no, i can't go down this- something bad is going to come of it. so i sat their and thought.. okay, well i did get to the top of the slide, and i can't get off- loads of others went down without any issues, and if it was unsafe, they'd close it and wouldn't let people use it. hell, even if their was a crash at the bottom of the slide, the life guard's watching and they will do something about it- and that's what got me to go down.. just thinking about the situation and all the measures to ensure it's safe

[Bookworm89]

I have specific things that make me anxious - potential conflict, conversations in groups, and a very specific one, bone marrow transplant. (I was told I would definitely need one many years ago. I don't worry about it anymore but it was intense.)

I try and remind myself of the positive outcomes of past anxieties, imagine myself at the most peaceful place in my world and try to actually go there, feel the sun on my face, hear the birds, look at the waterlilies. It's just hard to do that in the midst of a conversation. lol

[Bookworm89]

And read the "Litany Against Fear" by Frank Herbert, author of "Dune". I'm not sure why I find it so calming.

“I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.” — “The Litany Against Fear”, Dune

[Chocolatte]

I try to imagine how relieved I would feel once I get whatever it is I'm anxious about over with.

[Pikku Myy]

I have tried everything... but there is nothing more than gun fire that lead to my A & PSTD..... One xanax in the am has helped keep me under control.... feel like a druggie ;(

[PsycheSeas]

Hello Tilly May its nice to see you.
I have suffered anxiety and panic attacks in the past, but now I have used some methods to cope with my anxiety.

1) First of all, I make a list of all the things that can cause anxiety e.g. there is my baby crying, my 4 year old in a bad mood, insufficient sleep, untidy home and then I avoid them at all costs. I am a schedule person and in my schedulke I walways give preference to 8 hours sleep, cleaning the house and making sure the kids are at peace.

2) I use this anxiety app by Jane Maati Smith and I find out the level of stress and anxiety that I am suffering from. Then I use some of the anxiety free solutions listed in this app and then I retest myself to recheck my anxiety levels. Interesting stuff.

3) I also listen to some music especially designed to reduce anxiety. Music always does the trick.Here is a link
Stress and Anxiety: Self Hypnosis, Subliminal, Relaxation MP3s


4) Social support is the key. Leaning on the shoulders of my hubby and friends and sharing my problems with them cheers me up too.

5) I always incorporate some interesting things in my life like some hobbies. Currently I am obsessed with latch hoook rug making. It makes my life interesting and takes the stress out of my life. Some people enjoy other stuff like painting too


6) Self help books motivate me to accomplish something in my life.There are some amazon cheap books avalable here
I hope this helps.

[Little Lulu]

When my anxiety is really bad, I call a supportive friend who usually helps me get to the truth - that there is nothing to be afraid of and my thinking is the problem.

If calling my friend isn't possible or the anxiety is no more than moderate, I imagine myself floating through it. I don't try to deny it isn't there or run from it (I've tried that - it doesn't work). I say to myself "this will pass, it always does" and get a visual of floating right through it. Before long, it is over.

It is interesting to read how others get through it. Thanks.