[Lola5]

I have GAD, PTSD, OCD and social anxiety disorder. 10+ years and about 40 meds and none have worked. My anxiety only gets worse as time goes by. I wake up panicking and experience a feeling of panic 24/7. I vomit once a day, at least. I can't concentrate. Numerous medical tests have shown nothing to be physically wrong. Been in CBT therapy for over a year.

I want to know what has helped others with their anxiety. Can be medication or not medication. Just want to get idea of what has been beneficial.

[Sunflower123]

What has helped me the most is a medication my doctor put me on for depression. I also take benzos which help to a lesser degree. Also I have some apps on my phone that help: Mindshift, Virtual Toolbox and Calm. The Daily Calm meditation has been very helpful in many areas of my life. I hope you find some relief soon. Sending big hugs.

[Travelinglady]

Benzos, trust in my "higher power" (God), finding enjoyable things to do such as traveling, reading, doing various projects

[June55]

Exercise. Yoga. Pretty smelling things.

[*Laurie*]

Klonopin, meditation, and having trust in a higher power.

[SheilaKathy]

Originally Posted by Lola5

I have GAD, PTSD, OCD and social anxiety disorder. 10+ years and about 40 meds and none have worked. My anxiety only gets worse as time goes by. I wake up panicking and experience a feeling of panic 24/7. I vomit once a day, at least. I can't concentrate. Numerous medical tests have shown nothing to be physically wrong. Been in CBT therapy for over a year.

I want to know what has helped others with their anxiety. Can be medication or not medication. Just want to get idea of what has been beneficial.

Exercise, clonazepam, praying, listening to classical music, sometimes reading (if I can focus).

[Guiness187055]

Benzodiazapines

[Pflaumenkeks]

going for a walk (after the panic attack), breathing excercises, grounding, selfcare in general.
sadly (?) no medication here

[-jimi-]

Benzos. If you have no relief whatsoever from them, I would still suspect something physical. They can test all they want but if they don't do the right rest it will show nothing.

http://www.anxieties.com/20/panic-step1a#.Wb04itJ96So

[SheilaKathy]

I agree with that last statement. My anxiety that came to me 24/7 every 20 minutes for about a minute every time back in 1990 turned out to be undiagnosed Lyme Disease, a bacterial infection that they had not checked my blood for. I was not taking any meds then, and this anxiety was awful and constant. I had other symptoms too, like some horrible pain shooting up my spine from behind my heart all the way up to my neck. It was like a 9 on the 1-10 pain scale. Be persistent with your MD about getting further testing!

My CBT helped a great deal. In times that are particularly rough I will pull out some of the worksheets or try and remember them and complete them in my head. The number one worksheet that is helpful is one for Decatastrophizing as well as several comparison sheets. For example, a very good one is listing off ways the worry is helping me out Vs ways it isn't.

[Cocosurviving]

For me a med, coping skills and self care. I have a Scentsy wax burner I use it....mellow music and warm baths

1 thing that really helps me with anxiety is the saying, " i'm in control"

if I don't feel safe with something, or I want something to stop, it will stop because I will make it stop by walking away from the situation.

doing things in my own time, and in small steps

breathing exercises

distracting myself with something else while I am trying to focus on a fear (or start talking about nothing in particular)

I find with the talking if I start talking about nothing, the person (or people around me) tend to get distracted too, meaning I can have a bit more time to prepare.

I've not found anything solid yet that helps with my panic attacks, but working on it

the course I am starting Friday should go a bit of a way to help with my agoraphobia

hopefully it will help.. *dreams of fresh air*

[SheilaKathy]

I went out for a walk the other day, looked at the magnicient mountains and saw some leaves that were changing colors and I was happy I did that. It got my mind free and the anxiety went away. It has come back a few times for short visits, but thankfully it does not stay for long, because I have been trying to keep busy. One of my mental health helpers advised me to "stay busy and do environment scans." So I am doing that, awaiting further help.