[dougventura]

To give you a brief history, I had a stroke about six months ago and although I'm recovering, have all of my mental faculties and speech hasn't been affected, I still have weakness in my left leg which causes me to limp, which I'm going to physical therapy for and it seems to be getting a little better (SLOWLY). I'm counting my blessings that my stroke wasn't worse.

About 2 months ago I would start getting these anxiety atacks that came out of nowhere. What I mean I wasn't thinking about anything specific or worried about anything specific. It affects me physically as sometimes i cant't sleep when I'm having one of these episodes. I've been doing some guided meditations and exercising which seems to help a little.

What I've been reading is that trying to push away the anxiety can make it worse, and that I should just accept it. It's a really hard thing to do as I know how ****** I will feel after one of these anxiety attacks. It's like trying to not be anxious when you know you are getting sick, because you know how bad you will fee.

Anyone have any experience with this?

[Shazerac]

I get anxiety when I'm having physical problems. Having a stroke is a pretty major event in your life. It's a lot to cope with and the fear that it might happen again. This could be what is causing your anxiety. Maybe you could try indentifying the source of your anxiety in meditation? Just a thought.

[Skeezyks]

I struggle with a lot of "free-floating" anxiety... not related to anything in particular. I always have. I'm almost 70 years old now. And after so many years, I think my body just simply doesn't know how to act any other way. And as I get older, it seems like my anxiety is getting gradually worse. I also experience periodic bouts of paranoia.

I have done sitting meditation in the past. But I've never found it to be particularly beneficial although I still do a bit of it. I do a mindfulness-based exercise routine that is a combination of yoga, some physical therapy exercises I learned to strengthen my low back, & some plain old calisthenics. I also do some walking meditation, particularly late at night when I can't sleep. I'll walk around-&-around our dark & quiet home focusing light attention on each foot as it touches the floor. Thoughts come & go. I simply watch them & allow them to arise & fade at their own pace. None of this is a cure by any means. But it all helps.

Two books that have been particularly beneficial to me have been Jon Kabat-Zinn's book: Full Catastrophe Living and Pema Chödrön's book: Start Where You Are- A Guide to Compassionate Living

Best wishes...

[dougventura]

thank you

[Sunflower123]

I’m sorry you’re experiencing this. I’m glad you came through the stroke okay. Can you ask your doctor if this free floating anxiety is a result of the stroke and if he has anything he can suggest? Sending big hugs.