[splitimage]

I'm just so frustrated - my anxiety is through the roof, and it's getting in the way of my job hunting, because I get so anxious I just shut down, I'm already on 5 mg of clonazapam a day - but you'd never know it, but my pdoc doesn't want me on anything higher. I've tried breathing exercises, meditaion cd/s, herbal teas, and going for long walks and I'm still off the scale in terms of my anxiety. the causal factor is job hunting and fear of networking (I'm a major intorvert and very shy) so even though I know what's causing it, I still can't control it.

any suggestions for non meds ideas to calm myself down? I'll take sympathy too.

---splitimage

[chalmette70043]

(((((((Split)))))))) I hope your anxiety lets up some and that clonozapem starts to take the edge off.

What about lighting some candles and laying them around the bathroom. Then taking a long warm bath with some relaxing good smelling salts or something. Put your head back and a cool rag over your eyes.

I'm sending soothing, relaxing thoughts your way. ((((((((((Split))))))))))

[BalishBun]

its hard sometimes, everything always seems easier said than done. One day you might feel great and think "anxiety cant touch me, it isnt that bad" then the next time you have an attack; during the attack your thinking "there is no way out here, this is horrible". It always seems worse while you are going through it, then on a good day it doesn't seem so bad. Sometimes the tea works for me and sometimes it doesn't. If I can think of anything new to help I'll let you know.

[sabby]

((((((((((( split )))))))))))

Since networking and talking with people seem to be the catalyst to your anxiety, how about taking a course in public speaking...or even reading a book about it. Try practicing the ideas in the mirror or with someone you trust and can speak too without anxiety or fear.

I'm thinking that if you have more confidence in your abilities to connect with others, then the job hunting might not be so stressful for you.

Hope you find something to help!


sabby

[Perna]

Go public places and start saying "hello" (only) to people; store clerks, librarians, waitpersons, park rangers :-)

You can network without networking, get to just talking to people about the weather and where you're going, where you been, etc. and things open up. Won't be fast or anything but people know people who know people, etc. I sold my old car on the bus one day because I was telling my seatmate the story of how I wanted to sell it but one guy wanted to use it as a funny car and I didn't want that for my baby of 12-13 years, LOL. That I "cared" about my car came through so a couple realized they could trust me about the car and came to see it, I let them take it to be looked at by a mechanic friend of theirs, etc.

I was offered a job by a woman in line with me at the library checkout desk. I knew the checkout clerk because I was at the library so much. Just go places you "enjoy" and be seen a lot and then slowly say "hi" to clerks you recognize, etc. Eventually you will be able to say a few words more or they'll greet you, etc. and it won't be and "equals"/specific topic conversation so you won't be as anxious.

Do you listen to motivational tapes at all (I use to buy an occasional book on tape to play in my car as I was driving to/from places) or read books on the subject? Keeping yourself immersed in ideas and thoughts might help get you to try some when you're not "thinking" about it? Just doing often works.

I recommend sales books by Zig Ziglar and Joe Girard. Wishcraft by Barbara Sher http://www.wishcraft.com/ (and her other books).

Start small and your anxiety won't be affected, go under its radar.