[tutitaylor]

This is nothing new for me to have anxiety. I get it all of the time. Sometimes are worse than others. Today is worse. I feel anxious and jittery, unable to relax or focus on much. I am very good at taking my meds.and I haven't missed any. I guess this is something I need to just live with which is depressing to me. Does anyone else feel like this? How do you deal with it? I would like to be practive but I don't know how. . .Help!

[Silent_tsol]

One of the biggest things for me has been finding out what triggers my anxiety. Even though it's GENERAL anxiety disorder (for me) there are still things that will get me from bad to worse

Sound. Sometimes loud sounds or certain sounds that I'll find annoying at that time will get me. In that case, as soon as I notice it, I try to give myself a break. Sometimes I just put my earphones in my ears and pretend to listen to music if I'm at a mall or something -its a good barrier that makes everything quieter. Sometimes I'll go to my room or the bathroom if the tv is being watched too loud

Running late -or there being the most minuscule possibility of being late sends me spiralling. So I wake up earlier so I don't feel rushed, I leave earlier so I don't speed and it's ok if I have to stop for a train.

The hardest thing for me is figuring out what the trigger was because once I start spiralling -which is quick- it's everything.

As far as proactive practicing deep breathing when your calm is supposed to help you be able to calm yourself when your dealing with anxiety. Still trying to work on that myself.

[tutitaylor]

Silent tso - Thank you so much for the post. Everything you said makes sense to me. I can really relate to what you go through. I will try your suggestion and try to take breaks, etc. As you said I found out that it is definitely a process. Thanks again Tuti

[Suki22]

I've been literally unable to move from the couch due to anxiety in the past. I know how you feel! I've found that turning off the "noise" helps me--shutting my computer and turning off the t.v. sometimes works. even though I use electronics as company since I'm alone a lot it sometimes it's more of a hinderance than I realize. do you read? I'm not a big reader but if I find myself a good, fluffy book I can sometimes escape.

you may want to talk to your doctor about your meds. it's great that you're taking them properly but perhaps they aren't spot on? or maybe he/she can recommend one that you can take on occassion of extreme anxiety? take care and keep us posted!

[tutitaylor]

Suki- Thanks so much for your post. I am very sensitive to noise at times. I am going to try what you have suggested. It makes good sense. Thank you. I look forward to getting to know you. Tuti

Have you tried hypnosis/deep relaxation? My therapist uses it with me, and I've found it really helps. I was skeptical at first, but I've been amazed.

[Travelinglady]

I'm trying to learn some CBT techniques, hoping to wean myself eventually off anti-anxiety meds. ( Probably wishful thinking)

I'll learning to be careful how I think, for example. If I am getting upset, I do try to determine why and to ask myself questions like "Am I being realistic in my worries?"

I know by definition "anxiety" is more vague than "fear." But I tend to think the worst case scenarios, for example.

Also, as someone said, deep breathing and focusing on the breathing can help. I've learned to picture positive places and experiences and go there when I'm upset. Plus, listening to relaxing music helps. And I have even gotten some CDs my T recommended to help me to relax, picture good places, and think positive thoughts, so I get guidance in how to do all that.

Hope that helps a bit.

[tutitaylor]

Thank you so much for the suggestions. I will look into trying them. It is silly but if you Ladies had not brought them up I wouldn't have thought of them. Thank you so much for posting me! Tuti

[knphelan]

These suggestions were very helpful to me. Especially the post about trying to determine the trigger. I am not on meds but should be. I am too worried about missing work to schedule something and I am worried about what my insurance will cover. Again worry keeps me in the box I'm in. I definetely can relate to some days being better than others and on the bad days it's extremely hard to focus on anything other then the panic and the shaking. It's stressful that people don't understand what it is like. My husband said to me today "grow up" when I expressed I was having a really bad anxiety day. The only thing that helps me is to try to talk myself down. Is to tell myself I am being irrational. But at times that is still completely unhelpful.

[tutitaylor]

knphelan - I really can emphasize with your pain. I hope that you can have some relief soon! Tuti

[michele#3]

Have you tried "Tension Tamer Tea"? It helps me. Walking helps me a lot too.
I don't know if your pdoc will prescribe this for you, but Ativan helps a lot. I've taken it a few times and it has worked wonders for me. Unfortunately, my pdoc won't prescribe this drug. The times I've taken this drug it was because a friend gave me some pills. I hope these suggestions help.

[knphelan]

Thanks I hope so too. I am trying to figure out my insurance now and hopefully I can get on meds