What has helped your anxiety?

Now that I've got my bipolar mostly under control I'm focused on my anxiety.

I can't find anything that works. Off the top of my head I've tried xanax, Valium, and klonopin.
Is there anything stronger out there?

What types of coping skills do you use? Meds only help so much.

I only know of so many. Counting, breathing, distraction.

I'm open to new things!!

Propranolol helps with the physical symptoms of anxiety it's much better than benzos.

Taking to someone I trust, taking a hot bath in candlelight with good smelling Epsom salts and listening to something soothing such as nature sounds, a gentle audiobook or soothing music can help. Dunking your face in ice cold water is suppose to help also but I haven't tried it. I used to exercise and take a walk which helped burn some off sometimes. Good luck finding something which works for you.....high anxiety is hideous.

Ever try Gabapentin? It's used off-label for anxiety, but has been helpful to many. In my case, it sometimes takes the edge off, but I still need the help of Klonopin or Xanax when anxiety really flares up. It's a daily med for me though, so maybe I'd be a lot more anxious without it, where possibly it's helping more than I think. I am on 900 mg daily.

I used Latuda to reduce and/or control my anxiety, but I had to give it up because of some side effects. Right now I can't keep any benzos in the house because I have an addictive personality living with me, so controlling anxiety can be a real problem for me. It seems to pass if I keep busy. Good luck.

Deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation (some good ones on you tube to get you started), and meditation/mindfulness

There is an app called Calm that has tranquil scenes and sounds. If you subscribe there is a Daily Calm Meditation among others. I find this very helpful. Best wishes.

Gabapentin really helps me, even more than my klonopin. Hydroxyzine also helps but not as well or as consistently as gabapentin.

However, as your body adjusts to the changes from the hospital you may find out that your anxiety lessens too. It takes time to know the effects of med changes when so many are done at once. I used to find Remeron incredible for anxiety and so was risperdal. I think a lot of people find celexa helps with anxiety too, it just didnt' for me.

Your list looks like one designed to help with anxiety.

A good AP helps anxiety for me. When it turns into a full blown panic attack only xanax or ativan will help.

The following things help my anxiety:

-Deep breathing
-Exercise
-Ativan
-Marijuana (I do not recommend this to people though, because it can make some people more anxious. However, it does help me personally).

I take Neurontin and Vistaril for my anxiety. It seems to help.

I also practice DBT skills.

I have suffered with anxiety for years but recently have been using guided meditation videos on YouTube and have found that my anxiety had disappeared it's taken around 6 months but I am no longer a slave to my anxiety and life is great