[cool09]

Because I've had it too long (45 yrs). Last therapist I saw regularly just told me I had to "manage" my anxiety without giving me any other information.
Everything makes me anxious. Thinking about my life makes me anxious because I have a hard time enjoying myself and I've had trouble speaking most of my life so I can't escape the anxiety.

[Deejay14]

Did they teach you skills to help your anxiety
Have you asked for a referral to a psychiatrist. You might need meds. Is she anti med
I have learned some skills that have helped and I have meds

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by cool09

Because I've had it too long (45 yrs). Last therapist I saw regularly just told me I had to "manage" my anxiety without giving me any other information.
Everything makes me anxious. Thinking about my life makes me anxious because I have a hard time enjoying myself and I've had trouble speaking most of my life so I can't escape the anxiety.

Some therapists aren’t very good at their job

[cool09]

Did they teach you skills to help your anxiety
Have you asked for a referral to a psychiatrist. You might need meds. Is she anti med
I have learned some skills that have helped and I have meds

I've had plenty of therapists and doctors and meds and not much helps. I've seen all the drs around here. I live in a rural area not far from Wilmington DE. I started taking benzos in 1986 and been on all of them. One Dr 30 yrs ago said "You can either get better or stay sick". A resident 30 yrs ago threw his book down and yelled at me because I told him I was anxious.

[John2023]

I'm no therapist etc. but I see self-belief, self-assurance and self-awareness of one's competences as being an offset to anxiousness. And to get to this place of confidence can be shortcuted. I wonder if others would agree.

[comrademoomoo]

Originally Posted by John2023

I'm no therapist etc. but I see self-belief, self-assurance and self-awareness of one's competences as being an offset to anxiousness. And to get to this place of confidence can be shortcuted. I wonder if others would agree.

Can you explain this please?

[Buffy01]

I’ve been using self help books and YouTube videos for therapy.

[ScarletPimpernel]

The problem with benzos, if you take them constantly over long periods of time, is that your body gets ised to them and you'll need more to get the same effect. Benzos really should only be used in a crisis. That's what my ex-pdoc taught me and other pdocs have told me the same.

There are a lot of coping skills for anxiety. There's breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and meditations. There's also arts and crafts or hobbies that can help distract you.

What I was taught, again by my ex-pdoc, is that in order to help the anxiety, you have to move through it. Over medicating actually makes things worse. It jist delays the process.

Have you thought about an ESA or service animal? I know my ESAs help my anxiety a ton!

Don't give up hope! You do have to put in the work. It might not cure the anxiety, but it makes it less so you can still live your life.