Posted , 4 users are following.
I am suffering for the past 3 months and i am trying my best to go back to what i used to be! The thought of something bad happening or dying is freaking me out! I was wondering if anyone overcame anxiety without meds and how you did it! Physical symptoms are distracting me daily!
0 likes, 12 replies
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Wonderboyo sofiana88014
Posted
Hi. I just sent this reply to someone who asked a similar question as you. It just explains what i did.
I would always suggest following the advice of a therapist or any other medical professional who is treating you for your anxiety.
I often had panic attacks and driving, social interactions made me very anxious. I used to worry about having a panic attack in public. I really didn't want to take medication for fear that I would become too reliant on it. I managed to turn things around by making some changes.
First, I looked at how I was living and made some changes to the basics in my life. Made sure I looked at my energy levels by scheduling things that I enjoyed, even though it felt like I didn’t have time for it. Tried to go to bed at a decent time (even though getting to sleep was difficult) but made changes to my bedtime routine.
Then I started meditating everyday. First just for 5 mins every morning and eventually 10 mins in the morning and 10 in the evening. This started to calm my mind.
Then I practised a therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which really helped me deal with the anxious thoughts and feelings. I tried CBT before and it was okay but didn’t make a huge difference.
Once I was able to manage the anxious thoughts and feelings and felt much calmer, I used ACT to start to do the things that made me anxious but that i needed to do. Like driving, going to public things, making telephone calls (which made me anxious). ACT is very much about accepting that you feel anxious but taking action anyway.
Not sure if this helps you in your situation right now but there definitely is hope. If I can do it, anyone can.
sofiana88014 Wonderboyo
Posted
I just wanted to know if there is hope! I started going on daily walks about 30-40min, i feel betted when i go but when i return home the anxious feelings and thoughts are back again! I can feel my heart pounding and my muscles twich! Its the worst feeling ever
Wonderboyo sofiana88014
Posted
I had muscle twitches too, infact I still do. My calves were twitching so badly that my GP sent me to specialist for to check me for Motor Neurone Disease - which really ramped up my anxiety! I started to get over the twitching and heart pouding when I realised that nothing bad was happening to me (like a wasting disease or a heart attack) and that it was just the anxiety, I learned to accept the physical symptoms and then not focus on them. Not trying not to think of them, because that doesn't work, as soon as youy try not to think about them you will be thinking about them (it's like that saying 'try not to think of a pink elephant'
. I just accepted they were there, acknowledged them, and went back on to focus on what ever I had to do at that time. As soon as I accepted the thoughts and feelings and stopped battling with them things started to improve. The worst thing someone can say to you when you're seriously anxious is to get over it, stop thinking about it, or think about something positive. That never works.
It's great that you are walking though, that can only help. I walk a lot.
sofiana88014 Wonderboyo
Posted
Wonderboyo sofiana88014
Posted
I think people find it difficult to understand what real anxiety feels like unless they experience it themselves. Everyone has critical and negative thoughts, and when you're anxious these thoughts have a much bigger impact. You're suffering at the momet so it's normal to feel that way. It will pass though, I've seen lots of people who have recovered fully You may need to do some work on it but things will improve. There is always hope.
sofiana88014 Wonderboyo
Posted
You've been really helpful, thank you so much, it means alot!
borderriever sofiana88014
Posted
You really need to be told you are ok, talk to your GP .
It sounds like anxiety, although an appointment will put your mind at rest
Good Luck
BOB
sofiana88014 borderriever
Posted
I've been 2 times in the ER, i've been to a cardiologist,a neurologist, i've done blood tests and everything in the past 3 months! Everyone told me i was fine, but nothing changed!
borderriever sofiana88014
Posted
With my condition I trust the results now and my GP encourages me in taking an interest in the workings of my body.
One problem is reading up on so called conditions and believing something is seriously wrong. Generally things that concern are not that common so you need to look at the common illnesses before you look at the serious. Your GP does not look at the severe first, generally these tests are given when certain heath problems are shown.
Sometimes however it is beneficial to do tests straight away
BOB
phil76209 sofiana88014
Posted
I haven't managed without meds but regular exercise might help.
sofiana88014 phil76209
Posted
phil76209 sofiana88014
Posted
Oh that's good. Tonight I decided instead of watching TV and chilling I'll go for a walk instead. I think it helped me relax now I'm home and I decided turn TV off which is hard for me. I don't like the quiet. But I've managed it just relaxing on the bed listening to the sounds of life like cars going up the road and bumps and bangs from the flats above and below. I don't actually want to turn on The tv now.