dealing with anxiety

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   lovetherainposted 6 years ago

   My therapist isn't helping, she is actually making it worse. I have some ativan, but i want to deal with it without meds.
   
   how do you control your thoughts and emotions that cause anxiety and fear?

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   1. 75

      wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      A quiet "time out", away from the rest of the world.  A distinct effort to quiet the mind, to set aside at least negative emotions (and perhaps ALL emotion) and simply exist.  Some may call it "meditation".
      
      Followed by rational thought about what the root of that anxiety and fear is and where it is coming from.

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      1. 63

         lovetherainposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you for your advice.

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   2. 93

      MizBejabbersposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      A number of years ago something unthinkable that I had no control over happened to a family member. It set me into horrible anxiety, although I practice meditation and I thought I had the support of my friends. What friends? A person knows who their true friends are. I think the only way I kept my sanity was by creating my "secret place," which enabled me to get the rest I needed. My secret place was a beautiful pool fed by a waterfall. I had to "walk" down a woodsy path to this setting. I would go to this pool each night and meditate myself to sleep. Time passed and things got better. Now several years later, I decided to visit my secret place just to see if it had survived, too. When I walked down the path and arrived at the pool, it was no longer solitary. It was filled with laughing frolicking young people swimming and having a ball. I turned and walked back up the path knowing that I no longer had a need for it. It had served its purpose. Perhaps you might create yourself a secret path where only you and your god (if you have one) go to commune. If you aren't religious, it is still a wonderful place to find peace.
      
      But LTR, sometimes we are so anxiety-ridden and driven that a little outside help like medication on a temporary basis brings the anxiety down to a level to where we can deal with it. Then we can think about a non-med solution. Don't be afraid to do that. Sometimes trying to tough it out just makes it worse. The body needs rest. Don't see yourself as being weak if you need to do that to be able to get the rest that you need.

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2. 85

   Kathryn L Hillposted 6 years ago

   Anxiety comes when one does not feel capable of meeting or accepting some challenge. But you can't accept that information. You think you should be able to handle the challenge.
   
   Subconsciously, you don't want to force yourself to handle what is not really your will. You need to face the fact that you are forcing yourself beyond your actual will.
   
   What is YOUR will?
   
   Yes, a time out is the important thing, to connect with your true Self.
   
   Also realize that people are here to help you. They're on your side. There is good in all people and they are not against you. They love you. Even if you can't accept that or can't see it, acknowledge that love is a given and all are here to help you ...
   
   and you, them.

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3. 85

   Kathryn L Hillposted 6 years ago

   Also, writing down your thoughts when you feel anxious is very transformative. Get out of that groove of dread and doubt. Just write the words of positivity that your subconscious wants you to contemplate and know.

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4. 85

   Kathryn L Hillposted 6 years ago

   Such as,"I do not have to do anything I do not want to do.
   I will discover what I TRULY want to do, instead.
   I am FREE from the tyranny of self-generated compulsion and the (imagined) tyranny of others."
   
   "I am healthy, happy, strong, brave and truthful."
   

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5. 92

   Venkatachari Mposted 6 years ago

   All said above, I am linking to a good article that I found while browsing 2 days back which hints at some more tips for controlling the anxiety behavior. ( I shared this on my facebook page for future references and for sharing with other interested ones.)
   
   https://theascent.pub/how-i-cured-my-an … CHUkiPiuRg

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6. 68

   PhoenixVposted 6 years ago

   If you are depressed you are living in the past.
   If you are anxious you are living in the future.
   If you are at peace you are living in the present.
   Lao Tzu
   
   
   Fear is just an emotion that can be controlled. Unless one is at war, in combat or experiencing something like that ie an extreme situation, I think it helpful to find a perspective: At least my current situation is not as bad as that...
   
   Diet. Fruits and vegetables. Lots of water. No nicotine, NO caffeine or sugar.
   
   Try to avoid known thought patterns that might be triggers. Get out of your head and get busy, helps me. Listen to music. Read a book. Watch tv. Walk.

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7. 65

   psycheskinnerposted 6 years ago

   If your therapist isn't working, fire them and seek out another one who takes a different approach

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8. 80

   Corinne Heymannposted 6 years ago

   Sometimes medication is needed to help get you through the initial stages of severe anxiety. Communicate with your provider about your desire to not stay medicated long term. While you have the crutch of medication, however, begin exploring different ways to work with your thoughts and emotions. No one way will fit everyone, so explore and experiment. If your provider also offers a group, perhaps you could try that? Like minds to share ideas, right? I wish you success in managing your anxiety. It can be done, but it may take some time.

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