Any advice for stopping anxiety taking over!?

[Bristol]

My life is slowly being destroyed by this anxiety i seem to have picked up, trauma from childhood so its always been there but the last two years it has got considerably worse to the point that i only go from home to work and then back to home. I dont go out unless my husband is with me, i used to run 4 times a week but now im luckily enough if i have the nerve to go once, i used to do yoga but i cant concentrate on it long enough anymore so ive stopped, no exercise classes, surfing, none of it, anything that involves other people and going out i cant do.

My question is, is there anyway to stop it spreading any further or anything i can do to take the edge off a bit so that maybe i can start exposing myself to things?

 

[DharmaGirl]

Many people use mindfulness meditation. Not when you are anxious, but every day, even for just 5 minutes. It has been very helpful for me. Some people find that medications help also.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I agree with @DharmaGirl you may want to ask your doctor for some medication with low side affects if you are interested for some anxiety management at this point since your symptoms are so wild right now. I have found that breathing deeply and exhaling helps with anxiety attacks creeping up on me.

It is hard but google anxiety disorder and see what it has to offer for you for more information. I wish you the best.:hug:

 

[Bristol]

I have thought abouts meds but that means i have to go and talk to a doctor but i have been thinking about it, maybe i need to push myself

Thanks for replying :)

 

[DharmaGirl]

@Bristol, love your quote on the bottom of your posts!

 

[dulcia]

Meds. Strenuous exercise helps me, too.

 

[Sideways]

It doesn't work for everyone, but there's a fair bit of evidence around these days that regular exercise will help, and in your case, you seem to be describing that as a factor. The anxiety has gone up, the regular exercise has gone down.

One of the things that helps me is doing exercise without the expectation that "I'm gonna feel better once I...". Because you may not feel better straight away. In fact, for a while? The stress may feel pretty durn overwhelming. But if regular exercise has helped you manage your anxiety in the past? It is a relatively low cost, benefits everything kind of way to help keep your anxiety in check.

Finding ways to manage the stress so you can bring the exercise legels back up may be worth brainstorming. Do you try a shorter jogging route? Get yourself some fancy new footwear? Get hubby to prioritise weekly surfing trips? Etc.

 

[Bristol]

I think your right, whenever ive managed a good week of exercise everything else kind of falls into place. Last night i compromised with myself that i didnt have to run but i had to walk my running route, wore a big safety hoodie and i did it, felt much better after so i may have to do that for a while and build my confidence up to running. Might try a shorter yoga practise just like 5 minutes a day and see if i can build that up to, i just need someone to make me do it i think, which is harder to come across.

 

[Changing4Best]

I find prayer to be helpful. If I focus on what I want out of life, asking God to help me achieve it, I am putting my mind onto good things, healthy things, and this blocks out the thoughts that are creating the anxiety.

My mother was an Agnostic, and for most of her life, she used to say that she didn't know who she was praying to, but she prayed anyway. Otherwise, she would find herself worrying. So even if you don't believe in a creator, or higher power, you can still do this. I guess some folks call it visualization. Go for it. And I hope you feel better soon.