Anxiety . . . I found a little fix to share. *Distraction.

[RiderontheStorm]

Getting over AF with an ablation and a major PE with regards to my other physical problems and aging have taken a large toll on my body and psyche. So much so that I have been taking Ativan to calm myself. My two cats really help with that and keep me smiling.

** What I discovered is this - STAYING BUSY and getting out of my head makes me forget about the anxiety! I had an epiphany about that just a few hours ago and wanted to share it with my roomies here. DO Something, get busy and relief came to me. *All of a sudden I realized I was no longer anxious. Maybe some of you already knew this but I wanted to share. Hope this helps someone .. :^)

[CaroleF]

I think you have hit upon a fundamental truth there RiderontheStorm to which I'd add.... 'the less you do, the less you feel like doing'..... and the worse you are likely to feel.

For me the key is to get out there and keep busy by doing voluntary work. If you're thinking about the well-being of others rather than yourself and your own problems I find that helps a lot. The notion that voluntary work is a one-way-street is just not true. The volunteer gets just as much out of the experience as the person/people being helped.

However I'm sure there are those for whom stress and anxiety are not going to be 'solved' by my simplistic advice and for some the very nature of the 'keeping busy' is a source of stress and anxiety in itself. [I'm thinking of highly stressful jobs here.]

[akenclark]

I love your advice (brace yourself, a "but" is coming) I find that the beta blockers sap so much energy I feel extremely fatigued all the time. I browbeat the cardiologist into changing me from Metropolol to Carvedilol because of the depression (serious suicidal thoughts for hours every day) and it made a huge difference! So, to add to your advice I suggest trying to check your meds for side effects

[CDreamer in reply to akenclark]

Excellent advice.

Many people find that anti-depressive meds cause anxiety - just as anti-arrythmia meds can cause Arrythmias.

Every medication to treat often has the capacity to cause a symptom.

[CDreamer]

One of the main strategies for brooding. Well done!

Relaxation and meditation are also very helpful as they help the physical symptoms and help to balance the autonomic system, along with CBT for worry thoughts.

[BobD Volunteer]

As the old saying goes a gold medal there in stating the bl--ding obvious. Those of us who fear inactivity more than our condition have known this for ever but it is sometimes very hard to get it across to others. The devil finds work for idle hands to do my Grandmother used to say and that applies even more so for the mind. Well done you.

[LindaDaisy in reply to BobD]

Or to quote Eric Morecambe "give that man a coconut"

[RiderontheStorm in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. Sometimes the obvious is simply too close to see.

[LindaDaisy]

If I can't do physical things to keep me busy, I do my family tree. It's addictive. If you are retired or semi retired, try U3A. Mentally active people who understand and accept minor or major health issues as normal.

[Kjab]

Hi RiderontheStorm: I too, have been feeling the stress of always worrying about my heart after having been healthy and strong for so many years. The Afib and ablation hit me hard and although it's been a year, I still didn't feel strong or good. I finally spoke to my GP who just put me on .5mg of Ativan once a day. It has made a huge difference in my stress levels, and last night I actually caught myself humming a tune. It's been months since I've felt light hearted enough to do that. At my age, I don't think I'll worry about taking the Ativan every day - I'll just take it!

[Buffafly]

My husband often quotes the telling off he had from our daughter when he said 'people with depression should pull themselves together!' She pointed out that the definition of depression is being unable to do that! So we must accept that severe anxiety/depression is not something cured by pulling or pushing by ourselves or anyone else. There is a time for medication BUT the time should be used to get into a better pattern of thought and behaviour, just as Rideronthe Storm has done. If you can find a good ongoing 'reason to get up in the morning' you have a coping skills for life.

[Hatty_36]

I Agree! Its always good to keep busy and if possible talk to people. It takes your mind off you're own problems.

[Psyshadow]

I wish my stress was as easy to resolve but, unfortunately, I live between two lots of neighbours from Hell, so am reminded every day why I often wish I'd just not wake up in the morning !

Maybe someday the lottery will give me a little more than just a free play. Lol !

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RiderontheStorm for 35/40 years distraction at work was a life saver. Now retired much harder to do. But yes it helps A LOT.