I am new here

[Muirwoods]

I am on STD and trying to get myself better so that I can go back to work. So far not really doing so well. I would love to get some help on positive coping skills for my anxiety.

[BonnieSue]

I can help if you are more specific with your question. In what way are you having trouble with anxiety? In what situations? Do you have social anxiety? Health anxiety? In the classroom? Can you leave your house? Do you have GAD? Are you on any meds? Do you want my list of non-drug self help resources to learn more about anxiety and depression?

[Muirwoods in reply to BonnieSue]

My GAD is pretty acute these days. I am isolating a lot. I also self injure and that has me worried. I am hopeful to find some positive ways of getting though my day with joy. Please send me your resource list.

Thanks,

Mw

[Muirwoods]

SueSz I would love to have a list of your non-drug self help resources. I am unable to work right now due to my anxiety and depression. I am also very socially isolated and hope to feel better so that I can get back out there so to speak and enjoy my life.

Thanks so much!

Mw

[Muirwoods]

Looking forward to getting some self help ideas to assist with gaining positive coping skills for my anxiety and depression.

Mw

[Muirwoods]

I am scared to death about losing my STD. I foolishly was feeling ambitious and sent two resumes out today. Does anyone know if one can apply for other jobs while on STD? I am not planning on doing that again but I think part of my illness is to be overly worried about current and future employment. I just do not want to do anything to interfere with my STD.

[Muirwoods]

I have GAD, major depression and some PTSD symptoms. I also have OCD to deal with.

[Muirwoods]

Of course now I am really feeling the anxiety kicking in. Breathe.

Mw

[BonnieSue]

Of course you can look for other jobs while on STD. I'm sorry that for some reason notifications that you've responded to my post didn't work. I don't know why.

[Muirwoods in reply to BonnieSue]

Thanks!

[BonnieSue]

Some natural remedies and non-drug sources of information are books, videos, and workbooks suggested by other people on this site:

1---"I've found David D. Burns' "Feeling Good" and "When Panic Attacks" to be very helpful."

2---"I am working through the anxiety workbook by Dr David Carbonell and it has helped immensely!!! " His website is anxietycoach.com.

3---Mindfulness has helped many people and is now recommended by doctors in the UK. Here’s just 1 link that explains it’s usefulness: heartwoodrefuge.org/benefit.... Another option of many is called MINDSHIFT. You can download it to your phone from Google Playstore.

4---TRE (Trauma releasing exercises) is something you can learn in a class but you don't have to talk about your problems and once you have learned the technique you can use it at home.

5---anxietytipsoftheday.weebly.com

6---"A good book that I came across recently is "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, 6th Edition" by Edmund J. Bourne, PhD. You might find this book to be of some help to you, although communicating your thoughts and feelings in a group setting is enormously helpful as well. "

7---“The book DARE, which is about anxiety. It’s a very good book about accepting anxiety and letting go of the fear. The author is Barry Mcdonagh and he also has a YouTube channel and a Facebook support group.”

8---For anxiety: Claire Weekes audio books on iTunes. “Self Held for Your Nerves” is one title that is good. You can see her on YouTube. “The Dr. Claire Weekes book is easy to understand and will help you on your way to recovery through acceptance.” Someone else says: “I like the paradigm of acceptance by Dr. Claire Weekes in "Hope and Help for your Nerves"”.

9---I would also add "Don't Panic" by Dr. Reid Wilson.

10---Another really good CD and book is the Linden method.

11---How to be good with yourself: self-compassion.org/the-thr...10---Try the meditation app called Headspace. It's done in 10 mins slots once a day.

12---Videos on YouTube by THAT ANXIETY GUY helps with anxiety re: depersonalization/ de-realization states.

13—For UK residents: Have you ever been in touch with the organisation called MIND? They offer one to one sessions with a Project Worker free. They also run courses that you can attend free of charge. One of the courses is about Anxiety. Their website is mind.org.uk

14---"Go on the Psychology Today site and look for a therapist that specializes in anxiety." Psychology Today has listings with psychiatrists and psychologists and therapists with their pictures and the therapists’ specialties and philosophies, sliding scale fees if they have them, education and insurance accepted and other details they choose to post for you.

15---Instead of mercilessly judging and criticizing yourself for various inadequacies or shortcomings, self-compassion means you are kind and understanding when confronted with personal failings – after all, who ever said you were supposed to be perfect? self-compassion.org/the-thr...

16---“Have you ever listened to Louise Hay on YouTube? Some of the talks help motivate you and hopefully you will feel a positive energy.”

17---“I called one of these online therapist sites. The therapist was really good. It was prestoexperts dot com. Her name was Lori Burke. Definitely a professional and she got me through this awful depression/anxiety morning.” (There is a charge for this service)

18---For meditation look at:

Tara Brach and Chopra Center

19---theworrygames.com/anxiety-f...

20---“AnxietyNoMore” by Paul Bywater. A phone app.

21---“At Last a Life” book by Paul David.

22---The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook

Practical DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, and Distress Tolerance

By: Matthew McKay PhD, Jeffrey Wood PsyD, Jeffrey Brantley MD

A Clear and Effective Approach to Learning DBT Skills

First developed for treating borderline personality disorder, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has proven effective as treatment for a range of other mental health problems, especially for those characterized by overwhelming emotions. Research shows that DBT can improve your ability to handle distress without losing control and acting destructively. In order to make use of these techniques, you need to build skills in four key areas-distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Source: NewHarbingerPublications

Caution for non-Buddhists: Zen Buddhism inspired aspects of DBT, along with behavioral science and dialectical philosophy. Source: GoodTherapy.com.

[Muirwoods in reply to BonnieSue]

Thank you! I look forward to the help!

Mw

[Finnstar]

Hi Muirwoods, I would recommend number 13 on BonnieSues list. I attended a 6 week course on anxiety and found it to be very helpful. It was a group course once a week for 2 hours. I personally found it interesting to hear other people's stories and to get some tips on coping with anxiety.

[Muirwoods in reply to Finnstar]

Thanks for the tip! I will check it out!

Mw