Anxiety

[Gmomt]

I'm new to the site and recently was put on Prozac for depression, however my anxiety is off the charts. I've had a few good days but this morning I woke up with major anxiety - my question is are of any of you on something for depression and something different for anxiety? And what do you do to calm down during an anxiety episode? Thanks

[BonnieSue]

Yes, I'm on something for depression and something different for anxiety. Should I get anxious I breathe slowly and focus on things I find calming. I get up and move in whatever way is available to me. I also have the option of taking more clonazepam/Klonopin.

[Gmomt in reply to BonnieSue]

Thank you!! I am going back to my therapist next week so I was wondering if I had any other options as far as anxiety

[BonnieSue in reply to Gmomt]

I don't know what options you are aware of right now. Can you tell me so I don't repeat?

[Beevee in reply to Gmomt]

In my opinion, techniques used to avoid the feelings of anxiety just keep fueling the anxiety problem and depression ( I prefer to call it depletion...read Dr Claire Weekes' books) which is a by-product of anxiety. Anxiety simply thrives on avoidance techniques because your natural fight / flight responses watches how you react to those thoughts and feelings. If you run away, hide, suppress distract yourself or try to do anything to not feel the symptoms of anxiety, it just keeps your nervous system on a heightened state of alert and feeling anxious. Alternatively, if you accept all those thoughts and feelings and do nothing about them, leaving them be, surrendering to it all, giving up the fight, offering zero resistance, you stop sending messages to the part of your brain (amygdala) that controls your fight/responses) which, in turn will stop sending messages to the organs that pump all that adrenalin (energy surges) round your body in preparation for you to run away or fight the perceived danger.

You can't stop those thoughts and feelings from coming but you do have a choice as to how you react to them. You can either buy into them and then spend time going round and round in ever decreasing circles trying to rid yourself of anxiety (which fuels the anxiety) OR you can just accept it all, safe in the knowledge that the symptoms are just anxiety's way of releasing all that negative energy which wants to escape from you but you won't loosen your grip and let it happen because you keep choosing the first option.

Unfortunately, all those techniques sufferers develop to avoid anxiety, to distract themselves (to do anything to NOT feel anxiety) has the completely opposite effect to your ultimate goal (anxiety free) because all they do is suppress or block the release of energy and the reason why symptoms persist. If you develop a different attitude towards the symptoms and give up the constant battle and be ok about not feeling ok, the symptoms will gradually fade away.

Knowledge and understanding of how anxiety can affect people is key to recovery because it takes away a lot of the unknown and fear. Fear is the root cause of all anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, I see fear in virtually every single post on this website.. People asking if anyone is experiencing similar symptoms etc. My advice is to shove the lot in a bag labeled "It's just anxiety" and carry on with your day, regardless of how you are feeling. In time the anxiety will lose its power and fade away.

[spedteach]

Hi! I have lived for about 40 years with both depression and anxiety. Over the years I have learned many skills for dealing with both. What I use the most now is deep breathing. I will also watch a funny movie or a Disney film. I really enjoy Disney. I take some medications for anxiety and some for depression. I also have some alprazolam available for extra anxiety times. I, too, am new to this site and find it comforting to talk to others who experience similar struggles. Good Luck~