Techniques For Coping With Anxiety and Depression???

[kmaedny87]

Hello, I am new here and I've been on a long journey to find answers to this question: will I ever beat anxiety and depression? I've been told time and time again (I realize it myself) that I am highly self-aware and know which areas I need to improve upon. I just can't seem to connect what I'm trying to and endpoint. I always end up in the same predicament - feeling as if I'll always be like this. I want to beat this once and for all. I want to live a healthy and whole life. I want to take control of this. I've tried meditation, affirmations, sought out counselors and therapists. I write as much as I can to get things off of my chest, but sometimes I'm so overwhelmed that I can't bring myself to pull out my laptop! I've never had a substantial relationship in my entire life. I've ruined nearly every personal relationship in my life just about and I'm just tired of this. I look online for help and most places just want to make a quick buck. In short, what can I do that's practical and something that makes the goal of leading an exceptional life more attainable?

[slychichen45]

I wish I had an answer to that because then I would apply it to my life and beat my anxiety but my suggestion find something you love to do that makes you look forward to the next day find someone who loves something and loves you for who you are.

[kmaedny87 in reply to slychichen45]

Well read the answer to this post! Hopefully it helps you as much as it helped me 😊

[Agora1]

Hi kmaedny87, As to your question, the answer is "yes", you will beat anxiety and depression. It doesn't have to be a life sentence. Most of us have felt like you including myself. Will this ever end? Will I be able to be in control of my life once again? I know what I need to do but don't see it happening. Years of therapy, medication and more therapy and yet I found myself in the same spot.

It wasn't until I became Agoraphobic for 5 years did I decide I had enough of Anxiety taking over my life. I basically dissected Anxiety. What did it want from me? Why couldn't I stand up for myself? One day I had an "ahha" moment. Everything I had learned in therapy but had not applied to anxiety was the answer.

I stood up tall and determined to kick this bully, this anxiety monster to the curb. I got angry for it robbing me of living. I pulled my energy from everything I had learned the first thing being Acceptance. Accepting that anxiety was nothing but a negative thought in my mind. My mind had to be retrained to get rid of negativity and only allow positive thoughts to prevail. I would not cower and shake from fear of any symptoms. I started turning to YouTube and using videos on Meditation/DeepBreathing, Positive Reinforcement and Self Hypnosis. Multiple times a day. I weaned myself (through my psych's help) off all benzos. I also backed away from years of therapy. For me, meditation/deepbreathing held the key to the light at the end of the tunnel. I was finding my way back...One foot in front of the other, one day at a time until I was back in control of my life.

My deep breathing is done automatically throughout the day and night. It gives me a calm and peace that has taken the place of meds. Meditation before sleep allows me a good night's rest. First thing in the morning, meditation and deep breathing to prepare me for a new day. Greet the day with positive attitude, having no regrets, no anticipation of what today holds. I've got my life back and you will too. Giving up is not an option. Go forward, be strong and your goal will be waiting for you....Anxiety Free once again. xx

[kmaedny87 in reply to Agora1]

Wow thanks so much for your insight. You pretty much confirmed what I've been trying to do recently which is deep breathing exercises. There's actually a Samsung app on my phone that measures my stress levels and heart rate. I saw that there were also breathing exercises and I just thought hey, what the heck? I gave it a try and I noticed it did help for the moment. Now that I know I was on to something, I will stick to it. I've also tried meditation recently and I enjoyed it. I guess I have to make the time to do it like you do in the mornings before I even start my day instead of waiting until I'm in fight-or-flight mode. Now, I'm not familiar with self-hypnosis, but I will do some reading on it. Also, what I get from your story is that it took girth and determination to beat this. I must take this one day at a time and you're right, giving up is not an option! 😊

[Agora1 in reply to kmaedny87]

I will emphasize that you cannot wait until you are in a "fight or flight mode". If practiced daily *and I even do it mid day as well, you can learn to avoid any attacks from coming on. Honestly! Acceptance that it is not harmful and deep breathing as soon as you feel an inkling of adrenaline, will abort it in Nano seconds. Self hypnosis is also on YouTube. I'm here, the forum is all around you, you are never alone. xx

[kmaedny87 in reply to Agora1]

Yes your right. I'm setting my alarm right after I post to ensure that's the first thing I do in the morning. I'm going to force myself to do it from now on along with deep breathing as soon as I feel tense about something. I think I'm at that place to stick to it this time due to having to do the same thing with transitioning from learning on campus to an online institution. I loath reading at times lol and online classes forces you to READ! So I had to make the decision, it's either do the work or fail. And at this point in my life (I'm 30!) Failure is not an option. I need my degree and I know a VITAL part of my success in school is my mental health.

[Cookie2217 in reply to Agora1]

I've been battling with depression disorder since 2006 and have had three bounce in my lifetime. This most recent bad is lasted 4 years now and it's time for me to also save it enough is enough. I'm waiting myself off of medication which isn't working and doing a more holistic approach with meditation yoga diet and exercise and sunlight. I've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder PTSD and adjustment disorder as well. I've had a lot of childhood trauma which I've carried into adulthood and journaling helps that a lot because it gets all those self-esteem issues and self-loathing feelings out into the open for me. So happy you kicked anxieties ass!! Wishing you peace and well-being.

[pamb67]

i can tell u ur not the only one to feel as u do i feel the same wondering will i ever just be able to live a normal healthy life without stressing/worrying and feeling anxious

[gerrerd]

Wayne Dyer programs. at hay house !