Looking for genuine advice

[lrp18]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this, and idk why I'm on this to be honest. But I have been suffering with anxiety a lot and I just don't know who to talk to.. I feel weird writing on this, but I just would like some advice I guess, honestly anything would help

[Agora1]

Of course we don't take the place of your doctor or therapist, but work in conjunction with them. Anxiety does need the support and understanding of others who like themselves suffer from the same issues. We know what it's like and I feel that makes a better impression when reaching out to others who feel lost and alone.

Finding out all you can in how anxiety affects both the mind and the body can help you have a better understanding of why this is happening to you. I have always felt that we are predisposed to anxiety. That we are born with an over sensitized nervous system that is just waiting for life to take a wrong turn. One of the better books around that can help you find some answers to your questions as well as allowing you to go forward is "Hope & Help for your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes. She wrote this book a long time ago to help anxiety sufferers. Since then, many others have written similar books using the same theory which is Acceptance of Anxiety is the way to go. Accepting that the symptoms we get are not dangerous. They may be scary but only because we allow it to be. The sooner you learn to accept anxiety as not harmful, the symptoms will come down in intensity and leave sooner.

I hope you will give the forum a chance to help you. Looking forward in seeing you on soon. xx

[lrp18 in reply to Agora1]

I really needed to hear that.. thank you so much

[Agora1 in reply to lrp18]

xx

[Marshall64]

I have depression more than I do anxiety and anxiety is the worst. When I had it i found that cutting back sugar and caffeine helped. Exercise was the best thing for me.

[lrp18 in reply to Marshall64]

thank you so much! I have been exercising as well and it seems to help a little

[Marshall64 in reply to lrp18]

Thanks for letting me know that it helped. Now you made me feel better (I guess that is how it works around here).

I was just reading today about a soldier that has PTSD and he mentioned that lifting heavy weights created pain that took his mind off of thinking. That reminded me that playing hockey and playing guitar are two things that give me a mental break because I kind of go into the "zone" so to speak. Works better than prescription drugs for anxiety.

Keep up with the exercise. If you do aerobic exercise, you can get that "runner's high" which is an awesome feeling albeit temporary...

[lrp18 in reply to Marshall64]

thank you so much.. I love what you mentioned about the solider!!

[old-soul]

You're already getting really A+++ replies. Let me add a few suggestions.

Often, starting with your general practitioner/family doctor is good. They can often give you a referral.

It is a really good idea to take a note with you to remind you of everything you want to discuss during your appointment. Regardless of the health issue, it is actually common knowledge that we are ALL prone to walk away from a doctor's appointment saying, "Oh crap, I forgot to mention . . . ." Having a bullet list of concerns ahead of time to take with you is key to getting better health care.

Keep coming here and read lots in out other people's experiences, and keep asking questions. Agora1 is one of my favorite people here and consistently makes very awesome points, not the least of which is, none of us are doctors. Our experiences are real though, and I appriciate folks who share their own experience rather than, "My 3rd cousin's wife's friend said she knew someone that had what you have, so I know for a fact you should be on such and such drug." Yuck.

Marshall64 nailed it rigjt on the head too. When we can use our own experiences to help others, boy does that feel good. It helps to turn something awful, (the crap we've endured) into something of worth - the experience needed to support and encourage others! That IS what makes this deal work so well, and I am so glad we have this resource, and even more to the point, one another.

Yea us!

[lrp18]

oh my goodness, thank you SO MUCH!! I really appreciate all of these replies and it is great having someone like you give me great advice and let me know that I am not alone on this though journey..