My name is Todd. I am 36 years old and still searching fr answers 20 years after suffering from my first panic attack. I have social anxiety and it has changed my life and attitude in so many ways that I don't even recognize the person i used to be. I have been perscribed variuos medications that hve worked for periods of time but always make me feel empty and low. They literally suck the joy out of life. Trying to get off of a percribed drug now and the side effects are absolutely worse than the illness. We have very, very few specialists in my area and a doctor will just run the medication gambit. I'm definately not a rich man and am so tired of spending thousands of dollars and feeling worse in the end. I'm here for suggestions, like-minded individuals, etc. Thanks for reading and I look forward to talking with you.
Hi there, hope being here can help you out a bit more. I've mostly had issues with depression on and off since a kid, anxiety struck me more since my life changed immensely with developing a form of rheumatoid arthritis alongside Ulcerative Colitis. I don't really know if medication has ever solely helped me with depression, but I've had most benefits from learning about cognitive behavioural therapy. A locum doctor I once saw put me onto a website which you use to work through it. I'm not sure if CBT can also help with your anxiety, but could be worth finding out?
Hi toddt2, Welcome to the Anxiety forum. I'm glad you found us. Once anxiety has gone on for a number of years, medication no longer provides the relief or answers we need. You are right in looking for other methods that can give you some relief without dulling your senses and costing dollars. There are many ways anxiety and it's issues can be addressed. There are a number of therapies from CBT, Self Hypnosis, Biofeedback, Meditation, Deep Breathing, Grounding and on and on. The key is finding a tool that will work for you. Sharing your thoughts with others on the forum can educate us as to what's out there and what has worked for others.
Anxiety itself, with some work, can be put down by something as simple as "Acceptance". Accepting that it is not harmful but a mind playing game that chooses to make you fear for your life when there is no physical threat. It brings on physical symptoms that raise our adrenaline levels making us fear even more. Once we are able to stop the progression from escalating, anxiety loses it's power and intensity. It takes work. Practice, Fortitude in no longer allowing anxiety to be in Control of our lives.
Removing our negative thoughts with positivity plays a big part. I have found for myself that quiet meditation and deep breathing have brought me further than any medication I took for 30 years. Nothing works fast. It is a learned behavior that needs to be restructured. Our brain is a powerful organ that has the capacity of producing pain relief and good feelings of peace and calm. I never stop learning both on the forum and on the internet. Knowing what you are dealing with and how the Mind/Body Connection work reinforces your strength in going forward and not staying stuck.
Did you know that breathing properly has the power to change the way you are feeling. The more you practice, the better you get in getting back control of your life. We help each other through support, understanding and caring on this forum. One step at a time toddt2 and you will reach your goal. We care. x
Hi, Todd. I am really grateful that I decided to check out the forum this evening. Lately, anxiety has been a big issue with me. I had a minor panic attack this morning. I couldn't talk myself down, so called my best friend (who has first-hand knowledge of this problem) and she was able to help. I also have been diagnosed with ADHD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression and have been in AA for almost 25 years. I have recently joined the group, ACOA; Adult Children of Alcoholics.
I will begin weekly biofeedback sessions on Monday, so will be happy to share pointers or suggest reading material or websites if offered to me. I'll definitely let you know how it's going. I really got a lot out of what Agora posted earlier. This forum is a wealth of knowledge & pain, but I find myself learning from both.
I know that my mind is telling me lies and instigating all sorts of chaos, but I've yet to master getting my "Magical, Magnifying Mind" to SHUT the F*** UP!!!
I'm new at it, but what they'll be doing is putting a few electrodes on me and I'll be hooked up to a monitor. You can see your breathing in real time as hills, valleys and sharp peaks depending on how you are breathing. Below this visual is one of a different color that monitors exactly what your muscles are doing. It's weird because you can breathe funny & you will see it indicated on the screen or if you tighten a muscle, you can watch the screen as it monitors along.
The goal is to get you to focus and concentrate on your lungs & muscles, so that you can eventually manipulate your body to relax at will or take the focus off of pain. It is supposed to be beneficial in reducing stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD. Improves emotional state & helps take the focus off of physical pain.
My pain doctor is having me do this for pain, but since I have all the above conditions & more, I may find it more useful for overall mental health. My physical may need more of a medical resolution or maybe only lots more time to heal from surgery. I've copied some Wikipedia information below for you. I'll bet there's tons of stuff online if you think you want to pursue.
Biofeedback is the process of gaining greater awareness of many physiological functions primarily using instruments that provide information on the activity of those same systems, with a goal of being able to manipulate them at will.[1][2] Some of the processes that can be controlled include brainwaves, muscle tone, skin conductance, heart rate and pain perception.[3]
A person is connected to a computer with sensors, receiving information from the sensors via visual and sound information produced by the computer.
Biofeedback may be used to improve health, performance, and the physiological changes that often occur in conjunction with changes to thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Eventually, these changes may be maintained without the use of extra equipment, for no equipment is necessarily required to practice biofeedback.[2]
Oh, yeah, Todd2 - I forgot to mention that it is an honor to know you as a "Friend of Bill's". Keep coming back! It works if you work it & it don't if you don't but you gotta want it! Awesome job!!!
Absolutely! I keep going to meetings because I need you people around the tables plus, it seems lately that several AAs have gone back out and come back with horrible stories! I'm thrilled they came back, but happy as hell it wasn't me!
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Hi Everyone
Hi everyone; I'm new here...
Hi everyone! I'm new here.
