Steps to help your anxiety.

[mom483]

I have lived with anxiety and depression for 30+ years. I have learned some things along the way that I would like to share in hopes it will help someone.

1) EVERYONE has anxiety and depression. You are not alone. Yes, it affects people differently and people cope differently, but everyone has it.

2)Cut out caffeine. No coffee, chocolate , tea, soda, caffeinated water, etc. Start by switching to decaf and then cut it out completely. It takes about 3 days of flu-like symptoms, and you will be able to function even though you will feel miserable.

3) See an endocrinologist. They specialize in hormones. if one hormone level is off, it can cause a domino effect and you can feel anxious without knowing why.

4) Investigate your medications. Drugs like sudafed can really mess with your head and body, creating high anxiety and blood pressure. It you experience anxiety symptoms after taking a medication, check with your doctor to see if there is an alternative.

5) Check with a cardiologist. If you are having problems like heart palpitations, check with a cardiologist to make sure there isn't something else causing the palpitations.

6) PMS really messes with your body and can cause extreme anxiety. Something as simple as birth control can help alleviate these symptoms. Talk to your OB/GYN about it.

7) Simplify your life. The more complex and complicated our lives are, the worse anxiety can be. Obviously, if you have children, this can be very difficult. But by setting a schedule/routine, it can alleviate a lot of anxiety. Too many things to do and not enough time to do them causes anxiety. Learn to say no. You might feel bad at first, but once you free up some of your time, you will do it more often and feel much better.

8) Stay away from toxic people. We have all been there just the mere mention of someone's name can send us into a panic. At one point, my anxiety got so bad, I graduated from panic attacks to full blown hives all over my body! I tried everything I couldn't get any relief. It wasn't until I cut my parents out of my life, that I finally got some relief. Granted, this is not always possible, especially if that person is someone you live or work with. But, at the very least, try to minimize your exposure to them.

I hope these help. Please add your tips and tricks for coping with your anxiety!

[Dubba61]

Thankyou, for those very good, well thought out, Tips. I too, have lived with this for more than 30 years. Yes, to giving up Coffee n endocrinology, what a strange system that is! I'm now on Tablets for my barely functioning Thyroid, which must have been making trouble, for years. And Tip from me I's: "stay hydrated'! 👍🧓

[mom483 in reply to Dubba61]

Thank you! I admit I forgot hydration is extremely important!

[Dubba61 in reply to mom483]

👍🧓

[shruthi143]

Thanks soo mom483 for these words. I've felt that I was only person feeling depressed and anxious, but after reading this I understood that Anxiety and depression are part of life. One need to take few simple steps to manage it. I've started saying NO to few things that are unnecessary and doesn't contribute to my development; and now, I'm feeling good about taking that decision. No extra burden works= less stress. And I've found that eating fruits and vegetables also helps in managing stress and depression.

[mom483 in reply to shruthi143]

shruthi143 - You are so right! We need our fruits and veggies to combat stress in a healthy way. Plus, I eat constantly, so I need them to combat the barrage of processed food I am constantly stuffing in my face! Thank you for the info! 👍 And Thank you for explaining how easy it is to make small changes that make a huge impact on your life!

[Midori]

I managed to break my depressive cycle. (Possible Trigger warning).

After a very violent marriage, before there was much organised help for battered spouses, I managed to get away from him with my children, and when he realised he'd driven me away permanently he suicided.

I managed with some difficulty to raise my two children solo, I wasn't getting into another relationship, but I was still depressed, until one day I recognised the voice in my head, telling me I'd fail, I wasn't good enough, I had always been a lousy wife and mother. It was the voice of my husband nagging like he always did. So I told it to F*** Off!

It took a fair few goes to get rid of it, but it went, and I am a lot happier now, and capable of more than even I thought! (taken a good 10 to 15 years!)

[mom483 in reply to Midori]

"a lousy wife and mother." Yes, I have heard those words all my life! I am so happy that you were able to give your children a better life!Congrats to you for protecting yourself and your children! You are AWESOME! 🎉

[Hidden]

That is a great story! Congratulations on kicking your ex-husbands voice out of your head!

[mom483 in reply to Hidden]

I agree getting away from an abuser is one thing, getting rid of the voice they leave in your head is another matter altogether.

[Midori in reply to mom483]

You have to get really sick of hearing it and then get angry and tell it to GO. May take a few goes, but it works.

[mom483 in reply to Midori]

That is AWESOME!!! Thank you for sharing!