How to tough it out through an anxiet... - Anxiety and Depre...

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How to tough it out through an anxiety bout

Eklektik profile image
34 Replies

Hi!

I have had depression on and off for the past 35 years. But since january 2021, I've been getting frightful anxiety crisis. It is not always at the same level but if often becomes intolerable. The I either tough if out or drink alcool, which is bad, I know. I'd like to know how people here deal with anxiety attacks.

Thanks

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Eklektik profile image
Eklektik
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34 Replies
Lefty_Epee profile image
Lefty_Epee

As a recovering alcoholic, please stay away from drinking or any other addictive substances. As far as managing attacks, I try to keep something soft like a stuffed animal or blanket near me. I get really overstimulated and it helps ground me to the moment instead of falling deeper into panic, disassociating, or having a seizure. Something that gets passed around a lot is something along the lines of "5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you touch, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you touch". You can look it up to see variations on the method. It is meant to help bring you back to the moment but distract you from the surrounding stimuli. In my case, it helps filter stimuli back in one at a time versus all at once. Hope this helps!

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik in reply toLefty_Epee

Thank you Lefty_Epee. I will definitely try that. Congrats on your recovery.

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik in reply toLefty_Epee

Hello again,

Reading your post again, I notice you talk about being overly stimulated. I had not thought of that, as I try to get something that mobilizes as much of my attention as possible when anxiety is rising. Maybe I should dare go the other way, minimize stimuli. Thanks again.

Agora1 profile image
Agora1

Eklektik, I suffered for many years with severe anxiety as well as agoraphobia.I learned that it's not a matter of how to tough it out or fight it. The "key" is

accepting it and not allowing anxiety to make you run and fear it.

As you know, it does pass in time, unfortunately than we may go into the anticipatory

anxiety, waiting for when it just may hit us again. Once that happens you are in a

cycle of fear begets fear.

Besides medication and therapy, finding other methods to calm and relax both your

mind and body are immensely helpful. It takes time and retraining your subconscious

mind. But it can be done.

I tried many different methods and to this day use each and everyone in my daily meditation and breathing. I beat anxiety and am in control of my life once more.

Never give up and believe that you can and will regain control once more.

You so deserve this. :) xx

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik in reply toAgora1

Thank you Agora1. I am perplexed about the idea of accepting anxiety. I don't quite know what it means. Can you explain or give examples? Medication does not help me and I am waiting to get in an anxiety management group. I too meditate. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it makes things worse. Thank you for your words of hope.

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply toEklektik

Eklektik, I know someone who can explain accepting anxiety better than anyone.It is Dr. Claire Weekes, a psychiatrist who herself suffered from Panic/Anxiety Attacks.

Her research not only helped her but her patients. Her theory is that Acceptance of

Anxiety can calm the "Fight or Flight" response.

Her book is on Amazon or her videos on YouTube.

"Hope & Help for Your Nerves". That was my foundation in getting better.

I still have her book on my desk as reference. With a good foundation, we can

build other methods of help on top of that. Once the foundation is secure

so is our confidence in learning to understand and control our issues in life.

I hope you give it a look. You will believe that she is talking about you lol

There are many of us on the forum who have used her theory. My best :) xx

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik in reply toAgora1

Thanks Agora, I'm going to go look at her book right away. Be well!

Jeff1943 profile image
Jeff1943 in reply toEklektik

That book has been life changing and life saving for millions of people since it was first published several generations ago.

When you receive your copy* sit down somewhere quiet and open the book to the first page. Your recovery has begun.

*'Hope and help for your nerves' also published as 'Self help for your nerves' by Doctor Claire Weekes.

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik in reply toAgora1

Just bought the book by Claire Weekes. I am looking forward to read it this week-end. Thanks again for the advice.

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply toEklektik

Eklektik, it will be a well worth weekend :) xx

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik in reply toAgora1

Hello Agora1, I already read 8 chapters and it does give me hope! Facing, Accepting, Floating. I am determined to try. Thanks so much for the reference. It resonates with Acceptance Commitment Therapy, which I've used for depression.

Butterflyfish-2021 profile image
Butterflyfish-2021 in reply toAgora1

Watching at this moment. I am crippled by fear

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply toButterflyfish-2021

I too at one time was frozen with fear. Fear of everything.Know that this doesn't have to be a lifetime sentence.

Being on this safe site will give you the help and confidence

in overcoming anxiety. We are here to support you :) xx

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik in reply toAgora1

I gave acceptance a try this morning on a mildish bout of anxiety. I think I got a bit of it and it gave me an inkling of what it might be when mastered. I realize it is going to take practice but I am determined to give it my best. Have a nice day!

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply toEklektik

It takes time and practice Eklektik xNothing happens overnight or comes easy in life but this practice will be

life changing for you.

Acceptance will be the basis of your healing. There are also other steps

you can do that will give you the control you need to lower the level of anxiety

or eventually stop an attack before it starts.

For myself, I use daily Meditation and Breathing. We all are here to help

you through each step. We all care and hopefully that will give you the

strength to follow through each day. Happy Saturday! :) xx

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik in reply toAgora1

Hi Agora1! I have a question. Is it possible that it feels worse at the beginning when you don't quite know how to accept? I've been practicing on a biggish anxiety crisis this afternoon and it feels terrible. Still, I went to the pharmacy and supermarket despite the magnitude of the crisis. I would not have gone before. A definite victory. Thank you so much for being there. Cheers!

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply toEklektik

It definitely can be harder at the beginning. That's because your mind has beentrained to react only to anxiety stimuli. What you did this afternoon was the

first step in continuing to go forward pushing anxiety aside.

It doesn't like that and may give you anticipatory anxiety just to keep you under

it's control. Whenever you do succeed in going out of your comfort zone, make

sure you give yourself credit (a pat on the back per se)

I happen to use a treat for myself when accomplishing more than I thought I could

handle. Chocolate is my comfort treat lol

There are many on this forum who have used Dr. Weekes' theory and have gone far.

Listen to other's suggestions. The more you learn, the stronger you get.

Cheers for a job well done today :) xx

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik in reply toAgora1

Chocolate is wonderful indeed :-) This morning is not good. I have anxiety, am afraid of it, which I am learning is a classic, and dread the day. But am determined to practice acceptance no matter what. Have a nice day!

Midori profile image
Midori

A lot of the depression many of us are feeling lately comes from the uncertainties over Covid, I find.

The rate of people joining these forums and asking for referrals to psychiatric services has exploded.

Violence, due to frustration has gone way up. Some folk have become feral.

Partly it's because we fear the virus, partly it is the fact that our routines are disrupted and we cannot find a new 'Norm.'

It's going to take awhile yet, until we can get the virus under some semblance of control; conspiracy theorists don't help, as they keep people from doing the sensible thing.

Cheers, Midori

Wooded_Trail profile image
Wooded_Trail

Deep, relaxing breathing has always been the best tool for me, but it doesn't always work well for the more intense anxiety attacks. Research mindfulness meditation - also a good tool, but takes a lot of practice.

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik in reply toWooded_Trail

I've been doing mindfulness for depression and it helped. Not so much with anxiety, but thanks for reminding me of breathing! I forget it!

Wooded_Trail profile image
Wooded_Trail in reply toEklektik

I sometimes forget to breathe, too!

Daveacr1959 profile image
Daveacr1959

45-60 minutes of daily cardio exercise to produce endorphins that battle your anxiety and depression. A 5 minute pure cold shower daily. Hours before bed . It resets the vagus nerve and brain and it calms . First 2 weeks are rough but after that you will crave it.

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik in reply toDaveacr1959

Indeed good advice. I am at baby steps right now, just going out for a 15 minutes walk. The cold shower is startling but I am willing to try! Thanks for the advice :-)

Midori profile image
Midori in reply toDaveacr1959

Great if you aren't disabled, Dave!

Daveacr1959 profile image
Daveacr1959 in reply toMidori

Yes that’s true. I always read the post to see if the person mentions a disability. They responded back to me saying they were walking 15 minutes. If I overlooked something, or left anyone out I’m sorry. Your advice is always so good and you are always so kind to everyone.

designguy profile image
designguy

I agree with Agora, the best way to think of anxiety is that it is a paradox, the more you struggle and resist it the more it persists. Most of us with anxiety have an extreme need to be in control and are hyper critical of ourselves. By realizing and accepting that the only real "control" we have in life is over our next breath and the only choice we have is to surrender to life, we start to gain real 'control" of our life by living in the moment. Self-acceptance and self-care and being ok with anxious thoughts and feelings will go a long way to minimizing your anxiety. The bottom line is never believe your anxious thoughts or feelings, they are lies whose role was to protect you but they are no longer required.

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik in reply todesignguy

Oh yes, one breath at a time. Living in the moment. It sounds simple, but I forget it all the time. Thanks for the whole of your reflexion on not struggling. I don't know how to do that yet but I'll try. Thanks for your advice!

designguy profile image
designguy in reply toEklektik

Yes, it is just surrendering to the moment and I think it definitely is a learned skill that takes time and practice - best to you.

RemySue profile image
RemySue

Deep breathe. walk. If I need to cry I cry-makes it better. I also do the grounding method Lefty_Epee mentioned.

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik in reply toRemySue

Thanks RemySue. Going for a walk when anxious make the anxiety go up, but I'm told if I persist, it will go the other way around.

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik

Yes, drinking sometimes has a rebound effect, so I am more and more hesitant to drink. Thanks for all the suggestions for comforting stuff.

Kam360 profile image
Kam360

Hi there. When my anxiety gets the better of me...I take a half of Diazepam. It's usually enough to do the job for a couple of hours.😘

Eklektik profile image
Eklektik

Hi :-) Good for you! Yay! I have clonazepam and quetiapine for anxiety, but they don't work. So sometimes I drink wine, which is a mistake. I got enrolled in a 10 weeks workshop on anxiety self management, and after three weeks, I think I see a difference. This week's session was particularly useful proposing a journal with 6 items, to apply to two situations daily: (1) Activity, (2) Triggers, (3) Manifestation, (4) Anxiety level (from 1 to 10), (5) Strategies, (6) Progress. The entry can be simply 2-3 words for each item. Myself, I write paragraphs! Still, I wish I had some medication that works for when anxiety gets crippling. Thanks for your post and be well!

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