Curious

[1DAAT]

My counselor recommended that I talk with others and learn coping skills to manage my depression and anxiety. I do not feel comfortable taking medicine. Any suggestions? Also, are there any Zoom meetings or online support for people that relate to my daily panic attacks? Ty

[GrillMan]

NAMI.org offers Zoom support groups across the U.S. Their website allows you to search by your state. I use one myself.

[1DAAT in reply to GrillMan]

Thank you!!!!!

[The_Butterfly]

first thing with panic attacks: how’s your diet and caffeine intake? I get panicky on a surpringly low dose of caffeine. Second thing with panic attacks: there’s ways to head them off or end them that are weird and unusual. There’s a list somewhere online. For me, singing soulful gospel or loud moving songs (This is Me, from the Greatest Showman soundtrack comes to mind) works to reset my body.

Third thing: I feel you. I am effing miserable and not doing what I need to be doing in my life. Like it’s just not happening. I’m hurtling toward a catastrophe and I can see it but can’t stop the train. Anywho, back in the day, I was convinced there were three things a person needs to “cope.” The first is emotional literacy. The second is a good inner parent. The third is proper boundaries.

My boundaries are shot. Shot shot shot. But yeah, those three things are essentially the holy trinity of all mental things. Body mind and spirit. There’s a lot to each one. Good luck.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to The_Butterfly]

I've got a very weird way that often reduces panic substantially. I lie on my bed and hold a cold gelpack on my chest over my heart. I just found this out by accident, it was what my body wanted, but it works.

[The_Butterfly in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Ooh, I like this!

[Nothing_but_books in reply to The_Butterfly]

Hysterical. I know what is needed. Here I sit, not doing it. Ha, ha, ha. 😬

[The_Butterfly in reply to Nothing_but_books]

I know, right? 🤣🤣🤣

[Nothing_but_books in reply to The_Butterfly]

Oh ya.

[1DAAT in reply to The_Butterfly]

A zillion thank yous--I have a difficult time eating most days and I get nauseous. I've had bloodwork and many tests and been told that it's IBS and stress. I drink tea but it's the herbal ones (Yogi or Celestial). I get very anxious a week before a therapy appointment and struggle to figure out what I'm doing wrong all the time in relationships. It's depressing to imagine that I'll never have a healthy connection with someone. I have a rton of strategies that I try to use when I start feeling the dizziness and heart racing coming. Nothing works.

[The_Butterfly in reply to 1DAAT]

That sucks a lot! Especially since it sounds like you are drinking healthy teas, taking care of your health and trying new things. Panic and nausea are so difficult. I hope you feel better soon.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to 1DAAT]

Have you tried ginger tea for the nausea? You can buy some, but It's easy enough to just cut a few thin slices of ginger root and brew it alone, or with whatever sweetener you like.

[lizbig]

please go to youtube and look up breathing techniques for anxiety,,one is called 5-7-8 and it helps alot

[catsrock]

I like tapping meditations. thetappingsolution.com

[Teaching]

I don't take medications too because it didn't work for me. I do yoga, meditation, walking, positive affirmations every morning. I am in a better place than I was years back. Just know that it takes a lot of effort, patient and time to see results.