How to recover from Anxiety Disorder?

[Yatesrp]

Hello, I know that many people struggle with anxiety, but I’m becoming so frustrated why I cannot recover. I have panic disorder and many physical sensations that I believe I’m going to just die suddenly. Think I’m having a stroke, seizure, heart attack etc that I will just die suddenly.

I see my regular doctor every 6 months and I am healthy. All tests are always normal. Good blood pressure and blood tests always. Have had many many heart tests completed and always normal. I eat well and workout 6 days a week. I’m in excellent physical shape and take care of myself. I do drink a little bourbon nightly, but within moderate amounts and doctor says is fine. I’m only 38, but just always feel the end is near.

I’ve tried medicine, therapy, programs through my work EAP program. Watching videos to help, CBT, reading many books, the DARE app and a few others. I’ve tried what seems like everything the past 5 years, but can’t seem to recover. It’s like clock work every day. I wake up feeling good, am as anxious as can be in the middle of the day and then relaxed in the evenings. Driving to anywhere anymore is a nightmare because a panic attack is almost guaranteed. It’s getting to a point where I’m starting to want to give up.

Does anyone have any other advice or tips to try and recover from this daily severe anxiety?

[Marysblue]

limit caffeine, you probably already know. I use ashwagandha, it seems like it helps me. It lowers your cortisol.Not a cure, but since you tried everything else. Hydroxine is non-addictive and sedating. But it gave me nightmares if I took it at night

You're doing a lot of great things. And you seem like you should be very healthy. Meditation?

[Yatesrp in reply to Marysblue]

Limiting caffeine is something that I know can help. I don’t get much caffeine, but it is hard to cut out morning coffee. I’ve tried meditation and it does seem to help in that time period. It just seems that no matter what I do or try that my anxiety keeps happening. I might have a good day or two and then it’s right back to extreme anxiety.

[ZOO7]

Hi I’m very similar. The techniques help in the moment or seem to but nothing is the cure. When my mind has time to focus or zone in on a feeling… like eh I’m feeling alittle off today, tired, headaches etc then I start catastrophic thinking. I find what helps me is to say to myself you are ok, and then get up and move. Take a walk outside, call up a friend. Send a text to someone you know who will make you laugh. Try the smile meditation app. It’s wonderful short breaths. I also just get up and get the yoga mat out and do alittle yoga routine. It’s hard. I’m the same way as you describe. You are not alone 🙏🙏❤️❤️