Anxiety Advice please!

Germanboi · #1 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 02:36 AM

SO I am having problems with anxiety attacks...and they are not fun! I have no money to see a shrink, nor for meds (tho I'd prefer to stay away from meds) So does anyone have any advice on how to diminish or all together relinquish these attacks? I have tried visualizing a safe place, breathing deeply, watching TV, reading books...trying to stop thinking about what ever is giving me the anxiety attack at the time...I need help, I feel sick, I cannot sleep, and I am pushing someone away from me (because of these) that I would much rather not! HELP!!! (Not to mention the affect it has on my mood at work...and around other people...not good!!!)

10-28-2007, 02:46 AM

Breathe properly. Think low and slow. Breathe through the bottom of your chest. If you breathe with your diaphragm, it forces out the carbon dioxide that is pooling in the bottom of your lungs thereby allowing more oxygen to enter them. You'll stop hyperventilating because your body is receiving adequate oxygen. You'll feel less anxious because your breathing is calming down and because you feel less anxious you will stop hyperventilating. And so on and so on.

So says my boyfriend who I once saw vomit so violently that it flew nine feet because he was anxious about leaving the apartment.

I trust his advice. He also says to think about the most opposite thing to the anxiety causing agent that you can. Distraction is key.

Oh! The most important thing to do is to practice these things when you aren't having an attack. You need to teach your body so that it is already familiar with these actions. If you only do it when you are already having an anxiety attack it only reinforces the attack. If your body is already familiar with the actions then it will be a lot easier and you are a lot more likely to be successful.

Sorry. I forgot to say that before.

Germanboi · 10-28-2007, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilu

Oh! The most important thing to do is to practice these things when you aren't having an attack. You need to teach your body so that it is already familiar with these actions. If you only do it when you are already having an anxiety attack it only reinforces the attack. If your body is already familiar with the actions then it will be a lot easier and you are a lot more likely to be successful.

In the mean time what do I do...like right now I am not having one exactly, but my anxiety is still higher than it should be...should I practice those things now? I want to sleep!!! Ugh...:: pouts ::

tyrannosaurusjr · 10-28-2007, 06:04 AM

Work harder. Go to the gym. Pick up a new hobby. In short, exhaust yourself so that you've no time to think about whatever it is that is causing your attacks.

yossarian · 10-28-2007, 07:37 AM

best hobby in the world for relieving stress/anxiety... YOGA. this is all jam packed of everything everyone said. Controls your breathing, exercising body, mind and soul, relieves stress, clears your thoughts definately worth lookin in to man.

Estefanina · 10-29-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrannosaurusjr

Work harder. Go to the gym. Pick up a new hobby. In short, exhaust yourself so that you've no time to think about whatever it is that is causing your attacks.

gotta agree with this one.

distraction can help, but it's also important to identify what's upsetting you.

If you can't identify the source of the problem, you can't find a solution.

w8_4_the_moonrise · 10-29-2007, 11:58 AM

i have the same problem and what really helped me is meditation

pick a time everyday just to sit and think about nothing let nothing cross ur mind just breathe.

as for nowish times i think that meditation'll work too

clearing ur mind is tough so just try to focus on one thing then it'll get easier as u practice