Soldato
Cheers, will take a look.
chronic anxiety
- Thread starter baldmonk
- Start date
I need to make more of an effort to do this
With life at the minute my anxiety is through the roof
For me once I'm out of the house I'm ok. Getting out is very hard. Take now for example.
I don't actually know what stops me.
I find it much easier to get out of the house when someone depends on me.
This worked well when I was in a relationship.
Now I'm not work is this main dependant
Anything like supermarket is a nightmare. As it's only for me.
Last edited:
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Sep 2007
- Posts
- 5,214
Do you take any exercise? I suggest 30 mins to 1 hour of intense exercise a day.
Soldato
Exercise is not always the answer. Tried it myself and made me worse!!
Associate
I did do that for a good few months (personal trainer plus Insanity workout). Helped a bit but it's difficult to fit it in - my daily commute is anything between 3.5 to 4.5 hours per day. That involves walking for about 3 miles or so.
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Sep 2007
- Posts
- 5,214
Walking is better than nothing, but really you need to raise the intensity, e.g. cycling fast, or swimming fast, or running. That will give you the endorphin release you need to destress.
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Sep 2007
- Posts
- 5,214
What exercise were you taking an how did it make you worse?
Soldato
- Joined
- 25 Jun 2006
- Posts
- 4,356
Not all the time, because too intense can set people off. When my heart used to beat too hard (which is natural of course when jumping around like a loon) it used to set me off because I would worry I had overdone it, or my heart was weak etc etc. Everyone is different though I guess
Walking, gardening etc are all fine/enough if too much makes you bad. Read this, will help http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/managing-anxiety/exercise-stress-and-anxiety
Last edited:
Self control therapy i don't think counts?
Soldato
- Joined
- 25 Jun 2006
- Posts
- 4,356
haha I like your thinking dowie.
Slightly changing the subject, even though I consider myself in control of my anxiety now I still went and got the book people have been recommending in this thread. The mindfulness one. What I have heard so far is really really good and that doctors voice is sooo relaxing.
Slightly changing the subject, even though I consider myself in control of my anxiety now I still went and got the book people have been recommending in this thread. The mindfulness one. What I have heard so far is really really good and that doctors voice is sooo relaxing.
Last edited:
Really?
If I can get to the gym it always always makes me feel better.
I've literally just got back. Again, getting there was an effort
Got a class booked tomorrow which will make me get out of the house!
Associate
This thread has been a very interesting read.
I'm currently on escitalopram like a few people here, to treat mainly depression, and anxiety too, but both on and off the medicine there are side effects I dislike. When I'm off it, I tend to feel happy more, but also sad more, and when I'm on it, it tends to be really hard to just feel good... It's just a constant meh feeling, hard to explain, really.
I'm pretty young and I tend to just avoid my depression as much as I can, recently my ticket out has been browsing computer hardware forums like this, the past few years it's been Formula 1... I just get really deep into my hobbies I guess. It helps me get through each day, so I am not going to complain.
I tend not to talk too much, as I'm quite a quiet individual when it comes to talking in private, but I guess distracting myself is working so far.
Here's to finding the energy to fix life.
I'm currently on escitalopram like a few people here, to treat mainly depression, and anxiety too, but both on and off the medicine there are side effects I dislike. When I'm off it, I tend to feel happy more, but also sad more, and when I'm on it, it tends to be really hard to just feel good... It's just a constant meh feeling, hard to explain, really.
I'm pretty young and I tend to just avoid my depression as much as I can, recently my ticket out has been browsing computer hardware forums like this, the past few years it's been Formula 1... I just get really deep into my hobbies I guess. It helps me get through each day, so I am not going to complain.
I tend not to talk too much, as I'm quite a quiet individual when it comes to talking in private, but I guess distracting myself is working so far.
Here's to finding the energy to fix life.
Associate
I have suffered from chronic anxiety for a number of years, and it's only recently that I've really considered seeking help for it. Up until now I've always thought that feeling this way made me 'different' to everyone else, and was something to feel ashamed about. The publicity of high profile public figures who suffer from depression and anxiety has definitely helped to make mental illness something less of a taboo than it has been in the past.
I've tried CBT and mindfulness with the help of a psychologist, but I haven't been able to get over that feeling of anxiousness when I'm in public places or dealing with other people who I'm not familiar with. I tend to feel anxious in social situations, or in public places. My daily commute used to be hell for me, because I had to sit opposite other people and that just freaked me out because I used to think they were looking at me and judging me etc. I suppose I suffer from social anxiety having looked at the 'official' categorisation for my feelings.
Anyway, I tried citalopram and sertraline, but they didn't really agree with me and I suffered from panic attacks a few days after starting the medication. Both of these medications are SSRIs (selective seretonin reuptake inhibitors) and I've heard from pretty negative feedback from people who have taken them.
Xanax (alprazolam) worked really well initially, but then a tolerance builds and it's less effective. If you continue the medication then you also suffer from very bad rebound anxiety if you were to stop taking the medication, and that rebound anxiety is a lot worse than your baseline anxiety. Also, it's only available on a private prescription and even then doctors are reluctant to prescribe it because it's a benzodiazepine and open to abuse.
Which leads me on to the medication that I've found controls my anxiety and has allowed me to lead a relatively anxiety free life. I'm currently prescribed propranolol (beta-blocker) and Lyrica (pregabalin). The beta-blocker controls the physical feelings of anxiety (racing heart, sweating), and the pregabalin controls my anxious thoughts. Pregabalin is a second line treatment option on the NHS (see http://cks.nice.org.uk/generalized-anxiety-disorder#!prescribinginfosub:22 for more info).
Oh and the pregabalin helps you sleep much better. I just have to lie down somewhere for 5 mins and I'm asleep like a log until morning. I didn't have much trouble getting off to sleep to begin with, but I can see how it might help people who have trouble sleeping.
I've tried CBT and mindfulness with the help of a psychologist, but I haven't been able to get over that feeling of anxiousness when I'm in public places or dealing with other people who I'm not familiar with. I tend to feel anxious in social situations, or in public places. My daily commute used to be hell for me, because I had to sit opposite other people and that just freaked me out because I used to think they were looking at me and judging me etc. I suppose I suffer from social anxiety having looked at the 'official' categorisation for my feelings.
Anyway, I tried citalopram and sertraline, but they didn't really agree with me and I suffered from panic attacks a few days after starting the medication. Both of these medications are SSRIs (selective seretonin reuptake inhibitors) and I've heard from pretty negative feedback from people who have taken them.
Xanax (alprazolam) worked really well initially, but then a tolerance builds and it's less effective. If you continue the medication then you also suffer from very bad rebound anxiety if you were to stop taking the medication, and that rebound anxiety is a lot worse than your baseline anxiety. Also, it's only available on a private prescription and even then doctors are reluctant to prescribe it because it's a benzodiazepine and open to abuse.
Which leads me on to the medication that I've found controls my anxiety and has allowed me to lead a relatively anxiety free life. I'm currently prescribed propranolol (beta-blocker) and Lyrica (pregabalin). The beta-blocker controls the physical feelings of anxiety (racing heart, sweating), and the pregabalin controls my anxious thoughts. Pregabalin is a second line treatment option on the NHS (see http://cks.nice.org.uk/generalized-anxiety-disorder#!prescribinginfosub:22 for more info).
Oh and the pregabalin helps you sleep much better. I just have to lie down somewhere for 5 mins and I'm asleep like a log until morning. I didn't have much trouble getting off to sleep to begin with, but I can see how it might help people who have trouble sleeping.
Last edited:
due back to work wed but unless the dr has a quick temp fix i somehow doubt which is starting to get a little frustrating now.
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Sep 2007
- Posts
- 5,214
Just bear in mind that when you are browsing forums etc, you are actually using up your brain neurotransmitter supplies, because it is in fact a fairly mentally intense activity. I believe that part of the reason people suffer from anxiety is that they are placing too high a demand on their brain and not giving it a bit of time to recuperate and rebalance. So, if you spend all your time in intense mental activity like forum reading, gaming, studying etc your brain neurotransmitter levels don't get time to replenish. This means you don't have a "reserve" or "well" of neurotransmitter levels, and this makes you skittish and anxious. You brain is not being well-maintained and you are overstressing it.
So, give yourself some time to relax with non-mentally demanding activities, e.g. cycling or sailing.
Rgds
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Sep 2007
- Posts
- 5,214
@Fuzzb3k
Regarding this ...
"I've tried CBT and mindfulness with the help of a psychologist, but I haven't been able to get over that feeling of anxiousness when I'm in public places or dealing with other people who I'm not familiar with. I tend to feel anxious in social situations, or in public places. My daily commute used to be hell for me, because I had to sit opposite other people and that just freaked me out because I used to think they were looking at me and judging me etc. I suppose I suffer from social anxiety having looked at the 'official' categorisation for my feelings."
One thing that you NEED to understand is that people only really ever care about THEMSELVES. Whilst you should always behave in a socially acceptable way, you are completely and utterly wasting your mental resources on bothering to worrying about what other people may or may not think of you, so don't do this.
What you should do, is immediately stop any thoughts of what other people's opinions might be. Be strict with yourself, and immediately extinguish these thoughts completely. They are wasting your brain power. In general as well, if you have a very active mind (like I do), you need to cut out wasteful thoughts and let your brain recharge. It's a bit like if you use your mobile too much all the time, you will get a flat battery. Do not worry about what other people think about you, cut these thoughts out, rest your brain, and you will start to feel more confident.
I hope this helps you. Do let me know.
Regarding this ...
"I've tried CBT and mindfulness with the help of a psychologist, but I haven't been able to get over that feeling of anxiousness when I'm in public places or dealing with other people who I'm not familiar with. I tend to feel anxious in social situations, or in public places. My daily commute used to be hell for me, because I had to sit opposite other people and that just freaked me out because I used to think they were looking at me and judging me etc. I suppose I suffer from social anxiety having looked at the 'official' categorisation for my feelings."
One thing that you NEED to understand is that people only really ever care about THEMSELVES. Whilst you should always behave in a socially acceptable way, you are completely and utterly wasting your mental resources on bothering to worrying about what other people may or may not think of you, so don't do this.
What you should do, is immediately stop any thoughts of what other people's opinions might be. Be strict with yourself, and immediately extinguish these thoughts completely. They are wasting your brain power. In general as well, if you have a very active mind (like I do), you need to cut out wasteful thoughts and let your brain recharge. It's a bit like if you use your mobile too much all the time, you will get a flat battery. Do not worry about what other people think about you, cut these thoughts out, rest your brain, and you will start to feel more confident.
I hope this helps you. Do let me know.
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Sep 2007
- Posts
- 5,214
Also, for anxiety:
- Do not dwell on ANY negative thoughts. People say you can't help what comes into your mind, but you can choose not to dwell on it. So, don't pursue these thoughts, don't turn them over and over, just let them EXTINGUISH and DO NOT feed them.
Cut them out, and if necessary, just keep blocking and think about nothing. You then won't waste mental resources (neurotransmitter supplies), and you can save mental resources for a later beneficial activity, e.g. a hobby.
- Do not dwell on ANY negative thoughts. People say you can't help what comes into your mind, but you can choose not to dwell on it. So, don't pursue these thoughts, don't turn them over and over, just let them EXTINGUISH and DO NOT feed them.
Cut them out, and if necessary, just keep blocking and think about nothing. You then won't waste mental resources (neurotransmitter supplies), and you can save mental resources for a later beneficial activity, e.g. a hobby.