Hello, I'm just curious about medication, therapy or both would be good for me. I've heard that CBT therapy can be very benificial to overcoming and learning how to cope with your anxiety, but it's usually the physical symptoms that affect me more. I feel like I some control over my anxious thoughts but none of the physical things. Sometimes its even the fact that I'm having the symptoms (like not being able to breathe) that cause me to be more anxious. What would you recommend?
I would say if you cant function think abiut using meds. If you are funtional and move about and work and such then therpay only. And once in therapy...then allow thentherapist to guide in one direction or another. Therapy is comforting and can give you a but if solace and that means a lot when it feels like you are broken,finsging solace and refuge from the evil disorder wiuod be lovely.
Everybody is different. Some people feel medication and therapy works better for them and others just go to therapy or just use medication. See which one works best for you. You'll have to experiment a little.
yes the brain sends out a hormone when we are anxious because it thinks we are in danger. This hormone called adrenaline can speed up our heart rate and our breathing . When we feel some of those symptoms it canmake us feel more anxious, So the brain sends out more of that hormone to protect us. It's a vicious circle! So the key is to not overreact with anxiety when we feel symptoms in order to keep the brain calm.
just keep in mind that any symptoms related to anxiety cannot hurt you! They feel weird and uncomfortable but that is all. I'm going to share with you some of the things that have helped me with my symptoms. They may not all pertain to you but just take what you think may help you.
Also, there is a book called mindfulness that goes over everything and is very helpful!
Your symptoms are caused by an anxious brain. Over the years I have learned how to manage it.
1. what I did was first of all speak with a counselor. They see this on a daily basis and have the tools to help you manage this. Anxiety and stress is difficult to manage on our own and it really helps to talk to someone else. I keep going even when I start to feel better because it's like a lifeline for me. Find a counselor you feel comfortable with. They help you see the anxiety for what it is and it help you manage it. If you ever really feel out of control and can't manage, seeing a counselor would be the first best step!
Remember....FEAR stands for false evidence appearing real. Which means sometimes when we have symptoms we think they are related to some terrifying disease, when in reality the odds are much higher that they are not. Our minds will go to the negative if we let it, so we must be in control.
Don't let fear take you over! Be a fighter for yourself!
2. Secondly, I go to Google or YouTube and look up audio meditations like one called I put in my earbuds and lie down and listen to them. They teach us to separate our thoughts that are negative from ourselves. This is something I think could really benefit you!! They completely calm down my brain and body to the point where I almost feel like I'm floating.
A couple I really like are called "Train your mind to relax and sleep " and "clearing subconscious negativity"
This is such a great thing to do for your brain and overall health. I do this a couple times a day specially when I'm laying down to sleep.
it will just calm everything down when you are having an acute anxiety attack
For panic attack, search you tube for "panic attack emergency "
3. Stay active! The worst thing you can do is sit around and think too much about all this. It will bring on more anxiety. As well as the symptoms. When I exercise my body completely calms down and the symptoms often go completely away.
4. Stay social! This helps keep your mind off your worries. The less you are alone the better at least until you manage your anxiety. Just do things that you enjoy.
When feeling anxious or anytime you'd like, do deep breathing. Breathing through your nose for about five seconds and make sure your stomach rises. Then exhale through your lips as though you're blowing out a candle slowly for another five seconds. Do this as many times a day as you need to. It helps if you're lying down but you can also do it sitting. This is explained in the book.
Eat healthy! Stay away from processed foods especially sugar. Sugar has an inflammatory response including in the brain. This will just increase your anxiety and can possibly bring on depression.
Remember,The WORST thing you can do is react with fear and anxiety when you get symptoms. Then your brain shoots out a hormone to protect you but it can cause your heart to beat faster, which in turn creates more anxiety! A vicious circle.
I have had symptoms for many many years on and off and now I pretty much ignore them but I do try to stay as healthy as possible and do those things I listed above. The meditation audios really are excellent please try them and do them often !
You will be fine once you get this under a little control. You will have a long great life and you deserve peace and happiness.
Hope you feel better soon!! 🌸🌸🌸🌸
Dear Chloe
after many years of suffering with anxiety and depression, I had cbt last year. this has been the best thing that has happened to me Im not saying im completely cured but I can cope much better than I ever did hope this helps