Anxiety

Medication didn't help me but meditation & mindfulness did wonders for me. There are a couple of excellent courses run by Monach University on Future Learn that are tremendous & cost you nothing. For me the Mindfulness part was the key to my root problems. Changing my philosophy of life to Mindfulness philosophy brought peace, tranquility, resilience & contentment for most of each & everyday since then. It's a way of thinking, doing and communicating with self & others. It's a life style that takes contineous practise throughout one's life. Best wishes to all who suffer from anxiety and depression.

My DIL just been diagnosed with mild depression and anxiety. Not sure how to help but will continue to do my bit with GC. Any suggestions welcome.

Me again. Why is it that I can even get anxious making dinner or doing a simple task. I have been through an anxious time these last few months but really thought I should be over it now. Disappointed with these feelings which seem to come for no reason. Is it best to try and ignore (not easy) and carryon with task in hand. Your thought please. Thanks

Dr.Claire Weekes book “Self help for your nerves” is great. I’ve found that it helps me

I out of nowhere started getting panic attacks aged 50. Driving, which I was always confident at, bridges even on foot, escalators. Was was weird and random. Have tried various tactics to conquer it. Mindfulness, CBT, anti depressants, which were useless. Just made my hands shake. The CBT was good, but an online course via NHS. So didn’t go far enough. Mindfulness is great, but makes me cry! Still searching for the best solution. Good luck finding yours.

I have meds for when my anxiety/panics are really bad but before I do "tapping" Look up EFT (emotional freedom technique) I went to a holistic fayre & someone showed it there. I'm quite a cynical person but it seems to work. You may have to repeat it a few times but it seems to be effective.

Me too doodle wake up times on morning r the worst and have been for many years don't know what to do to stop them except try get out of bed quick quick

I have had depression for years. I am now having bouts of anxiety it does spoil things along with other health conditions. I make arrangements to go out meet people and when I cancel they don't understand that l'm not doing it on purpose with no good reason. I do hate the feelings it gives me. I've tried anti depressants cbt self help books mindfulness but the older l get the worse it gets. It doesn't help that l spend a lot of time alone. I'm retired and divorced. It's all a vicious circle.

MooMoo I had citalopran 20years ago unfortunately I had dreadful side effects that took a long time to subside. I guess we are all different. One size does not fit all. Wish it did. Xx

Hello Sweetness1, I take citalapram 40mg. I started on 20mg for a while and then it went up to 40mg. These work for me because they are for both anxiety and depression. You do have to give medication time at least a month, it does feel strange at first and get frustrated because we feel their not working but they do. Hope this helps you.

MoMOO - could I ask what meds you take and the mg strength? I don’t seem to do well with them when I’ve tried so never get past a few days.. I also have tried every holistic thing I can think of to no avail.

I too am having a terrible time with crippling anxiety. Trouble sleeping. When I do, I wake up to go into immediate anxiety again. Knot on chest, dizzy head, headache, shaky and constant need to move as can’t be still. Mine has coincided with retirement, family not needing me so much and lots of days/time to fill. Should be ‘my time’ but I don’t like it!

Flutterby1, you said you have tried medication and it didn't work, do you think you tried for long enough or asked your Doctor to try another one. My depression was really bad and I did try everything else. Self help books I must have had 50, Dr Weeks Self help with your nerves my first book given to me by a psychiatrist at the age of 16. CBT, Phychology, Meditation, Hypnotherapy, Reiki. i didn't find the answer in any of these things and I was baffled with it all. I now admit I don't make the happy chemicals in my brain so am happy to have that extra bit of help to top it up. Don't get me wrong I can still have bad days but as long as I am aware of them them that's ok too. I really wish you well.

If you can then go for a run? Or even s brisk walk. Do you have s dog? Great for lifting the mood and getting you to exercise and get the happy endorphins flowing.
If you can’t ten you could look into LDN which is amazing and out of the system in 24 hrs if it doesn’t suit.
You-tube has great anxiety meditation audios.

I went on a course of CBT at the local Wellbeing Centre and was recommended to download the app Headspace. It has proved worth the outlay as I can use it all day long every day of the week if I need to. It has been a lifesaver so often. Mindfulness is also wonderful - I go out into the garden to distract myself and it rarely fails.

Thanks MooM00

Try concentrating on your breathing. Deep breath in while mentally counting to five, hold your breath for two and exhale for seven. Just concentrate on this for a few minutes and hopefully you should feel calmer

I have had a few episodes and its not nice....I read a book called Anxiety by the Spekemans and it helped me identify my trigger.

Thank you so much for your feedback. Always good to know you are not the only one with a problem.
I am worried that I may be getting bit depressed and having had depression20years a go through family crisis and I was given antidressant which I had a terrible time with. I really don’t want to go on them.
Any help suggestions. ThNk you

Flutterby1, KatyK, I have suffered from anxiety, panic attacks, phobia, on and off since I was 16. I have tried everything in the past. Today I am on medication and have been for many years, it works for me and I wouldn't have it any other way. I still sometimes as Doodle says wake up in the morning and feel the stomach churning and the panic sets in but when I get up it gets better. What works for me to relax is I treat myself to some Lego I can just loose myself alone in the dining room for hours. In fact last night I ordered the lego creator London Bus. I can't wait untill tomorrow to pick it up.

Yes, I get episodes of IBS and feeling sick. Used to always have Immodium instants in my bag. It got so bad I had to have a colonoscopy to rule out cancer. I did a 6 week Mindfulness course, it was evenings in a local community centre, there were just 6 ladies on the course and I admit to have been sceptical about 'mindfulness' until I did the course. And it was affordable. It has helped me so much, I was having great trouble sleeping , nightmares etc and was becoming hesitant to leave the house, but was offered access (via my husband's cancer support group) to a certified hypnotherapist for 3 free sessions, for which I was extremely grateful. I have learnt to cope so much better with anxiety now and can use some of the techniques in many situations e.g. at the dentists. I couldn't believe the difference it has made.

We're the same sara Well balanced, calm husband, despite many health problems. Neurotic, nervous, panic stricken me.

I am prone to 'making mountains out of molehills'.Not unusual then for me to have a panic attack.Is it a female thing as I can never recall late DH, who was my rock, ever experiencing any thing like even with his demanding work plus neurotic wife.

Hetty I've been to the GP a few times. One said he didn't believe in handing out pills and would I like counselling but there is a waiting list. Another put me on betaockers which were useless. I'm trying to cope on my own.

I sympathise, I really do. I watch 'Bake off' & the young fella on there was having a panic attack. I learned from him because he stopped what he was doing & said that if he rides through the next 5mins without running off he'll be fine. Good example. Take your anxiety in small fractions.