Anxiety help

[Chriss84]

Hi I am having a relapse in my anxiety I don't want to take antidepressants as I have had bad side effects with them before has anyone got any advise on the natural approach that's help them with this problem Thanks Chris

[Mathy]

Hi Chris and welcome back (I think) 🙂

Did you want to share how your anxiety affects you?

I am in Year15 of living with Anxiety/Depression/PTSD.

I understand how you feel about ADs. As far as side effects go, I had problems with the modern variety, I now take a more old fashioned AD, which hasn’t caused me any issues. It may be worth consulting with your GP. The bonus with the old fashioned type is that they are not very expensive either, so double win for me 🙂

Regarding a “natural” approach, I guess that would depend upon your type of Anxiety. I’ve found that I can overcome some sorts of Anxiety with a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy(CBT), meditation and mindfulness. Maintaining “overcome” generally requires continued practice of meditation, exercise, healthy eating, mindfulness etc.

The BlackDog Institute site have a programme called eCompass, which I looked at. This is designed for people with limited access to practising professionals (eg., those who live in regional areas), but who have an internet connection. It has been designed by appropriate professionals, and when I checked it out, I chose to enrol in it as a support for my psychologist sessions. It takes a workbook approach, with information/lessons followed by “homework” - very similar to how a psychologist works.

I’m sure there are other apps/programmes that are out there. Not being a trained professional, I can only offer an opinion that CBT is generally regarded as one of the natural approaches to helping sort out anxiety. The other thing that can help with healing is either friends/family who understand or the use of a forum like this.

I do hope that I’ve given you some ideas for a way forward. I’d love to hear about how you’re going with this, do let us know, cheers M 🙂

[BballJ]

Hi Chris's84,

I had a relapse in anxiety a while back and didn't go on any medication, I don't think I used a natural approach however. I guess one thing I did was start talking about things a little more, used these forums a little more to speak about my anxiety and told a few people close to me who also helped me through it all. Do you have any kind of support network you can lean on during this time?

Also, do you have any contact with a psychologist where you can go and sit down and talk through your feelings at all?

Please, post back as much as you like, we are always happy to talk.

My best for you,

Jay

[Chriss84]

Hi mathy thanks for the post and yes it is welcome back 🙂 My anxiety effects my life by always being over concerned about my health which is really hard to control because the anxiety makes everything seem worse than it is or can make me feel stuff that is not really there I no this when my anxiety it's not there so are the symptoms. I have spoke to my gp I have tried a few antidepressants all of the have not agreed with me. I have been to therapy it has helped a little in the passed I am going to my wife's natural path soon maybe there will be something that they can do to help. As you where saying about meditation I never really thought about that I will have to try something like that too thanks for help and telling me what has helped you over the years

[Chriss84]

Hi jay thanks for the post hope you are doing well now I have got a good support group around me my wife and my mum are always there for me when I need to talk I have been to therapy in the passed it did help a little I think i will be able to over come this with out it as I have been thought this before. Talking to people with the same sort of stuff that I go through and finding out how they got over it or dealing with it is why I always come back to this site to find help thanks

[Mathy]

Hi Chris,

I certainly know quite a few people who manage their anxiety by using Meditation, Yoga, healthy eating and other exercise, which might be Tai Chi etc. I describe it as an Eastern philosophy type approach.

As you have already observed, being able to talk about your anxiety and get/try ideas from other people is also very healing.

All the best, would love to hear how you you’re going, am always open to new ways myself, cheers M 🙂

[Booklover17]

Hi Chris,

I use a great app called 'Breathe' it asks how you are feeling and recommends meditation based on that.

[BballJ]

Hi Chris's84,

That is fine and glad you find these forums useful for that. Meditation is a big one and highly recommended on these forums, also mindfulness is another that is highly recommended on here and received well by many people so it may be worth looking into those little things, ultimately find things that relax you, weather it be going for a walk, kicking the footy, being in the garden anything like that to relax you and your mind.

My best,

Jay