How Do You Manage Your Anxiety?

[Becky087]

Hi, my name is Beck, and I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety and go through bouts of depression (though my last one hasn't been for months, thankfully). I'm a full time University student, which finds me in constant social situations, and whilst I'm comfortable enough with the friendships I've formed and the classes I'm taking, it is a constant struggle and I always think my peers are judging me, though logically I know they're probably not.

What I'm wondering is, how do all of you manage your Anxiety on a daily basis? What kinds of things do you do to interrupt the negative thought patterns? I'm only new to doing this sort of thing, I was diagnosed three years ago and have basically been in denial about it for the last two and a half, and I'm only now seeking help. My counsellor gives me all kinds of advice that she says is very helpful, but I want to hear from those who know what it's like, do they really work? Any advice would be appreciated!

[DV_Arjay]

I had anxiety and still do have depression. Its a lot lighter then what it was a few months ago.

What i did to kinda negate the negative effects of anxiety was to just embrace the day at its fullest. Its part of life.

But the good far outweighs the bad in the long run.

Anxiety stops you from performing certain tasks either all together or at a rather slower speed. Believe in yourself and tell your being that you can be better. Tell yourself you can stride forward and look above the mess that is beneatg you.

You are strong. You are capable. You can achieve your dreams. Even if you dont know what your dream is. Believe that you can make a difference in your life and possibly in someone elses.

I went to a psychiatrist and that didnt help. Why because i didnt know myself. So i started looking at who i am as a person.

And went forward with my life inch by inch. Day by day.

If i can do it. So can you.

[Guest_3072]

Hi Becky,

Thanks for your post! One thing that I like to do is controlled breathing exercises. It helps me to relax and get into the slower mindset that I am in control of my own thought process and to just breathe and take each thing as it comes. I like to use a balloon and blow into it and release it as well, it's kind of symbolic as well I think, like transferring negative thoughts into something else (a balloon) and then releasing that energy and I always feel better when I do it.

Gabby

[Croix]

Dear Beck~

Welcome to the Forum. As you can see people are starting to answer here in your thread.

I've had anxiety, together with PTSD and sometimes depression for a very long time. Nowadays I'm in a pretty reasonable place with things mostly under control.

How to do this? Well there is no one answer, at least for me, there is a whole range of things that all together help.

I'll give you a few of mine then suggest you see what others have done.

Firstly I try to identify and reduces stressors so that my whole life is as stress-free as possible. Now stress is a normal part of life, so getting rid of it is only going to be partially successful at best. An example -I don't listen to the news and avoid media and books that I've found make me react. There are umpteen things, I guess you have to find particular ones that affect you for yourself.

Secondly I try to identify and avoid triggers. I know if - for example - I send an email then I'll have no feedback unless an answer comes - waiting and worrying is not good, so I tend to talk direct on the phone if I can. Experience will tell you the very many things that probably trigger your higher anxiety states . No, you cannot avoid them all, but every little really helps.

If anxiety starts to build one answer is to exercise. I tend to go for a walk where the change of environment and the exercise both help.

There are lots of other things. I'll now mention the Smiling Mind app, which goes on your smartphone. This allows you mindfulness exercises that I've personally found pretty good. Don't be put off by the term mindfulness, download this free app and try it for a month - takes practice.

Rather than keep going I'll list a thread I've found highly useful:

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/self-help-tips-for-managing-anxiety

In addition please look around this Forum in the Anxiety section and see how others have dealt with situations like yours.

Before I go - and if you have not done so already - consider registering with your Uni Mental Health Unit, which is a confidential service designed to assist with deadlines and other matters.

Please post as often as you'd like, it's rare one post is sufficient where anxiety is concerned

Croix

[Taryn27]

I have suffered major depression and GAD for the last 14 or so years and my psychologist just told me about the smiling mind app. I have never been in to meditation or mindfulness but it has helped me to sleep instead of having constant thoughts running through my head. It has helped me to focus and think of me, so great recommendation

[MsPurple]

HI everyone

I manage my anxiety a bit differently on different days. Today during the morning it kicked me in the butt (that and some depression/PMS, which comes monthly). I just didn't wanna do anything and just saw no point. For days like this I just told myself 'it will pass'. I find this helps just to remind myself that this feeling isn't forever and it will be over shortly.

On days were it may not be as bad I make sure I exercise regularly, meditate some nights before bed when I can't sleep, try eat healthy and listen to my doctor and take my medication.

[Croix]

(Dear Beck - please excuse me for a moment while I talk to the others)

Dear Taryn~

Thanks for that, one of the things I find it very useful for is if I have to wait for something and the anxiety starts to build, I can't always quite loose myself in Smiling Mind under those circumstances which are a major stressor for me, but I can reduce everything a fair few notches - more practice needed I guess. Not had much luck using it by itself to go to sleep, have graduated meds plus other relaxation exercises for that.

Dear MsPurple~

Sorry to hear today has not been not that good. I quite agree the knowledge that one has managed to get though in the past is a real help, lends a sense of proportion too - something I badly need at times.

You may not have wanted to do anything today, but you are here helping nevertheless:)

Croix