I developed quite severe anxiety approximately 18 months ago after a relationship breakup. I didn't know it at the time, it was only after reading the internet, doing online courses and some correspondence with mental health professionals that i realised i had general anxiety disorder and ocd ( harm). And in fact i have had it since i was very young. All those strange feelings and incidents which have informed my life in so many ways. I have never taken medication for my condition nor sought face to face treatment with a professional.
I can say now that the severity of my symptoms has decreased by about 90%. I go days without anxiety now and when i do get it, i manage it so much better. I thought i would give other readers some tips on what has worked for me.
1. I completed online courses on general anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and mindfulness with thiswayup.org. A great resource for self help. CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) was extremely helpful in the early stages.
2. I make sure i do physical excercise for 60 mins each day. Really has helped in my recovery.
3. I do 20 to 30 mins mindfulness meditation everyday. Helps enormously in letting those thoughts and feelings go.
4. I do wim hof breathing exercises every day, about 15 mins. Helps you focus and build resiliance.
5. Recovery takes time. You will take 2 steps forward and 1 step backwards, but keep at it. Do your mental and physical excercises daily and you will see the benefits, slowly, but surely. Take courage.
6. I realise now i will always have anxiety, but that's ok. It's how i manage it that matters. Anxiety itself is not the problem, its "anxiety about anxiety" that causes the problem. Don't get caught up in its lies and deceptions. Once you recognise the symptoms (and mindfulness helps greatly with that), you can learn to just accept it and let it be. The anxiety soon lifts.
7. I found the book "first we make the beast beautiful" by sarah wilson a great insight.
8. Be kind. Be kind to yourself and to others.
Best wishes to everybody on their journey.
