Over the counter supplements/ medication.

[Daisy13]

Hi everyone,

I’m new here. For the last 4 days I have felt constant anxiety. This is causing difficulty sleeping, chest tightness and occasional stomach aches.

I have never experienced or been diagnosed with anxiety before so this is all very new to me.

I am considering medication or over the counter supplements to help ease the anxiety. As I’ve only been experiencing this for a few days it seems extreme to go straight to my doctor for anti anxiety medication.

I should also add that this anxiety started absolutely out of nowhere. I have nothing to be anxious about. My only assumption is that the build up of 7 months lockdown (I’m in Melbourne) is starting to take it’s toll.

I have been doing breathing exercises and going for walks which does help at the time, but as soon as I stop the anxiety and chest tightness quickly returns.

Any advise would be very much appreciated.

Thankyou!

[Summer Rose]

Hi Daisy

Welcome to the bb forum and thank you for sharing your story.

I'm really sorry that you're experiencing anxiety for the first time. I can imagine it's a bit scary for you right now and I think you're really brave for posting and reaching out for support.

I'd like to suggest your first step be a visit to see your GP. You can book a double appointment and have a good chat about what you're experiencing. Your doctor will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and make suggestions for the right treatment to help you.

Treatment doesn't necessarily mean medication. Your doctor can help you with other strategies and advise if seeing a counsellor or other mental health practitioner could help.

Deep breathing and exercise are great tools to help with anxiety. A healthy diet, good sleep hygiene and making time for things you enjoy can also help. You may also consider downloading a mindfulness ap and giving that a go.

I think you might find it helpful to try a few things in order to work out what works best for you.

Kind thoughts to you

[geoff]

Hello Daisy, and a warm welcome.

As we know people react to all sorts of treatment, whether it's over the counter, medication from your doctor or different types of exercises on any particular occasion, where one maybe successful but not the next time when you're facing the same situation.

Certainly, in Vic it has been a tremendous time, although I'm in a regional area, but these restrictions have cooped us inside uncertain when we are allowed to carry as we did once before.

Try any of these and what Summer Rose has said, but try and have a backup that may also assist you.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[White_Rose]

Hello Daisy.

Welcome to the forum. It's a good place to talk about your anxiety. Trying to help yourself is a good move, so walking etc. will help. There have been lots of studies on the mental health benefits of exercise which means you have started off well.

As the others have suggested, seeing your GP would also be a good idea. Buying over the counter anxiety meds is a bit of a lucky dip. As you live in Melbourne I can understand how the restrictions are making you feel anxious. Your GP will of course be aware of how people are managing and will be able to give you the proper help. As Rose has said, medication is not the only option. Be guided by your GP's suggestions.

Keeping a journal can help and you can show it your GP if you wish. Mostly it's just for the person writing. Anxiety can feel terrible as I have found out. Perhaps getting out of your home as much as the restrictions allow will also be beneficial.

Mary

[zaclachlan]

Hello Daisy,

Sorry to hear you have been feeling a little under the weather. I can only assume a lot of people would be feeling the same, considering the circumstances.

The first step I believe (I'm no health professional) is getting to know your anxiety - what triggers it? what alleviates it? How often is it? asking these questions can help you identify methods to cope with it. You are on the right track regarding breathing exercises and walking! there are many things that can help and if you do some quick googling or see a health professional, they can give some pointers.

Learning about how anxiety works helped me control mine. Simply put, in our primitive times, it was an essential survival tool for scenarios, such as a tiger being right in front of you. Your heart would thump, your breathing rate will increase, your body tingles - all to prepare you to run for your life or fight that tiger. That's how we survived. Nowadays it isn't necessary and can be a nuisance. Grounding yourself and reassurance can help you with this. Don't forget though, adrenaline hangs around for a little while before it is gone, so you may still feel a little heavy chested and tingly, even though you're calm once you have finished a breathing exercise, for example.

If you find it persisting, definitely see your GP. There is a range of medications out there and discussing it with your GP will help. Taking beta-blockers worked for my anxiety as it would remove the feelings of a heavy chest and tight throat and it actually has fewer side effects for me than an SSRI.

Hope this helps Daisy.