Anxiety

[16sundayz]

What else can you do when all of your distraction plans no longer work and you are so distressed ?

[AnnabelLee]

Hello 16sundayz.

I’d like to ask you what do you do when you have anxiety attack? Because not knowing what you already do is hard to advice.

I’m sorry i cannot focus recently so i will finish it here.

[16sundayz]

Thanks for the reply and I hope you improve soon too. When I have panic attacks, I usually email my psychologist, see him on his cancellation list, talk to a friend on Facebook messenger and he recently recommended here after I had 2 panic attacks in 2 days.

[AnnabelLee]

I really wished i could write some long meaningful message but my mind is stil not cooperating with me.

I also wish i had some advice but I remember back in the days when i had panick attacks that nothing really worked. Now i wasnt aware in those times about mindfulness etc, but was doing that standard CBT thing. I also remember that ‘train of thought’ was helping me a bit.

I hope somebody else will be more helpfull.

[MsPurple]

Hi 16sundayz and AnnabelLee. I hate it when my mind doesn't cooperate with me. I find my anxiety can cause lots of attention issues. Of late I've had to come on the forums less because of this. So I definately understand

I can only speak from personal experience in what helps me with my anxiety becomes overwhelming. A few things I have done are below

• meditation. I use a guided meditation from an app called 'calm'. I found doing it everyday for a week helped with my general anxiety and I used a lot of the techniques throughout my everyday life. I suggest giving it a go for 10mins a day for a week. This is how long it took for me to see a difference
• deep breathing. This can help when I am having a panic attack. This is the only time I use it.
• having a bubble bath. I try sit there and relax. Can be hard but I find the hot water and espon salts at least helps with the tense muscles caused by elevated anxiety
• watch a funny movie. Helps me laugh which gives mea few minutes of piece
• seeing my psychologist and gp. If I think I am getting worse I discuss it with my gp. I discuss my options. I won't discuss some of the options they have given me as it is very individual and I don't want people to think it is common practice.
• see psychologist regularly. I try see them every 4-6 weeks. I see them under a mental health care plan which gives you 6 (up to 10 if you get a gp to review it) medicare rebated sessions. My psychologist doesn't bulk bill (if you need this let your gp know when making a referal) but it makes it a lot cheaper. I find I just need to discuss where my brain is at to help me overcome my anxiety
• exercise. I try keep active. It can be hard when depressed as well. I find if I have a goal such as a fun run that it keeps me more accountable

I know others find reading helps them but for my dyslexic and easily distracted brain it doesn't seem to work so well for me

I hope these suggestions have been helpful. I know how terrible it can be to have anxiety be so overwhelming

[16sundayz]

I've been seeing my psychologist a lot lately and have used up all of the 10 free i get and just had to pay him $300 for the 3 I had in the past week. Thanks for the list of suggestions.

[MsPurple]

Hi Sundayz.

I ran out of sessions this year too. Can be very frustrating. My psychologist suggested i get a chronic disease management plan done (formally known as EPC). If you have a chronic condition (including mental health) you are eligable. You get 5 rebated allied health professional sessions. Note it only covers around $55 however it is better than nothing. I'd consider sussing it out

[16sundayz]

Thanks MsPurple, I'll have to talk to my doctor about it because I think I need that