Hey Lauren,
Welcome to Beyond Blue forums. I'm really glad you reached out. Anxiety is pretty damn scary, and really tiring. I often find myself saying "will you just stop and leave me alone, I've had enough!". Sometimes I've had a thought or feeling then realised it's been an anxiety attack.
The thing with anxiety is that it doesn't care if you are headstrong or not, you've probably found that out 😞
Staying relaxed with yoga and peaceful walks is awesome. Another thing that I've found helpful is that someone said to me "Your thoughts and feelings are just that, thoughts and feelings, they can't hurt you" Easier said than done to believe that, but it's true, so I use that when I do the following:
When I have an uncomfortable thought or feeling, I let it in, but don't process it, I just let it sit, watch it inquisitively, don't talk to myself about it then after a little while I have a special pouch. I put the thought or feeling in there. It's secretly called my "unhelpful pouch"
Have you spoken with your Dr about the thoughts you are having with your medication? This can be a side effect and it's important you let your Dr know.
With medication, the general intention is to help us gain some control over anxiety or depression, reduce the severity or frequency of attacks - or both. With help from our Dr and therapist, then we are stable and have worked on perhaps the triggering issues or controlling the anxiety, you'll have a discussion with your Dr and therapist about reducing medication. Remember the medication is helping to reduce the severity and or frequency of attacks. It's up to you and your Dr as to when you come off medication.
There are some great resources about anxiety on the Beyond Blue website some of them are about medication as well. They are under "The facts", "Anxiety".
Take care Lauren, I hope you feel a bit better soon!
Paul
