Posted by Lindenblüte on November 22, 2006, at 15:59:09
In reply to Anxiety Getting Worse and Worse-Help!, posted by Tom Twilight on November 22, 2006, at 14:19:15
Hi Tom,
I'm sorry you're feeling :(Sometimes anxiety feeds off of anxiety. You're anxious because you're feeling anxious, and you don't know the cause, or a source of relief.
First of all, you should talk to someone in real life. Get some support, and have a conversation. A friend, a therapist, a relative-- anyone who cares for you.
Do you know what is triggering this anxiety? Be honest with yourself, and try to think deeply about it. It's important to do this kind of introspection in a place where you feel safe. I take my computer to a cafe sometimes and write all kinds of crap in my journal. Even when I'm writing about really DARK stuff, I know that I would never allow myself to "freak out" in public, so staying near people keeps me safe from myself.
When you learn a little bit more about what triggers this physiological/psychological response, you can learn more about avoiding triggers, dealing with triggers more effectively, and managing how you interpret and respond to stressful circumstances.
For relief of muscle tension (a lot of times we tense our postural muscles under stress), you could try taking hot bath with 2 cups of Epsom salts. The Mg will be absorbed by your skin, and has a soothing, relaxing effect on body and mind.
Other things that help me are doing something methodical- like cooking, practicing calligraphy, building models, ironing, cleaning house.
Strenuous exercise will help your body by giving you an outlet for agitation, while stimulating release of endogenous opiates and cannabinoids.
Get out and run around the block, or do jumping jacks for 10 minutes.
Are you taking any stimulants, such as caffeine? You may want to cut WAY back, as these will make minor anxiety FEEL like the volume's been turned up to panic.
Finally, just making an appt. with my pdoc, my academic advisor, or even my regular doc will often set my mind at ease.
One common source of anxious feelings is hyperthyroidism. You probably know this already, but if you are losing weight, having trouble sleeping, and feel agitated-type anxiety, it maybe worthwhile to get your thyroid levels checked. Perhaps it's time to have a general physical, to detect anything out of the ordinary, and/or put your mind at ease that you are basically in fine shape.
Maybe your body or mind is trying to tell you something. Try to listen to it first, before you take benzos or other med changes.
best to you,
-Li
poster:Lindenblüte
thread:706219
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061117/msgs/706241.html