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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by daisym on December 5, 2004, at 22:49:03
I don't think I actually got anxious until AFTER I started therapy -- or maybe I didn't recognize it for what it was. I'm not nervous. But the anxiety presents itself almost suddenly, and I feel the pressure in my chest and the storm clouds gather.
Today I was doing all the typical Sunday things to get ready for a pretty hectic week when I realized that I was really anxious. I actually had several bad hours where I thought, "I can't do this. I can't get it all done, it is impossible. I should just resign and let someone else try to keep up with my job." Which led me to the total "I'm failing everywhere and letting everyone down" set of thoughts. And worse.
Nothing I tried to calm myself down was working. I felt like I was holding onto myself really tightly so I didn't either explode or melt, I'm not sure which. I sort of lost the afternoon but I'm back in control tonight.
What do you do when you get anxious? What helps stop these dark thoughts? I think I need a battle plan for next time!
Thanks
Daisy
Posted by Dinah on December 6, 2004, at 3:08:33
In reply to Counter Measures for Anxiety, posted by daisym on December 5, 2004, at 22:49:03
klonopin.
klonopin.
progressive relaxation
self hypnosis
klonopin
If I have enough time to devote to it, I can manage anxiety pretty well. My problem comes when I don't have the time to concentrate fully on quieting my body's responses.Lately I've been getting chest pains. Klonopin helps a lot with those.
Have you noticed I'm a fan of Klonopin? Risperdal when Klonopin isn't quite enough.
Posted by Bent on December 6, 2004, at 5:33:15
In reply to Re: Counter Measures for Anxiety, posted by Dinah on December 6, 2004, at 3:08:33
Klonopin is my buddy too, Dinah. I keep it in my purse and refer to it as my back-up plan. I usually will try to slow my breathing and take deep breaths, holding each one for a few seconds. This can be very effective but it just depends on the level of anxiety.
Posted by fallsfall on December 6, 2004, at 7:49:21
In reply to Counter Measures for Anxiety, posted by daisym on December 5, 2004, at 22:49:03
I tried to answer your post. But it was really all about me, so I put it in a new thread. I'm going to try to walk the dogs.
Posted by Fallen4MyT on December 6, 2004, at 13:59:10
In reply to Counter Measures for Anxiety, posted by daisym on December 5, 2004, at 22:49:03
First I try hard exercise I swear my it..I mean hard intense exercise, kick boxing, ballet, running....also deep breathing followed by Yoga to mellow down more...then if all else fails OR if I am out (though I have been known to run in place in the bathroom of many fine estabishments) I take a valium or 3
Posted by Dinah on December 6, 2004, at 19:16:34
In reply to Re: Counter Measures for Anxiety, posted by Bent on December 6, 2004, at 5:33:15
I'm actually discovering that I'm taking my Klonopin less, even tho I'm under tons of stress. I wonder if all the therapy is finally paying off.
But knowing it's there if I need it helps me not need it. It's there in my purse with Frova and Immodium. :)
Posted by Aphrodite on December 6, 2004, at 19:24:41
In reply to Counter Measures for Anxiety, posted by daisym on December 5, 2004, at 22:49:03
When faced with overwhelm, especially of the nature of balancing work and a personal life, I realize that I am not chunking it down. I'm a big fan of lists. Color-coded ones. I write down all the things I need to do. I give myself deadlines. I find where I can delegate. I make manageable to-do lists. Slowly but surely, everything begins to feel doable when I say, "answer phones messages before 10 am on Tues." insted of my internal screaming of, "All these people are breathing down my neck!!!"
OK, so I am some kind of overly organized control freak, but excel spreadsheets and my outlook calendar work for my anxiety!
Posted by saw on December 7, 2004, at 0:15:18
In reply to Re: Counter Measures for Anxiety » daisym, posted by Aphrodite on December 6, 2004, at 19:24:41
I am a list person too. They always worked for me and my sense of organization would calm me. But lately, I have lists all over the show, none of which make sense, the deadlines causing me to stress even more especially since I label myself a failure if I don't meet the deadline.
I forget everything if I don't have a list, but I stress all the time because my lists are intimidating.
I like your term "chunking it down" but I have yet to learn the art of delegation. My GAD just does not help me here.
Sabrina
Posted by littleone on December 8, 2004, at 20:55:46
In reply to Counter Measures for Anxiety, posted by daisym on December 5, 2004, at 22:49:03
Control definately helps me. I do cross stitch. I find the preciceness relaxing. It tells me exactly which colours to use exactly where. I'm in my realm counting those little boxes and the threads.
Of course, those exact same things would drive some people insane. But that's just me.
Posted by gardenergirl on December 8, 2004, at 23:13:29
In reply to Counter Measures for Anxiety, posted by daisym on December 5, 2004, at 22:49:03
Hi Daisy,
Good questions about times like these. Like everyone else, I make lists. My to-do list is humongous. It's actually a source of stress at times, when I am in a procrastinating phase. But it is comforting for me to write things down on the list and get them out of my head.When I feel really really overwhelmed and spinning near out of control, I try to get outside for a minute. Or run an errand...whatever I can do to get a mini-escape. Usually, I feel a bit clearer when I come back.
Oh, and Starbucks. Lots and lots of Starbucks.
gg
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