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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Rigby on March 17, 2005, at 9:58:37
Hi All,
Do any of you have any particularly good advise for severe worrying and anxiety? I get this occassionally--some periods in my life are worse than others. When I get bad my appetite gets awful and I lose weight and it just kind of spirals. I'm sort of there now.
I do not (nor am I really wanting to) take any sort of medications. I am looking for any kind of things people use or do outside of meds that works.
I am really active--a runner and swimmer and I think this is my way of channeling my anxieties. However, when I awake in the night and begin worrying I can't do that. I just wish I knew how to calm myself down better.
Anyway, any tips of anything that's worked for anyone out there would be much appreciated!!
Rigby
Posted by Dinah on March 17, 2005, at 10:25:00
In reply to Anxiety-Coping Without Drugs, posted by Rigby on March 17, 2005, at 9:58:37
Have you tried the "Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" yet? It's full of good CBT ideas for dealing with anxiety. So many have become second nature that I don't recall them all now.
Posted by Daisym on March 17, 2005, at 10:31:50
In reply to Anxiety-Coping Without Drugs, posted by Rigby on March 17, 2005, at 9:58:37
I'm sure you've already thought about breathing techniques, slow deep breathing is wonderfully calming.
My son was taught in therapy to tap. He taps the back of his hand, his wrist and his forehead. And it really does work for him. I'll try to dig up the references.
Music works for me as a distraction. My favorite calming technique is reading an old favorite book, that I know really well, but still love.
I hate anxiety! I'd rather be sad.
Posted by Rigby on March 17, 2005, at 12:04:38
In reply to Re: Anxiety-Coping Without Drugs » Rigby, posted by Dinah on March 17, 2005, at 10:25:00
Dinah,
Thanks so much. I just ordered this--love that "one click" shopping! Can't wait till it arrives!!
Rigby
> Have you tried the "Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" yet? It's full of good CBT ideas for dealing with anxiety. So many have become second nature that I don't recall them all now.
Posted by Rigby on March 17, 2005, at 12:07:58
In reply to Re: Anxiety-Coping Without Drugs » Rigby, posted by Daisym on March 17, 2005, at 10:31:50
Hi Daisy,
I do try and do the breathing thing but always good to reminded of it.
> I'm sure you've already thought about breathing techniques, slow deep breathing is wonderfully calming.Interesting. I can easily try this one.
> My son was taught in therapy to tap. He taps the back of his hand, his wrist and his forehead. And it really does work for him. I'll try to dig up the references.Music sounds good. When I get anxious not sure if I could really concentrate on reading!!
> Music works for me as a distraction. My favorite calming technique is reading an old favorite book, that I know really well, but still love.This is ****so**** true.
> I hate anxiety! I'd rather be sad.Thanks very much for your suggestions--I really appreciate it!
Rigby
>
Posted by Tamar on March 17, 2005, at 12:42:18
In reply to Re: Anxiety-Coping Without Drugs » Daisym, posted by Rigby on March 17, 2005, at 12:07:58
I try to cope with anxiety by doing something that takes my mind off my thoughts. I sometimes put on a CD as loud as I can get away with and sing along! Or I go for a drive in my car and play music - the concentration involved in driving distracts me and the music calms me.
I hope you're feeling better soon.
Tamar
Posted by pinkeye on March 17, 2005, at 13:03:12
In reply to Re: Anxiety-Coping Without Drugs » Rigby, posted by Dinah on March 17, 2005, at 10:25:00
Yeah this book is an excellent one - recommended by my therapist also.
I got it from my local library. You can try to get one from yours too.
Posted by Shortelise on March 17, 2005, at 13:07:05
In reply to Anxiety-Coping Without Drugs, posted by Rigby on March 17, 2005, at 9:58:37
The nighttime anxiety if the hardest.
I listen to books on tape. This distracts me. I make myself concentrate on the story. It's likehaving someone read to me, and it is very soothing.
ShortE
Posted by Rigby on March 18, 2005, at 12:10:05
In reply to Re: Anxiety-Coping Without Drugs » Rigby, posted by Shortelise on March 17, 2005, at 13:07:05
nt
Posted by Rigby on March 18, 2005, at 12:10:59
In reply to Re: Anxiety-Coping Without Drugs » Dinah, posted by pinkeye on March 17, 2005, at 13:03:12
I ordered it used from Amazon and it shipped yesterday. I am really looking forward to its arrival!! Thanks!
> Yeah this book is an excellent one - recommended by my therapist also.
> I got it from my local library. You can try to get one from yours too.
Posted by Rigby on March 18, 2005, at 12:12:04
In reply to Re: Anxiety-Coping Without Drugs » Rigby, posted by Tamar on March 17, 2005, at 12:42:18
nt
Posted by fallsfall on March 18, 2005, at 16:45:05
In reply to Anxiety-Coping Without Drugs, posted by Rigby on March 17, 2005, at 9:58:37
I have a tape called "Relax to Sleep". You can get it from http://www.biobill.org/index.htm. It isn't on his web site, but I wrote him an email and he sent me a copy. It is guided imagery and has worked really well for me. It puts me to sleep on those anxiety nights.
This post describes my favorite part: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20031114/msgs/280867.html.
Posted by Rigby on March 19, 2005, at 10:35:37
In reply to Re: Anxiety-Coping Without Drugs » Rigby, posted by fallsfall on March 18, 2005, at 16:45:05
Hi Falls,
Thanks so much for this and your recommendations. It was interesting to learn about putting stuff into boxes in your brain. I tend to get so obsessed I wonder if I could actually *do* this. I can at least try. I will look into that tape too!
Rigby
> I have a tape called "Relax to Sleep". You can get it from http://www.biobill.org/index.htm. It isn't on his web site, but I wrote him an email and he sent me a copy. It is guided imagery and has worked really well for me. It puts me to sleep on those anxiety nights.
>
> This post describes my favorite part: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20031114/msgs/280867.html.
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