Hello there :]

[emma 210]

Hello everyone :] Stumbled upon the app for this site and have been lurking around for the past few days. I decided to make an account to hopefully get some support for my anxiety, and maybe even provide some support as well.

Having been off of meds for a few months now after 5 years with them, things were great at first. However, now I'm feeling like anxiety is taking over my life again, and without medication or a therapist I feel like I've hit a wall and am simply stuck in these feelings.

Has anyone found successful methods of easing the anxiety that DON'T require prescription medications? Lately the only thing I've been able to do when the panic starts is wallow in it til it passes...I'm really not wanting time get back on any medications, but need some sort of method to deal with anxiety. Any ideas?

(Sorry for long post! >.<)

[samantha1007]

Exercise! This is the one and only thing I have found helpful.

[panicfrank]

Be positive and change your bad thinking habits. That's what they tell me. : )

[emma 210]

Thanks, I'll try adding in some more exercise :]

I've heard good stuff about an otc product called Rescue Remedy, but also heard that it has booze in it, which is why it's so good at calming people down :P Has anyone had experience with this?

[AceParadox]

I do lots of things to help my anxiety. Like what PanicFrank said, positive thinking habits are your strongest weapon. You've got to keep telling yourself that you're strong, confident and will get through this and overcome it so you may live a normal life :] It actually works. Willpower is your mana pool for fighting off anxiety.

Some helpful tools that I use to help are tea (Green tea and/or Chamomile), strategy/puzzle/adventure video games (Keeps your mind off of the worry and more focused on winning), Happy movies (Nostalgic ones that I know will make me laugh are awesome at fending off anxiety). Most of all, friends and family. Hanging out with buddies is very effective against anxiety, so long as nothing you guys do trigger an attack. When my friends argue or something or vent, it triggers my anxiety because the negativity drags me down when I'm trying to hard to be positive. But going out to dinner and stuff and bowling, anything fun usually helps to keep your body active and healthy. Meditation is said to help, I haven't tried it yet though, so that may be something you wanna try. My mom told me Yoga is also really effective against it.

A friend of mine came to visit on his way back to campus today, and he mentioned something about his anxiety and I said " Hey, what do you do to manage your anxiety? I've been getting a lot lately." and he talked to me about his symptoms and such, and his case was alot like mine. We're both kind of hypochondriacs and he told me "Anytime I start worrying about something, or even getting that feeling I just stop, take deep breaths and say ' This is just anxiety talking. I'm fine' and it goes away usually. Also, comfort in numbers helps, knowing you're not the only one is a strong weight lifted off your chest. Just keep positive. Tell yourself you won't let this anxiety get in the way of you enjoying the life you were given. Smile, take a deep breath, and keep pushing on! Don't let it get in the way of your hopes and dreams - and never give up. This can be overcome, there ARE success stories, countless countless success stories. Have faith."

Hope I helped a little.

[emma 210]

Thank you for the tips, Ace :] You've really brightened my day

[AceParadox]

Glad I could help! Hang in there. ;)