New to anxiety! Yay.

[girlsjustwannahavefun]

So I never really believed in "having anxiety." Whenever people said they HAD anxiety, I would roll my eyes and think, dude, deal with your issues. But then one day it happened...I had an anxiety attack. I had to go to the ER and all this messy business. I also went to a counselor the day after my attack and realized that I have been living with anxiety my whole life, but never really knew that is was actually anxiety. So that's how I came here essentially. I am trying to avoid taking any medication because of my own personal beliefs, but I am going to start cognitive behavioral therapy. So...yay! Any recommendations for someone who has newly recognized their anxiety as actually being anxiety and what are some of the best ways to manage it? Thanks!

[marco92]

Hey I'm so happy about how well your taking this. I totally get where your coming from too. I thought things like anxiety were all up to the people that were feeling them. I was like dude just get over it stop being a wimp. Now I have it and it's so real. So freaking real (with physical symptoms) and debilitating, it really sucks. I used to be this care-free partyer and then one day, boom I started worrying about my health too much. Then bam health and morning anxiety.

[Amy1986]

I have suffered for many o'year. CBT is the smartest move by far as it helps you see it for what it is. Gives you steps on how to deal with it and trys to figure the cause or the trigger. Good to actually see someone positive as i am not very optimistic as its been too long.