Does Meditation Help Anxiety

[Teddy1212]

I've had anxiety for just over 2 years, it comes on when I think about certain things that worry me.

My symptoms are a nervy-tingly-jittery feeling in my legs and arms, this then leads to me not being about to concentrate on anything, and have a lot of other common symptoms (headache, nausea, tired, increased blood pressure).

I'm taking Lexapro 10mg and this works a bit, it lessens my thinking about these things that trigger me.

I'm thinking about trying mediation to help me cope better with my anxiety. What are your experiences with meditation ?

[Malyn]

Yes I have that tingly left shoulder and leg and it is very uncomfortable make me so anxious

[alankay]

Depending on your individual response, selection of med(s) by the doc, you may get little or great benefit. Trying is the only way to know for sure. Alankay

[ryseup]

Meditation is great for helping with anxiety. It can be hard at first because you will not be able to stop thinking and relax your mind. It takes practice to be able to still your mind. Just don't let it stress you out or make you anxious. Whenever you notice yourself thinking while trying to meditate, simply be aware of the thought, then let it go. Imagine it floating away and focus on your breathing. You may want to start with some meditation audios at first. They can really help relax the mind.

[ikilledadragon]

Here is a little Thoreau for your soul.

"When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality."

[jessed03]

Here is a little Thoreau for your soul.

"When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality."

I feel a little guilty trying to follow a quote by Thoreau, but I did hear a joke once about meditation that I found funny :)

Two men meet on the street.
One asks the other: "Hi, how are you?"
The other one replies: "I'm fine, thanks."
"And how's your son? Is he still unemployed?"
"Yes, he is. But he is meditating now."
"Meditating? What's that?"
"I don't know. But it's better than sitting around and doing nothing!"

[helplessinseattle]

I can hear Thoreau giggling.....
Teddy, I'm with Alankey all the way. There is just no sense at all in depriving yourself of the relief that meds can provide. I STRONGLY recommend that you consult with a psychiatrist about medications. Other docs and RNs are skillled but psychiatrists have endless experience with exactly what you are feeling and will offer you the benefit of that experience and years of extra training along with an intimate knowledge of medicatons that you can't find elsewhere. I speak from my own experience. The psychiatrist I've seen for years now has helped me so much. We have a solid relationship and we trust each other. I know for certain that he will never let me fall apart or do me any harm with meds and all. His office and my therapist's office (they work together) are my safe places.
Keep in touch. Everyone here cares very much about you.

[Teddy1212]

Thanks Helplessinaseattle and everyone else, I've only been a member here for a few days, and I'm so happy to be able to communicate with people who are in a similar situation to me. You're all so lovely.

[julie_essex]

I recommend meditation, I'm still suffering from anxiety but have been meditating for six weeks and for the first month really noticed a difference I didn't have any panic attacks. I seem to be struggling this week but am persevering with the meditation. I can recommend FISU which is a meditation charity and is a three month cause but meditation that you can do at home. Take a look at their website

[helplessinseattle]

Teddy and all I hope you're all doing OK. I should probably start my own thread about this but since meditation has been brought up here.........I am and always have been very reluctant to use meditation. Letting my mind just drift is something I avoid because I fear just being with my thoughts and, particulary PTSD stuff and other scary things. Not trying to discourage anyone from meditating here at all, just asking for help with the courage I think it will take for me to try this and not feel like I'm falling into a pit of pythons. I really want to use meditation or at least give it a shot. Thank you, everyone.

[randomanxiety]

I felt the same way about letting my mind drift. I always avoided it because during the silence horible thoughts came in or anxiety symptoms tried to get the better of me. Try using Meditative music, concentrating on the music helps to focus your mind on something giving you the ability quiten your mind while still concentrating on something. I personally like the monks chanting a mantra, that also gives you something to busy your mind with.
On the medication topic of this thread, I am currently posting a thread on how I am trying to wean myself off effexor. Although I am currently going through hell I would never have made it this far without medication. It gave me years of zero to only mild symptoms that were easly managable. So I am with Alankay on the meds aspect. Everyone needs a little help. I certainly did. Unfortunately after years of being on the same drug it no longer has the same effect it once had. now i must go through the fun task of "coming down" to change to another medication.

[Lin]

I have tried lots of meditation after recommendation by psychiatrist. I think it does work but it takes time for it to help. You need to practise and even if it just gives you two minutes of head space it is worth it. I have done a NHS mindfullness course on living with pain and illness which was really good and based on meditation - you can buy the books and CDs online. I also go to Buddha meditation which is very similar to the mindfulness meditation. Both use guided meditation so you are talked to during the meditation. This is really good too. Also I meet a variety of people with reasons to go which help to talk to too. Also I go to a christian meditation group and a fellowship meditation group - these are all silence meditation using a word or sentence to focus on. They have talks on a subject before or during the gaps too. These are totally different and different groups of people. I do not find the religion side of these groups or the Buddha one a problem - I just find head space during the meditations and find the people good to talk to. I have also downloaded lots of free courses too. Sorry long answer, but I am sold on meditation being good during depression.