Finally made an account

[WalkerOfDog]

Hey all, my name is Rob. I'm 27 and I've had generalized anxiety for 5 years now. I found this forum when searching for anxiety symptoms (googling symptoms, bad idea I know) and I've had the sticky thread "Anxiety Symptoms: The List" bookmarked for a while so I could open it whenever I have a panic attack and try to calm myself down.

I'm not sure what my triggers are, they seem to pop up unexpectedly such as when waking up or eating salad. My biggest fear is having a sudden, unexpected heart attack and dying. I know it's the anxiety, but when my heart starts fluttering and I can't breathe and I get sharp pains in my chest, it's hard to keep calm! Altogether, I'm grateful for this forum and knowing there are other people out there who have gone and are going through the same thing as me.

[annemieke87]

Welcome! I feel sorry for you, must be terrifying knowing these feelings can pop up any time. What do you do to relax?

[WalkerOfDog]

Thanks for the welcome! Part of the reason I joined was because I was so exhausted running to the doctor every time I had a fear or doubt or misconception that I thought needed to be addressed.
I cut out all alcohol and caffeine from my diet and that seemed to help a little. Chamomile tea seems to calm me down as well.
I've been told different things approaching anxiety by different therapists. First is that since anxiety can't hurt you, to just face it head on and just be anxious and let it run it's course. Eventually, the body will recognize that there's nothing to fight or flee from and the attacks will subside.
I've also been told to let go of negative thoughts and feelings, and instead change them to positive messages to myself. I don't know which is more effective, but I'm willing to try anything if it helps.

[annemieke87]

Hi Walkerdog. You tried and learned a lot. At least you know how anxiety works. But I am sorry for you that you did not find the right therapy so far. Did you try Meta Cognitive Therapy for GAD? If not, it could be an effective way to work on your GAD. In MCT you work on the negative and positive ideas you have about ruminating instead of working on ruminating itself.

ps. good idea to cut out alcohol and caffeine from your diet. Especially alcohol is known for increasing anxiety.