Does anyone here have anxiety?

I've had Anxiety since I was a Kid. Suffered with mammoth Panic attacks. Occasionally still do.

Ive never taken meds (probably should have) Been through some really dark patches, contimplating suicide in the past, but have managed to work through it.

Ive always delt with the problem alone.

When i was younger, it was delt with as a sign of weakness, so through that, i hardened up. Probably too much.

Problem now is, when i feel the anxiety picking up, or the Panic setting in, i now deal with it in anger. It was the only way i was able to control it.

Probably really should have it seen to, but its been so long now, i guess im used to it....like its normal..

I used to have all kinds of meds, in the end I was 30 kilos heavier and I have sworn never again! + it took me months to get off the oxazepam! I stopped using pills, determine to face my problem instead of running away from it any longer. Meds don't solve your problem, they only supress it and sooner or later you have to deal with it anyway. What helped me getting over my panic attacks was quiting drinking alcohol and cafeinne, selfhypnosis, breathing exercises and when I felt one coming up I told myself: "Okay I'm ready for it! Let it come!" and gone it was. The first time might be bad, the second time it is somewhat less, etc etc...

Psychiatrists are the ones with medical training who can prescribe medication. Psychologists often provide "talk therapy" and other coping skills. Very easy to mix them up. They often work together as a team with one monitoring the drugs while the other handles therapy sessions.

My favorite "self-help" book is called "The Heal Your Anxiety Workbook" by John Arden. I like the chapter on changing your diet to avoid triggers for anxiety (such as foods or drinks with a lot of sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and/or salt), plus recommendations on what to add to your diet to fight anxiety (includes Omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, C vitamins, calcium, magnesium and potassium). "Good" foods include fresh fruits and veggies (not canned due to salt content), whole wheat, milk, yogurt, peanuts, tofu, beef, fish, chicken, etc. I've managed to cut out most caffeine and started taking vitamins, but I still struggle with sugar and salt.

Another section of the book that works for me are breathing exercises, especially if I feel an anxiety attack coming on. My favorite exercise is slowly breathing in, hold your breath for a moment (5-10 seconds is my preference), then slowly exhale as much air as you can. Repeat several times. Slowing your breathing helps to calm your body and mind down so you can relax. If I feel my heart pounding or racing due to anxiety, I know it's time to focus on my breathing.

i have severe anxiety that attributes and triggers my eating disorder which is bulimia. my best friend's husband is a orthopedic surgeon as well as a very well trained nutrition guru and he suggested a natural supplement called "neuro chill" . completely legal and works better than Valerian which i have taken now for a few years. the company that makes it is called "mind nutrition" i highly recommend looking into it. it works quickly like xanax which i took for 8 years and now live over seas and it's not readily available and i started taking neuro chill in place of it and it works identically only non addictive and not a crash with more anxiety.

Yes, they can increase your appetite and depending on the drug they might have an impact your metabolism. I've found I can lose weight on them if I stick to my calorie goals, it's slightly harder, but not impossibly so. The hunger is often more pronounced on certain drugs.

If you're reluctant to take medication, a course of CBT is often very useful for anxiety. (Panic attacks, if you have them, may need a slightly (or totally) different approach to any anxiety management you receive.) CBT is useful because it can help tackle the root of the problem without having to examine the nitty gritty of it. It's more logic/strategy based which some people might find easier/more useful.

One step you can take in the meantime is to start doing breathing exercises. There are lots of examples on the net, but at first just simply concentrating on your breathing and forcing yourself to breathe more slowly can help mitigate an anxiety attack. Once you get better at it, you may be able to thwart a panic attack, or at least ease the intensity of one.

Good luck with it all, OP.

If you have anxiety, you might consider cutting back or cutting out coffee (if you drink it). Coffee causes me to have anxiety, when it would normally be fine or manageable for me.

And as others said I also find things helpful: Exercise, weights, dancing, yoga, fresh air, walks, calm breathing, meditation, laughing, talking to a loved one or friend, keeping busy/active. Different things work for different people.

I believe that about caffeine!
And yes, doing things that make happy hormones, and are productive.

I want to thank you all for this thread. My little girl has anxiety, Social and other kinds, I dont even have a name for. She also has OCD, and has been taking meds for it all for a year. She was only 9 when she started, and mind you, she was already a bit overweight, but now is very overweight. I never thought to put her meds and weight gain together. I will ask her doctor about it at the next visit. I can't thank you enough for this thread.

If you have anxiety, you might consider cutting back or cutting out coffee (if you drink it). Coffee causes me to have anxiety, when it would normally be fine or manageable for me.

And as others said I also find things helpful: Exercise, weights, dancing, yoga, fresh air, walks, calm breathing, meditation, laughing, talking to a loved one or friend, keeping busy/active. Different things work for different people.

I believe that about caffeine!
And yes, doing things that make happy hormones, and are productive.

It's true caffeine makes me have it alot worse so does nicotine

I've had it for a long time and its held back my life in so many different ways its insane. I was thinking about finally after all these years of just dealing with it, going to see a doctor but I'm a little nervous that whatever meds I get could hurt my weight loss.

Does anxiety medication affect weight loss at all?

Good for you for seeking help. I didn't know I had anxiety until it interfered with my graduate studies. Before that, I used the symptoms to my advantage, pushing myself really hard in work and school. I just discounted any downward spirals as overreacting with weakness, and I was ashamed of those episodes.

Your doctor should have a nice long talk about your specific triggers and current coping strategies, plus your health concerns and expectations. A good doctor will help you with whole-person management, like progressive muscle relaxation, improved diet, and more exercise, in addition to any medication. You can ask your doctor about getting a prescription that is "weight neutral," which is what my doctor called it. Technically, the medication I'm on is an anti-depressant, but it is commonly used to treat moderate but lifelong anxiety. It is important to note that every drug has different effects on each individual's body chemistry, both in how well it helps your symptoms and in what side effects you experience. I was lucky enough that my worst side effect can be fixed with adding more fiber and fluids to my diet, if you know what I mean

I saw some people mentioning coffee. Yup, a strong cup of coffee has the power to completely derail my coping skills for the day. I quit caffeine for the first few months on medication, and gradually added it back at a lower amount.

i was put on lexapro for both anxiety and depression (more so the anxiety) and i lost 30lbs on it - granted I was LOOKING to lose weight and worked for it, but i still lost it. i am still on it today and am able to lose weight. i also take klonopin when needed.

...but for people that are allergic to chamomile, other types of warm herbal tea can help also.

I was diagnosed with General Anxiety when I was around 11. I also suffered from panic attacks, I sometimes still get them though but I I was in therapy for about 3 years on and off and it really helped. I have never taken medications. Maybe try seeing a psychologist before considering medications..

Had Anxiety for years & was on meds for two years but go sick of pumping my body with junk so as my diet has progressed & the weight has come off I have been able to exersise more & more over the last year so stopped the meds a year ago then found the exersise has helped control the anxiety to the point where I feel in control of it & it is not controlling me.

Unless it's real bad stay away from meds & just get out for a simple walk to reduce the stress it has worked for me.

Good luck

vitamn D helps.. fish oil and EXERCISE!!!!.... stress and anxiety relief with exercise...wears out your body and mind somewhat but gives you endorphine and happy highs
i call it the 'God given antidepressant!

+1

I have anxiety. I've been on meds for years, they have never directly affected my weight one way or another.

:flowerforyou: for all anxiety sufferers out there.