Advice on dealing with anxiety and panic?

robs_ready
robs_ready Posts: 1,488 Member
in Motivation and Support
I'm an active member on this board, some of you guys may know me.

I'm a keen Fitness freak, its helped me to overcome drug addiction and deal with fluctuations in mood states to some degree.

Sadly I've been suffering from panic attacks again, and have been referred for 'psychotherapy', as I refuse (perhaps stubbornly), to be governed by psychoactive drugs any longer.

If there's anyone out there that's dealt with panic disorders, or general anxiety, what do you do to cope with it?

Were you able to overcome it? If so, how?

Appreciate any comments or advice

Replies

  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    I have done on and off therapy. Nothing has helped in terms of not having the fears and anxiety in general, so still looking for a solution. What I have managed to do is to control the panic attack, so it lasts a few seconds, then set my mind to something else. I cannot control the triggers or the anxiety, but I have managed to control the debilitating feeling of a prolonged panic attack. The process was not easy and it involved actually facing the panic attack and consciously letting it happen. Not something I would advise to try on your own without support.
  • moveover22
    moveover22 Posts: 15 Member
    Well I can tell you this...anxiety can have you make rash decisions and I've been there. I have it less often now then before due to therapy but the advice I got did help in that I had to transfer or refocus my energy onto something else. Normally that something else is something good for you like exercise. For me, it was drawing and going to the beach to watch the volleyball games. Anything to distract yourself and separate yourself from what's causing the anxiety. Hope that helps.

    If you want to connect, let me know. You can just go add me. Good luck dude
  • Lisamn1214
    Lisamn1214 Posts: 20 Member
    Social anxiety here. Just started last year at age 32. Therapy helps. I have Clonopin for attacks. I used to carry one in my pocket at all times because I was so fearful of having one. Now I don't. And haven't used one in a month or so. People try to understand but can't until they experience it.
  • amy_kee
    amy_kee Posts: 694 Member
    Seems like your exercising regularly....and even that's not helping enough. Work with the therapy and try hard at it. Maybe you will learn some relaxing techniques specific for you. You obviously don't want any medicine, so, I hope the therapy works.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,409 Member
    Depending on how long you've been sober, it can take up to a couple years for the brain to heal enough for your panic attacks to lessen. Stay the course! Lots of good advice given above, keep looking for solutions, they are out there. Did you do any kind of recovery program? They are all designed to help with the thoughts that cause panic and anxiety.
  • hekla90
    hekla90 Posts: 595 Member
    robs_ready wrote: »
    I'm an active member on this board, some of you guys may know me.

    I'm a keen Fitness freak, its helped me to overcome drug addiction and deal with fluctuations in mood states to some degree.

    Sadly I've been suffering from panic attacks again, and have been referred for 'psychotherapy', as I refuse (perhaps stubbornly), to be governed by psychoactive drugs any longer.

    If there's anyone out there that's dealt with panic disorders, or general anxiety, what do you do to cope with it?

    Were you able to overcome it? If so, how?

    Appreciate any comments or advice

    I have anxiety, panic attacks, and was diagnosed last week with PTSD. I go to therapy and "am governed by psychoactive drugs." I also run. I would treat hypertension, diabetes, or any other psychical ailment and I personally take my mental health serious and chose to treat it with medications because other methods weren't helping on their own.

    If you stopped taking medications and have a relapse of symptoms, that's not surprising. If you had high blood pressure and stopped taking your meds the condition would most likely return and become uncontrolled again. It's up to you obviously though!

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