Anxiety

[Big Dan]

I've searched and haven't found a thread on this

I suffer from this and can feel its almost controlling me more than i'm controlling it. I'm Taking Vitamin B Complex on the recommendation from my mum and it helps a little.

Is there anyone in KBland that suffers or have suffered from this

What are some things i can do to help control this more

any help would be appricated

Big Dan

[lb99]

are you stuck in a rut you cant get out of?, are you worried about the future but are unable to change it?, are you worried about making the change incas its worse than not changing?

Don't panic dude, I have/had serious anxiety and depression issues, there is help available, go to your doctor.
Pm me if you need a chat.

[Laava]

Do not smoke dope!
Serious, I speak from experience. [Just in case you do already, I just put in my 2c]

[spudchucka]

I've searched and haven't found a thread on this

I suffer from this and can feel its almost controlling me more than i'm controlling it. I'm Taking Vitamin B Complex on the recommendation from my mum and it helps a little.

Is there anyone in KBland that suffers or have suffered from this

What are some things i can do to help control this more

any help would be appricated

Big Dan

Someone close to me suffers from anxiety that has been quite severe at times. The best thing has been counselling with a view towards behaviour modification through cognitive behaviour therapy.

There's a book out there too that was useful, it was called "Fear Less" from memory and I think the author was a Wayne Frogget or something similar.

[BiK3RChiK]

I've searched and haven't found a thread on this

I suffer from this and can feel its almost controlling me more than i'm controlling it. I'm Taking Vitamin B Complex on the recommendation from my mum and it helps a little.

Is there anyone in KBland that suffers or have suffered from this

What are some things i can do to help control this more

any help would be appricated

Big Dan

Hi Dan,

Try Omega 3 tablets. Take about 3 when you feel anxious and then maybe 2 around 4 hours later. I take these for anxiety and back pain. I find they help heaps!

[BIHB@0610]

Read a book called "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. Life changing. He teaches you a technique whereby, when your thoughts start racing and your chest feels all funny, you "watch the thinker" - it's almost like you are rising up above your mind and watching the thoughts racing around. Sounds completely whacko I know, but I think it works.

He also teaches you how to be fully present in every single moment so you're not worrying about a future event or obsessing over a past one - when you're walking, you should try to enjoy every footfall. When you're washing the dishes, try to enjoy every bubble popping on your skin. If you're fully present you can't be anxious about the past or the future.

Take baby steps and be kind to yourself

[Sharry]

Overestimate the threat + Underestimate our ability to cope = Anxiety


Recognising anxiety
Anxiety can affect us primarily in three ways:

Physical effects: Racing or pounding heart, sweating, breathlessness, dizziness, shaking or trembling, chest pain or tightness, nausea and stomach pain.
Thoughts: Thoughts are often repetitive, with a fixed view of a situation that may bear little relation to reality. Thoughts often escalate, eg. from "Oh no, a traffic jam, I'll be late for my meeting," to "And if I'm late I might miss this sale, disappoint everyone and be fired."
Behaviour: Anxiety affects how we behave and what we feel able or unable to do, eg. avoid situations.
Panic attacks
Feelings of severe anxiety that start and finish quite suddenly are called panic attacks. The uncomfortable physical symptoms of intense anxiety can make people feel they are about to die, collapse or lose control of their minds, and these frightening thoughts in turn intensify the panic. Panic attacks are common, with one in 10 people having at least one attack during their lives.

Getting help
Sometimes people need more help to manage anxiety. Adults and children who are constantly anxious may have trouble with sleeping, concentration, feel restless or irritable and fatigued. For some, anxiety causes such sustained discomfort and disruption to their everyday life that it is called an 'anxiety disorder'.

There are a number of diagnoses of anxiety disorders including generalised anxiety, agoraphobia, social phobia, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms may vary but they all have in common persistent feelings of high anxiety, causing discomfort and disruption to everyday living. If you experience this level of anxiety constantly you should consult your GP or health service.

Managing anxiety and panic
Have a physical check-up to make sure there is not another physical cause for your symptoms. Your doctor may refer you for specialist help
Avoid substances that aggravate anxiety and panic. These include caffeine, alcohol and cannabis.
Learn to breathe more slowly and deeply when anxious. Breathe with the bottom of your lungs rather than from the top, ie. when you breathe in your stomach goes out, not your ribs. Learning meditation can help with breathing.
Stay active - walk, jog, swim, garden or do regular exercise that you enjoy.
Relax regularly. Try a relaxation CD or yoga. Sleep is the most important relaxation, so try to establish a regular sleep routine.
If you experience a panic attack, remember it is anxiety that causes the awful feelings. If you do nothing, the attack won't harm you it will pass. If you find yourself thinking catastrophic thoughts such as "I'm dying," remind yourself this is not true. Remember that you have survived previous attacks.
If you can, you should resist leaving places or situations because of panic attacks. If you leave or avoid places you will find it increasingly hard to return there.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a psychological therapy that largely focuses on overcoming unhelpful beliefs and has been proven to work well with anxiety and panic.
Self-help books are usually based on cognitive techniques. Support groups and talking to other people who managed anxiety and panic can be useful.
Your doctor may prescribe medication, including tranquillisers or antidepressants, mostly in conjunction with other strategies for managing anxiety.
Tell family, whanau, friends or workmates you trust about your experience. You will feel more comfortable if they know you might have to stop to 'wait out' a panic attack.
Shrink your worries
For day-to day anxieties, the following can help:

Question
Is it really a problem?
Talk it out
Share with someone you trust.
Write it out
Put it on paper. It's easier to see it in perspective.
Shrug it off
Raise your shoulders, and then drop them. Relax your whole body.
Breathe it away
Inhale deeply; exhale with a sigh a few times. Let your tension go as you breathe.
Set an 'appointment with worry'
Give yourself 15 minutes to concentrate on your worry, then firmly leave it behind.
Work it off
Do something physical. Give your tension an outlet.
Laugh it off
Look for some humour in the situation.
Distance it
Imagine it a few years from now. How much will it matter then?
Balance it
Find a good side as well as the bad.
Exaggerate it
Picture the worst that can really happen. How likely is it?
Hold it
Say 'stop', pause and steady your thoughts. Now take a fresh look.
Plan for it
Get up earlier to prepare to face it.
Make it positive
Surround yourself with joyful colours, sounds and use your strengths.

[slimjim]

far out man,,,,,,,, i'll be wondering how you'll handle a sudden fright while out on the play feild's of the tarmac ,,,, sound's like you're still a long way yet, all the best in finding what work's for ya

[Big Dan]

It only really bothers me when it comes to my health.

Its like one small thing that is wrong i can turn into mt everest. I'm a big man which doesn't help but i'm taking steps for that by going to the gym. This does affect my sleep which sucks

[Sharry]

Hiya Dan,
The Phobic Trust should be able to help you with this.
Also google it for explanations of symptoms and methods of controling anxiety.
Dont give yourself a hard time as many people suffer from anxiety and related issues.

[Toaster]

I wouldn't know.... too busy and stressed out tossing all night worrying about all the pressure to notice.

But seriously. Work on understanding the cause or causes, then you can start on a strategy to work on a solution to it/them.

[Big Dan]

Hiya Dan,
The Phobic Trust should be able to help you with this.
Also google it for explanations of symptoms and methods of controling anxiety.
Dont give yourself a hard time as many people suffer from anxiety and related issues.

Hi Sharry

Thanks for the info

from what i can work out is that the trigger for this becoming a problem was when i lost a mate almost 18months ago

[Sharry]

Hi Sharry

Thanks for the info

from what i can work out is that the trigger for this becoming a problem was when i lost a mate almost 18months ago

It is possable for a truamatic event to bring to life an underlying disorder that is lying dormant waiting for for the said event.
It is also sounds like that you might need to find a counsellor that can work with grief issues, and that you are comfortable with, to find resolution with losing this friend.
Take care and be kind to yourself mate.

[Big Dan]

It is possable for a truamatic event to bring to life an underlying disorder that is lying dormant waiting for for the said event.
It is also sounds like that you might need to find a counsellor that can work with grief issues, and that you are comfortable with, to find resolution with losing this friend.
Take care and be kind to yourself mate.

regarding the loss of my mate i've moved on from that

[Mike748]

Big Dan, sounds like you have done well to identify anxiety as an issue and find ways to deal with it.
I say this because an ex girlfriend made 2 trips to hospital with servere stomach pain which was diagnosed (after heaps of tests) as anxiety attacks.
She had to be treated with morphine which worked a treat.