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  • TDS Moderators: AlphaMethylPhenyl | paranoid android

How do you cope with anxiety?

Legerity

Legerity

Bluelight Crew
Joined
Jul 29, 2010
Messages
2,965
I've been dealing with anxiety for years, and although I seem to have learned certain techniques to manage it, it still becomes overwhelming. The times that I'm less able to control my consumption also seem to be completely related to anxiety. I get the racing thoughts, jaw clenching, tight chest, muscle tension, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. I've told myself that it wasn't so bad but I'm becoming aware of just how tense I always am. Social anxiety is also very common for me.

I'm curious what people here do to cope with their anxiety? Several things have been helpful to me:

-Meditation
-Yoga
-Exercise
-Minimizing/eliminating caffeine (have difficulty with this)
-Breathing exercises
-Journaling
-Talking about it

I don't always do all these things, but they've all helped. Lately I've really been considering trying out medication, although I'm pretty nervous from some of the stories I hear about benzo dependence. But at the same time, if anxiety is the source of my desire to use other substances, maybe benzos can be helpful. Recreationally I'm really more of a stimulant person, although I noticed that I will drink more than I plan when I'm really stressed.

I've also been in therapy since the beginning of the year, so that's helping me deal with issues through talking. But it seems like this is the 4th or 5th time this year that my anxiety has built up to the point that it's overwhelming. It seems to be the standard pattern - watch it build over weeks until I get to the point of almost having a breakdown, then somehow forcing myself to chill the hell out. Then eventually it starts again and builds up. This is taking it's toll on my body and mind, and I know my substance use will increase if I don't get this under control.

If anybody has any feedback regarding stress management or medication I'd really appreciate it. My current skills don't seem to be sufficient...
 
In my opinion, screw those techniques. The best way to deal with anxiety is to deal with the situation causing it. I use to be an anxious wreck to the point I was getting severe migraine headaches. I tried everything on that list (except yoga, im a straight male from Texas we just dont do that) and none of it worked. Drugs worked really well, too well, you can withstand any circumstance if you're high.

It wasnt until me and my gf(that I came to hate with a passion) broke up and I got fired from my job(hated with passion, fired for being fucked up) that I actually started to really feel better. By the time those things happened though I was thoroughly addicted to opiates. I am getting better.

Deal with your problems that cause anxiety doing downward dog on a mat isnt going to do shit if you have to right back to things that piss you off.

Edit- Sorry if I sounded callous, it's just the post brought up bad memories.
 
<snip>

I really have no advice for you, OP. I'm in a similar position. Take less stimulants if possible.
 
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Things in my life (job, relationships) are actually in the process of changing at the moment, which I think is one of the reasons why it's been building up. But not everything that I'm feeling is coming from bad situations, it's more my reaction to life in general. I recently started dating somebody which has been bringing up other issues of mine and triggering the anxiety again. So positive changes can also be overwhelming, I will over-think just about anything.

Yesterday I just had this tension in my chest and it wouldn't go away, so I drank. I was gonna have like a glass or two or wine and ended up drinking more wanting that damn feeling to go away but it wouldn't. Talk about ineffective stress management skills.

I think it's more ME that needs to change somehow...
 
<Snip>

meditation, yoga and exercise dont do shit for me.
 
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I feel terrible advocating this, but I also have anxiety. I just <snip> try to keep myself surrounded with my close friends to make myself more comfortable. I've even moved in with my best friend, it's helping a little (I think maybe?). I was on benzos for a while and they did great but it has become too hard to find them regularly and the spotty coverage of having them sometimes and not having them other times only made it worse. I drink often (not necessarily a lot anymore but enough to take the edge off, don't want to become an alci again) and that calms me down as well. It's really not a good thing to do though, realistically proper medical help is the only way to be sure in a quick manner. There are many homoeopathic ways of dealing with it but I could never do it myself. I guess I'll have insurance in 2 months, I think I can hold off till then.

Just try to keep your mind occupied with semi-positive things/ activities even if it's stupid shit like doing the laundry or hanging out with really close friends. Anything to take your mind away for a little seems to be the only non chemical related help I can give my mind.
 
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Drugs (lack of) can cause a great deal of anxiety all by themself but so does a lack of sex/masturbation. I can sometimes actually feel shakey when I've gone more than a few days w/out it. My body becomes enraged with this overwhelming aggression to fuck anything I can. And a good aggressive session in the sheets will relax me nearly the same as taking a large dose of opiates.
But I'd imagine thats how people wind up just trading drug addictions for sex addictions... problem is drugs are usually easier to get =]
 
IMO if the anxiety is that bad... really, find the benzo that works best 4 u:|
ive tried all different teqneques many of the above mentioned @ the end of the day if used prorerly benzos will work just fine.
 
Trying to mask your anxiety with drugs (especially amphetamines!) and alcohol is not going to solve any problem.
When you have an anxiety disorder, your best options will be to practice relaxation techniques.
Leger- You have the right idea with Meditation, breathing, journaling etc.
I myself try to practice those things, along with positive thinking, therapy and Klonopin.
I think I am in a rough cycle with the benzo at this point.
I've been taking them for a couple years now and I suffer from the side effects daily. IF you can work around starting on that, do.
That being said though, they have helped me tremendously in the past and still do-
I just don't like the heart palpitations, shortness of breath and dizziness.


Do you have general anxiety? How do you feel the things you are practicing now are helping/or not helping your situation?
 
It depends on what your anxiety reaction is. I will get the fight or flight adrenaline rush but only in face to face short term encounters. For long term (i.e. not in the moment) anxiety just embrace that you can feel so alive.
 
Maybe try a benzo? I mean go to a doctor and do it the right way, I've been on benzos for a few years and that's why I don't recommend them but there are cases where the pros outweigh the cons and yours may be one of them. If you're really suffering with anxiety benzos work.

Before I started taking xanax I'd stop at the bar in the middle of the day and do a couple shots just to get through the rest of the day.. then I went to visit a friend in Chicago and had a full blown panic attack on the subway. By the time I got home from that trip I went to the doctor and finally found some real relief.

It's a double edged sword and if you can avoid it do, but you sound educated about the risks so go to a doctor and give meds a try, maybe an antidepressant will work? You never know, it seems you've tried all the natural healthy things, if they aren't working try meds, that's why they're there. No need to suffer needlessly, ideally they'll just buy you some time to straighten things out and you won't need to stay on them.

To answer the original question: I cope with anxiety through a combination of meds and therapy, I also managed to develop an opiate addiction while searching for an answer which I'm dealing with now, or at least keeping at bay with subs.

I take Klonopin, Ambien, Ritalin and Suboxone daily.
It beats being an Alcoholic, or spending all day every day chasing my next hit of heroin or whatever drug I was using. At least my meds are prescribed now, I'm tapering and I feel better than I used to overall. For me seeing a Psych was invaluable.
 
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Thanks for the replies. I understand those of you that are saying getting high is what works for you...unfortunately it doesn't appear to be a long-term solution.

@Ocean: I would say generalized anxiety and social anxiety together. I'm pretty much always a bit tense and thinking/predicting/analyzing/whatever. So as long as everything is going smoothly it is tolerable. But whenever something happens it easily escalates and can get out of hand. So right now I'm switching jobs and started dating somebody new, which are the current triggers.

Anyways it comes in cycles so I tend to ignore it when things are going smoothly. But it always ends up happening again.

I do find that the other techniques have helped me, in particular meditation and exercise. I have not been consistent lately, so now I'm getting more regular with the meditation. I really need to be doing it everyday to feel my best.

I'm gonna see my therapist today so I will ask about benzos, I think it may be helpful if used properly. The reality is that I'm starting to self-medicate in other ways. To me it's unacceptable that I would sit at home alone and drink 5 glasses of wine to try to calm down. I've also been smoking cigarettes after having quit for a while which I'm not so happy about.

I guess I'll see how the talk with my therapist goes today...
 
Being in my garden was my main route to escape the poisons of a super high paced, money is the only thing that matters type of society. Since my parents split up and not having that small backyard to escape too, basically has left my natural side stuck in a vice. Doctors want me to take lexapro or cylexa cause I can't afford lexapro, kolonopin waffers for anxiety and depekote for anger. All which I have found out to be zombie like medications which in turn change you as a person into a walking medical experiment. Plants and flowers have long been my true passion besides music. Without my garden or without a place to escape thats in a natural setting without cars honking all day, the stress of people trying to drive faster and riding up your ass to only hit traffic 10 feet in front of me..... Try growin medicinal herbs and ones that you can use, smell, and feel. Watch them grow, take care of them, and in turn they will take care of you in their own special way......
 
I am really quite shocked at the amount of people telling the OP to try going on benzo's. Especially in the interest of harm reduction, and since the OP already has the right idea of Exercise and Meditation, he/she is already on the right path. Don't stear the OP on the wrong path.

I can't emphasize exercise enough, it is KEY to living a good healthy live, and key to anxiety reduction as well. Especially running. If you can join a running club, or something like that, or even a swim club. Cardiovascular exercise is your best bet if you are looking in terms of relief from anxiety or depression. Weight lifting is great too, but doing cardiovascular exercise will greatly reduce your anxiety.

Now in terms of medication, before you jump on benzodiazepines. Please try the SSRI or other antidepressant route first. You do NOT want a benzo dependency! It is a death wish. Yes, benzo's help tremendously with anxiety, but your tolerance will eventually just go up & up and will require more and more, and the next thing you know is your dose will not be holding you anymore, and your doctor will refuse to up it any higher and you are stuck with a dependency that is a living hell.

Please seek other ways of relieving anxiety first like you are already doing.
Good luck! :)
 
Legerity said:
Thanks for the replies. I understand those of you that are saying getting high is what works for you...unfortunately it doesn't appear to be a long-term solution.

@Ocean: I would say generalized anxiety and social anxiety together. I'm pretty much always a bit tense and thinking/predicting/analyzing/whatever. So as long as everything is going smoothly it is tolerable. But whenever something happens it easily escalates and can get out of hand. So right now I'm switching jobs and started dating somebody new, which are the current triggers.

Anyways it comes in cycles so I tend to ignore it when things are going smoothly. But it always ends up happening again.

I do find that the other techniques have helped me, in particular meditation and exercise. I have not been consistent lately, so now I'm getting more regular with the meditation. I really need to be doing it everyday to feel my best.

I'm gonna see my therapist today so I will ask about benzos, I think it may be helpful if used properly. The reality is that I'm starting to self-medicate in other ways. To me it's unacceptable that I would sit at home alone and drink 5 glasses of wine to try to calm down. I've also been smoking cigarettes after having quit for a while which I'm not so happy about.

I guess I'll see how the talk with my therapist goes today...
Click to expand...


It sounds like you have a good understanding of your situation which will be helpful to finding a solution.

Don't be too hard on yourself with the cigarettes- I know how difficult it is to quit, but you can quit again ......

How did therapy go?
 
Exercise really has been great for stress levels and confidence too. The past couple of weeks I've been slacking, but yeah it really works magic.

I saw my therapist on thursday and discussed the possibility of using meds, which she agreed with. So I went to my doctor yesterday and he prescribed me Lexapro, along with 0.5mg Klonopin as needed, which seems like a fairly small dose.

I was also hesitant to try SSRI's but maybe it's what would be most beneficial right now. It would also mean that I couldn't use MDMA, which I'm guessing isn't great for the anxiety anyways even if used fairly infrequently.

So just a couple of questions:
-Has anybody found Lexapro to be helpful with anxiety?
-Do problems with benzos come only with daily use, or should I be weary of using them even every 2nd or 3rd day if needed?

Thanks for the advice...
 
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