how to cope with crippling anxiety

[doesntmatter]

i didn't read the whole thread because it wouldn't really impact my response.

i was naturally a shy/introverted person. whenever i had to give a speech in class i'd get horrible butterflies and sick to my stomach.

i starting smoking pot. did so daily for 3 years.

i had my first panic attack while high, i thought it was the weed, but my heart was racing, i couldn't sit still. it felt like i was dying.

i then had my first panic attack while sober, and they got more frequent and worse until it was daily.

that was five years ago, and they've subsided somewhat, but i still have the high anxiety levels everyday.

i've been on benzo's and talked to several different doctors and psychologists /psychiatrists.

for me the benzo's would work until i had a panic attack on that certain one/dosage. then it was pointless because i "could" have one, so i would have one.

the best thing i can tell you is to not drink the anxiety away if you are.

reading about it helps as well. understanding whats going on in your body and why you feel the symptoms will give you an idea of how to act when they occur.

one thing to know is that they are a part of life. a lot of people have panic attacks and anxiety, just not as bad or frequently as others.

good luck. feel free to send a PM if you wanna talk more.

 

[lifeisforliving]

I'm a big proponent of supplements over pharmaceutical or therapy,

Why? Anecdotal evidence? Do you consider yourself a rational thinker?

you don't want to rush into benzodiazepines, you got an external stimulus causing your anxiety, and it can be overcome. Yoga sounds rediculous, one's "chi", come on. Go hug another tree and tell me how your branch buddies doing when I cut it down to make the toilet paper I whipe my ass with.

How hypocritical. First you dismiss known, scientifically tested, treatments for anxiety.... THEN:

Reminds me of the fact, that ingesting a teaspoon to tablespoon of olive oil before bed helps one's dreamstate become more stimulated and leads to improved motivation, concentration, and overall uplifting mood the next day. I don't believe there is any scientific research behind this, but just looking into it, the high concentration of lipids and fats are metabolized slowly, and during sleep, the energy more delayed in its release into our body, helps with combinations of melatonin acting as an anti-oxidant and immunostimulator with calcium can make for more cleansed system.

You write a bunch of crap about olive oil syngergizing with melatonin (oh yeah, and calcium) to "make for a more cleansed system". - And state it as a "fact".

Anyways, just another idea. I'd recommend melatonin and B100 multi-complex vitamins, because each vitamin B acts in a different way, but the increase in metabolism brought on with vitamin supplements is essential to sustained and level energy through the day and keeping up through an increased REM sleep cycle with higher melatonin levels.

You got any studies to back that up? Sure vitamins should be adequate in your diet, but I'd be surprised to see a study that showed significantly altered REM sleep from taking B-"100" vitamins. You are a case of "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing".


Anxiety has been shown to be dramatically decreased for many people with yoga, exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy. You do not have to believe in "chi" (I certainly do not) to get the benefits from a mind/body focus exercise. That there is a link between mind and body is the key to remember - and that each part can affect the other.