<p>VeryHappy - I also do the “what’s the worst that can happen” thing. It really helps. Just this month DD screwed something up at college, and it could have affected her entering the Education Program - she procrastinated BIG time over certification renewal. We went through the “what’s the worst thing that can happen”, and realized she could handle it. Then she got busy and corrected the whole thing - on her dime - I might add. lol.</p>
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<p>That is the only way I was able to send Son to college away from home. And the worst pretty much did happen, but we all lived through it.</p>
<p>I’ve had anxiety issues all my life. Took Zoloft fot 5 years for generalized anxiety disorder. Helped tremendously. Only down side (and the reason I stopped taking it) was it made me perpetually tired. </p>
<p>Since then I’ve been attending a weekly group that focuses on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools. Not something you can learn overnight, I’ve been at it for 2 1/2 years but it really does make a difference.</p>
<p>Now that I’m in peri-menopause, I’m having some spikes in anxiety (due to fluctuating hormones). I take a very, very small amount of Xanax when the need arises.</p>
<p>And exercise, meditation and yoga all help too. Although, I will add that some of the most anxious people I know are hard-core exercisers. Don’t think it will cure anxiety but it can help some people.</p>
<p>For years I have used calcium (along with vitamin C and D) to calm my nerves when I get anxious or upset. It has worked well for me…usually within half an hour I am fairly mellow. </p>
<p>Sunshine and exercise are excellent, as is escapist reading…treat yourself to a novel or two or three that transport you away from your world and its troubles. Having a break from conscious awareness of ones own problems helps.</p>
<p>I am like curiouser. In fact, the amount of problems (anxiety for no apparent reason, palpitations, headaches, trouble sleeping, vertigo, hot flashes, etc.) eliminated by HRT has me taking it despite the risks. For me, even if the cancer risk is elevated, it comes down to a quality versus quantity of life decision.</p>
<p>The thing that I have found to be most helpful in maintaining serenity (or regaining it) is active, focused, and purposeful meditation. I would also add constant contact with God, or whatever you call Him, all day long. I needed a complete and intentional surrender about encountering issues that I was unable to handle on my own to achieve this level of active faith.</p>
<p>You have the word “faith” in your screen name, so I think you might be open to my thoughts here. I had a lot of passive faith, and did a lot of praying, but I only achieved a failsafe method of chilling out when I when I spent as much time listening to God (meditating) as I did talking to Him (praying). It took practice, but I think if you head down this road (in addition to any other things you might try), you will be surprised at what is possible. I would ask specifically for help handling what comes your way with more serenity. Ask for only that, and always include saying thank you for all the blessings you have been given. Every day, list them in your head. Mastering acceptance is another key to managing anxiety. The Serenity Prayer comes to mind here. It is very over used, but that is because it works.</p>
<p>I also believe that some time spent outdoors, daily, appreciating the wonder and beauty of the world can work miracles. No matter what is going on, you can wonder at the miracles around you, the amazing design of it all, and this is a form of meditation as well.</p>
<p>I have found that in addition to exercise, nutrition can be extremely helpful when it comes to anxiety or depression. I bet you already know what fantastic nutrition looks like, so you don’t need me to tell you. Get out the juicer or the blender and after a trip to Whole Foods, start focusing on this tack as well.</p>
<p>Lastly, I believe that positive, healthy support groups tailored specifically to the challenges in your life can be priceless (and free). Twelve step groups like AA/OA/GA or Al-Anon are saving lives everyday, and there may be a group for whatever ails you. There are groups for parents of kids with ADHD or Autism, cancer survivors, the grieving, etc. In addition to taking care of yourself spiritually and physically, there are very real tools that have made whatever it is easier for other people, and they are out there ready for you to plug into. Even just being around other people who share your specific struggles can be medicinal.</p>
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I’d watch this one. If you are OK with alcohol, I would still drink only to feel even better when you already feel good (never to feel good when you are feeling otherwise). Really, though, I do not agree at all with using substances to alter mood. Wine, if consumed at all, should be enjoyed as one would any other food (for taste).</p>
<p>Op here…THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the fabulous advice. For one, it is so nice to know that others also face swings and it is obvious from all the responses there are so many causes and therapys. </p>
<p>Today, things are so much better than yesterday! Sometimes I just need to practice patience while I am trying to envision the positive outcomes, which is another issue all alone, becuase I do not have that virtue. </p>
<p>I plan to read some of the books on Congnitive Behavior Therapy. I think sometimes just talking to others…like in this thread, helps find comfort. Perhaps we need a thread just for that!!! </p>
<p>Life is tough, but so worth the joy we feel after we bounce back up. Everything is not great in my life, but yes, it could be worse and envisioning how much worse, does make things so much better!</p>
<p>I wish you all a great and stress free weekend! Thanks again!</p>
<p>One obvious but important element to be aware of is caffeine. It can really drive anxiety. And the more anxious we become, the more disorganized and mistake prone and more behind in our work and tired and so . . . we drink even more caffeine, and on it goes.</p>
<p>The males in our family all seem to have an especially low tolerance for caffeine. With my DH, he has to limit himself to half-caff in the morning and absolutely no more for the rest of the day or he becomes a big anxious mess. Seriously. Took me years to get him to accept this. He loves coffee . . .</p>
<p>"I think sometimes just talking to others…like in this thread, helps find comfort. " - Defintely true!</p>
<p>For me, learning to think differently (CBT, or, at least a more <em>Buddhist</em> outlook – I am sort of a Christian/Buddhist blend these days). Soy (for menopause), Omega’s (3-6-9), vitamin D, L-Theanine, something called PharmaGABA, green tea, chewable multi-vitamins, vitamin C, lots of veggies and fruits, along with adequate protein and fiber, and exercise. Also, keeping exposure to certain personality types to a minimum. After following this for the past several years, I am now fine again flying on airplanes – enjoy it even. I have more endurance for life’s ups and downs, am more patient, more even-keeled in general. </p>
<p>Try some things, note whether or not they help, stick with the things that help. That’s my advice!</p>
<p>As someone who has dealt with anxiety for a long time, I do not recommend the “what’s the worst thing that can happen” line of thinking. </p>
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<p>If you all lived through it, including your child, then it’s not even close to the worst thing that can happen. That’s what I find confusing about encouraging people to go down this road. Yes, it’s important to face your fears but, for me, it’s been important to train my mind to not go down the “worst case” road.</p>
<p>I have had anxiety all my life. I meditate, do yoga, tennis, weights and cardio and eat healthy which all helped. But after two trips to the hospital for chest pain I finally started zoloft and it has made a huge difference. My husband didn’t want me on the meds but now I don’t think he would want me to go off them - lol.</p>
<p>mstee makes an excellent point…that you can and should avoid difficult people. You are not obligated to keep people in your life who stress you. Walk away, avoid, save your health and prolong our life. Unfortunately some of these people are employers, co-workers, relatives, neighbors, but choices can be made…if you can protect yourself, do. The one area where you do have control is with your friends…some are toxic…there may be a history, a tradition, a feeling of obligation, but you can step away from relationships (my key is when I flinch when I see who is on call-waiting…a sure sign the relationship is not good for me and my well-being.)</p>
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<p>The way I summarized last school year: well, he didn’t end up dead or in prison…</p>
<p>I don’t. I’ve been on Zoloft for 4 years. My anxiety was temporary but I noticed I didn’t get so blah feeling in the winter so I have stayed on it.</p>
<p>For you Zoloft users, did you experience the weight gain that’s common w/SSRI’s? Is there a particular dosage low enough to treat the anxiety w/out that unwanted side effect?</p>
<p>I take 25 mg of zoloft (a very low dose) and I have had no weight gain.</p>
<p>From the Mayo Clinic -</p>
<h1>1- for 15-20 minutes per day for only one week (longer if you want), write down “What I feel and why I feel that way” You can keep the journal or shred the papers each day.</h1>
<h1>2 - each night list “3 things that went well that day and why you think this good thing happened”</h1>
<p>Years ago I was on Zoloft for panic attacks and it made me way too mellow. They put me on Prozac and I am convinced to this day that it altered my personality. It took me 3 years to very slowly ween myself off the drug. Soda pop greatly affects my mood.</p>
<p>^^^Thanks, gonna give it a try…sounddds like it will encourage me to appreciate the small stuff and also not sweat the small stuff???</p>
<p>I’m on 50mg of zoloft and did experience appetite increase for about a month and it then went away. I initially gained 2 pounds but it has dropped back to normal. Zoloft doesn’t actually cause weight gain, just an increase in appetite so it’s not that your metabolism slows, you just might feel inspired to eat more food.</p>