natural anxiety reflief

LaNette: I also work in mental health and referring to mental health as "this shit"? Totally gross and unprofessional comment.

Also, while deep breathing is a great coping skill, it does not work for everyone all of the time. Speaking like it is the be all end all just makes you sound ignorant of the trade you claim to practice. Anxiety, true anxiety, is not calmed by simply focusing on something else, especially when OP admits that she spirals very easily and quickly. Yikes. The client care... SMH.

I also disagree with pp who suggested marijuana (which can be, for some, addictive like ANY drug), or even worse, alcohol. Self medicating tends to lead to issues, and as pp said, if you have an accident at work, even if you were not under the influence at the time, you are likely to be fired and face difficulty finding a job later on.

Anxiety meds work best when used regularly. In other words, you need a consistent level in your system for therapeutic relief. You don't get that with short term meds like Xanax, or with marijuana. You get that with a long acting medication. The short term meds are for instances when anxiety is out of control or you are waiting for long term meds to build up in the system. Then, once the meds are in place, you can learn multiple effective coping skills to help you deal with anxiety and find what works for you. But severe chronic anxiety is often caused by chemical imbalances which medications correct. There's no magical skill or exercise that will do that for you.

Depends on the day ... sometimes a walk outside or mediation is fine. Sometimes a glass of wine hits the spot.

Other days I take herbal sedatives (I think it has valerian root or something).

Because you've been on medication before, you should probably check with a doctor before taking something herbal.

For me, the biggest relief has been carving out 15-20 minutes when I get home from work for me, before I get started on chores. I've also stopped eating lunch at my desk, and take proper lunch breaks now. Trying to eat better, less takeaways and cooking more.

I think it's a whole lifestyle thing, but I'm coping a lot better with anxiety and stress and am generally a little happier than usual.

Thanks everyone!! I think part of my problem is that once the anxiety/ chest pains start, I worry or wonder about why it's happening and it seems to get worse. I think if I focus on something else, and like suggested do meditation and more workouts it will be a start!

I will talk to a therapist if things don't improve soon.

Pretty sure LaNette didn't mean to be offensive by saying "this shit" ... she probably just got a little excited to post her advice.

@CLR: I don't know anyone, ESPECIALLY a therapist, who works in the field and would refer to mental illness as "this shit," particularly when giving advice about it.

I have general anxiety as well. I take my medicine because it makes me feel more normal and I can walk through a grocery store or be around people for a little while without having a headache.

Talk to your Dr about a different kind of medicine.

Second everything MNA said. Thank you for being back and posting that. I've been struggling with my mental health since I was 16. I get into a good place then I have a problem and have to change things up. Medicine + therapy +

Healthy living + some constructive hobby is best routine for me. It's hard with my job right now but I try to make it work. I've heard knitting is really helpful for anxiety. Bad thoughts I have I just watch tv or read a book. Try to distract myself. Take daily Meds and xanax as needed. I would keep working on your prescription. If that means you change doctors that's what you do. If you need. A better therapist get one. I've been to 3 psychiatrists in the last 8 years. No shame in finding the right doctor to work with you and care about you

ETA: wanted to add that you should ignore the people telling you to self medicate with alcohol. If you already have problems can cause depression or worsened anxiety

I've used Saint johns wort (the herb supplement in pill form), a few times a day and it has helped me. You can find it at pharmacies or a pharmaceutical section of a grocery store!! I take 2 at a time, no more than 3 times a day. I take it as needed!

MODS, can we please shut this thread down? This advice is completely against standard medical advice and can be harmful to people reading. Neither alcohol nor cannabis will help with anxiety. In fact, you will get rebound anxiety.

OP, please speak to your doctor, not to an anonymous Internet forum.

I also use 'Calm' for mediation but it demands a great willpower to make myself focused. Pranayama breathing as a part of yoga practice also helps me a lot. Another option is to use medical cannabis to relieve anxiety. But you naturally need a prescription (here is info how to get it https://addictionresource.com/drugs/marijuana/how-to-get-card/). And consult your doctor about the combination with Zoloft. Prozac didn't make me truly happy, it ruined my personality giving a synthetic feeling of satisfaction. Using natural marijuana from time to time works better for me. But still only in the cases when meditation and breathing techniques don't work.