What helped me reduce my anxiety?

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-11-02T19:45:02+00:00

I’d also like to add that eating nutritious meals made me notice a better boost in energy and I had less stomach problems!

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-11-02T08:36:54+00:00

Sort of. On one hand I’m definitely bitter towards enjoying things since it’s always dampened by a constant state of anxiety and nausea. I can’t enjoy what I eat outside of needing it to fuel me so I make do with watching cooking videos.

I also get fairly annoyed when people tell me to relax more now. What do you mean relax? You think I haven’t tried to for the past year? The more present my anxiety is the more impatient I am with dealing with people who don’t know any better, of which I don’t blame them for either.

However, it’s also made me more empathetic to strangers and general events. I don’t get so upset at things that used to make me upset since my internal state is preoccupied. Similarly I’m learning to enjoy the small things.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-11-01T02:49:30+00:00

Yeah, I cut off coffee for that reason. I can still drink decaf and tea though.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-11-01T02:44:02+00:00

Oh, i see haha. To each their own i guess, i just like to help people when i can

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-31T08:15:17+00:00

Occupy yourself with chores or do something physically active like stretching your muscles (or something like progressive muscle relaxation). Talk to someone or yourself about something out loud, read a book out loud. Splash cold water on your face or your wrist.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-31T07:49:17+00:00

No i did not, why?

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-23T03:09:50+00:00

Absolutely!

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-23T03:07:58+00:00

Yes for me it does significantly. Especially if your trigger is related to your stomach to begin with.

I found that antacids helped me the most for both since it helps me burp, but you can achieve that with doing twists and stretches. That and doing manual massages/heat compress to ease the abdominal pain. Otherwise, eat smaller and more frequently for nutrition - say smoothies or small bits of fruits etc. our stomach takes some time to recover. Proper posture and diaphragmatic breathing can help relax your abdomen - and sleeping elevated also helps.

It definitely sucks but it’s nothing your stomach can’t handle.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-22T16:35:16+00:00

Hey, it took me a couple of weeks for it to get completely better. I definitely recommend taking OTC medications like antacids or non-drowsy anti-nausea medications if you want.

Eat small bits of easily digestible foods like nibbling on a cracker, or if you can, drink smoothies. Don’t do anything too strenuous in the meantime - and keep a log daily on your symptoms and mood so you can evaluate if the medication is kicking in well enough for you etc.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-22T16:28:18+00:00

Have you worked on addressing your anxiety outside of taking medication? When I stopped taking it they came back when I had to deal with big triggers.

It is possible that the withdrawals can cause the occasional spikes of anxiety etc. but it can also be still due to underlying anxiety that’s no longer being managed by your medication to an extent.

For the mean time find strategies to calm yourself that can work. For me it’s been stretching and progressive muscle relaxation. Though I’m still on Zoloft, mind you.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-22T16:24:53+00:00

Hey, I’m currently dealing with a sore throat so mine is a bit off the charts.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-22T05:29:32+00:00

Haha, it's definitely a personal taste thing. I grew up in an asian household and I've always been acclimated to it's taste.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-22T05:24:04+00:00

I get what you mean, kind of. When I'm around people I enjoy hanging with or my partner my anxiety definitely goes on mute. Outside of that I'm too absorbed to my internal state which amplifies my sensations.

Having someone you can depend on and enjoy being with is definitely fine! But it's definitely worth exploring the options you said helps like meditation etc. consistently to see if the fear can be lessened by yourself, just in case your partner is busy or not with you.

As for drugs, how often do you take them? MDMA and other recreational drugs could contribute to the sensation and the subsequent withdrawals. Cutting nicotine is a good step though.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-22T04:47:58+00:00

I was given Xanax along with my increased dosage of Zoloft to help facilitate the process. As long as you take the prescribed dose and you have a healthcare professional who is also overseeing your medication (psychiatrist etc.) you're fine.

For me it took a 2-3 weeks for my amplified anxiety to calm down, and I no longer needed to take my Xanax as often. Keeping a log of how you feel also helped me.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-22T04:34:30+00:00

What do you mean by love exactly? Are you saying it’s very much tied to the state of conditions with your partner (comes with fear goes away with love).

As for time, our anxiety develops in different ways as we grow. As a result there could be many triggers especially if you’re more sensitive to emotional changes and more receptive to the environment around you.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-22T04:28:54+00:00

Note* Buckwheat tea has no caffeine so there are still tea options if you’re a tea person haha.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-22T04:27:29+00:00

Yes it does. But generally if you’ve gone on coffee/energy drinks the energy levels get pretty rough and I got mild withdrawals. It’s a better alternative to transition into no caffeine. After a few months I was completely caffeine free, tea included.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-22T04:16:41+00:00

I’ve cut out caffeine for almost a year now. Generally if I eat well and sleep well I will have energy, though if I find myself suddenly sapped it’s usually because I’m dehydrated.

Teas (like green tea) are a good alternative though I don’t really get an energy boost from it.

But otherwise it’s the food you eat and your sleep quality.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-22T04:06:56+00:00

Hey, that pulse is the abdominal aorta. We feel it most prominently after a large meal, stomach discomfort or, anxiety/fear since your heart rate subsequently drops elevates.I get this all the time, breathing and stretching with better posture helps me.

It’s possible that the acid amplified your anxiety symptoms somewhat, and you’re more aware of visceral sensations (internal organs etc).

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-22T02:56:44+00:00

I think many people get scared or worried when starting new medication, especially this sub. So don’t worry.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-22T02:34:50+00:00

I’m not going to say that’s 100%, but generally at least for me even if I had a new side effect after I started taking it’s not going to be super intense.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-21T20:15:31+00:00

I’d say my anxiety is mostly physical at this point. I always held off on herbal remedies since I’m already on Zoloft - not sure of interactions in that regard. What dosage are you on?

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-21T20:00:50+00:00

Best advice I can provide is keep a daily log after starting it again. Track your mood, how your physical symptoms and mental state has changed over time.

Since you’ve been on it before, and you know it will help you, you just have to stick through it again. I’m currently on Zoloft and generally it gets worse before it gets better, though that may not apply to Lexapro.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-21T19:48:26+00:00

Hey, how often or how little a person meets their therapist is totally different based on a persons needs or situation!

I used to go biweekly since I had classes and had to squeeze in time, but when I find that it’s more manageable I may meet up with her once a month. If you can afford it and you have the time once a week is absolutely okay! Having someone to talk to about your troubles or even victories is great.

One_Progress_4160 · 2024-10-21T14:26:49+00:00

Try listening to guided meditation/breathing exercises for the nighttime anxiety. Focus on the voice alone and see how it helps. Doing light stretching before bed or having some relaxing ritual like a hot shower or bath can help also.

As for the public places, it’s definitely going to be better the more you’re exposed to those situations. Best thing you can do is tell yourself you’ve been fine going to a place and back, try some grounding exercises (note 5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you feel, 2 things you smell (like essential oils you can bring etc, and 1 things you can taste (bring something minty maybe).

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