Hello,
I know there are tons of articles and videos about this topic on the internet. But I think I need to interact with real people with similar struggles (feel free to share articles and videos that have helped you, though).
I’ve always had anxiety problems, even as a kid. I got diagnosed late (at 30) with ADHD, depression and social anxiety, and I started taking meds for those. The meds helped, but after a year or so I stopped taking them, mainly because I was feeling better and they were too expensive. Unfortunately the cheaper options gave me too many side effects.
I can function without the meds. But this year is being really hard on me and my wife, and my anxiety is starting to get out of control again. I’m getting some panic attacks and they make me feel like shit.
Can you share some tips on what works for you when you are feeling anxious?
Thanks a lot and wish you the best.
Dealing with this kind of thing is a multi pronged effort.
Meds can be one of those prongs. In a pinch, you can substitute a little valerian for break-through when better (read: more consistent) choices aren’t feasible. Things like chamomile tea can serve to give you a tiny bit of external reinforcement when combined with the mental focus it brings while making and drinking it.
But you gotta combine that stuff with actual coping methods, just like with prescription meds. Meds just give you the cushion to use long term methods like meditation, exercise, lifestyle changes, identifying and working around triggers, etc.
You gotta come at this kind of thing holistically (and I don’t mean the usual bullshit use of the word, I mean treating the entirety of the self)