Wicked Anxiety (in Off-topic)

Hello everyone. I just typed up a really long rant, and decided that no one wants to hear me justify why my life sucks. So simply put; I am sure that a lot of people out there suffer from anxiety, and I want to know what they do to help them feel better. I am sick of laying in bed getting all freaked out for no reason, and not getting any sleep. Last night I tried turning out the light three times, and tossing around in my bed for about 6 hours before I got up today. The last month hasn't been much better, unless I self medicate. Please help. BTW I am already on a prescription benzodiazapine, so while the advice of talking to a doctor is appreciated, I am already doing that. And counting sheep isn't working either. Any feedback is appreciated, thanks.

deep-breathing techniques and/or meditation

I would want to know what benzo you're taking? You can CM me if you want.
I suffer from depression, anxiety, and am slightly bipolar so I get to take a nice selection of meds every morning - Zoloft150 and Xanax1.
And yeah they don't work like they're supposed to, I lay in bed awake until completely exhausted from rolling around in my bed for hours.
The best way I have found is physical exertion. I go to the YMCA 4 times a week now and swim, as well as lifting some weights. I would reccomend riding your bike, walking around, whatever, anything to get you out. It gets my mood up and exhausts me, and has really helped my sleeping although it is still screwy.
Also I had to cut down on the selfmedication, as well as my cig intake - that has helped a little, although not sure if it's worth it.
Anxiety? Well personally I think it's unavoidable especially if you suffer from PTSD, there are techniques on the web if you google. Deep breathing and using a happy place like in Happy Gilmore works decently for me when I feel like stomping skulls - sounds lame but it works.

It is not PG

Thanks for the tips I have to go to work, but I will definately read this when I get home.

Nocturnal: Unfortunately for me taking any SSRI's or MAOI's only exacerbates the symptoms I get. I take Ativan 1mg twice a day, or usually 2 at night. It's funny that you mention cigs, because I find that when I am actually able to let go of stuff I don't even think of smoking, however it has been months. I will catch you the next time I am on :)

If an admin thinks that this is not appropriate for the forums, and chooses to remove it, would you please forward what response I have gotten to lukusmcpukuss@hotmail.com? Thanks I really need the info.

When I get really upset and full of anxiety, it really helps to sit down in a nice quiet, dark place. Make sure you find some place with that you won't be bothered by phones/electronics. Then sit down on the ground, close your eyes. Try some of the meditation techniques listed here: Meditation Techniques

Is your anxiety ruminative? Do you also have physical sensations? Who are you seeing about this? (GP versus someone who will consider your problem beyond how to spell the drug right on the 'script.) What is the diagnosis? Are you being treated for the anxiety as a symptom of an illness? Or merely medicated for the anxiety itself?

What life factors have changed for you? There is nothing here to suggest that your anxiety isn't a perfectly normal response to a high-stress life.

Has your lack of sleep been investigated as a cause of, instead of symptom of, your anxiety? What is the likelihood that your "self-medicating" has caused a rebound effect in your sleeplessness? Has anyone suggested a diet high in Omega 3s?

What reading have you done on anxiety and depression? How informed a health-care consumer are you? 10-20 randomly chosen books on anxiety & depression and you should be able to tell your health-care professional enough to be of some help in your own treatment. Or, at least, whom you should be treated by.

Bast: Nice to hear from you again, it has been a while since we chatted. As usual I had to look up one of the first 5 words in your response (;. To start, no I am not seeing anyone that can actually help me, just a GP. And as far as symptoms yes. To almost all of them. Most of the time I am very uncomfortable with just being myself. There are a lot of things that I feel ashamed of that I know are not reasonable. I have a lot of obsessive thoughts that I try to control, but usually distraction is the only way that is possible. They can be very silly things like Futurama episodes, or silly songs. But sometimes they are very scary to me even though I know better, for instance I am extremely scared of zombies (especially 28 Day Later type zombies). What I characterize as anxiety is usually ONLY the physical symptoms because I have had it my whole life, and up until about 5 years ago didn't even understand that anxiety could be anything other than physical symptoms. Sometimes I develop facial ticks (lately my lower right eyelid won't stop twitching). Most of the time my stomach burns or flutters, I get hives a lot, and during a panic attack my pulse will race and I will have moderate to severe chest pain. Sometimes I feel very faint and almost black out. I have learned to control a good bit of it, so I don't embarrass myself in social situations, but that can sometimes be a trigger. For instance, at work (I work at McDonald's) I feel mostly in control, and don't succomb to any of my symptoms, but in social situations where I meet new people (especially pretty girls) I usually just isolate myself once the symptoms hit. I have spoken with my family about it because we are all on benzos, and one sister in particular understands that my anxiety is quite severe at times, and probably the worst in our family; as my symptoms manifest themselves mostly physically. Yet I have always considered it a mind over matter affair. At times in my life when I have had a lot of self confidence my symptoms all but disappear. But when my life is in the toilet (as I consider it now) I find that adhearing to my responsibilities is about all I can take. That is why I have not sought professional help. Because I know that things will and are getting better. But at night when I am arguing with my own personal demons and ego is when I feel I need help, or probably more appropriately reassurance. Wow this is getting long, thanks to any who had the patience to read all this. Bast, I know I should see a behavioral therapist, however I really don't have a means to do so at the moment. It would either cost thousands of dollars or I would have to have some awesome health insurance (which I am not even sure would cover it). At any rate, money seems to be a good source of anxiety should I choose to ponder it, and that is part of my conundrum. Thanks again. :)

I'd take a serious look at diet, specifically food additives (preservatives and colors) and sallicilate (naturally occurring aspirin) containing fruits and vegetables... it's done wonders for me...