primitives looking for cures to anxiety, pill poppers and druggies galore

[BattleHymn]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018786574

Mon Aug 3, 2015, 03:18 PM
NuclearDem (13,159 posts)

DUers with anxiety issues, what do you do to manage it?

I have some serious anxiety issues myself, and I was wondering what--outside of pharmaceuticals--others here do to manage theirs.

I've stopped smoking, drastically cut back the amount of coffee I drink, and the only sugar-heavy drink I use regularly is iced tea. What do you all recommend?

Mon Aug 3, 2015, 03:29 PM
Star Member raccoon (23,792 posts)
1. I have a CD I ordered from amazon that is supposed to reduce anxiety. Seems to me that it works.


For the short-term, that is.

Mon Aug 3, 2015, 03:46 PM
magical thyme (11,717 posts)
3. meditation

guided or unguided. Hatha yoga, transcendental meditation, or just listening to meditation tapes. some good guided come from "The Reach Approach" on all kinds of issues. Here is one of them, but they have a whole series. Some work better for me than others. Here is the 1st one that I used. still a favorite:
[some stupid youtube video]

And then in rolls the druggie and pill-popping primitives:

Mon Aug 3, 2015, 05:35 PM
Star Member elleng (58,018 posts)
6. Decaf.

(I do use xanax occasionally.)

Mon Aug 3, 2015, 06:46 PM
Star Member femmocrat (20,107 posts)
9. I use meds and exercise.

I walk several mornings a week or do yard work to keep my mind off the stressors. I pray while I walk. It helps, but I don't think there is a cure except for a better situation to develop.

I gave up smoking, caffeine, alcohol and everything that tastes good years ago because of stomach issues and medicine interactions.

Mon Aug 3, 2015, 08:11 PM
bamademo (2,116 posts)
13. Lexapro. Miracle Drug. Don't take anymore but you could have cut my head off, I was so calm.

And Happy.

Mon Aug 3, 2015, 08:47 PM
DebJ (7,408 posts)
15. I STOPPED using Advair.

My GP stated that the steroids in Advair were NOT the type that would cause anxiety.

After a few months on the stuff, my GP referred me to a shrink.

By the time they had an appointment available in 3 weeks, I stumbled across a website with thousands of people discussing the extreme anxiety attacks they had suffered since they began using that stuff.

I told that to the shrink. The shrink said no way those type of steroids will not do that to you.

I had stopped using them about 2 weeks after my GP visit/1 week before the shrink.

In another week, i felt extremely much better. After a month, no anxiety attacks at all.

That was 5 years ago, and I've not had an anxiety attack since.

My GP has changed her tune, by the way.

Mon Aug 3, 2015, 09:10 PM
Hotler (4,493 posts)
16. Weed! ..... n/t

Tue Aug 4, 2015, 12:35 AM
Star Member Hoyt (20,841 posts)
35. It works. Unfortunately, don't have a connection at my age. May have to

try growing in attic or something.

Mon Aug 3, 2015, 10:44 PM
Star Member Nevernose (10,260 posts)
25. I've got PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (which occasionally causes major depression)

I'm going to start by talking about medication, but please don't quit reading.

I take half the recommended dosage of Vibryd (the full 40 makes me feel funny) and 300 mgs of Wellbutrin (again, much less than what was originally prescribed to me).

I realize that you specifically asked about NOT pharmaceuticals, but after having given up street drugs more than a decade ago, it's only been in the last eighteen months that I realized that medication can definitely have a positive effect.

I'm also prescribed Xanax. I own it, I've got it, but I've only taken it a couple of times. I've known too many people who were addicted, and since I've gone through addiction, I'm terrified (one might say "anxious" lol) at the thought of that happening again.

The things that worked best for me? I saw a therapist who taught me about CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It wasn't some bullshit "therapy;" it actually gave me concrete steps that I could use to get over my anxiety. After that, she referred me to a psychiatrist who could help me pharmaceutically.

What's helped me most is exercise. Daily. Some form of weight lifting and some form of aerobic; on the weekends I run/walk at least thirteen miles on Saturday or Sunday morning (because the Las Vegas Strip is awesome at that time of day/night).

Nothing has reduced my anxiety more than exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and then the correct medication.

Mon Aug 3, 2015, 11:04 PM
NuclearDem (13,159 posts)
28. The reason I added the disclaimer about medication was that I'm already on medication.

20mg Celexa generic daily. But since it's nowhere near as strong as something like Xanax, I needed some additional coping techniques before I go discuss a new medication regimen with the doctor.

I never considered CBT for this. I had done it for an unrelated issue for about a year back in 2010, and it seemed to work fairly well for it. Exercise does seem to be the common theme of most of the suggestions, so I'll see about getting some more of that in as well.

Thanks!

Oh.  Looks like the OP is already on drugs.  Imagine that!

Tue Aug 4, 2015, 12:12 PM
Star Member patricia92243 (8,176 posts)
37. Self-hypnosis - I have trained myself if I hear the word "relax" that is exactly what I do.

I can feel my muscles relaxing from head to toe.

This DUmmie works itself up into a trance. 

Mon Aug 3, 2015, 10:59 PM
HERVEPA (5,033 posts)
27. Stay away fronm DU.

Seriously, don't totally discount pharmaceuticals.
Great help to many

Mon Aug 3, 2015, 11:59 PM
Star Member 47of74 (9,967 posts)
32. If DU is the source

Take a break from DU. I have anxiety issues too and there are somethings and people I found I just need to ignore.

[Carl]

Useless lunatics.

[franksolich]

Useless lunatics.

I dunno.

It's something I've known all my life, even long before franksolich became an adult, but anyway, the best sure-fire 100% guaranteed cure for most problems, including "anxiety" and "depression," is.....a job.

I've never known it not to work.

[Big Dog]

I dunno.

It's something I've known all my life, even long before franksolich became an adult, but anyway, the best sure-fire 100% guaranteed cure for most problems, including "anxiety" and "depression," is.....a job.

I've never known it not to work.

To the primitives, the cure is worse than the ailment.

[JohnnyReb]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-IY9ccbc8o