What is Your Experience with Anxiety?

I'll start out.

As I look back I realize I have experienced anxiety since I was a child. It took me a very long time to figure out what anxiety feels like in my body such as shallow breathing, chest pains, muscle tightness. I was so overwhelmed at one time that I had panic attacks that affected my relationships, my education, and travel. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer 5 years ago and it was a surprise to me that although I was emotionally shocked when I heard the diagnosis, worried about the cancer, the treatment, and the outcome that I'd learned enough about myself over the years that I could manage the anxiety. I learned that the goal was not to get rid of the anxiety as much as I did not like it. The goal for me was to remember that the anxiety was there for a reason and I knew how to manage it. I've read books, I've had a lot of therapy, and I've taken medication. Actually, none of that is in the past. I'm still reading, I'm in mental health therapy and I take antidepressant medication that targets anxiety.

What's your experience?

I have had anxiety for quite some time, following an abusive relationship which resulted in me fleeing my home with my dog and my clothing. Having said this, I have some medication I can take, but only use it sparingly when I need to sleep.
Music, art and gardening are my "go to" solutions when I am feeling particularly anxious. Writing is also helpful, something I have just started doing with success, well, kind of.
Admittedly, I am more anxious that usual because I have a brain MRI scheduled and brain surgery is being discussed. I know it is not cancer, so my anxiety level is lower in terms of the "potential problem." Me being me with my very dry sense of humor thought, "well, now I can get the side of my head shaved and all the neighbors can look and "think whatever they want," right?
I try to do that thing where you Look, See, Feel or Smell and this is very helpful when I need to focus. However, my personal choice is art, and knowledge. I just finished reading Hippocrates. Now, there was someone who had some great ideas for the mind. That's all for now. Thank you

I stopped taking Abilify 6 weeks ago. I am struggling with teeth clenching
anxiety, particularly in the morning. I don’t want to resume taking the
abilify, but this is very difficult. I meditate, I breathe.

My anxiety causes my shortness of breath and coughing to get worse. It feels like I am chocking. Also brings out my Red Ear Syndrome to flair up. My face gets red blotches, ears hit and red. I get heart palpitation but that's the panic attack trying to come out. I have Kolonoin which keeps this all at bay most of the time. Thank God. But at one time I had nothing to help. I almost had a nervous breakdown

Like I said most of the things are under control

@naturegirl5 Like you, I have experienced anxiety most of my life. From a very young age, things have been seen in mostly black-and-white, with little space for "gray". This has resulted in many instances of anxiety as I tried to cope with being more flexible. Easier said than done, let me tell you!

It has been a challenge, a struggle, and sometimes, some success, to tackle the anxiety. What has often worked for me is to dissect the situation into smaller pieces, addressing each piece and coming to grips with it. Reviewing the what/why of the anxiety, and steps I can reasonably take to lessen or eliminate it. For me, that seems to work, and takes some of the power of the anxiety away.

Beyond that, distractions seem to help. Writing it out, settling myself into a chair with a good book [and sometimes not a good book!], going for a walk outside, doing a craft, all might lend their positive vibes to help out. That's part of being flexible, working on what may help me at the moment, that I continue to learn about.
Ginger

I have a hard time defining anxiety...but I guess it is the best way to describe my current internal brain status. I had been doing great for the last couple months after weaning off of Pristiq - 10 yrs and 10 yrs of prozac before that. In the last week, it seems I am relapsing with the unsettled thoughts, fears for the future and family. I exercise every day, read, journal, breath, talk to others and though these techniques help, I fear that I may have to return to meds. Yesterday I took a half dose of some old Xanax that I keep for desperate times. It helps quickly, but I know this is not a sustainable path. I have stated on this site and to others that I will go back to meds if the symptoms become overwhelming. I have set a deadline of September to start back on meds if I can't find a sustainable "normal" by then. Until then, I want to explore whatever natural remedies available. My mother used to say, "think your way through it". She had no idea of the physical conditions that folks like me suffer through. For me, it isn't about sadness. This is physical for me..hard to describe. The brain just doesn't function and it overshadows everything. So, I am grateful for all of the suggestions and sharing of experiences dealing with natural remedies and would also like to learn about pharmaceuticals that work . I try to be as healthy as possible so knowledge of side effects and long term effects is critical to finding an optimal solution to anxiety.

My anxiety came to a head about 12 years ago. I had tried every chemical they had but I was not able to shake it off.
Finally my psychiatrist tried 1 mg of klonopin a day and it stopped the anxiety. My anxiety was being a worrier about things that may never happen.
Since the klonopin with 200 mg at bedtime seroquel for sleep . I still worry needlessly at times but it’s more gentle.
They say to stay away from benzodiazepines but it’s a life saver for me

M

As I get into my golden years, have been recalling a barrage of traumatic events from childhood that has never been processed (ex: mother trying to kill me with a knife) that continues to affect me into adulthood. The anxiety and/or panic attacks appears to come on suddenly triggered by a memory. The memory is in my mind, but then my body slowly reacts to the point where I can not stop nor control it from happening. My body starts to get extremely nervous, heart racing, breathing is affected while my brain is trying to determine what is happening. Then I uncontrollably start crying and then embarrassment because it is happened in a public place like the grocery store. It is not something one can stop once it has started, but have noticed it happens more frequently as I get older.

My anxiety came to this last year. My husband is diagnosed with lewy body dementia. He is not the problem. Ow. He is like a 4 yr old child. My children are an issue. A year ago they were talking on a phone call. One of the two daughter in laws made statements. One for example was I can come to dr appt if Jeff is unavailable. Daughter chimed in I am not comfortable in you doing that. And other comments were made to the other dil. So result is daughter is not talking to her siblings and their spouses. I was able to grt away for vaca. She did come stay with her dad. But didnt speak to anyone here. She lives 4 hr drive away.
Since then her kids have a concert coming up. There were two One on a thurs and next on following tues. I didnt want to tell her a week was too long for her dad to be gone so I hemmed and hawed. Finally she said whats up. I replied I was nervous to tell you a week is too ling for your dad to be gone. You get upset. Why, is he gone downhill. Why cant he come. Do u need me to come get him? Is it the drive down! On and on. She refuses to accept my answer. I am nervous. What if something happens there. He would have to go to er. He freaks about doing that here. Here he knows our small clinic and hosp.
So long story short. Daughter and husband called me after I sent each family a text. Saying I cant do drama and conflict anymore. Told me I word vomited on them??
I am now on blood pressure meds. I have never had any issues before. My body cant handle the stress.
Again questioning then resorting to what do i need. How can we help. We hear in Your voice u r struggling.
Call with u r not coming we dont sweep issues under the rug at our house. So I dont know if leaving to see other kids concert or not.
I do feel b p meds working. I dont feel my heart racing.
I still have some trouble sleeping. But working on that.
Thanks for listening

My anxiety has turned into panic attacks. I cannot find a doctor that will prescribe a Benzo. They are all worried about lawsuits, and told me this . I think it’s sad I can’t get a medication that will help me, because of politics in the medical field. It really angers me.