Anyone have high anxiety? What do you do to help?

Posted by ginnysnow @ginnysnow, Sep 15, 2025

I have high anxiety every day? wondering what to do

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Profile picture for whatr4do @whatr4do

Daily high anxiety and some panic attacks - yes. Many years. Medication helps some, counseling to reset my negative thinking, exercise, prayer, breathing and EFT tapping all help some. I don’t know the key but continuing to look and not give up.

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thanks

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Profile picture for sisyphus @sisyphus

The last time some ten years ago when I choked and jumped out of bed before dawn and those few seconds seemed like an eternity until my body threw out some phlegm and brought my breathing back, I, too. was scared to sleep. So I did visit emergency where the doctor told me what you're telling me is an anxiety attack. I said, "me, I'm retired, why I'd have anxiety?" I said but what if it happens again tonight? She said we can observe you for an overnight stay. Of course I slept well -- aware that staff would run to save me.

Later in the day I saw my family doctor and told her my story and the fear of waking up choking. She said we can book you for anxiety to see a therapist for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. I said, I know what CBT is and can do myself. She said, it's not the same. I said let me try first. But what what if I've attack at night again? She prescribed a medicine that would bring back my breathing in few seconds. I kept the pills at arm length, never to use.

But I had to sit with Myself and tell myself: Sometimes in life years of good work you think you've found (a non-medical, lifestyle solution to obesity that had turned into a book-long text) which no book agent even bothered to look at was causing my background anxiety. It was a slow acceptance -- but a quick exit from anxiety -- for ever.

It still bothers me when I read the news is only worsening rates of obesity, even the latest one being among children's severe obesity rising. So I curse loud in my four walls, lamenting the human propensity for medical interventions first and not realizing that human body has had wisdom to heal itself for a far longer time.

BTW (Not a proof) I'm in my 80s, haven't seen my doc for over ten years now, no meds, avoided colonoscopy, sleep well, healthy and reasonably strong body with good sleep. Working hard to find robust social connections.

I'd love to know your progress.

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@sisyphus Hello! Amazing, how you have managed! I am close to 80 years old! I wanted to follow up, and let you know the ironic turn of events in my life. I was so fortunate, after my Neurologist retired last year, to get a new, young neurologist, who, actually listened to what I was telling her! Upon meeting her, I gave her some wise advice. I said, “All I really ask for, is to have a Doctor who actually cares about me and my well-being!!” I told her that years ago, my first neurologist, who really did care, was very thorough in examining and getting a good history ( I was in my early 30’s, and presented with some abnormal signs, reflexes. and numbness. ) Anyway, she put me in hospital, for s week, and came up with possible demyelinating disease, as a diagnosis. So, now, with my new neurologist, I told her that for the last several years, i have had numbness, pins and needles, that, seemingly, have been spreading from my feet, up my legs, and, in my hands, the same thing, spreading up my arms! I told her my retired former neurologist, and my primary care giver, family doctor, did not follow up with checking out my symptoms etc. although each appt. I told them both about my progressing symptoms. Also, I have had about a dozen falls, some with injuries, during the last couple years. I told my new neurologist that I had symptoms and falls the last couple years, and told her my former Dr. minimized my complaining, so no follow up, and that, as far as I’m concerned I have peripheral neuropathy. So, she took out a pin, and checked out my arms, hands, feet and legs. She came up with polyneuropathy, and ordered blood tests. The blood tests were sent to the laboratory, at Mayo Clinic. Results from Mayo showed very low hypogammaglobulinemia! That, coupled with the polyneuropathy, the Docs came up with a diagnosis of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, which was confirmed, after my new neurologist had an MRI ordered and done, for me, and results confirmed that diagnosis, plus the fact that I had recently had a Lacunar stroke, and had previously had another lacunar stroke. So, my new neurologist immediately called my cardiologist, and they lined me up to immediately go on blood thinners ( Eloquist ), and i had a talk with my cardiac electrophysiologist, who lined up a time, when the ‘Watchman’
(Boston Scientific), could be implanted in my heart, to prevent more blood clots! I had the ‘Watchman’ implant surgery last week. I’ve had a couple A-Fib episodes, recently! I was referred to an immunologist, who is setting up I-V infusion therapy, with donors blood plasma/gammaglobulin to help with the autoimmune disorder, that I’ve been diagnosed with! I am at. high risk for an infection, right now. So, finally, I got some help! Thank you for being. so supportive! I have not heard a peep from my primary family doctor caregiver, through all this! Reports had been sent to him by other Docs! I suspect, because he is part of a large clinic staff, that he has not read them, and probably won’t even look at
them, until I get my Medicare, once a. year, 10 minute‘wellness’ ‘exam’ by the Dr. For the last 4 years, the clinic secretaries make 10 to 15 minute Dr, Medicare ‘wellness’ visit appointments, once a year, and make next year’s appointment, at the end of the current year’s Dr. visit. There are hundreds of us white-haired baby boomers, that come to the clinic! I feel like I’m on an assembly line, when I go to the clinic. So, I’ve decided the time has come for me to look around for a geriatric physician, who might just care enough, to keep track of how to proceed, with the numerous medical diagnosis, that I have. Maybe I’ll be able to enjoy a few more good years, before , well, you know what I mean, happens! Wishing you the best! Thank you for caring!!

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Profile picture for hraka13 @hraka13

We all seem to be getting a barrage of bad news, anger, and sadness on a daily basis. Even when I don’t watch the news, I see posts from friends and family that suck me in or just downright hurt. My stomach often is in knots.
I’ve found that stepping away helps. I sit with my cats. Read a book. Listen to music. Step outside, even for just a few minutes. Watch something light or funny on TV.
If you don’t have someone to talk to about this, reach out to someone you can trust. You’ve taken the “first step”. Keep going…..

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@hraka13 if they dont have anyone they can talk to they probably dont have anyone they can trust

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To all who replied to my first post! A follow up! Ironically, my Neurologist scheduled an Emergency MRI for me, concerned about my signs and symptoms, after I had posted about being afraid of having a stroke! The MRI revealed that I had an old and a recent ischemic, luner stroke! So, I have had 2 strokes, and, because of A-fib diagnosis, last month Boston Scientifics “The Watchman”, was implanted in my heart, by my electrophysiologist, and I was put on Eloquis blood 🩸 thinner medicine!

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I got a therapist and worked on the unconscious trauma and abuse that I had buried from childhood and worked to bring it to my consciousness. As Carl Jung said if we don''t bring the unconscious abuse and trauma to the conscious it will become our fate.

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Profile picture for sallyo420 @sallyo420

I got a therapist and worked on the unconscious trauma and abuse that I had buried from childhood and worked to bring it to my consciousness. As Carl Jung said if we don''t bring the unconscious abuse and trauma to the conscious it will become our fate.

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@sallyo420 what method was used to get those traumas to the surface. I could benefit from it

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Profile picture for abosier65 @abosier65

@sallyo420 what method was used to get those traumas to the surface. I could benefit from it

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@abosier65
For me it was a therapist who used psychoanalysis and I think he favored Jung. Online groups have also been very helpful like CoDA online. It takes time but is worth it.

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