How can i help my Anxiety?

Question

I am young. I have been dealing with my anxiety for over 5 years now. Sometimes it still gets to me though. at times i feel like there is nothing i can do. Because of my anxiety, i now have depression, and it gets hard to deal with at times, seeing as how i am still a teen. I cut back on all the caffiene, so no caffiene at all for me. i tried eating a certain diet to help too. I saw a counselor for about 2 years back when i first started getting my anxiety/panic attacks. She did help a little bit, but not too much. (My anxiety has slowly gotten better, i can at least do things i have not done in a while.) I have agoraphobia.. Which is the fear of being in a huge place with little exits or being alone. it has many meanings all meaning pretty much the same thing. (I used to not be able to do anything such as hanging out with friends, and even going to the mall!! i hated the mall! but now i can at least make it through the mall, if i have someone with me and i have things to keep me occupied, such as food and drinks and stuff..odd, i know). but anyway, back to the anxiety. There is one thing i have not tried...and that was taking anti-depressants. i don't really want to take them because i heard that they either make the anxiety worse, or they cause an increase in suicidal thoughts. which on my half is really bad. is there anything else i can try to do?? i really want to get my life fully back on track and live my life the best i can.

This discussion is related to Anxiety � Palpatations.

jelodi · Accepted Answer

Hi! Oh my.. finally I found  someone who really understands me. We have the same kind of situation here. I too have this fear going to the mall! and big buildings per se. well it’s a long story from where it started and its been also 5 yrs now. Ive been trying to get through it a bit. When I go to the  mall I make sure I know where the exits are and it must be a bit distant. But cant get to its 2nd floor. I also try to get a little busy with a companion, food and other things when I go the mall (which is very seldom). I used to always stroll at the mall with friends till I got thyroiditis. I already went to the doc bout thyroid, another doc gave me serotax for my attacks but I didn’t take also as I was nervous it  would make it worse. Im getting more worried about my panic attacks coz I think I get this fear just about anything. Sometimes I hyperventilate when I couldn’t find my celfone and when I get migraines. I nom w have a 7month old baby and when she grows up I want my famly to be having a good time at the mall like I used to. I also want to get my strength and life back, only better.
An uncle once told me I should get CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Maybe can do research about it. And include lots and hard prayers.  Pls inform me of your progress. Im now more motivated to getting well since I found you. 
Please help us find solutions for this.
Thank you.

Alixx925 · Answer

Thanks!(: i will look up CBT and see what i get. i'm sorry that you have to suffer with this problem as well. it is not a good thing to have. good luck with your baby too. i hope you and her have a wonderful, healthy, happy life(: and i hope you start feeling like you can go to the mall and other huge places.. im the same way with the second floor, i can't go to the second floor. Anxiety, and i am extrememly afraid of heights. hahaa. i will also try meditating more often, that seemed to help a bit when i was younger. i havent done it in about two years or so. but thank youu!

jelodi · Answer

hi!.. will try this for sure, do search about meditation and breathing techniques.

thank you so much.

Pum · Answer

Here are some things to try. Exercise, exercise, exercise. Eat small amounts and often. Never sleep in the daytime. When you wake up in the morning get up immdiately, don't lie and mope. Listen to upbeat music. Join a volunteer group that helps others. Exercise. Socialise. Accept all invitations from others for a while.

If you find your anxiety is affecting your life, relationships, work, studies, and you can't get over things then please see your doctor. Yes CBT can help, as can breathing techniques (search on line for medititation) and yes medication can work wonders but you are wise to want to try other things first.

Take care.