Dealing with Anxiety

[joemesina]

Long time before my breakup I had some anxiety problems I usually mange to control them, now with the breakup, I am always feeling some pain in my stomach and heart, just for thinking of her. Some situations make it worst, like when thing or places remind me of her, sometimes I want to throw up.

 

Please if possible, share any tips or suggestions how to deal with anxiety issues. This no contact period is killing me. Thanks

[Aesc]

Long time before my breakup I had some anxiety problems I usually mange to control them, now with the breakup, I am always feeling some pain in my stomach and heart, just for thinking of her. Some situations make it worst, like when thing or places remind me of her, sometimes I want to throw up.

 

Please if possible, share any tips or suggestions how to deal with anxiety issues. This no contact period is killing me. Thanks

 

If you drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages, cut back on them because caffeine is anxiogenic. Make sure and get plenty of rest and especially sleep. Eat regular meals, don't skip out on meals. If your anxiety is severe, you may need medications. If you feel that you are able to manage your anxiety without medications, then do so. Find things to do, ways to keep productive, ways to keep your mind occupied with better thoughts. Learn to relax, treat yourself well, pamper yourself. If possible try not to isolate yourself.

[Texygrl]

Create a "happy place" in your mind. As cliche as it sounds, it's science! You can trick your mind into feeling happy and calm.

 

Breathing. Breathe in though your nose for 8 seconds, hold it for 8 seconds, breathe out through your mouth for 8 seconds. Repeat.

 

I have General Anxiety Disorder and ADD/ADHD...another "mind trick" is to have a "Board of Directors". This is a group of people in your head, they can be alive, dead, real or imaginary (think Batman). While breathing, "discuss" your anxiety trigger with the board members. This helps detach yourself from the situation, so you can look at it from the outside.

 

Those things take practice...when I feel the onset of a panic attack and those tools fail me, I start looking around and naming things. Books, trees, grass, fan, dog, floor, pillow...literally everything until the anxiety subsides a bit. Then I start using the tools above.

 

I agree with Aesc, medication could be another useful tool. If you can't manage your anxiety, please please please speak to your doctor. Medication is just another tool and there is no shame in it.

 

I hope you find peace during this time, and I'm sorry you are struggling. :/

[joemesina]

Thanks for the tips, I will try to apply them, and I dont drink coffee btw, for the moment Im ok without medication, I can handle it, will try my best to work out my problems.

[LivingWaterPlease]

Get plenty of sleep, drink pure water, exercise daily (this is huge to cope with anxiety) and prayer plus Bible reading (this is powerful!).

 

Herbs I've used for anxiety: Valerian Root, Passion Flower, Kava (tea) These are non addictive.

 

Not everyone has trouble with meds but I know many who have had severe problems with taking benzos. Imo, it's not worth it to take meds.

[Nowty V]

Be careful with herbal remedies, Valerian etc... They can be of use but they can also have strong effects.

 

Exercise, regular, is ideal. Some swimming 3 times a week, aim to build up to a mile [80 lengths of a 20 meter pool] or some regular cycling. A tough workout, high cardio say Muay Thai Boxing three times a week will move the crap through your brain and get the endorphins flowing.

 

Meditation can be very beneficial, check out some Buddhist compassion meditation.

 

Anxiety is generated by your limbic system and Amygdalae, if you can get your head around how they function and learn to recognise and control their operation you will crack it.

[Aesc]

Be careful with herbal remedies, Valerian etc... They can be of use but they can also have strong effects.

 

Exercise, regular, is ideal. Some swimming 3 times a week, aim to build up to a mile [80 lengths of a 20 meter pool] or some regular cycling. A tough workout, high cardio say Muay Thai Boxing three times a week will move the crap through your brain and get the endorphins flowing.

 

Meditation can be very beneficial, check out some Buddhist compassion meditation.

 

Anxiety is generated by your limbic system and Amygdalae, if you can get your head around how they function and learn to recognise and control their operation you will crack it.

The exercise thing is better for dealing with depression than anxiety. That thing about runners high, most people mistakenly think that endorphins are what makes you feel good. However, more modern research has discovered (supposedly) that endorphins don't cross the blood-brain barrier. I suggest you look up Anandamide, which naturally occurs inside the brain.

Anxiety is a complex subject and there is no one cure all for it because there are a variety of anxieties.

[Nowty V]

I suggest you look up Anandamide,

 

Use plenty of Black Pepper in the cooking then.

[Aesc]

Use plenty of Black Pepper in the cooking then.

To get rid of anxiety?

[Nowty V]

To get rid of anxiety?

 

It has been suggested that AM1172 could potentially be developed into a drug that would increase the brain's anandamide levels to help treat anxiety and depression. Black pepper contains an alkaloid, Guineensine, which appears to be a relatively potent Anandamide reuptake inhibitor, thus increasing its physiological effects.

 

Kind of like an SSRI works for serotonin.

[Aesc]

It has been suggested that AM1172 could potentially be developed into a drug that would increase the brain's anandamide levels to help treat anxiety and depression. Black pepper contains an alkaloid, Guineensine, which appears to be a relatively potent Anandamide reuptake inhibitor, thus increasing its physiological effects.

 

Kind of like an SSRI works for serotonin.

 

I had a girlfriend with quite a lot of anxiety and no wonder, she drank loads of coffee everyday! Add a catecholamine dump to that and watch out!

[Nowty V]

Please if possible, share any tips or suggestions how to deal with anxiety issues.

 

If you have the ability to focus on something else that could help, say reading a book.

 

I would recommend

 

The Highly Sensitive Person:

How To Thrive When The World Overwhelms You

by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D.

 

You may not have a highly sensitive limbic system but it is a good read anyway [bags of hints and tips on how to cope and see the trait in a positive light] and will assist you if you encounter any HSP's in your business or social life.

 

The book is available on UK e bay for around $6

[HorseLuck]

Consider looking into therapy. I use to attend art therapy, and a group. Had pretty severe anxiety at one point, to the extent I was afraid to leave the house.

 

I second exercise, to the point of exhaustion. Dealing with one break-up in particular, when I would start to get nervous or felt like I was having an emotional overload, I would push myself to go for a run. Another option, consider a pet if you have the means to provide for one.

[spiderowl]

A break-up can trigger anxiety issues. I found that happened with me. I was an anxious person beforehand but after the break-up really suffered with pain, feelings of panic and unhappy thoughts. It did subside though; it took about three months before the awful 'on edge' feelings settled. Time may just heal for you. In the meantime, other posters have made good suggestions about managing anxiety. If nothing works and you are still suffering badly after a few weeks, it is worth considering medications.

 

Also, what really helped was giving up on trying to figure out 'why'. Once I realised some things cannot be understood, somehow that was a relief. What also helped was realising that he was not the guy I thought he was. We do unconsciously assume people will behave in certain ways, according to how we tend to do things (and because we would go insane if we did not feel some sort of security like this). When they do not behave according to plan, it is a real shock and a threat to us. After all, if we were hunting big game or something and it behaved unpredictably, our lives could be at risk. I do think that the unpredictability of a break-up can feel life-threatening at some unconscious level. It isn't, of course, but maybe our bodies react as if it is.

Edited January 2, 2017 by spiderowl

[umirano]

Don't read the bible, don't pray. At best nothing happens, at worst you'll feel let down again.

 

Exercise hardly ever hurts. Give it a try and if you don't feel any additional pain keep doing it. It can also help you find sleep because your body actually tires out. If you just sit on the computer or watch tv your anxiety has no outlet.

[countingstarsagain]

hi! i don't have much to suggest, just wanted to let you know you're not alone. i'm having the exact same struggle. i feel nauseated a lot and have very little appetite. any little thing makes me feel like i could throw up. just try to get plenty of rest and keep your mind busy. thankfully my fast-paced job has helped. i've had a little bit of a relapse after being on vacation from work for a week. even silly things like iphone games can be helpful. i've found candy crush to help me get my mind off of it, even if just for a few minutes.

[Sometymeswhy]

I've had a difficult year and and I decided that in the new year I won't allow myself to wallow in stress, anxiety and depression.

 

1. Let the past go. When any unpleasantness from the past bubbles up, beat it back when it first comes to mind. Say stop, no or something similar to purge the thought before it takes root.

 

2. Stop worrying about the future. Beat back thoughts about what hasn't happened yet and what you have no control over. Live in the present.

 

3. When others dump their crap on you let it slide. Don't waste time wondering about someone else's actions or behavior. Let them own it.

 

4. Spend more time and energy on what brings joy and fulfillment.

[Aesc]

A break-up can trigger anxiety issues. I found that happened with me. I was an anxious person beforehand but after the break-up really suffered with pain, feelings of panic and unhappy thoughts. It did subside though; it took about three months before the awful 'on edge' feelings settled. Time may just heal for you. In the meantime, other posters have made good suggestions about managing anxiety. If nothing works and you are still suffering badly after a few weeks, it is worth considering medications.

 

Also, what really helped was giving up on trying to figure out 'why'. Once I realised some things cannot be understood, somehow that was a relief. What also helped was realising that he was not the guy I thought he was. We do unconsciously assume people will behave in certain ways, according to how we tend to do things (and because we would go insane if we did not feel some sort of security like this). When they do not behave according to plan, it is a real shock and a threat to us. After all, if we were hunting big game or something and it behaved unpredictably, our lives could be at risk. I do think that the unpredictability of a break-up can feel life-threatening at some unconscious level. It isn't, of course, but maybe our bodies react as if it is.

I take exception to some of your statements. After I ended it with my "high anxiety" girlfriend, she tried to pass the buck, blame it on me! She had forced my hand and saw a side of me that she never ever thought was there. Both my good qualities and not so good qualities are fully integral parts of me, it's just that I endeavor to try and control or suppress the less desirable ones.