(Part 2) Best products from r/Anxiety

I'm a graphic designer, and I too have been struggling with creating. Right now, I'm in the middle of moving, planning a wedding, and what feels like a million other things, but for a time, I had a pretty good routine down.

I found that if I set a schedule for creative time, and stick to it, that eventually, something good will come out of it. You're always going to have bad days. You'll always have nights where you move your pencil around the page for hours and churn out nothing you like. It's part of the gig.

I also found that keeping a list of projects in a notebook was very handy. Instead of spending my creative time worrying about what to work on, I just picked from the list. I also made sure that I didn't have any distractions. It was almost like meditating. I would sit at my desk, and wait. Wait for creativity to come.

Granted, our mediums are different, but I'd suggest giving it a shot. Stick to a creative schedule. Eventually, I think your mind will become accustomed to working at a certain time, and you'll have more success.

Also, find some subreddits or communities where you can talk about your art with other people who enjoy what you do. Share your work. Ask for advice. You might run into an asshole here or there, but that's always going to be the case.

I also spend a lot of time worrying about the future. Worrying about my career, worrying about not being good enough. Try your best to push those thoughts out. I know that's easier said than done. Just sit and wait for it to flow through you.

I'd also suggest checking out this book. It's called The War of Art. The way the author views creativity is exactly what I needed to do in order to find success and stop letting my fears get in the way of doing what I love.

Keep at it. Good luck!

Hi there! I have been living with anxiety and OCD for as long as I can remember, and in more recent years depression has come onto the scene as well. It's hard to give situation-specific advice since you didn't provide information about your particular brand of anxiety (like triggers, frequency of panic attacks, etc.), but I can break down what I have found works for me. I hope my experience with combating anxiety will be useful to you!

• Tip No. 1: If your anxiety is severe enough to affect or impair your daily functioning (for example, your ability to work or school, have healthy relationships, and basically make it through the day in a bearable way), get help. There is assistance available even for those who are uninsured or financially strapped, especially in metropolitan areas.
  
  
• Tip No. 2: Therapy has honestly been the most beneficial and effective part of my treatment. I would even go so far as to recommend it without reservation to anyone suffering from anxiety, especially if their symptoms are on the milder end of the spectrum. I strongly believe that therapy should be the primary line of defense in combating anxiety. That's right, I said it, not medication. Of course there are exceptions to this rule of mine, such as in crisis situations (following a suicide attempt, hospitalization for a severe panic attack, etc.), but in my opinion, many people tend to jump straight to medication before exploring other options and then find themselves disappointed with often lackluster results. As a bit of a caveat, sometimes it does take time to find a skilled therapist that you can trust and connect with. This may be especially difficult with social anxiety or if you have had a bad experience with therapy in the past. Keep at it. It'll more than likely be worth it in the end.
  
  
• Tip No. 3: If therapy alone is not enough, medication prescribed by a mental healthcare professional is a valid option. In my experience with friends and such who received psychiatric medications from their primary care physicians, the results were often mixed or negative. The simple fact is that while PCPs are great for lots of other health concerns, the mind is not their area of expertise. A psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or psychologist (in states where they can prescribe) is much better equipped to recommend, adjust, and switch medications when necessary than your average general practitioner of medicine. And just like finding the right therapist, finding the right medication often takes patience and persistence. If you have specific questions about medications (I have been on several SSRIs and mood stabilizers in the past), feel free to ask away. And finally, don't expect medication to fix everything. It won't. I know that might seem obvious, but I've seen a lot of people stop taking medication when they shouldn't have just because their life wasn't immediately fixed. At their best, meds just make life easier to confront, not easier to live.
  
  
• Tip No. 4: Something that has been unexpectedly helpful in combating my own anxiety is doing lots of research about literally everything that scares or concerns me. It started when I was first prescribed medication and I was afraid of side effects, so I went online and started reading up on them. Yes, there were horror stories, but the majority of people don't spontaneously combust on antidepressants, and that made me feel better. From there, I started researching my phobias, like flying. Just knowing the mechanics and realistic risks of things that cause you anxiety is often enough to put mild anxiety to rest.
  
  
• Tip No. 5: Books like this can sometimes be useful for learning techniques to quell anxiety, such as thought stopping (a personal favorite of mine) and other relaxation techniques. They're especially great in times when you can't see a professional for whatever reason, because they're designed to model therapeutic techniques.
  
  Sorry for writing you a bit of a novel, but I wanted to make sure that I covered everything and explained myself well. Also, please note that I left off a lot of other techniques that are highly effective for many people (such as mediation/prayer) because I personally have not had success with them. That obviously doesn't mean you shouldn't explore them, in fact, I encourage you to. Everyone is different. I hope that what I have learned thus far in working through anxiety is useful to you.

YES, you absolutely can. I developed anxiety around the same age as you, and had no access to real therapy either. It was sink or swim - I could either stay like it, or find a way to help myself. It took time for me to actually come to the conclusion that helping myself was even possible, but I did, and it paid off. I now rarely, if ever, have panic attacks, and I'm generally much more resilient to stress and uncertainty.

What I did will most likely sound too simple and perhaps unrealistic, but hear me out. I bought a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) book. It basically became my bible. I read it all, took notes, did exercises, and followed it down to the letter. It was difficult, and it took time - but I began seeing an improvement after about 2-3 months. After about 9 months - 1 year, I was a different person. I was helped by it so much that I recommended it to my SO, who has OCD, and he's way better for it now as well. Once you learn the techniques, you can use them at any time, and for almost any kind of anxiety/stress/fear.

My father has always had a 'if I can't get someone else to do it, I'll learn it myself' attitude, and I suppose that was what I was doing. I wanted to be my OWN therapist, so I could be fully self-sufficient again. Due to various family issues/history, I was absolutely against taking medication (which my doctor did offer me, immediately, having had only ONE panic attack...that alone disturbed me enough to make me want to go it alone). The self-help approach suited me as I'm quite studious and self-motivated, and am generally interested in psychology, so reading the book was fun as well as beneficial. If that sounds anything like you, you'd probably get on well with it.

(This is the book I used - there are lots on the market now though: http://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy-Teach-Yourself/dp/1444170295)

Anxiety, for most people, is not an incurable problem. Specific disorders can be, and some types of fear can be very hard to shake, but from what you describe, that isn't you. You're aware of what's happening, you've looked into your options, and you're being pro-active about it. Those are all really good things :) And, while giving yourself time to get better hasn't worked out how you wanted it to, it's also encouraging that you allowed yourself the time in the first place. A lot of people try to push themselves through anxiety to the point where they really get ill, but you've taken care of yourself. Aside from CBT, I think self-care, being kind to yourself, is one of the best things you can immediately do to help things - both physically and mentally. If not telling your mum allows you to do this more easily, then it's not essential to rock the boat right now. You might want to at another time, or maybe if you feel you need support.

One last thing - panic attacks are scary, but they can't actually hurt you. They are nothing you can't handle - you already have handled them, and are still standing. It feels like you're in danger, I know, but it's important not to fear having them. Being afraid of panic is basically being afraid of fear itself, and that gets you in a bit of a pickle. Creating a mantra can be helpful (mine is 'everything is temporary', but whatever calms you is fine). I also have a breathing exercise that I find easiest to do when panicking - it's basically to just make myself exhale for as long as I can. No counting, no concentration necessary, you just breathe out for longer than you breathe in. A doctor told me it breaks the cycle of hyperventilation. I hope that helps you :)

I would recommend [this book] (http://www.amazon.com/When-Panic-Attacks-Drug-Free-Anxiety/dp/076792083X/ref=pd_sim_b_4). It has really helped me. It provides you with a multitude of techniques that can help. There is a very good chance that at least one will help you dramatically.

The first step may be to write down your fears as they are happening. If you wait until after, you won't get to the root of your problem. Once you find the root cause, you can 'put the lie to it'. After that, you can basically laugh at the fear and move on in your life.

I've had similar issues. I changed my diet and implemented daily exercising. Feeling better physically can help your mental state almost immediately.

Lastly, I would recommend breathing techniques. There are many found on the internet. I would try them out to see which works. The key for me was to use them during the earliest forms of anxiety. If I waited for a full blown attack, I was less successful.

While I've never had relationship anxiety, I have been in a relationship for 14 years. I think the best advice I can give is: you will never be happy if you have to pretend to be someone else. You have to reach a point where you feel comfortable enough to be yourself. Know that if it is meant to be, she will accept you for you for who you are. The good and the bad.

Omg, I so relate. I'm terrified of vomiting and when I start to feel panicky, it's the first thing I freak out about! I'm so sorry to hear you're suffering so much. I think it's so important to reflect on why you are so scared of vomiting? As for me, I have Complex PTSD, BPD, and GAD. My anxiety is so hard to cope with, and I have trauma surrounding vomiting. I talked to my therapist about it and she's trying to help me realize that vomiting is a normal part of being a human. And that vomiting from a panic attack, illness, etc, is very far removed from the source of my trauma/fears surrounding nausea/vomiting. Pregnant women sometimes vomit every morning from morning sickness, people vomit if they feel nauseous from being on boats/planes/cars. Vomiting feels so horribly scary and miserable, and it feels like you've totally lost control!! But it will not kill you. It's discomfort, but you only ever have to experience that discomfort one moment at a time.

I've gone through spells of intense nausea for hours, with little to no emotional support, and I can tell you that it was hell on earth for me with my anxiety/panic problems. So I completely relate. hug

Aside from working it out in your head (why am I so scared of nausea/vomiting? how can I help myself remember that I won't die and it's a normal part of being human?), here are some other ideas that might help:

• Chew anti-nausea gum
  
• Use something like this http://www.amazon.com/Quease-Ease-Motion-Sickness-Instant/dp/B001P4C8N2#customerReviews
  
• Maybe buy one of those anti-nausea wristbands
  
• Maybe write down on a sheet of paper in pretty pens, that discomfort and nausea/vomiting are normal and okay and that you won't die, and that you'll be okay
  
• Maybe get a stress ball or stuffed animal you can squeeze if you're feeling really scared of nausea
  
• Please discuss all of this with a good psychologist if you haven't already, if you're able
  
  
  When I get scared and nauseous, I tend to repeat things over and over, out loud, like "please help, help, help, help, help, I'm so scared, I'm so scared, oh my god, no, no, no, no." I relate to you so much and I feel for you so much. Please feel free to PM me if you wanna talk about it more.
  
  Edit: Wanted to add that when I'm really nauseous, pacing the floor or walking outside helps. Sometimes just changing the environment can help a little and moving your body, can help.

My favorite is Drip Drop powder, but liquid Pedialyte is a good second.

Pedialyte is amazing stuff. It has a ton of uses and has some great electrolytes that can boost your mood

Also, if you like yoga, maybe try doing it at home by yourself first to see if it helps. I like to do this one:

http://www.amazon.com/YOGA-FOR-HEALTH-DEPRESSION-INTESTINAL/dp/B002ZYZNIS/ref=pd_cbs_mov_aiv_5

And it's free if you have amazon prime.

Good luck and hugs!

I know money is tight for you, but buy a used copy of this book: Mind Over Mood.

http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Over-Mood-Change-Changing/dp/0898621283/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418417269&sr=8-1&keywords=Mind+over+mood

You're right, you definitely have anxiety. What this book will help you do is to dissect your anxious feelings, categorize them and develop alternative thoughts. This book was recommended by my therapist, and I've found that it definitely helps me when I'm at my worst. Best of luck to you, and know that you have a supportive community here!

Thank you ☺️

And absolutely! I bought this book:
Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1623157803?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I actually think I found it through someone else on this sub. It breaks down CBT in a way that allows you to “be your own therapist.” It guides you through 7 weeks the same way a therapist would: how does anxiety/depression affect X area of your life, what are your values, what are your goals for the next 7 weeks across all areas of life, track your activities/their importance/your enjoyment level, etc.

I’m only on week 2, but already I can see a difference in how I react to my anxious thoughts. At first I didn’t think the book would be right for me. A lot of the examples given are simplistic, more geared toward people with specific phobias, not GAD/panic disorder, etc. but once I got deeper into it I realized that it’s actually a great place to be honest with yourself and confront your anxiety in a non-intimidating way.

I would definitely recommend it!

thanks, I am doing well at the moment, been coming out of the darkness. But I have been there before and this time I am determined to continue to work on it and build up the coping strategies and mental strength so the next time I fall back into the darkness, hopefully I will be prepared. Thats the idea anyway, just checked the library database its not at my local one, but I am going to ask for a transfer. The reviews sounded very positive.

These books I found at the library were very helpful for drilling the CBT theories into my head, and has become daily routine for me:

http://www.amazon.com/Managing-Anxiety-Dummies-Graham-Davey/dp/1118366069/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419408745&sr=8-1&keywords=Managing+Anxiety+with+CBT+for+dummies

http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Your-Workplace-Stress-CBT-based/dp/0415671787/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419408931&sr=1-2&keywords=CBT+workplace

http://www.amazon.com/Learned-Optimism-Change-Your-Mind/dp/1400078393/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419408825&sr=1-1&keywords=learned+optimism

I have had GAD since I was 15 so I applaud you for seeking professional help. Exercise won't cure cancer for sure (I've had that too) and it may not eliminate GAD, but it certainly will not hurt and may actually help. Exercise "messes with brain chemistry" in a very good way. This book by a neuroscientist explains what exercise does to your brain: https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Revolutionary-Science-Exercise-Brain/dp/0316113514

So go to therapy, definately take your meds but your parents may actually be on to something.

There's a lot of scientific evidence for it—I did a quick google and found some stuff, although there are probably better explanations than what I found in a few seconds.

There was a study done in the past five years—at Yale IIRC—that indicated that exercise is equivalent to anti-depressant medication in treating depression.

Here is a psychologist being interviewed about what exercise does to the exerciser's mind.

Here, the American Psychological Association (APA) explains that exercise improves the brain's ability to handle stress, which in turn should reduce anxiety.

There's no cure-all; the one thing you need to do is actually a lot of things that will work together in a perfect storm to reduce and possibly eliminate your anxiety.

About exercise:

• don't worry about whether you feel a "runner's high"—it usually does come, but after at least several weeks of training
  
  
• what you are after is not only an endorphin rush; exercise is being shown to actually change the structure of the brain in positive ways, not the least of which is to be more resilient and less prone to anxiety
  
  
• if your pulse seems too high, slow it down. Remember, you're not out there to prove you're Superman/Superwoman. Speed and endurance will come; think of your mind/body as an engine that you're working on. You need to build it up before it's ready to race.
  
  
• Exercise is not punishment. Too many people get the idea that running/exercise is a way to do penance for bad behavior. You're out there to do good to yourself because you deserve it.
  
  I got a lot out of this layman's book about the effects of exercise on the brain (based science from the past 10-20 years); you may want to look at it.
  
  PS: I found this interesting article in The Atlantic about exercise and depression as well; looks pretty good, and it's from last year.
  
  edit: grammar

I know, and here I am trying to fix it. :-) Most likely to avoid my own anxiety...

Have you considered something like this book "Mind Over Mood"? I know others like the book "Feeling Good" as well, but feedback tends to be that the first one is more focused, which is what I need when anxiety is ripping me apart.

It is a strain. It just is. I hope you can feel that someone out here cares, though, because I do.

Cool, lets start with something simple, REMEMBER baby steps is key with anxiety otherwise things will just escalate in your head and you won't be able to do much. I'd recommend buying a kindle (like amazon's paperwhite) and reading a self help book to start the ball rolling as it will make you understand how the mind works etc which is crucial to fixing it, I'd recommended a book by John Arden called How to rewire your brain! http://www.amazon.com/Rewire-Your-Brain-Think-Better/dp/0470487291
Also, do you watch any comedy shows at all on a daily basis Cheers

Well, that's why I suggested that book, first.

http://www.amazon.com/When-Panic-Attacks-Drug-Free-Anxiety/dp/076792083X/

If you've never taken an SSRI before, I can understand your concern. I've tried 5 and they were all a bit different and still kind of the same.

They have different side effects, but the main effect is primarily similar: Thoughts don't race around and repeat over and over. And also, the "floor" on your emotional range tends to be lifted so that if you're down, you're less down.

The major downside to many of these SSRIs is that the "ceiling" to your emotional range can be lowered.

Naturally, when you go off the SSRI, the range returns (or if you lower the dose, the range widens.)

Think of SSRIs as a cast for your mind (instead of for your leg or arm). High dose SSRI is like a hard cast on your body part in question, medium dose SSRI is like a more flexible cast, low dose is like an Ace bandage. You're trading off emotional stability for emotional flexibility and vice-versa.

Btw, are you still getting enough exercise? I find that regular hard exercise does wonders for one's mood.

I second the CBT. I had great success with it. My course of treatment was based on this book: http://www.amazon.com/Mastery-Your-Anxiety-Worry-Treatments/dp/0195300017

The biggest component of the therapy was daily mood records and symptom trackers. By tracking everything I was able to get more of an outside view of my emotions and feelings. I was then able to pinpoint the specific triggers and the early early signs of panic attacks. After identifying all that, I started with the relaxation exercises (breathing exercises worked best for me.)

The point being (with CBT) is that you have to work at it. It isn't an overnight thing. And you have to do the homework.

I'm so sorry! I was in the same situation with my parents and family members.

I have read a ton of books on the subject, and I would recommend reading [Rewire Your Brain] (https://www.amazon.com/Rewire-Your-Brain-Think-Better/dp/0470487291). It's very practical, and has really helped me with my fight with anxiety.
Also try the OCD workbook. You may not be diagnosed with OCD, but this book helps you battle the intrusive and ruminating thoughts.

Also, try meditation and Mindfulness Exercises. I thought it was a bunch of malarky before I tried it. It has made a world of difference. [This website] (http://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/) will help you get started.

Please don't be afraid to hop onto reddit and chat with the rest of us. We really want to help!

This book allowed me to improve my anxiety so much - I highly recommend it. The way the chapters are structured makes it really easy to learn and practice CBT yourself, and there are templates for worksheets.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cognitive-Behavioural-Therapy-Relationships-Self-Help/dp/1444170295/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421683414&sr=8-1&keywords=teach+yourself+cbt

Lots and lots of meditation and affirmation. All the greats were neurotic and convinced their work was shite. I just work on letting it go and not caring what others think. I have a book out right now. I found a typo in it. So? It doesn't lessen the message or mean that I'm an idiot. I worked with a professional editor and she didn't catch it either.

Anyway meditation has been key for me. The world needs to hear what you have to say, and they don't need it to be perfect, they just need it to be true. ;)

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(My book is here, if you have any interest: https://www.amazon.com/Fear-Itself-Battling-Anxiety-Brought/dp/171817506X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= )

I also have a podcast called Fear Itself. It's also far from perfect, but I'm putting it out there because I know it's my purpose. Go forth and create!

It gets easier...or hopefully it will for you too. It's hard seeing a lot of posts from kids here, relating a lot, but not knowing how to help except by linking books and stuff. This helped me out some.


https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cognitive-behavioral-workbook-for-anxiety-william-j-knaus/1018007495?ean=9781626250178&st=PLA&sid=BNB_%5BADL%5D%20%5BEBooks%5D%20%5BGeneric%5D%20(Medium)&sourceId=PLABiNA&dpid=tdtve346c&2sid=Bing_c&msclkid=c98403cf0ff61370576a5e772d997349&adlclid=ADL-80252d63-8873-4942-b9af-d7cb2f53a04d#/


This book can come off as a bit corny, but there are things where you personify and label different voices in your head so it might be worth a look. It's about being kind to yourself too.


https://www.amazon.com/Making-Change-Good-Compassionate-Self-Discipline/dp/1590302087

CBT therapy can help teach you coping skills which can be a big help if you're constantly under heavy loads of stress. tea this works a treat for me it's popular in south Texas for anxiety. It can make you drowsy though. linden flower, valerian root, passion flower, manita flower, tilia flower, spearmint leaf, peppermint leaf, lemon balm leaf, orange oil

Feeling Good and The Feeling Good Handbook by Dr. David Burns are really good.

Yeah absolutely it impacts. Do not overlook the electrolytes though, they are very important, and this is coming from someone who has been doing keto for a very long time. I use Hydrolyte, its simple and easy. For vitamins, I have a regimen that is way too complex to describe here.

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KCFQF2L?ref=myi_title_dp

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Couple of things to try:

Check out Mini-habits to get you moving.

The other is to try to just focus on the process:

"When your goal is to pay attention to only what you are doing right now, as long as you are doing just that, you are reaching your goal in each and every moment" - Thomas M. Sterner from The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life

Lastly there is a great book by a writer on the battle to create and write called, The War of Art.

Just my two bitcoins - I hope it helps. Hang in there!

My favorite is Drip Drop powder, but liquid Pedialyte is a good second.

Does she like to read? Maybe you could get her a great book written by a psychiatrist called When Panic Attacks.

http://www.amazon.com/When-Panic-Attacks-Drug-Free-Anxiety/dp/076792083X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410563306&sr=8-1&keywords=when+panic+attacks

>(for example, I'll be thinking something normal like 'Oh look, that person is playing with their kid!' and then immediately 'What if I'm only thinking about them because I want to lure them into the woods and murder them? What if I'm secretly a murderer?'), and just will NOT STOP

-( My ex-bf goes through something like this. Have you tried CBT? You need to work on it every single day for several months.

http://www.amazon.com/When-Panic-Attacks-Drug-Free-Anxiety/dp/076792083X

Hey there! I was in the same boat as you for several years and am still dealing with it. For the longest time I figured because it manifested physically, and I felt happy otherwise, that maybe it would blow over, or I could just take some remedy.

Three years of seeing doctors for what I though was just physical manifestation was a waste of time. Seek psychiatric help, get diagnosed if you haven't already. In two years of seeking help I've gone from being sick 3-4 times a week, to a few times a year. The chest pain is nonexistent. I found the mind over matter books just weren't enough on their own- talking to someone truly helps. I used this one book briefly. Also I know you said you're a student, but schools often provide counselling for students. Seek them out, call the office or registrar, they can likely give you more info.

http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-Handbook-David-Burns/dp/0452281326/psychcentral I think this one is a good choice.. Or the sane new world

I found The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook and The Feeling Good Handbook helpful.

When my wife had our son I was throwing up a lot, the nurses were more focused on me than my wife. One of them gave me one of these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001P4C8N2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_tabWCbN7YHFYG

lolol oops. I meant this.

That dog is always a relevant expression of my personal experience, however.

Thanks for this!!! And you can add another book from David Burns called "When Panic Attacks" which is more about anxiety and other disorders and it's more recent.
Link to amazon

Or "When Panic Attacks" which helped me tremendously.

The book, "When Panic Attacks" did wonders for me. https://smile.amazon.com/When-Panic-Attacks-Drug-Free-Anxiety/dp/076792083X?sa-no-redirect=1

-Needle-like pricks all over my body. I don't wince in pain but it's uncomfortable.

-Chest pain as if I've been running for a very, very long time

-Sometimes I feel as if I have a lump in my throat. Slight swallowing pain today.

-I feel like my lungs don't expand enough so shortness of breath

I can't speak for the other things but that's how I feel anxiety. When I'm extremely anxious, stressed, and haven't slept I have pain down my neck, pains every time the back of my head comes into contact with anything, and back pain severe enough I have to lie down. The pains themselves are posture related but the severity only tends to increase during periods of high anxiety.
Here's the book my doctor suggested for dealing with anxiety. Also, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about your symptoms, they could well be a more serious issue (unlikely!) but hopefully it will put your mind at ease a bit.